As you might have guessed from previous blogs I think we have some excellent people in our profession. These people are passionate about getting the best outcomes for their clients, but also find time to encourage others along. There are no monopolies on good ideas and more than enough potential clients to go around. Passionate people attract each other and form collaborations.

What exactly is the purpose of Financial Planning? How do we represent it to the public? Why should they feel compelled to engage and pay fees for it? What is the value? I’m not going to go deeply philosophical on you – don’t worry! But what is it that we do? What purpose – economic, social, or other – do we serve? If we aren’t clear in our own minds how can we help clients to realise the importance of what we do.

Last week I attended the CISI Financial Planning Annual Conference and this week, as part of my duties as branch president of our local CISI branch, I was delighted to help in the hosting of a round-table discussion.

Just over a week after this year’s national Paraplanners Powwow organisers have reflected on the event, which saw many new faces and a record number of ‘campfire’ sessions.