The financial services industry has long been fixated on one thing—selling products. Providers, advisers, regulators, the financial press, and even emerging AI agents all seem to be caught in the same endless cycle: product, product, product. No matter how much they talk about helping people, it always comes back to selling something. Providers can’t just … Continue reading Breaking Free from the Product Sales Trap in Financial Services
Tag: Financial Planning
Discover Your Favourite Future with the Academy’s GAME Plan
At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that everyone deserves to live a life filled with purpose, security, and significance. That’s why we’ve developed the GAME Plan—a simple, empowering framework to help you chart a values-led, purpose-driven path to a brighter future. Let’s break it down together. G is for Goals Everything starts with … Continue reading Discover Your Favourite Future with the Academy’s GAME Plan
The Game Plan Evolution: CPD Masterclass Series (Season 2)
Building on the success of last year's programme, the Academy of Life Planning is delighted to announce the launch of Season 2 of our Continuous Professional Development Masterclass Programme for 2025. This series, titled "The Game Plan Evolution," is designed to further empower financial planners with the skills and insights needed to excel in an … Continue reading The Game Plan Evolution: CPD Masterclass Series (Season 2)
A Wall Between Advice and Product: Restoring Market Integrity to Financial Services
For too long, the lines between professional financial advice and product sales have been blurred. This lack of clarity has not only led to a series of high-profile mis-selling scandals and service failures but has also undermined public trust in financial services. To restore integrity and confidence, we need to build a clear wall between … Continue reading A Wall Between Advice and Product: Restoring Market Integrity to Financial Services
Building Prosperity: How Human Capital Insights Empower GenIFAs to Guide Clients Out of Poverty
The study by Minh Quang Dao presents a powerful lens through which we can understand poverty and income inequality in developing nations. For Generic Independent Financial Advisers (GenIFAs) focused on enabling sustainable financial well-being, these findings can be transformative. Let’s explore how this research can guide actionable steps in financial planning to alleviate poverty. The … Continue reading Building Prosperity: How Human Capital Insights Empower GenIFAs to Guide Clients Out of Poverty
Unlocking Potential: Why Human Capital Matters in Financial Planning
When you think about financial planning, you probably picture bank accounts, pensions, or investments—what we typically call "financial capital." But there’s something just as important, if not more so, that often gets overlooked: human capital. This is your unique potential—the skills you’ve built, the knowledge you’ve gained, and the energy you bring to creating a … Continue reading Unlocking Potential: Why Human Capital Matters in Financial Planning
Are Financial Advice Firms as Secure as They Seem?
When you seek financial advice, you might assume that working with a firm registered and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) offers reassurance and guarantees. After all, these firms are required to maintain professional indemnity (PI) insurance to cover potential claims. However, recent trends suggest that consumers may need to reassess how much protection … Continue reading Are Financial Advice Firms as Secure as They Seem?
Presencing in Financial Planning: Shifting from Ego to Soul for Meaningful Client-Centred Solutions
In today's rapidly evolving financial landscape, there's a growing movement towards a more holistic, client-centred approach known as "presencing." This method shifts the focus from traditional, ego-centric financial planning—which often prioritises assets and transactions—to a soul-centric model that emphasises genuine human connection and the client's overall well-being. Understanding Presencing in Financial Planning Presencing, a concept … Continue reading Presencing in Financial Planning: Shifting from Ego to Soul for Meaningful Client-Centred Solutions
The Case for a Wall Between Advice and Product Sales
“There should be a wall, between advice and products, between advice and large institutions, and between our regulators and large institutions. We need an integrity that is impeccable. Until we actually institute a way of bringing good heart, great integrity, and a fiduciary relationship that is sustainable into the industry, we are going to fail. … Continue reading The Case for a Wall Between Advice and Product Sales
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Conduct Risk: Inside and Outside the Perimeter
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was established to regulate financial conduct in the UK. As the name suggests, its primary role is to ensure that firms and individuals within its regulatory perimeter act in ways that protect consumers, maintain market integrity, and promote competition. But not all financial planners operate within this perimeter, and understanding … Continue reading Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Conduct Risk: Inside and Outside the Perimeter
