One thing my father always said to me when I was presented with a particular challenge or opportunity was to “take it a day at a time”.  That’s very true of the business of being a financial representative – you need to take it a day at a time and not become overwhelmed with what you have to do, where you have to go, who you have to see, how you’re going to meet new people, how you’re going to follow-up on that case etc… etc…

Building a financial services practice does take a lot of hard work and you have to be organized.  There is a lot of rope and you don’t want to hang yourself with it.  The beauty is that it is within your control – after the initial period of two years or so of learning the basics – you make all the decisions as to how you handle each and every day.  Each and every opportunity.  Each and every challenge.

One of the initial challenges in the business is finding sufficient people to talk to.  At FaithLife Financial we have a number of partners that help with that.  In partnership with other leading ministries, World Vision, Promise Keepers, and Women Alive – we are able to talk to Christians who are connected with these ministries and tell them our story.  As well, we train on a referral model – adding the extra value that gives you the confidence to ask for introductions to people to further tell our story to friends, family and acquaintances of members.

And if you take it a day at a time – you’ll find success.  Recently, I listened to a presentation by Guy Baker, MSFS, CFP, MBA.  Guy was named by Worth Magazine in 2009 as one of the Nation’s top 250 planners in the United States.  He was a founding Board member of the National Association of Family Wealth Counselors and of The Stewardship Alliance - a group of professionals dedicated to providing legacy and wealth planning to high net worth donors to Christian ministries.  He is an Elder at Grace Church also having served as Chairman of the Deacon Board. He is also the a Founding Trustee for Grace Classical Academy, a k-8 private school for families seeking a classical education.  His strategy for success is 2 a days.  Adding in two people each and every day that have a willingness to meet with you.  Simple.  2 a days, one day at a time.

In 1996, I started my career as an advisor.  I loved my role, but needed to make some changes in my work hours to better meet some new family challenges.  Fortunately, I was able to use my current skills in a new position as a financial consultant for the employees of the same insurance company. A few years later, I was approached to consider taking on a development and training role for Long Term Care Insurance Specialists and I jumped at the opportunity.  As a risk taker, I was up for a new challenge.

I have always believed that the financial services industry is a relationship business.  In my experience I knew that my success was a result of building strong relationships.  Relationships are built as a result of your credibility, integrity, keeping your promises, being accountable and building trust. My role as a training manager allows me to help new Financial Representatives understand this as we teach them the sales process.

I believe that life is a series of stepping stones that take you from one area to the next if you are but willing and open to accept the challenges that are presented to you.

Helena Devries,

Training and Sales Manager, FaithLife Financial

You may be wondering about the career of a financial advisor.  Rated in the recent Best Careers of 2011 as one of the top choices, it seems interesting.  But, is it for you?

We have a very comprehensive, robust selection process that allows you to see if the career is a good match.  We tailor our career preview phase to do exactly that – determine how it fits.  We often use the analogy of trying on a suit when talking to candidates.

You go to the store and you see a suit that you like and you take it to a fitting room to try on. There are three possible outcomes;

1. It doesn’t fit – you take it back out and leave it on the rack.  No recriminations we hope!
2. It fits – but it just doesn’t feel right or look right.  You put it back on the rack and forget about it.
3. It fits – and you feel & look terrific in it!

By following our process, which you can review at FaithLife Financial, we find out what YOU feel like in the advisor suit.  Any one of the three is OK – we only want you to move forward if it is #3 as of course, there is nothing wrong with the other two outcomes.  It just means it isn’t for you.

We welcome your willingness to enter our process.  Get in touch – we guarantee that we will work with you on “trying on” your FaithLife Financial Representative suit!

You may be wondering about the career of a financial advisor.  Rated in the recent Best Careers of 2011 as one of the top choices, it seems interesting.  But, is it for you?

We have a very comprehensive, robust selection process that allows you to see if the career is a good match.  We tailor our career preview phase to do exactly that – determine how it fits.  We often use the analogy of trying on a suit when talking to candidates.

You go to the store and you see a suit that you like and you take it to a fitting room to try on. There are three possible outcomes;

1. It doesn’t fit – you take it back out and leave it on the rack.  No recriminations we hope!
2. It fits – but it just doesn’t feel right or look right.  You put it back on the rack and forget about it.
3. It fits – and you feel & look terrific in it!

By following our process, which you can review at FaithLife Financial, we find out what YOU feel like in the advisor suit.  Any one of the three is OK – we only want you to move forward if it is #3 as of course, there is nothing wrong with the other two outcomes.  It just means it isn’t for you.

We welcome your willingness to enter our process.  Get in touch – we guarantee that we will work with you on “trying on” your FaithLife Financial Representative suit.