Rising star has marketing advantage

Chris Browne, 2007 AFA Rising Star award winner, has found winning the award has helped to consolidate face-to-face relationships and grow business with preferred referral partners.

“Winning this award was an honour, and it’s certainly been a great marketing tool to win new business with mortgage brokers, general insurers and acccountants.

Nominations are now open for the 2008 Rising Star of the Year award.  The award recognises new advisers who provide quality holistic advice, demonstrate a commitment to education, and contribute to the industry and their community.

“ING Australia has sponsored these awards since inception in 2005, as we believe peer recognition and reward is fundamental to promoting the financial advice industry,” said Mark Vilo, ING Head of Dealer Groups.

“Quality advice is essential to growing the wealth and retirement savings of Australians.

“These awards provide an opportunity to recognise exceptional new talent from adviser ranks and to promote the overall quality and calibre of financial advice.”

Chris’ tip for aspiring award nominees is to provide evidence of your commitment beyond validation of your adviser role.

“Today’s young advisers are well qualified and passionate but exceptional advice is about providing a holistic view.  With this in mind, a nominee’s application should include the work done beyond the day-to-day.

“It’s important to tell the judges about the extras, whether volunteering, paraplanner mentoring, or submissions for financial advice newspaper columns.

“It’s that extra that says something about your commitment to self and betterment.

“For me, overseas volunteer work provides an added dimension about the world, and also the lessoned learned from this experience can be shared back at the office, through better relationship management,” Mr Browne said.

The nominations close date for the 2008 AFA Rising Star Award is 1st August.  The winner will be announced at the AFA National Conference on 19th October.  Nominations can be made online at the AFA website – www.afa.asn.au