Seminars with threesixty
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"We realize how important it is for advisers to keep up to date with their financial planning knowledge and, with this in mind, we arrange regular seminars covering various areas of technical knowledge and application, marketing, some soft skills..."
threesixty Director, David Ingram |
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In this discussion, David Ingram, Director at threesixty, explains how threesixty’s Key Issues Seminars have befitted advisers over the past 12 months.
What type of technical Seminars do threesixty offer?
We realise how important it is for advisers to keep up to date with their financial planning knowledge and, with this in mind, we arrange regular seminars covering various areas of technical knowledge and application, marketing, some soft skills etc. Subjects covered this year have included asset allocation, inheritance tax and the taxation of trusts in the new regime, post A-Day issues, protection (with emphasis on pension term assurance and business assurance), marketing skills and treating customers fairly. We call these our Key Issues Seminars, as they are designed to keep advisers informed and up-to-date.
Who are they for and where are they held?
The seminars are free of charge and are open to all advisers and staff from threesixty client firms. They are held on a monthly basis (usually around 10 times per annum) at various venues around the UK. Seminars are currently held at 12 locations (typically Edinburgh, Stirling, Belfast, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Norwich, London, Watford, Southampton, Bristol and Cardiff).
Who delivers the presentations?
The seminars are arranged by threesixty, on behalf of our clients. Whilst we often invite a Product Provider or Investment House to speak, these are very much our seminars, with content which is either presented by or approved by threesixty. We feel it's important to approve all third party presentations to ensure that they really do offer genuine value for our clients.
threesixty staff always host the seminars which allows us to meet clients face-to-face and bring to delegates’ attention any pertinent news about our own services or any ‘hot off the press’ announcements by FSA, HMRC, the Treasury etc.
What is the format?
Seminars take the form of a workshop (10-20 delegates on average); a format deliberately chosen to enable full participation and interaction from the delegates. Venues are often local hotels/conference centres, or occassionally Provider Training Centres.
A typical Key Issues Seminar lasts half a day; we start with coffee at 9.30 a.m. and end with lunch around 12.30 – 1.00 p.m.
How do you know if your client firms are happy with the Seminars?
We are always keen to get feedback from the delegates who attend Key Issues Seminars, as it is essential that busy IFAs feel that attendance at a seminar is time well spent. Forms are distributed at each seminar for completion so we can identify any areas for improvement staright away. This emphasis on looking after our clients has meant that the feedback to date has been extremely positive, most attendees at the seminars are ‘regulars’ who come along each month, although there is no obligation to do so.
So why should advisers from client firms attend the Seminars?
We encourage everyone to come along to the Seminars – not only does it help keep advisers' knowledge up-to-date but it affords the oportunity for discussion with like-minded advisers. We let the advisers drive the topics that are covered, as the seminars are for them.