When there is no wind, row
The third millennium was greeted with wild enthusiasm but it has since become a more sombre affair.
As we prepare to farewell 2002, we look back on the last two years and see the irrational exuberance of the last years of the 20th Century crumble into a more unsettled state.
We have experienced difficult and disturbing times – unprecedented events like September 11th and Bali, the severest bear market since the 1930s, a looming conflict in the Middle East, and, closer to home, major changes to the structure of some of our financial institutions with question marks about their survival, and strong hints of regulation ahead.
For many financial service professionals the last two years has been hard going. But the nature of people in our business is not to quit; they do not give up seeking success that easily and follow the old Chinese proverb “when there is no wind, row”.
Now, it’s time to look ahead and examine the way forward.
The growth of FPIA membership since the merger in 1999 has been encouraging and a recent survey of our members reveals most are not doing too badly at all, and some very well. FPIA is now widely recognised as setting the standard in the field with the development of a comprehensive set of professional standards and its on-going education programme.
Our annual FPIA gathering is an important occasion both as a learning forum and an opportunity for members to meet, talk and socialise in a more informal way. It brings together a large group who subscribe to these high common standards and a sound work ethic.
The programme for Rotorua is now largely complete with only a small number of business sessions to be finalised.
Last year’s Platinum Sponsors – AMP and BT – have confirmed they will “go Platinum” again and other sponsorships have been confirmed. All sponsors will be properly acknowledged in the Registration Brochure which we plan to have in members’ hands in February.
What we see as the major educational objectives of Success Forum 2003 We promised seven keynote speakers and five streams giving thirty five business sessions in all. This your committee has delivered.
Keynote Speakers A full bio of each is on www.fpia.org.nz and will be in the registration brochure, but briefly:
In response to requests from members and sponsors, we have expanded the programme to seven sessions in five streams, thirty five sessions in total.
Two streams are focussed on risk, two on investment and one stream on Practice Management/Business Development.
An innovation this year is to offer business sessions at “Advanced” level to attract advisers who are experienced but want to feel it is worthwhile attending.
And whilst the streams identify risk/investment/financial planning issues, we believe there are no boundaries and that all members will find something of interest in every stream. Some sessions could quite logically have been placed in a different stream. You will hear from experienced practitioners in your own field, from those who give you practical support in the work you do, others who come from a more technical angle and those who will offer encouragement and motivation.
Our business programme speakers will be profiled in upcoming editions of Adviser.
Risk Streams Subjects covered in these streams (some at both levels) include Business, Disability and Health Insurance, Growing & Managing your Business, improving sales skills, compliance, some case studies from the Insurance Ombudsman, needs analysis from a panel of experienced advisers, and a workshop from our MDRT Keynote Speaker.
Investment Subjects covered in these streams will include Asset Allocation, Research, Taxation, SRI, Forestry, Hedge Funds, Investment styles, Economic & Investment Outlook, a panel of BDM’s, risk-profiling, handling clients in tough times.
Practice Management/Business Development This stream will include follow-up practical hands-on sessions from keynotes Martin Grunstein and John Mendzela plus a paper on future trends from an experienced practitioner and an in-depth study of the Australian advisory industry which serves as a guide to us all. Plus an entertaining session on keeping fit and healthy and what’s new, or coming, on the technology front.
Supporting Activity We have the usual Business Expo, where our sponsors and many of our product suppliers, and others, will be exhibiting, and once again an area set aside for those wishing to use the internet.
Adopting an overseas practice, we have introduced a “Speakers Corner” to which those presenting business sessions can retire after their presentation and you can go and talk to them in an informal setting about anything arising from their session.
We have allowed good long lunch breaks to enable you to get around the sponsors, catch up with colleagues and get some exercise.
Success Forum 2003 will open and close with entertainment appropriate to the Rotorua Venue. This conference, we have a big opening night party at the Blue Baths which will have a 1930’s theme, two great bands and entertainment. We encourage attendees to dress the part. And an after-business “happy hour” on the second evening before you go off to enjoy a private function or one of the many great dining and entertainment experiences available in today’s Rotorua.
Golf As usual there will be a golf tournament on the Wednesday afternoon preceding the conference opening.
Your committee has worked hard to put together a robust conference programme, addressing all levels of membership. We look forward to your support.
Alan Milton
Business Programme
Chairman, Conference Committee.