The Pension Specialists are looking forward to a positive year in 2012. With volatility in the markets, many are wondering what 2012 will bring. Remember, with challenges, come opportunities. We are here to help turn your life dreams into realities.
Recipient of IPC's 2010 Top Wealth Management Teams Award
Recipient of IPC's 2010 Best Client Experience Award
Welcome to The Pension Specialists
Pay Attention to your Pension - Foundations for a Worry-free Retirement
Inside this book, pension specialists Ian Burns and Shelley Johnston walk you through the essential pension and planning information that will guide you to a brighter retirement. They’ll show you—through easy tips, practical advice, and illuminating stories from people just like you—how to take control of your future. The time to pay attention to your pension is now.
As The Pension Specialists™, we have created and customized a wide range of services
to ensure that our clients maintain their future lifestyle.
One of the most important decisions you will ever make is to choose the right person to help you navigate through life’s financial journey. We have built up a successful financial planning practice by using the “The 8 Ps Focus” as our business model; we believe this process is an ideal way for you to find that key relationship that will help you move forward.
The 8 Ps are: Passion, Philosophy, Purpose, People, Processes, Performance, Progress and Perspective.
Passion….
It all starts with a Passion, a Passion for the business. Passionate Advisors will show a commitment to their clients… their families and their businesses. You will find that they go “that extra mile” to ensure all of your needs are looked after.
Philosophy…..
We all have some kind of belief systems that we live by, but most of us don’t really think too much about it. When it comes to choosing a great Advisor, this must be paramount in helping you make the right decision. What is their investment philosophy and why have they chosen this philosophy? What have they done to ensure they have a successful business? Find out what he or she does to “grow their business”. Do they have a business coach? What books do they read? Remember, if their business philosophy is based on personal growth and constant improvement, you have a better chance of a successful outcome than dealing with someone who is just putting in the time. You both must have a win/win mentality.
Purpose
Passion plus philosophy always creates Purpose. This is the reason we all get out of bed in the morning. The very essence of why we all do what we do. A great Advisor will always have a strong definition of purpose and will be able to explain this to you passionately.
We are here to turn our client’s life dreams into reality. Eliminate their dangers, capture their opportunities, and build on their strengths. We strive to make a difference in our client’s lives.
People
If Passion, Philosophy, and Purpose lay the foundation, then People make it all happen. Great Financial Advisors will be driven and motivated by their people. First and foremost must be you the client. You must be an integral part of everything that happens.
Your advisor must have the right team in place. We call this our “Unique Team”. People that can help everything run smoothly. More importantly, this Unique Team must be completely aligned with both client and advisor. They must share the same Passion and Philosophy. Next on the list is an advisor’s “Strategic Partners”. They are the people that provide strategic support. For example, Investment Dealerships, Life Insurance companies, Lawyers, Accountants Actuaries, Tech Support, and Fund companies. Great Advisors have developed great clients, great Unique Teams, and great Strategic Partners.
Processes
All great organizations have great processes in place. In fact, this is one area where most advisors fail. Processes are designed specifically to give you the correct measurable results every time they are implemented. From the first time you meet a Great Advisor, to the final implementation of the Financial Planning Process, you should be impressed by his or her professionalism, the quality of the support team, and the process for implementation.
Performance
Many people tell you it is all about performance, but in the financial planning arena it is very difficult to compare performances. Let’s approach this from a slightly different perspective. First, look at your overall plan. Is it designed to keep you on track for lifestyle or to outperform financial benchmarks? Is it more important to have upside growth or downside protection? Pay down your mortgage or maximize your RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan)? Be very clear about your objectives; financial and lifestyle. Work diligently with your advisor to achieve them. Talking about Performance, make sure all the other boxes are ticked and he/or she does what they say. Holds you accountable for what you say you will do. Returns phone calls on time and all the other things you know should be done by any good business.
Progress
Any good plan will have a way to measure progress. This can be both financial and lifestyle. If your plan has been designed and implemented properly, you should see signs of progress relatively early. Whether it’s implementing that new budget successfully, updating those wills, reducing your debt, or taking that trip, it is all progress. Remember, all you need to look for is Progress not Perfection. Make sure your advisor is helping you chart your progress.
Perspective
The last of the 8Ps is Perspective. Think of it…… How many times do we really lose perspective? Sometimes everything gets so blown out of proportion. Markets have survived wars, tsunamis, market meltdowns, tech bubbles, major debt crisis and have bounced back stronger than ever; even though the pundits have said “This time it is different”.
Also, many individuals have bounced back from health issues, family crisis, job loss and financial disaster. They have beaten insurmountable odds to not only survive, but to flourish. When you think about things within a proper perspective, it definitely changes one’s attitude. With this in mind, it surely is incumbent upon you to make sure your advisor can help you to maintain your Perspective by understanding his or hers. Remember that, “This too shall Pass” is the mantra for people with a healthy perspective.
Well, there you have it. The “8P Focus”: Passion, Philosophy, Purpose, People, Processes, Performance, Progress and Perspective… We believe that proper advice is crucial if you want to successfully journey along the Pathways to Prosperity.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for ON residents only and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit sales in any other Canadian or foreign jurisdictions.