Monday
Monday morning is usually when we would have a team meeting to set us up for the week, talk through ongoing items and go through our calendars. But as there are only two of us in today, it can wait until tomorrow.
This week is very different to any other I have had in the profession; Rob Horsfall-Turner and I have organiseda networking event in Tunbridge Wells for millennials.
Today, funnily enough, consists mainly of getting prepared for tomorrow’s event, as well as some gentle jibing at Rob’s expense for supporting Wales when it comes to rugby and having just been beaten by Australia.
Having attendedthe PFS Festival of Financial Planning and not been through any of the notes, I decided today was the day to do this. At the festival, the person who had the biggest impact on me was Martin Bamford of Informed Choice, who having also worked for his father, Nick, had some really great ideas about getting the best out of the unique working dynamic.
Tuesday
Today is the big day for us in the office – our first networking event is tonight. We have one of the England 7’s team as a guest speaker, in order to break up the evening and pique the interest of attendees.
The reasoning behind the event was that Rob and I want to create a hub where young professionals could connect. Having organised events for clients and ‘more experienced’ professionals, we thought we were in an ideal position to act on it.
Wednesday
Somewhat drained from yesterday evening after a really successful event, where we welcomed more than 40 millennials and got lots of positive feedback.
We had our delayed weekly team meeting over breakfast at the newly opened Ivy restaurant in Tunbridge Wells. After this was a provider meeting, which opened up several possibilities in terms of servicing group pension schemes members.
This evening involves a few beers with a couple of my old school friends. Both of them had come along to the event last night. As we are starting up our own podcast, we thought it would be useful. We have a name sorted (for now), but need to think about a logo along with more of an idea on guests we could get for interviews.
Thursday
A local accountancy firm hosts an event to mark Beaujolais day each year, so we work until lunchtime before strolling from our offices to The Pantiles, where the event is held.
Here we met with some more millennials for our future events, along with most of the five-a-side team I used to play for. Once the event was all but over, I had to jump on a train as I had an Institute of Directors Young Directors Forum event at The House of Commons to celebrate its 10-year anniversary.
Much like financial advisers, the average age of those at the event was around 50; hugely disappointing considering the ‘young’ in the title. The speakers did at least make up for it, as Alan Mak MP, Lord Bilimoria and Christian May all gave their thoughts on the future.
Friday
As a business we are currently re-evaluating the manner in which we run our events and looking at why our clients use us. So this morning we had a meeting to talk over future plans and ways in which we could improve. These include social media presence and tweaks to the website.
All I seem to be doing this week is networking. But as I’m just 22 years old and only able to advise on protection, along with mortgages, it does make sense as I am building my own bank of clients.
Today’s event involves Devonshires Solicitors by Moorgate. It isn’t packed, but Rob and I have got ourselves in the mix for future tag rugby tournaments that they, as a firm, are planning to enter.
With the week wrapped up, it’s time for chilling with the dog, rugby and beer for the weekend.
Ross Jefferies is a mortgage and protection adviser of Panoramic Wealth Management, based in Tunbridge Wells
