What does a financial adviser give to the client who has everything?
For three decades, Richard Bermont sent his clients the usual tchotchkes as holiday gifts, from umbrellas to crystal items, all bearing his company’s logo. But this past year, the Coral Gables, Fla., wealth manager decided the times called for something different.
He and his partner, Adam Carlin, made donations in their clients’ names to needy nonprofit organizations, including a women’s homeless shelter.
The response was nothing short of stellar. Read on…
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As our economy has gone through its challenges and pitfalls, it never ceases to amaze me how important the relationships built in “tough times” are. I started my business at the beginning of a very challenging time in the history of our nation economically, and yet I’ve seen through good times and bad how people are apt to pull together especially during the hard times to help, encourage and support each other.
I have loved the ability to serve unconditionally and without expectation during these days.
People have been trained to expect salesman to call or visit and be kind only to ask for something in return, and often those folks feel like the salesman was only kind to “get something from them.”
Two points stood out to me in the WSJ article by Charles Passy:
1. Showing clients that you care by doing your research; this takes time and effort but helps people understand that we are in this together for the long run.
2. It positions a company as Socially Responsible. Giving back to society and helping those less fortunate as well as our decaying world are at the top of people’s minds.
The idea of honoring people with more than just token gifts and cards for their birthdays builds confidence and trust.
By giving gifts that last, from the heart, relationships are not only strengthened, but memories are made and people’s lives are changed. Giving the gift of music… a V.I.P. membership for the upcoming season or a donation to [in our case] Symphony of the Southwest in someone’s honor could very possibly be the beginning of a life changing event for all parties involved.
Scott VanHoogstraat, Financial Advisor & SSW Board Member
Edward Jones Investments
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