EDITION 3 | NOVEMBER 2021
27 and overhaul our protection proposition and service , to ensure you had access to significant support , both from our teams , our provider partners and third-party suppliers .
To do this , we worked hard to look at the ways we could offer the support needed , assessing different channels , learning styles and what might best fit a broad spectrum of requirements . SimplyProtect blossomed from an enhanced payment path and became access to some of the best protection support across the industry with a dedicated hub packed full of information . As we spoke about our plans with providers , other industry spokespeople and experts , we sought out new material and ultimately created a significant virtual events programme bringing all of this content directly to you . As time progressed and we were able to go back out on the road once again , we finally saw the return of our regional series of face-to-face events , which was particularly well supported , given we were only a few months out of our enforced home-working .
What did we learn ?
So much that we could construct an article from bullet points alone , but we were very pleased to establish what are now tried and tested methods of engagement , to ensure your advice is focussed on protecting your clients .
... we took the opportunity to review and overhaul our protection proposition and service , to ensure you had access to significant support ...
We learned through the AMI research that the chasm of perception of the availability of advice from the client side , doesn ’ t match up with the commentary offered by the advisers taking part in the research . This is not to say that the two are specifically at odds with one another , just pre-pandemic they appear to have had very different approaches . It seems there was the potential for both parties to have been misunderstanding the messaging in conversation and perhaps both sides were speaking slightly different languages . Given the output and the capacity to support , whilst there is considerable work to do , this is not something that on the surface appears unsurmountable and we await results of the next survey .
Perhaps the most important thing that was reinforced was , across our brands , we have a significant adviser base that is keen to absorb as much information as they are able about protection and the products available , in order to meet their clients ’ needs .
KEY MESSAGES
Over the months in lockdown , we focussed on the delivery of a number of key messages . We wanted to bring you the protection industry ’ s thinking and to support that , we introduced thought leadership from spokespeople across the sector , including Key Davy , reiterating the vitally important role he firmly believes protection plays in any financial adviser ’ s role . We brought into play best practice from advisers we know who have had significant success in ensuring that protection advice is firmly at the centre of the service they provide , whether that be mortgage or wealth related . We have invited our provider partners to offer their support for key protection segments , from individual to family to business protection . We also spoke directly with our membership about their challenges in protection advice provision and then set out to support with a full exploration of areas where you have said you would like further explanation and also perhaps compliance guidance . Off the back of all of this , there has been the introduction of revised documentation to ensure that your discussions are fully supported with a suitable audit trail , to ensure both parties are well served .
To further support , we introduced a series of elements that focussed specifically on the areas identified :