New Decade.  New Business?

So, where are you headed in 2010?

Whilst on the one hand IFA firms are preparing for the biggest single change to our industry which will bite in 2012, at a more fundamental level it seems to us as if many intermediaries are clinging on to the old ways of doing things.  In some ways, this is hardly surprising when the 'D' in 'RDR' stands for 'Distribution'.  As long as intermediaries perceive themselves to be 'distributors' of products, it seems to us as if the underlying issues besetting our profession are unlikely to improve significantly.

At ValidPath, we believe that there's a better way - one which extracts less value from our clients' wealth, one which does not link IFA remuneration to product placement, one which builds the kind of client relationships which make 'TCF' utterly irrelevant.

Over the last few years, ValidPath has been quietly developing that 'better way' - and here's a few core themes which we are continuing to roll out in 2010:

The lowest-cost, fully-functional, web-based back-office, currently available in the UK.  New resources continually coming on-line.  Facilitates better supervision and compliance monitoring, as well as faster commission-payment.  ValidPath are rare amongst Networks to have selected a common platform for all our Members - we believe in 'joined up'.

Members' back-office system facilitates better integration with tax-return services offered by accountancy firms.  ValidPath are uniquely positioned to assist professional firms in the effective implementation of a financial-planning model.

Revised marketing letter templates for 2010 - again, integrated into the back-office system.  At ValidPath, it's all joined up!

Coming soon:  In the United States, the 'Turnkey Asset Management Programme' is revolutionising the provision of investment advice.  In the UK, we are running several years behind, but ValidPath is in the process of developing a working model.  Fed up of reinventing the wheel?  Want to spend more time in front of your clients?  The ValidPath TAMP is the future!

Coming soon:  'The Business' - everything we've learned from more than 26 years experience in the independent financial advice and accountancy sectors, distilled into one, encyclopaedic guide to the provision of cutting-edge, RDR-friendly financial-planning services.  If you want to have a successful business, then you'll need 'The Business'.

And, of course, all the essential items of kit that you'd expect from a professional financial-services Network: comprehensive guide to all aspects of compliance and best practice authorisation and regulatory oversight  regular web updates and newsletters low Professional Indemnity costs (held at 2003 levels for sixth year running!) interested, committed help with the development of your business proposition proactive and engaged approach towards commission-management high-quality, add-value training at reasonable cost discounted access to professional consultancy