Bringing it all together

Hey Dad!

“Hey Dad, what have you been busy with this week?”

Well, quite a bit of looking at computer screens, if I'm honest!

We've been rebuilding our dashboard and the client advice record we use at Silke. Jessica, Tiaan and the team have been working through how to bring our information, planning tools and follow-ups together so they're easier to use.

And I've been doing what I tend to do: looking at something, trying it, and saying, “Okay, but what happens if we need to find this?”

A policy number in an email is a good example. We should be able to search for that number and find the person it belongs to. With medical aid, we need to see the family members covered as well as the main member. Small things, perhaps, until you're the person waiting for an answer.

Those are the details we've been working through.

Alongside that, the conversations with clients have carried on. We've talked about retirement, helping family, income from investments and keeping money available for something that might happen in the next year or two.

Often, one question opens up another. Someone asks about investing money, and we discover there may be a house purchase ahead. We discuss retirement contributions, and the conversation turns to the cost of supporting a parent.

That's why bringing the information together matters.

When we sit down with you, we want to understand how the different parts of your life affect one another. What is this money for? When might you need it? What have we agreed to do? And who is following up?

Our client advice record needs to help us carry that conversation forward. You should be able to recognise your circumstances, your priorities and the decisions we reached together when you read it.

We're still building and refining. There have been plenty of questions and a few things to go back and try again. But I'm enjoying seeing it take shape.

I'm also enjoying the younger people finding their place in the work. With Morganne studying investments, there's another reason for me to think carefully about how I explain what we do.

After all these years, some things have become second nature to me. Explaining them means slowing down and asking myself why we do them that way. Sometimes there's a good reason. Sometimes a fresh question helps us find a better way.

There's something lovely about being able to share your experience while still having plenty to learn yourself.

So, Morganne, that's a little of what Dad's been busy with this week.

And to our clients: if you've ever read a statement or a piece of advice and thought, “I'm not quite sure what this means for me,” please ask. That question is part of the conversation too.

Have a lekker weekend. Enjoy your people.

Kind Regards

Shane Thom, CFP^® GTP(SA)™
CEO | Key Individual | Integrated Wealthcare Advisor
Registered with: FSCA | SARS | CMS
Member: FPI | SAIT | COMENSA | CFA Institute

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