A generic financial planner offers only financial planning services without the requirement or expectation to manage their client's assets. It is ideal for people with high planning needs who can manage their investments independently with some initial guidance.

A generic financial planner does not have discretionary authority over assets. They shun investment management completely. Suppose the client does not want to implement investments independently. In that case, the adviser refers them to a flat-fee investment adviser who won't shove the client's money into nonsense products.

Let us be clear: An adviser who offers stand-alone planning with the option to manage assets is not a generic financial planner.

Generic financial planning is suitable for clients who:

1. Can listen to instructions
2. Can use technology
3. Want to manage their assets
4. Are willing to learn new skills
5. Do not want to delegate
6. Shun the shiny objects
7. Are not lazy

This is not good for clients who:

1. Need hand holding
2. Are not open to learning new skills
3. Want to delegate
4. Want the adviser to invest in shiny objects for them
5. Desire active management
6. Are lazy

This is good for planners who:

1. Don't mind going out to market themselves
2. Are modest and resourceful
3. Are consultative and analytical
4. Love analysis more than implementation
5. Are good at listening to clients
6. Want their clients to be free
7. Can explain things without confusing people
8. Want to work with clients who DIY
9. Favour passive management
10. Are willing to put the client in control of how they work with you

This is not suitable for planners who:

1. Want to make their clients dependent upon them
2. Want to make their clients stuck
3. Love pitching the next shiny object
4. Love carrying out administrative or operational tasks
5. Don't want their clients to be free
6. Only want to work with clients who delegate
7. Want to qualify for "the conference" via quota
8. Confuse people, whether intentionally or not
9. Don't believe in financial planning for any other reason than to sell products
10. Want to shout at the Bloomberg terminal all-day
11. Want to control their clients
12. Want to lock their clients up into long-term arrangements

We are an award-winning international adviser support network with a difference; our advisers don't sell products. They sell plans. Our advisers provide valuable and much-needed support for the world across six continents. We can support people who need to make new life & money plans following the global life & money emergency.

You don't need to intermediate! Former Head of Investments at the world's biggest banks - and former Business Development Director of one of the UK's largest Independent Financial Adviser networks - Steve Conley shows advisers how to plan their client's wealth & well-being without product intermediation.

You can't just drop an intermediating business process into an advice-only firm. Disruptive business models look entirely different from what is already there. You need tried, tested, and tailored planning processes, specialist support, and expert advice. Check us out with a one-hour discovery conversation.

Book online via our shop. We offer a choice of standard mentorship or fast-track support.

Steve Conley is a bestselling author and success coach who has helped countless people transform their personal and professional lives via his personal consultations, newsletters, seminars, private sessions, public appearances, articles, products, and books.

Over a decade ago, Steve said goodbye to his life in Canary Wharf to encourage as many people as possible to live with complete financial freedom.

See Steve's profile or my resume.