During our Strategic Review 2.0 event yesterday, the financial planners were asked to use Plasticine to shape an object that would explain who we are as a financial planner.
I choose “Bridge” as the shape I was going to make. One, because it would take me the shortest time to complete it. But more importantly, of what was the meaning behind it. The analogy for a bridge as a financial planner covers the following:
Connecting Two Sides
- A person stands on one side of the river (their current financial situation), while their goals—retirement, children’s education, a house, financial freedom—are on the other side.
- The financial planner is the bridge that connects them safely across.
Providing Structure & Support
- Just like a bridge has strong foundations, pillars, and cables to hold the weight, a financial plan has budgeting, risk management, investments, and estate planning to support clients through uncertainties.
Safe Passage Over Obstacles
- The river below could be filled with uncertainties, debts, market volatility, or poor financial decisions.
- A financial planner helps clients cross safely without falling into those traps.
Different Bridges for Different Needs
- Some bridges are short and simple (basic financial guidance).
- Others are long, complex, and multi-layered (comprehensive planning for high net worth or business owners).
- The financial planner designs the right bridge for each person’s journey.
Regular Maintenance
- A bridge needs periodic inspection and repairs.
- Similarly, financial plans require reviews, adjustments, and updates to stay strong against changing markets and life events.
👉 So in essence:
A financial planner is like a bridge—built on strong foundations, designed to carry clients safely over the uncertain waters of life, and guiding them towards the other side where their financial goals lie.
The winner of the particular activity actually modelled the Covid-19 virus. His reasoning was that Financial Planning should spread as fast as Covid 19 to that more people can be helped to manage their finances better.
P/S: Picture is the actual bridge that I made during the activity.
