Green Financial is a small business, family owned and run, that provides a personal service to a limited number of clients. Recently, I needed to say Thank You and wanted to make the five thank you gifts something more than a branded freebie.
Background
In April 2010, I decided to relocate from working in the City of London to nearer home in Putney. This was so that when my new child was born (now aged 6 months) I would no longer need to spend a number of hours each day commuting, with the attendant stresses of dealing with Transport for London(!) and that time could be spent being a husband and father – whilst still maintaining or even increasing the hours worked on looking after my clients.
Part of this process involved the re-registration of my financial services licence with the Financial Services Authority, a process that normally takes six months but I proudly achieved in just three. Green Financial Advice was born about 6 months before my new daughter. Whilst most clients see our relationship as dealing with me personally, the formation of a new company also meant I legally needed to write to all clients to ensure they were happy to continue to deal with me via that new company name. Additionally, later in the year, as part of my annual International Standards certification process (I was one of the first thirty advisers in the UK to be accredited as ISO22222, Personal Financial Planner, compliant) it was suggested I place on record confirmation from all clients of their intentions to continue to deal with me personally for each of their existing financial plans or products.
This was quite an undertaking with many people to write to, covering almost three hundred different policies. I was delighted that the response rate was 93%.
When writing I acknowledged that most clients would send back the paperwork anyway with no incentive to do so, but I wanted to say thank you for taking the time and trouble to assist me in complying with my administrative requirements.
Charity Thank You
At Green Financial we have been supporting the work of The Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability in Putney. It is a national charity (www.rhn.org.uk Reg No 205907) providing assessment, rehabilitation treatment and care for adults with profound and complex disabilities caused by disease or damage to the brain. I was delighted to make a donation of £250 in the name of Green Financial Clients to the RHN
Client Thank You
here goes...
First ‘out of the hat’ was a client in London. They have a young child so I thought a money box would be appropriate, especially as I had seen this: Not a piggy bank, but a herdy bank! Made in bone china in Staffordshire’s potteries, almost in Green Financial green and with the slogan ‘Why should pigs have all the money?’. I hope it is enjoyed and brings smiles and prosperity for many years to come.
Next up: As the communication had been about letters, what better thank you than a Scrabble themed gift (geddit!?). Two clients in Hampshire and Berkshire have a scrabble mug and a set of scrabble coasters on the way.
Fifth, finally and by no means last, back to London with a local client in Wandsworth. Echoing my journey, they too used to work in the City so I trust the book below is of interest to them. It is a giant fold out panorama (many, many feet long when extended) that photographs the North bank of the River Thames all the way from Kew to Canary Wharf.
So there we have it, a big THANK YOU again to all my loyal clients, it truly is my pleasure to work with you and I look forward to Green Financial being of service for many more years to come.
