The Importance of Standardization

The Importance of Standardization

A recent article with the admittedly long title of Managing Client Variability as a Pathway to Scalable Efficiency recently caught our attention. In this article, the author looks at the struggle all service-based companies face in providing high levels of service and doing so at a reasonable cost to clients. His focus was, not surprisingly, on how this affects the financial services industry.

We at CH recognize that we need to strike this balance for our clients, and pride ourselves in our ability and determination to continue to provide bespoke, tailor-fit solutions for our clients. That said, to achieve such a custom fit for those clients we need to find ways to standardize the things that can be standardized, freeing up the time and resources needed to address the unique challenges and circumstances of our clients’ lives.

So how do we do this?

First, we have a relatively small, but diverse set of investment ideas that can be used to create exactly the right portfolio “fit” for any client. We believe in true diversification within a portfolio and finding the right level of risk vs. the potential return. And we want to do this without being constrained by any one investment company, bank, or other investment vehicle type. We and our clients determine together the right portfolio for them and do not have to worry about proprietary products or quotas.

Second, for most of our clients, we either prepare our client’s tax returns ourselves or together with a select group of tax specialists (e.g. estate taxes). This allows us to better see the tax implications of any recommendation we make and to plan accordingly. In those instances where a client already has an accountant, we work closely with that firm to achieve optimal solutions.

Third, we can offer life, accident, sickness, critical illness, and disability insurance to our clients meant to offset the unique risks they might face from death, injury, or illness. In many cases, these policies can also act as an additional diversifier for their investment portfolio, and to prepare for long-term needs like a child’s education, retirement, or taxes that would be owed upon death.

Fourth, we offer estate and succession planning for our clients, partnering with trusted legal teams in creating proper Wills, Powers of Attorney, Personal Directives, Trusts, and other structures to manage needs ranging from the simplest to the most complex.

Finally, we work together with our clients on their philanthropic goals and objectives. Be it through direct giving, or the creation of a family foundation we have the tools and partners to make this possible for clients both large and small.

To offer all these services we need to create and maintain tightly controlled processes that have the flexibility to be modified when needed. We also make use of commercial-grade technology and new tools like web-based software solutions for client tracking, to create and monitor portfolios, financial planning, and tax preparation software, e-signatures for clients, online and in-person meeting options, regularly generated reports and online access to investments and insurance policies. The tools are often standardized, but the service we provide is customized.

We encourage clients to take the time to read the article linked above. And if you have any questions or comments to make about how we have both standardized and customized the services that we offer, please do not hesitate to contact us, and ask.

As always, we welcome any questions or comments.

 

All the best,

Brian Trafford, Chief Investment Officer

& Your CH Financial Team

403-237-6570

hi@chfinancial.ca

 

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ARE WE A GOOD FIT?

Like you, we’re selective about the long-term relationships in which we engage.

We’re looking for aspirational clients who require the whole spectrum of financial services because managing the whole is how we’re able to deliver unbeatable value – it’s our “secret sauce”.

If this describes you, let’s set up a meeting and
get to know each other.

Are we a good fit?

We’re looking for aspirational clients who require the whole spectrum of financial services because managing the whole is how we’re able to deliver unbeatable value – it’s our “secret sauce.”If this describes you, let’s set up a meeting andget to know each other.

Full quote:

I just want to say we have been with your team since 1993, and we have never had any bad advice. The investments you set up for us during this time has paid for university education for our two granddaughters and provided a significant monthly income for us to augment our pensions.

We are with you for the long run and are not going anywhere. Jeremy has told us that at these times the numbers tend to scare you, but you haven’t really lost anything if you don’t panic and sell.

Ken M, Calgary

With CH Financial since 1993

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When I became a client of CHF it was a real game-changer as I was going through a very difficult time both professionally and personally.

I went through a divorce and the loss of a job and a parent, all within a 12-month period. While it was very tough to deal with at the time, I was reassured by the fact that the team at CHF had my back and really cared about me and what I was going through.

Looking back now, I’m not sure how I would have managed without the support of the CHF family.

Jeremy and his team were there every step of the way to help me navigate my way through the complexities of a divorce and inheritance. They got me back on track both financially, as well as emotionally.

I have now been a client of CHF for over 10 years and thanks to their expertise, I know that my family will be well taken care of for many years to come. I am now in a position where I don’t need to worry about money thanks to a solid financial plan.

I would highly recommend the CHF team to others going through life-changing and difficult situations as your financial partner.

Linda, Victoria

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As an investment industry professional, I am constantly on the go and maximizing my peak career earning years in my 40s. With travel and work commitments I am very limited for time to spend with family and do the things I love to do and chose CH Financial to allow me more freedom and lifestyle balance.

Being in the investment industry my whole career and an extremely busy professional, I know I could probably do a good job at managing my money as I work in the industry after all while I rely on and trust the CH Financial team that they will take care of the details, both growing my assets as well as taking care of every aspect of my financial situation, including my tax, investments and insurance, they simply take away the stress of having to worry about it all and help me to navigate the complexities for me so it all meshes together and importantly saves me valuable time and headaches.

At the end of the day, the reality is I truly value my time and the opportunity cost of my time and would rather hire the best in the industry so ultimately my wife and I can do the things that we love to do, have more leisure time, relax and enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, exploring new countries, hiking in the mountains and volunteer work.

Since engaging CHF more than 5 years ago we have enjoyed significant growth in our investments but more importantly, we have peace of mind and sleep much better at night knowing the team at CHF has our financial back and anything financial they will take care of for us.

I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the team at CHF to other career-focused busy professionals who really value their time and lifestyle balance.

Kevin & Sharron, Calgary

Financial industry professionals

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Full quote:

Prior to joining CH Financial as a client, I had been partially managing our investments and using a bank-owned broker for many years, with moderate success. When we became clients of CHF, I quickly realized how little I knew about the complexities of managing investments and the importance of seeking out the best specialists in the industry to assist with my family’s full financial picture.

Brian and the team at CHF encouraged us to take an introspective look at our assets and expenditures and even helped us implement a comprehensive budget. The team really stepped up to take care of all aspects of our financial picture, including portfolio design, CH Financial introduced us to a lawyer who took care of everything for us, estate planning and tax, while helping us simplify our financial affairs.

Being of the sandwich generation my wife and I spend considerable time caring for our surviving parents and our grandkids, so

freeing up valuable time is essential to allow us to do the things we love to do. The team at CHF takes care of the details and today my wife and I enjoy a comfortable, stress-free financial situation.

Over the years as a client of CHF, both our portfolio and wealth has grown exponentially, more than we could have ever imagined. Now that we are both happily retired, having the CHF team in our corner helps us to sleep better at night knowing that our somewhat complex financial puzzle is being looked after by a team of people that really care, as opposed to being treated like a number by a big bank.

I would have no hesitation in recommending the CHF team to others looking for a superior financial home in Calgary and a safe place to invest your hard-earned money.

Ian C, Calgary

Comfortably retired thanks to CH Financial