23 April 2020 News
In case you missed it, March 20 was the UN’s annual International Day of Happiness and also the launch of the annual World Happiness Report. For the third year in a row, Finland is at the top of this list. The five Nordic countries (Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland) have consistently ranked in the top 10 since the inception of the report. They call it ‘Nordic Exceptionalism’. Australia first appears with Brisbane at number 10 (must be the sunshine).
It may be unusual to be discussing happiness in a time where we are socially isolated, living in what feels like ‘ghost towns’ and not quite sure what the future may hold. However, there is much research that shows, adversity and challenging times can help with longer-term ‘happiness’. The expression, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is a way of demonstrating that doing things together (especially when you may not have the skill or understanding) can help us feel connected, supported and ‘happy’.
Right now, we are seeing many examples of ‘the village’. People are supporting their local restaurants by purchasing ready-made meals, neighbours are checking in with each other, society is (broadly) co-operating with the Covid ‘stay at home’ recommendations to limit the harm to others. Social purpose is a powerful endorphin. It recognises we are part of something bigger than ourselves and gives meaning to our lives.
Why am I telling you this? Madison is a community with social purpose. We’ve evidenced it in the way the Adviser Panel has stepped into the arena to ask questions of bidders on behalf of others; in the regular check-ins to see how our team is holding up, and in the support you have offered each other during these uncertain times. And whilst I do not have a measure of the Madison ‘Happiness Index’, I have seen true leadership, purpose and courage emerge within the community. So, no matter the outcome of this sale, I feel confident it will turn out well.
Sincerely,
Annick
Madison Sale Update
There are no material changes since yesterday’s update. Final bids are due tomorrow.
Virtual Drinks on Friday
Madison are hosting weekly drinks each Friday from 3.30pm via Zoom. Each week will have a different theme and tomorrow’s theme is ‘Party’. Hope to see you then in your best party hat, glasses, or suit! CLICK HERE to register.
Xplan Review Process – Enhancements LIVE 27 April
The enhancements to the review process go live on Monday 27 April and includes;
- File Notes Templates
- Email Templates
- XMerge Reports
- Review Reports
- Advice end to end workflow
To make sure your practice is prepared and ready to use the enhancements please CLICK HERE for information on what you need to do in advance, a housekeeping guide for your Xplan data and specialised training for you and your team.
Madison Investment Market Update
The latest Investment Market Update was sent out yesterday 22 April. This update is available on the adviser Portal and through the below links;
Madison Insurance Working Group Update
CLICK HERE for an update from the Insurance Working Group.
Updates to the MLC adviser Portal go live next week, please CLICK HERE for a reminder of important information about the changes.
Kaplan Update – Study Period 3
CLICK HERE for an update from Kaplan on the support and services they are offering for Study period 3.
News and Events from our Industry
Pengana have recently run a series of webinars and the recordings are now available online.
Australian Equities fund – Rhett Kessler, Portfolio Manager – CLICK HERE to listen
Emerging Companies fund – Ed Prendergast and Steve Black, Portfolio Managers – CLICK HERE to listen
WHEB Sustainable Impact fund – Ted Franks, Portfolio Manager, Seb Beloe, Head of Research and George Latham, Managing Partner – CLICK HERE to listen
On Thursday 7 May at 10am join Jon Moog will discuss his market outlook, and the risks and opportunities that have emerged for the Global Small Companies Fund in the current environment CLICK HERE to register.
MLC have created a chart pack to assist in client conversations about long-term investing. CLICK HERE to review.
Zurich/OnePath have developed _Zone an online education program, designed to guide you through the professional development you need as an adviser to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. CLICK HERE to check out what is available.
OnePath Clarity Engage houses tools and white-labelled materials that advisers can use in their discussions with clients about the importance of insurance. This material includes customisable templates for flyers, newsletters and social media posts and the content covers five key areas:
- The value of advice and insurance
- Understanding premiums
- Building confidence in claims
- Reviewing your cover
- Wading through complexity
Praemium are offering a $20 EFTPOS gift card to Advisers who share their views in the annual Investment Trends and Planner Technology Business Model Survey. CLICK HERE to participate.
Gone Bush Adventures
Those of you who attended the workshop at conference last year will remember the team from Gone Bush. In the coming week Gone Bush are running Zoom sessions (for free or by-donation) focussed on providing open spaces for connection in a time that is undoubtedly challenging for many.
April 24th 12:30pm – Virtual lunch gathering – Mindfulness and connection (in self-isolation!) with Lina Mbirkou
May 7th 8am – Networking In Nature – Mindfulness for managing stress and uncertainty feat. Andrea Featherstone
Netwealth’s latest webinar in their COVID-19 Thought Leader series ‘The state of the wealth industry and what clients want from their advisers right now’. Andrew Inwood shares his latest research and insights into how Australian investors are reacting to the coronavirus uncertainty and how advisers can best support their clients in this environment. Watch the webinar.
With kids at home and virtual learning in place across the country, financial literacy platform Banqer is making it easier than ever for parents to teach important money management skills. Championed by Netwealth in Australia, Banqer will help expand financial literacy over two weeks, with fun activities that explore budgeting, financial risk, managing debt and more. Sign up for the free program.
Your 2020/21 CPD Training Plan
An email was sent out asking for your help in building your CPD Training plan for 2020/21. Please CLICK HERE to read and respond to the Advice team.
FASEA Education Requirements
Please remember to email your Statement of Results through to adviserservices@madisonfg.com.au so we can update your records on ASIC.
CLICK HERE for recent updates from FASEA about the changes to the exam schedule due to COVID-19
Spotify Playlist
We have been building a Self-Isolation playlist in the Madisonfg Spotify Account. We would love you to collaborate with us and add songs to the list. CLICK HERE to add to your Spotify play list or send your songs to adviserservices@madisonfg.com.au
Zoom tips for Client meetings
CLICK HERE for some tips on using Zoom to conduct your client meetings.
Adviser Guide to Surviving in a Pandemic
CLICK HERE to read through our guide to getting through the COVID-19
Working from home tips
CLICK HERE to read a list of things you can do to create a successful remote working environment for yourself and your team.
Revenue Services
The next revenue payrun will be processed on 1 May 2020.
OPEX has written handy guides for Madison users, available through Zen desk and the below links.
CommPay Reporting
Lodging and receipting an invoice.
Invoice Tracking Template
Xplan Navigation
Power BI webinar recording
Setting up referral arrangements in CommPay
CommPay and revenue queries – ATTN: Brokerage
support@opexconsulting.com.au
Discount Codes
FPA – When enrolling in any CFP unit let them know Madison is your licensee for a 10% discount.
Kaplan – PC-RID159
The promotional code for postgraduate study to meet FASEA requirements has been updated to MADFIMFP20. Make sure you enter this code to get the new pricing of $1,600 per subject.
Helpful Information
23 April 2020 News
In case you missed it, March 20 was the UN’s annual International Day of Happiness and also the launch of the annual World Happiness Report. For the third year in a row, Finland is at the top of this list. The five Nordic countries (Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland) have consistently ranked in the top 10 since the inception of the report. They call it ‘Nordic Exceptionalism’. Australia first appears with Brisbane at number 10 (must be the sunshine).
It may be unusual to be discussing happiness in a time where we are socially isolated, living in what feels like ‘ghost towns’ and not quite sure what the future may hold. However, there is much research that shows, adversity and challenging times can help with longer-term ‘happiness’. The expression, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is a way of demonstrating that doing things together (especially when you may not have the skill or understanding) can help us feel connected, supported and ‘happy’.
Right now, we are seeing many examples of ‘the village’. People are supporting their local restaurants by purchasing ready-made meals, neighbours are checking in with each other, society is (broadly) co-operating with the Covid ‘stay at home’ recommendations to limit the harm to others. Social purpose is a powerful endorphin. It recognises we are part of something bigger than ourselves and gives meaning to our lives.
Why am I telling you this? Madison is a community with social purpose. We’ve evidenced it in the way the Adviser Panel has stepped into the arena to ask questions of bidders on behalf of others; in the regular check-ins to see how our team is holding up, and in the support you have offered each other during these uncertain times. And whilst I do not have a measure of the Madison ‘Happiness Index’, I have seen true leadership, purpose and courage emerge within the community. So, no matter the outcome of this sale, I feel confident it will turn out well.
Sincerely,
Annick
Madison Sale Update
There are no material changes since yesterday’s update. Final bids are due tomorrow.
Virtual Drinks on Friday
Madison are hosting weekly drinks each Friday from 3.30pm via Zoom. Each week will have a different theme and tomorrow’s theme is ‘Party’. Hope to see you then in your best party hat, glasses, or suit! CLICK HERE to register.
Xplan Review Process – Enhancements LIVE 27 April
The enhancements to the review process go live on Monday 27 April and includes;
- File Notes Templates
- Email Templates
- XMerge Reports
- Review Reports
- Advice end to end workflow
To make sure your practice is prepared and ready to use the enhancements please CLICK HERE for information on what you need to do in advance, a housekeeping guide for your Xplan data and specialised training for you and your team.
Madison Investment Market Update
The latest Investment Market Update was sent out yesterday 22 April. This update is available on the adviser Portal and through the below links;
Madison Insurance Working Group Update
CLICK HERE for an update from the Insurance Working Group.
Updates to the MLC adviser Portal go live next week, please CLICK HERE for a reminder of important information about the changes.
Kaplan Update – Study Period 3
CLICK HERE for an update from Kaplan on the support and services they are offering for Study period 3.
News and Events from our Industry
Pengana have recently run a series of webinars and the recordings are now available online.
Australian Equities fund – Rhett Kessler, Portfolio Manager – CLICK HERE to listen
Emerging Companies fund – Ed Prendergast and Steve Black, Portfolio Managers – CLICK HERE to listen
WHEB Sustainable Impact fund – Ted Franks, Portfolio Manager, Seb Beloe, Head of Research and George Latham, Managing Partner – CLICK HERE to listen
On Thursday 7 May at 10am join Jon Moog will discuss his market outlook, and the risks and opportunities that have emerged for the Global Small Companies Fund in the current environment CLICK HERE to register.
MLC have created a chart pack to assist in client conversations about long-term investing. CLICK HERE to review.
Zurich/OnePath have developed _Zone an online education program, designed to guide you through the professional development you need as an adviser to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. CLICK HERE to check out what is available.
OnePath Clarity Engage houses tools and white-labelled materials that advisers can use in their discussions with clients about the importance of insurance. This material includes customisable templates for flyers, newsletters and social media posts and the content covers five key areas:
- The value of advice and insurance
- Understanding premiums
- Building confidence in claims
- Reviewing your cover
- Wading through complexity
Praemium are offering a $20 EFTPOS gift card to Advisers who share their views in the annual Investment Trends and Planner Technology Business Model Survey. CLICK HERE to participate.
Gone Bush Adventures
Those of you who attended the workshop at conference last year will remember the team from Gone Bush. In the coming week Gone Bush are running Zoom sessions (for free or by-donation) focussed on providing open spaces for connection in a time that is undoubtedly challenging for many.
April 24th 12:30pm – Virtual lunch gathering – Mindfulness and connection (in self-isolation!) with Lina Mbirkou
May 7th 8am – Networking In Nature – Mindfulness for managing stress and uncertainty feat. Andrea Featherstone
Netwealth’s latest webinar in their COVID-19 Thought Leader series ‘The state of the wealth industry and what clients want from their advisers right now’. Andrew Inwood shares his latest research and insights into how Australian investors are reacting to the coronavirus uncertainty and how advisers can best support their clients in this environment. Watch the webinar.
With kids at home and virtual learning in place across the country, financial literacy platform Banqer is making it easier than ever for parents to teach important money management skills. Championed by Netwealth in Australia, Banqer will help expand financial literacy over two weeks, with fun activities that explore budgeting, financial risk, managing debt and more. Sign up for the free program.
Your 2020/21 CPD Training Plan
An email was sent out asking for your help in building your CPD Training plan for 2020/21. Please CLICK HERE to read and respond to the Advice team.
FASEA Education Requirements
Please remember to email your Statement of Results through to adviserservices@madisonfg.com.au so we can update your records on ASIC.
CLICK HERE for recent updates from FASEA about the changes to the exam schedule due to COVID-19
Spotify Playlist
We have been building a Self-Isolation playlist in the Madisonfg Spotify Account. We would love you to collaborate with us and add songs to the list. CLICK HERE to add to your Spotify play list or send your songs to adviserservices@madisonfg.com.au
Zoom tips for Client meetings
CLICK HERE for some tips on using Zoom to conduct your client meetings.
Adviser Guide to Surviving in a Pandemic
CLICK HERE to read through our guide to getting through the COVID-19
Working from home tips
CLICK HERE to read a list of things you can do to create a successful remote working environment for yourself and your team.
Revenue Services
The next revenue payrun will be processed on 1 May 2020.
OPEX has written handy guides for Madison users, available through Zen desk and the below links.
CommPay Reporting
Lodging and receipting an invoice.
Invoice Tracking Template
Xplan Navigation
Power BI webinar recording
Setting up referral arrangements in CommPay
CommPay and revenue queries – ATTN: Brokerage
support@opexconsulting.com.au
Discount Codes
FPA – When enrolling in any CFP unit let them know Madison is your licensee for a 10% discount.
Kaplan – PC-RID159
The promotional code for postgraduate study to meet FASEA requirements has been updated to MADFIMFP20. Make sure you enter this code to get the new pricing of $1,600 per subject.
Helpful Information