This week I gained a greater understanding and admiration for the small business owner. I’ve spent the week being a finance manager, bookkeeper, payroll officer, project manager, compliance manager, client service support, tech-head,  Responsible Manager and CEO. No doubt you can relate to the feeling of ‘wearing many hats’.  It’s exhausting! Not to mention I’m a wife & mother who (like many others) is looking after a family in a self-isolation world.

Mid-week I was feeling the burden and it was depleting my energy. Despite sleeping reasonably well, I was finding it hard to spring out of bed. I was determined not to finish my week being flat – after all, there’s so much to do on a weekend these days!  So I started thinking about my day as a series of learning experiences and new adventures.  I stopped taking myself so seriously and saw the humour in being a payroll officer (not very funny if I get the pay wrong…). I realised I’m fortunate to be supported by people who are willing to teach, share their skills and hold my hand as I navigated a minefield of excel spreadsheets, systems and reports. These unfamiliar experiences meant I had to adapt, think on my feet and ask for help. I quickly realised I was out of my element, so I had to take extra care and be quick to identify mistakes and fix them.

I’m sure you all have a story of being in a situation like I’ve just described. If you don’t, have a look at the Mad About Life team and their “digital workday” in the video below. The great thing about not knowing is learning. It gives you permission to stop thinking you have to be good at everything and allows you to be curious and adaptable. All these skills create entrepreneurs, often the best of which are small business owners.

If this is how you face every day,  I take my hat off to you…

Sincerely,
Annick

Madison Sale Update – Commercial in confidence

No changes to report as yet.  I mentioned in the teleconference there are a few media rumours lurking about.  If you hear anything and/or are contacted by the Media, please refer them to Bob Niell (Seaview Consulting) or me.

 

Virtual Drinks on Friday

Madison are hosting a weekly drinks each Friday from 3.30pm via Zoom. Each week will have a different theme and tomorrow’s theme is ‘Colourful’. Hope to see you then in your best brightest colour! CLICK HERE to register.

 

Madison Investment Market Update

Please CLICK HERE to read the Madison Investment Market Update dated 7 May 2020.

 

Informed Investor – Product Profiles LIVE

CLICK HERE to read about the enhancements to Informed Investor available through the Madison Adviser Portal.

 

Xplan Review Process

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s training for the Xplan Review Process. Opex have made videos and training guides available in the Opex Business Hub

The enhancements are now live and include;

• File Notes Templates
• Email Templates
• XMerge Reports
• Review Reports
• Advice end to end workflow

 

Megan Hodge – IFA

The IFA magazine have written an excellent profile piece on our Adviser Megan Hodge from Your Wealth Life based in South Australia CLICK HERE to view.

 

Striver Graduate Training & Networking

We have been working with Striver providing personalised training for University Graduates. CLICK HERE to read more.

 

ASIC Updates

Please CLICK HERE to review the data ASIC is required to be updated on.

 

Professional Association Audit

Many of you are members of one (or more) professional associations, such as the FPA or AFA. If you receive contact from a Professional Association regarding an audit (i.e. CPD audit), or any other advice related matter, please contact the Advice and Governance team so we can support you with the documentation required.

 

Risk Profiling Inserts on Xplan

The Risk Profiling Inserts (which include the Pie Chart) for SoAs have been updated within XPLAN in line with the recent changes made to Madison’s Asset Allocation. Please contact the Advice and Governance team if you have any questions.

 

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

BT has announced a new division called Specialist Businesses which will include Platforms and Investments. BT will be running a webinar specifically for Madison advisers to discuss the changes and how this will affect you and your practice. CLICK HERE to register for the Webinar, held next Tuesday 12 May at 1pm.DDH Graham Preferred Income Fund webinar at 11am on Wednesday 13 May. Given the current focus on equity markets, it is crucial not to forget about fixed income and the value a credit fund can have on client portfolios, especially when banks are slashing dividends that many retirees require to live. The DDH Graham Preferred Income Fund (managed by GCI Australia) is held in the Proactive Portfolios SMA’s. To hear more about credit markets and how you can stabilise income for your clients that won’t buckle in a crisis, register your interest with elva@gciaustralia.com.

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

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.

 

 

Praemium is 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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Adviser Guide to Surviving in a Pandemic

CLICK HERE to read through our guide to getting through the COVID-19

 

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

Madison contact list
FASEA Website