Building trust key to Parsons’ success
FEMALE BDM OF THE YEAR
WINNER
Amy Parsons - Sales development manager
TAL
Amy Parsons earned praise from both her peers and financial advisers for her solid understanding of advisers and their clients, and the challenges they faced.
Her honesty, loyalty, spontaneity and ability to provide empathetic support saw her walk away as Money Management and Super Review's Female BDM of the Year at the Women in Financial Services awards.
Parsons believes her greatest asset is building strong relationships at a professional level and transforming that into trusted relationships beyond work.
"This helps me form incredible insights and a complete understanding of what advisers require to meet the needs of their clients," Parsons said.
"I ask advisers permission to shadow appointments or ‘phone-jack' so I can listen in and learn their process, how they build relationships and how I can better tailor my development strategies to help meet their goals."
One adviser credited her for being accessible and always "there" when needed, and commended her thorough knowledge of not only the products but the ever-increasing compliance and regulatory standards.
Parsons said she endeavoured to help advisers thrive through the gamut of changes facing the industry, and tackle the underinsurance gap in Australia.
Having originally studied tourism management, Parsons said numbers were never her best friend, but she was determined to understand financial services and arm herself with financial literacy.
Wanting other women to focus on financial literacy, she sponsored and volunteered at Wealth Wise Women Workshop in 2013.
"I really want females to become financially independent and empower themselves through financial literacy, and I want to be a part of that movement in making a difference," she said.
Parsons was joined in the category by finalists Catherine Price from TABS Super Fund Auditors, and Victoria Silva and Colette Thunig, both from AMP.
Judges praised all finalists for their coaching skills, and commitment to exceeding the advisers' expectations.
FINALISTS
Catherine Price - Owner
TABS Super Fund Auditors
Victoria Silva - Partnership manager
AMP
Colette Thunig - Business development manager
AMP
AUTHOR
Malavika Santhebennur
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