Move over Mel, here's Wilko

Last week Money Management helped snatch victory in a FPA debate on whether planners were ready for the next century.

Last week Money Management helped snatch victory in a FPA debate on whether planners were ready for the next century.

Our orator was part of the after-dinner entertainment for a Principal Member’s Workshop in Melbourne.

The winning team, arguing the negative, comprised of our man in Melbourne, John Wilkinson and Mr Money Managers, Kevin Bailey.

The losers, pushing the positive, consisted of the FPA’s Jennie Murray and Robin Bowman of Personal Investor, and also a sometime Money Management editor.

Jennie Murray started her argument with streamers and party hooters to show how planners were prepared for a party — any party — especially at the New Year. Pretty weak argument, in our opinion. Life is a constant party for planners.

Then the negative side wheeled out Kev. At the top of his voice and at breakneck speed, he tore the opposition argument to shreds.

He said planners didn’t know competition when they saw it. Threats were coming from supermarkets and Telstra and unless they offered service, most wouldn’t make it to the next century, he warned. Too much partying going on.

The best is always last and our silver-tongued man in Melbourne argued planners need to get more retail-orientated.

Look at the competition, he said. Planners already have to battle the McWrap, offered with fries and Coke. Go to the supermarket and find a managed investment nestling between the cat food and jellies.

Wilko had seen in a lawyer’s window in Canada a few years ago “Divorces $500 … with children $550”. He argued this was a sign for the future and planners will have to go the same way.

The ensembled crowd chose the winner in the time-honoured manner, the clapometer.

The deafening roar of hands meant the dynamic team of Kev and Wilko won the night.