Get on the front foot in the fight to survive 2010

11 January 2010

It’s that time of year when we’ve all had the best part of two weeks off work and have vegged out in front of the television eating and drinking far too much.

Of course, this also gives us time to think about where we are and what we’re doing. And most importantly why.

For those involved in the mortgage industry this has probably been a period of deep reflection. Those of us who survived another year’s trading should be justifiably feeling Many good men and women have fallen by the wayside and for advisers left in the market life has probably felt more akin to the scenes from Day Of The Triffids - which you might have caught on TV over the holidays - than the heady days of yore.

It’s a battle at the moment, not only to get clients but also when it comes to fighting to get mortgages agreed by lenders that still seem reluctant to take any risks.

And in spite of loud protestations to the contrary neither of these battles is getting any easier - certainly not for us small fry anyway.

So I’m going back to basics such as ensuring that I maintain regular contact with my small client bank, letting them know I’m still open for business and asking for referrals.

I’m going to try to develop my equity release business and look at how I can write more protection business

I am also getting in touch with my professional connections, reinvigorating business relationships and making sure I’m at the forefront of all their minds when mortgage or protection needs are mentioned.

But I’m also going to broaden my horizons and try to develop my equity release business, look at how I can write more protection business and forge fresh links with other local professionals to get my name known in the community.

Of course, this is the time of year when we all say we’re going to do these things. We spend most of January keeping our new year’s business resolutions and then slip back into bad habits.

But maybe 2010 is the year to change this. As I said before, we are engaged in a battle and to survive we can’t simply sit back and let things happen to us.

Proactivity is the name of the game and those who simply lie back and think of England run the risk of having to find other careers.

For many this would be a relief and I cannot deny that the thought of moving to another industry has sometimes seemed attractive to me in recent months.

But I believe that what mortgage advisers do still has value. We provide our clients with something they cannot straightforwardly do for themselves and our experience, knowledge and tenacity still have a market.

So I have girded my loins professionally and I am readying myself for the struggle to come. I hope to carry on for another few years yet.

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