What four days in Sydney taught us about looking after you

BrightNest director Michael spent four days last month in Sydney at the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Global Conference alongside advisers from around the world.

We asked him what he learned and what surprised him during his time across the ditch.

1. For anyone who has not heard of it, what is the MDRT and what does a room full of advisers in Sydney have to do with a Kiwi sitting at home wondering if their life insurance or KiwiSaver is in the right place?
MDRT is a global conference for advisers who consistently deliver a high standard for their clients, and it's focused on connecting with clients better and pushing that standard even higher. That might seem far removed from someone wondering if their life insurance or KiwiSaver is right for them, but it's not: the ideas shared in that room in Sydney are exactly what should show up when an adviser sits down to check whether your own cover or fund still fits you.

2. Global advisers travel to this conference. What did you hear about the worries their clients carry that sound like the concerns our clients bring to you here?

Advisers from all over the world attend this global conference, from England to Japan to the USA, and one thing became really clear: no matter where you are, clients are facing the same worries when it comes to financial decisions. People just want to feel safe, heard, and cared for, and that doesn't change from country to country, it's exactly the same concerns our clients bring to us here.

3. Describe a moment where you thought, “that would make a real difference for BrightNest’s clients”?
One session that really stuck with me was about the power of storytelling to connect with clients. I'd always shied away from sharing my own story, how life insurance affected my family because I worried it would come across as salesy. But that session changed my mind completely. I realised that by holding back, I was actually doing my clients a disservice, because sharing why I do this work on a personal level is exactly what helps people understand and trust the advice they're getting.

4. Plenty of people have never spoken to an adviser and have no idea what it actually involves. What would you want them to know about what happens once they reach out?
Once you reach out, we book in a review meeting, and that's really just about understanding your unique situation and getting to know each other. There's no obligation involved. It's as much about finding out if we're the right fit for each other as anything else, and honestly, most advisers work with a similar panel of providers, so what matters most is going with someone you trust and feel genuinely happy dealing with.

5. What is next for BrightNest following MDRT?
Coming out of MDRT, it's clear the changes ahead for BrightNest are all about the client experience, simplifying things wherever we can, keeping clients better informed with progress updates along the way, and leaning further into an education first approach, so people feel confident in their decisions and know exactly where things stand throughout the process.

6. If someone reading this has been meaning to sort their insurance and/or KiwiSaver but keeps not getting to it, what would you say to them?
Even if it's not us at BrightNest, lean into a financial adviser. Reach out to a few, see who you feel comfortable with, and just hear what they have to say. You're not obliged to proceed with anything. Getting advice you trust can mean your family is protected when things go wrong, and are set up for success while things go right.

Ready for a chat? We offer a free, no obligation 15 minute call. No jargon, no pressure, just a conversation about where things sit for you right now.