The first in a series of customer-centered focus groups conducted by Retirement Outfitters and May-Investments was a resounding success.
“It was a lively discussion,” says Barbara Traylor Smith, president of Retirement Outfitters LLC and investment advisor representative for May-Investments. “I believe we got honest, fairly clear feedback.”
More focus groups are planned in future months, and although they all will deal with financial topics, the particular focus of each discussion will vary.
“The idea is we get a group of people together, and we ask for their feedback on a topic,” Barbara says. “The topics will change from meeting to meeting.”
The February focus group centered on fixed indexed annuities. Barbara says clients first were asked for their expectations and assumptions about the annuities. After clients wrote answers to the questions, Barbara presented more information about the investments, and clients were invited to discuss whether the investments would meet the needs and expectations of different investors.
The focus groups help Barbara and Kim Last, financial adviser and owner of Kimberley A. Last Financial Services Inc., discover clients’ beliefs and uncertainties about various financial products. Then, those client concerns can be addressed.
“I want to know ahead of time what my clients’ fears are so I can address them,” Barbara says.
Focus group participants will be selected from the firms’ clients or people who have attended educational seminars sponsored by the firms. Participants must be between 55 and 75 years of age and have at least $100,000 of investable assets.
“It was a lively discussion,” says Barbara Traylor Smith, president of Retirement Outfitters LLC and investment advisor representative for May-Investments. “I believe we got honest, fairly clear feedback.”
More focus groups are planned in future months, and although they all will deal with financial topics, the particular focus of each discussion will vary.
“The idea is we get a group of people together, and we ask for their feedback on a topic,” Barbara says. “The topics will change from meeting to meeting.”
The February focus group centered on fixed indexed annuities. Barbara says clients first were asked for their expectations and assumptions about the annuities. After clients wrote answers to the questions, Barbara presented more information about the investments, and clients were invited to discuss whether the investments would meet the needs and expectations of different investors.
The focus groups help Barbara and Kim Last, financial adviser and owner of Kimberley A. Last Financial Services Inc., discover clients’ beliefs and uncertainties about various financial products. Then, those client concerns can be addressed.
“I want to know ahead of time what my clients’ fears are so I can address them,” Barbara says.
Focus group participants will be selected from the firms’ clients or people who have attended educational seminars sponsored by the firms. Participants must be between 55 and 75 years of age and have at least $100,000 of investable assets.
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