Client Profile: Ken & Gail Planner

Ken and Gail have kindly written the article below for Trade Secrets on their family, working life, holidays and the long term relationship they have had with our company over the last 38 years – we greatly appreciate their contribution to this edition of Trade Secrets.

I first met with GFM soon after Gail and I were married in July 1975.

My father suggested it was a good idea to get some life insurance as we had just taken on a large mortgage and my uncle recommended that I speak with GFM.

I had just completed my four-year apprenticeship as a Telecom technician with the PMG (now Telstra) and stayed with them until 1984, when I left and went into my own business, owning and operating several Caltex franchises and a newsagency. I rolled my superannuation over and eventually set up my own SMSF and GFM has looked after it ever since.

We sold out of the Caltex business in 2006 and after a long European holiday, I took up the role of General Manager of a very large car wash business and Gail enjoys part time reception work at a wellbeing centre.

We’ve got a few years before we get into retirement and we’ve got plans to continue travelling, spending time with our two children and their partners, volunteering our spare time and skills at the school where our daughter teaches and eventually looking forward to grandchildren.

I have seen GFM evolve from the humble sole practitioner, into a substantial financial planning practice specialising in SMSFs. From the very first day 38 years ago, we had confidence in their advice and the support they gave us and we continue to be impressed by the many people in GFM that we have dealings with, including Witi, Mai, Paul, Patrick and quite a few others. Their deep technical knowledge, understanding of our personal needs, consistent passion and friendliness continues to impress us.

The quality information that we receive, personal advice tailored specifically for us and the many seminars and functions that we attend, makes us feel more like “friends” rather than clients. I always feel like I am their most important client in every contact.

I continue to be impressed with the variety, clarity and appropriate detail in the information coming from GFM. The advice we get on a personal level clearly reflects an understanding of our own personal situation, past, present and future and is delivered in a concise yet caring manner.

Over the years, I have had no hesitation in recommending friends and relatives to GFM, for superannuation, investment and financial planning needs. Quite a few of our friends have also been clients of GFM, in some cases, for 20 years or more, they tell me that they are happy with the relationship and this gives us the confidence to keep recommending potential new clients.

Clearly the fact that GFM has grown to what they are today, without ever having to advertise their services, is evidence of the relationships they build with their clients. As I understand, 100% of the new clients come from referrals from existing clients, like us, who obviously continue to be satisfied as well.

Looking back, I guess we started early with our “financial planning” and it’s amazing to think that we have had only one financial planning advice relationship in 38 years. When you get good ongoing advice and you develop trust because you know the advice is in your best interests, we understand why we have been clients for 38 years.

Do you remember the old Mortein ad?
“When you’re on a good thing – stick to it”.

Editor’s note

Thanks to Ken and Gail for sharing their story with us. We will roll out a few more in the next few editions of “Trade Secrets”. We notice from the photos that Ken’s hair style has changed quite a bit over the years, but Gail doesn’t look to have changed at all.