I agree the industry has seen a few lows in the recent past, but the good times are back again. I still have some memory flashes of bad times, but I just learnt one thing- “Never underestimate the pain of a person because the truth is everyone is struggling.  It's just some people hide it better than others.” I am myself an AMFI distributor and I very clearly understand how this industry runs. Even I have been through a similar phase in life, even I was shaken by the sudden tremors given by the regulator- oh yes, I am talking about the entry load. I agree that servicing retail clients and new client creation has become unviable after the margin reduction post entry load ban.  Still, we have scope; all we need is to work out ways. Think………. Come on people, we need new minds for a new era, so just WAKE UP. There can be a couple of options, just think…………..  Maybe this could work…..

Transparency is always rewarding, if the investor understands your energy and effort which goes towards his investment, he would definitely be in agreement that your services are valuable and you deserve something in return. He needs to be aware that the regulator has discontinued the load and as a result, your earning has taken a hit. In a scenario like this, if you start charging a similar fee in return of your services, your clientele is likely to agree. So my point is, you can ask your clients to pay the same percentage to you directly as a fee for your services in lieu of the load. After all, it’s a Cadbury Bournville- You have to earn it….  

Ah, do you remember, I said something about learning in the beginning. The Gill-Sushil scene. Remember? If you see from my perspective- even that has a learning for you. Sushil is the investor, see yourself in the shoes of Satpal, and Gill can very well be the regulator. Now the regulator has hurt the distributor with this entry load, and ultimately Sushil, I mean, the investor and been offended. People, the point is, you as an advisor have always guided the investor and will always do. Indeed, the investor is very much attached to you and would not be able to tolerate your insult. He is bound to react, the same way, just as Sushil did. And this, if you make the investor understand how you have been impacted due to the entry load ban, he will be able to make better judgement………

What I am trying to stress is here is the fact, markets are uncertain, this volatility is inescapable, regulations are unavoidable, and most importantly future is unknown. All this does not mean that we lose hope, we switch over to a new business, and we run after a new industry and take the shorter path. All you need is perseverance, dedication and focus, that’s why, I say- WISDOM IS OPTIONAL. So, act like Satpal, unfold your wisdom as a coach/advisor and Sushil/ Investors are going to harvest gold in the coming years. Once the investor accepts the criticality and the vitality of a good coach/advisor, indeed the Guru Dakshna/Fees is bound to follow.  

Choose to be wise. Change your attitude, the way you think, the way you work. As in the words of John Stuart Mills, 'No great improvements in the lot of mankind are possible until a great change takes place in their mode of thought.'

And in my words, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land amongst the stars”………………