Armchair Critic: Twenty points for advisers to ponder

Awkward questions

clock • 5 min read

Socrates argued the unexamined life was not worth living but what about the unexamined industry? Here our Armchair Critic - and occasional armchair philosopher - Brendan Llewellyn offers points for us all to ponder

1. While a financial services company should probably focus only on profitable clients, if everyone focuses on the middle or above, then the sector will alienate itself from the government and regulator. At best, it will become politically irrelevant - after all, how could a service that cannot help the majority of the population be politically relevant? Does that matter? 2. We know from our behavioural economics that marginal utility falls with levels of income and wealth - and it follows that consumers are more indifferent to rises than they are to falls. It would also follow that aggr...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Andrew Goodwin: It's time for advisers to think differently about innovation

Andrew Goodwin: It's time for advisers to think differently about innovation

'Ours is still a profession that rightly places enormous emphasis on the human touch, relationships and trust'

Andrew Goodwin
clock 04 July 2025 • 4 min read
Altus' Holford urges advisers to reframe concept of advice gap

Altus' Holford urges advisers to reframe concept of advice gap

Traditional models of value, service and delivery are being challenged

Sahar Nazir
clock 04 July 2025 • 2 min read
PA Asks: Do you keep in touch with clients when on holiday?

PA Asks: Do you keep in touch with clients when on holiday?

Plus, targeted support worries and BDMs

Professional Adviser
clock 04 July 2025 • 1 min read