In the latest Paraplanning column for Financial Planning Today Magazine, Paraplanning mentor and rugby player Sam Patterson looks at what the sport can teach financial professionals.

I have played rugby for most of my life, and while it is safe to say there isn’t much in common between rugby and Paraplanning, one similarity is the importance of effective communication.

Therefore, I’d like to highlight two aspects that can enhance your communication skills as a Paraplanner.

Connecting with your team:

– As head of mentoring at The Paraplanner Club, I engage with Paraplanners from all around the country. While the daily tasks of Paraplanners may differ, one constant prevails – the importance of communication. Whether you’re an in-house or outsourced Paraplanner, regular check-ins with your team and manager are indispensable. These don’t have to be formal meetings but having regular, informal catch ups can help you stay connecting with your team. So, if you aren’t already having regular catch ups, these are a must.

Managing expectations – Similar to how rugby players need to manage a referee’s expectations, Paraplanners must also handle the demands of their work effectively.

Here’s where the five-minute email hack comes into play. Devote three 30-minute slots in your day for email tasks; morning, post-lunch, and before leaving. Outside these windows, keep your email closed.

The five-minute rule is simple; if you can respond within five minutes, do it immediately. For more time-intensive responses, schedule dedicated time and send a holding email to acknowledge receipt. This approach ensures that every email receives some sort of response within a couple of hours, while also minimising distractions throughout the day.

In both rugby and Paraplanning, it all boils down to effective communication. On the field, it’s about working as a team and understanding the referee. In the Paraplanning world, it’s about supporting your team around you, both personally and professionally, and managing expectations of internal and external clients using strategies such as much five-minute email hack.

Sam Patterson is director of The Patterson Group, which offers CII exam support and consultancy services to the financial services profession. Sam is also head of mentoring at The Paraplanner Club, a free mentoring scheme for Paraplanners nationwide.

• This article is from the latest edition of Financial Planning Today Magazine. The latest Financial Planning Magazine will be free to read online until at least the end of this week at https://bit.ly/2ZdVXWz