Scottish Life enhances client service proposition through online initiative
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Scottish Life, the pensions specialist arm of the Royal London Group, has introduced a new interactive meeting service to further expand its service proposition to Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs). The new service aims to deliver a high standard of sales support while saving IFAs' valuable time. This new initiative has been designed to complement Scottish Life's existing broker consultant relationships.
This facility, which is being delivered via the award-winning 'GoToMeeting®' software from Citrix Online, provides a broad range of services to IFA clients without the need for either party to spend time travelling around the country for meetings.
The required software is quick and easy to download. Once a date and time has been agreed, the consultant can start the meeting by talking the adviser through the material onscreen, as if they were both in the adviser's office. The whole process allows the consultant to explain how a product or service works, to clearly demonstrate this online and then watch the adviser use it themselves, guiding them as and when necessary. This is particularly useful for explaining new features and services and clarifying more complex products and system features, to either an IFA or an employer.
Jim Smith, Sales Director at Scottish Life, comments:
"We are confident that this new and genuinely interactive service will provide an effective way of meeting our IFAs' expectations, while crucially saving time that is often lost through unpredictable travel delays. The improved efficiency achieved with this service will allow us to offer greater support to a wider range of IFAs and an added bonus is that it's an environmentally friendly option.
"We were very encouraged following a successful pilot period and have had very positive feedback so far. The scheme is proving to be a popular tool for IFAs, from single adviser firms right through to national firms"
Stephen Ilett, Leggatts Financial Services, comments
"I am based in the Scottish Highlands and there aren't a lot of broker consultants come this way. I do get information sent to me by providers but to be honest I don't read all of it, so it is particularly useful to be able to get a hands on session, as and when it's needed. It means I can get the latest information from Scottish Life and have a clear understanding of what's on offer straight away.
"For something complex, like income drawdown, I can run through an application with Scottish Life, highlighting any areas which require clarification, and get the matter dealt with far quicker. It allows me to run my business more efficiently and cost effectively. Also the fact that I don't have to travel is of great benefit to me."
– ENDS –
For further information please contact:
Scottish Life
Alasdair Buchanan, Head of Communications
0131 456 7133
Keith MacPherson, eBusiness Development Manager
0131 456 7471
Polhill Communications
Jenette Perry
020 7655 0530
Editor's Notes:
Scottish Life was founded in 1881 in Edinburgh as a proprietary company, becoming a mutual company in 1968.
On 1 July 2001, Scottish Life demutualised and transferred its business to The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited. Scottish Life is a division of Royal London and is the specialist pension business with the Group, providing individual and group pensions to the market via intermediaries.
Scottish Life and Royal London's other intermediary businesses are based in Edinburgh where 1,200 staff are employed, with 195 working in other parts of the UK and overseas.
Royal London Group is a specialist financial service provider. Its businesses focus on those sectors of the market which value premium propositions, operating through a number of brands:
- Scottish Life – UK pensions market
- Bright Grey – UK protection market
- Scottish Life International – offshore investment markets
- RLAM – fund management
- RLAS – life and pensions administration
Royal London is the largest mutual life and pensions company in the UK with Group funds under management of £31.5 billion. Group businesses serve around three million customers and employ 2,610 people. (Figures quoted are as at 31 March 2007).