Going out of your comfort-zone and a question Posted on September 17, 2012

It’s been a long time since I’ve published a blog post, and a lot has happened in the absence. Most notably is the launch of Primetime Retirement’s quote portal, and integration of that quote portal with Avelo, a leading product comparison service in the Financial Services industry.

I’ve learnt a tonne of new techniques and APIs in the last few months; the majority of which I had never experienced before. Although in the past I’ve worked with services returning XML (a funky communication standard with lots of < > everywhere, for those not in the web industry) I’ve never had to build a service that returned the XML, itself.

I love taking on projects where there’s something new and exciting to get your head around. Yes, it’s a challenge, but deep-down, I’m a problem solver. My Nan (still) hates the fact I whoop her at proper Solitaire (with the wooden board & marbles).

Challenges are there to be solved, right?

Which leads me on to my next challenge I would like to conquer; talking. Those that know me will know I certainly don’t have a problem talking or chatting about goodness-knows-what, but I’ve never spoken in front of a group before. In two weeks time, I’ve been given the opportunity to talk for 10 minutes at the conference I’m attending and I would love to give it a go. Yeah, I’m nervous and quaking in my boots, but I’m sure I’m not the only one!

So, my question to you is what do you think I should talk about?

This question is only really relevant for those in the Financial Services industry that I’ve connected with, but I’m struggling for ideas on what to base my talk on. Given that the majority of you have spoken, or dealt with me in the past, what do you think others at the IFP conference would benefit from or enjoy a talk on?

Please post any ideas you have in the comments. I’ll take some inspiration from your suggestions and put together what I hope to be a top “First Talk” ever. :)

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  • charliesaidthat

    Would love to see you talk about websites that convert, and websites which meet the USERS needs.

    You know your stuff dude, you’ll knock ‘em dead.

  • nosliwtrauts

    I think charliesaidthat is right – this will be of great interest to IFAs. I think if you could also blend with that your own experience of using social media to build a reputation and brand, and the good (bad?) practices you have observed in FS relating to the use of SM, that too would be of great interest to IFAs.

  • codepotato

    Cheers guys! So, a chat on how IFA websites should be?

    • charliesaidthat

      I think more fundamentally a chat on understanding what customers need… and therefore what *might* be included in a website or how they might blog or use social media. ;)

  • http://www.bridgetgreenwood.com Bridget Greenwood

    Yes – in agreement with Charlie. Using social networks and other offline and on line efforts to send people to your website is only going to be effective if when they get there it’s something they want to see. So the increasing importance of your website, that it’s no longer an online brochure and what it can really be used for. You know, the stuff you talk to me passionately about. (No not coffee or the wedding).