Meditation can help us all… a counselor can have more conversions, a designer can create more harmony, marketing people communicate better, HR can interact more meaningfully… and so on. For meditation to help, we need to know some vital features of this science… or is it a discipline? I leave that to you to decide.

The Upanishads, illuminating our real nature, say:
“From Delight we came into existence.
In Delight we grow.
At the end of our journey’s close,
Into Delight we retire.”

Our instinctive reaction is to question the basis of these words. Life has its stress and moments are full of scurrying activities that make the waking hours seem less. There are deadlines to be met, chores need attention, relationships need time, and one has to consistently keep building one’s net of material security. Can delight really find itself in this chaos? Are the Upanishads correct in their analysis? What do the sages mean when they ask us to ‘peel away our layers of ignorance so we can once more bring to the fore the light of our soul?’

The Gurus keep chanting: ‘Quieten your mind!’ Is that easy? Is it easy to detach yourself from the frenzied mainstream of living? No, it isn’t. We mortals can never completely STOP the inflow of thoughts. However, by sitting quietly, we can begin to feel more relaxed, also just focusing on our breathing helps lessen symptoms of stress.

I was once talking to Surakshit Goswami, the leading yoga and meditation expert, and he remarked that relaxation is just one of the benefits of meditation. He went on to explain that a quiet mind tends to discretely stay away from being judgmental, critical, and too analytical. Acceptance becomes an intrinsic part of such a mind. When this happens, the mind adopts a quiet stance and decision-making becomes coherent and intuitively correct. The major benefit of a quiet mind is making intuitively correct decisions!

Thus meditation enables us to go beyond the intellectual mind and enter the spiritual heart. This is where our inner self resides and it is not in its inherent nature to criticize or separate through judgments. As meditative abilities evolve, this inner self develops a protective layer against inane and aimless thoughts. If there is any other way to ward off such thoughts, we will anyway discover inner peace and inner joy. The secret here is to promote a stillness of the mind and evolving through stillness. This stillness is not dependant on outer circumstances. In simpler terms, if happiness is relying on outer circumstances, the mind can only assume that it is happy. Once this reliance is done away with, happiness transcends its ‘assumptive stage’ and becomes real! Happiness is thus self-generated. This self generation can be won through meditation.

“True inner joy is self-created.
It does not depend on outer circumstances.
A river is flowing in and through you carrying the message of joy.
This divine joy is the sole purpose of life.”
From ‘Wings of Joy’ by Sri Chinmoy

Another vital aspect is the new-age instant expectations that are so rampant these days. Meditation is not 2-minute fix that you take out of a pouch, heat, and serve! Tell me, could A R Rahman be as innovatively creative if he just sat down and started writing music scores? What no one ever sees is the hours of practice and riyaaz that goes behind each of his musical creation. The same is true with all of us. No good ad emerges without research, browsing, and practice. Similarly, the more you practice meditation, greater will be the benefits. The mind behaves like a monkey; flitting from one attraction to another… it takes patience and practice to evolve this monkey into a Mahatma! Practice exercises of concentration and meditation and then our mind ceases to remain a monkey and we will begin to attain greater peace of mind.

Let me add here that any venture without enthusiasm and energy tends to taper and fizzle out! Therefore, meditate with zest, zing… and a smile!

Years back when I was a cadet at the Indian Military Academy, my PT instructor said: ‘Ek fauji ke liye meditation bahut practical hai!’ We all smiled and thought: ‘Chalo, kuch time ke liye rest karte hain!’ The instructor was seemingly clairvoyant and just said aloud:  ‘When we become more aware of our inner source of peace we will also be able to easily detach ourselves from minor irritations and minor problems. The mind can be tricky and exaggerate small problems into seemingly large and unconquerable problems. You don’t want to see your enemy bigger than it actually is? Do you?’ We were convinced. Inner poise is essential for sane decision-making. In today’s life, it is meditation that will make me market-ready!

The ultimate goal of meditation is much beyond being market-ready or being able to sight the real enemy and aim better! Nirvana is another name given to benefits beyond this… but this can happen only when we lose our sense of attachment to the individual ego and instead become aware of our real nature which is inseparably one with transcendental consciousness. All that I can say now is: Begin before your mind becomes an uncontrollable monkey!

[Arvind Passey]
[2008]
Published in ‘The Learner’

Not all of you are going to be writing headlines for ads and probably only a handful of you (and that’s a generous estimate!) are ever going to even attempt writing a novel. So why must you be reading this article? Let me give you three good and sound reasons:
1.    The net-savvy amongst you will be creating your own blogs and these rules will help you make your writings reader-friendly.
2.    The mails and memos that you may be penning are meaningful only if they are read. Remember that those first few words that you start with (your headline/ the first few words of your text) are often written in haste. Yet, they count for 50% of the success of your entire project.
3.    If your headline or the first few words are good enough to attract you, they will do the same to readers as well. Importantly, you will be encouraging yourself to write more and better!

The lamentable part in the writing world is that besides those who play with words as a profession, it’s hard to spend 90% of your time coming up with winning words as a routine. However, it is good to learn the methods of giving a precise connection to the words that you wish to use either as a headline or some text.

This article will be giving you all some vital tips on the generation of good, catchy, pithy, and attractive headlines. The same rules can be extended and adapted for longer texts as well.

There is a long-held belief that there is no formula for good writing. This is absolutely true for the creative souls that may be meandering amongst us, but for most of us a formula does exist and be the right stepping stone to better writing. Begin your writing by creating headlines. Thus formulae exist that you can use to speed up your headline writing process. But it is entirely up to you to enhance your skills by writing more and more for only quantum can lead to fine-tuning your instincts as well as testing your efforts.

The most pertinent questions in your mind must be:
How do I write the best headlines?
How do I start any text to make it attractive for readers?

Obviously, the surest way of reaching the most hard-hitting lines is through practice and re-drafts. Words gain maximum effectiveness if they are redone or rewritten many times over. This is a painful process and can be time-consuming as well. However, when you have at least 3 different versions in front of you, the best choice will be apparent.

There are at least 10 ways to write punchlines. These methods will also give you a fair idea of extended text writing and the various ways in which to begin your first paragraph. The examples taken include some from the punchlines taken for BIFM ads.

1. The direct statement headline.
Examples:
a) Choose where you want to be!
b) Best happens when you are with the best!

2. The question headline.
Examples:
a) Top career chahiye! Kya karoon?
b) Why do financial companies prefer BIFM students?

3. The how-to headline.
Examples:
a) How to promote your website for maximum response?
b) Stock market mein Lakhpati kaise banein?

4. The command headline.
Examples:
a) We inspire your professional fire. You command wealth!
b) We teach you HOW you teach the secrets of wealth creation.

5. The implicit benefit headline.
Examples:
a) Be a daredevil in the stock market!
b) Financial market mein dhoom machaa do!

6. The guarantee headline.
Examples:
a) Stand tall in the financial world!
b) We convert you into a financial genius!

7. The deep discount headline.
Examples:
a) Say good-bye to chota profits!
b) Get a career for life in just 18 months!

8. The personalized headline.
Examples:
a) Make it big with BIFM… before someone else does!
b) Finally, here’s how you, Bob Delano, can become an expert chef in 15 days.

9. The “reasons why” headline.
Examples:
a) How to measure success? Success in the financial world is…
b) 5 easy steps to becoming a world-class mentor in financial planning!

10. The short, punchy headline.
Examples:
a) Why imagine? Follow the leader!
b) Tehelka! Distance Learning Education mein pehli baar!

[Arvind Passey]
[2008]
Published in ‘The Learner’

The young (b. 1978), attractive, pleasing and intelligent Director of BIFM believes that excellence is a state of mind that is represented in our actions. As she says: “Change the way you think and you will change the results. There is a need for excellence in all that we do, whether it is painting a live-sketch, creating a life within a womb or bringing up an organization as a family, ie, with love and concern.”

Excellence thus starts with a positive self-esteem and leads to positive and productive action. If we feel good from within, it shows outside. It’s reflected further in our actions. We constantly need to personally and professionally outdo our performances.

It is her vision that has created educational avenues in the world of financial planning. She has successfully initiated ‘I-Score’ a startup venture in Financial Markets, and is today the leading financial training provider for Investment Banking and Research careers. Business dynamism made her roar ahead with long-term courses in financial planning and wealth management, and she also heads the project that collaborates with CFPCM, financial planning’s highest global standard. Her education with economics as the main integral subject and an MBA makes her inclination ideal for such a leadership role.

Professional successes as well as traditional values mingle with ease in her persona. A vegetarian, she has strong roots in Indian culture. An instinct for appreciating good music adds brilliance to her interactions with creativity. An interest in knowing the secrets of the world through travel fill her with enchanting metaphors and informed power.

[Arvind Passey]
[2008]

He believes that one must always remember that ‘one is absolutely unique’… and then adds, ‘just like everyone else’. If we are so distinctive and unique, there is no reason why we must not attempt to carve our own success path that is just as distinctive. Truth is that BIFM has carved for itself a niche that is more than being just distinctive.

This thought about being unique is both sobering and energizing. A definitive identity to outcomes exhilarates and also places a fair degree of responsibility. You know that you don’t play around with your identity or whatever it is that makes you so different. You also recognize that aspirations taking birth within you make your uniqueness immortal and, therefore, you keep polishing it until it becomes charismatic and not merely different! This is the belief system that urges Siddharth to surge ahead and carve his own future in his own special way.

An engineering graduate from Michigan, he decided to combine his affinity to scientific precision with the art of managing people. Therefore, he completed his masters in business management from ISB. This hard-to-beat combination of degrees placed him on a vantage point as he zeroed-in instinctively on the financial education sector.

Interestingly, his involvement travels from the strategic to the tactical elements with ease. You can, therefore, find him making vital additions to artworks, guiding the marketing team with focused practical guidelines, giving tips on the importance of body language to counselors, and so on. Thus, from Corel Draw to Kotler, from HR to PR, and from thoughtful Hmmms to smiling admonishing… all form an integral part of this young leader!

Organisations that have leaders who are anywhere near the charisma of Siddharth, can choose only to go upwards on the path of progression.

[Arvind Passey]
[2008]

The mantra or the elixir that propels an aspirant to top financial companies can be encapsulated in two simple words: RIGHT EDUCATION. BIFM, a leader in financial education, takes pride in the knowledge delivery mechanism for effectively communicating the complexities of the stock markets and the intricacies of the financial world. Aspirants get a choice of fast-track courses that include stock market trading and operations, stock analysis and portfolio management, arbitrage trading, technical analysis. For those wanting to go deeper, BIFM has a PG diploma in financial planning and wealth management.

BIFM is also an authorised education provider of the Financial Planning Standards Board, India (FPSB) affiliated to the FPSB, Denver, USA for the globally-accepted CFP educational certification programme.

The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is the most sought after professional designation across the globe. There are more than 1 lakh CFP designates spread over 20 countries worldwide and the number is growing rapidly.

Financial planning and wealth management is vital not only for aspiring professionals but also for ensuring the right handling of money at a personal level.

BIFM has the able leadership of Niharika and Siddharth Bagri. It is their vision that has propelled the concept of financial planning and wealth management to a vantage point where the potential of a student is effectively converted into financial wizardry. These financial wizards stepping into the professional world are engaged with careers and earning potential that is, at times, even beyond the expectations of an MBA or even a CA.

This benefit of learning financial wizardry is at the BIFM centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad… and there are plans to include the rest of India as well as to go global in the near future. This walks in tandem with our vision: “To gain dominance as the ‘first choice’ for world-class financial education delivered through a distinguished faculty, using state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge research.”

BIFM is moving fast… taking wing and zooming into an enviable future in the financial education sector!

[Arvind Passey]
[2008]

At BLB we deliver financial solutions that help create, nurture, and deliver well-researched investment keys more powerfully. Our involvement goes beyond brand loyalty, customer satisfaction, education, or a mere dissemination of information. We build a strong connection that drives investment decisions and active participation.

Our investors have the additional advantage of having a productive interaction with sound investment decisions through five operating companies in three businesses across India: Proprietary Trading, Financial Services and Financial Education.

Group Companies

BLB Limited
The leading proprietary trading corporate in the Indian financial markets strategically integrated through ‘risk-free’ trading and updated technological potential aimed at fiscal growth and value creation. The company has recently diversified into financial services and investment solutions. BLB Limited has three wholly owned subsidiaries:

BLB Institute of Financial Markets (BIFM)
A leading corporate that provides world-class financial education and training with both real-world and application-based skills.

BLB Global Business Limited (BGBL)
Our initiative that gives practical insights for trading in markets that deal with international equity and commodity.

BLB Realty Ventures Limited (BRVL)
Discover processes for improving investments in realty! The real-estate investment wing suggests and implements strategic and timely-investments in realty.

BLB Limited revolves around people and an effective management of wealth! The team here always strives to attract, nurture and develop the right insights for client fulfillment in the diversified facets of financial services.

More than 900 committed members of BLB spread across India share the same missionary zeal that initiated the richness that is so evident today. The team comprises of experienced and vibrant professionals with extensive capital market experience responsible for overall operations, planning and business development. They bring rich hands-on proficiency to manage operations countrywide, creating a synergized growth matrix.

The optimal use of technology and human technologies is aimed at delivering unparalleled strategic counsel, sound solutions and timely, responsive services to our
investors. We take pride in saying that ‘today’s initiatives, however small, make tomorrow proud.’ BLB Group is owned by professionals who have over 30 years of rich experience in the equity and derivative market operations in the country. Recognized as the market leader in jobbing and arbitrage, the group is a trading powerhouse with one of the largest dealer base of over 500 expert traders who collectively generate a daily turnover of >3000 crores and provide a huge liquidity pool in the market.

This team is always ready to learn new skills and pick up new practices that can add value to our ‘clients’, the investors!
The focus is simple: Transact with trust to win the markets!

To quote our Chairman, Mr B R Bagri: “The secret to true happiness is knowing your expectations and then working hard to exceed them! This happens when you attempt to discover and awaken the qualities, qualifications, virtues, persona, and skills to make you a person with a mission! Remember that there is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.”

This is the kind of dawn that we dream of and nourish!
This is the dawn that has transcended the drawing-boards of the mind and made an impact in the real world!

[Arvind Passey]
[2008]

What forms your individuality?

What are your long-term goals and ambitions?

What values do you adopt and follow?

What are the ways you recognize success?

What lessons do you extract from your history?

The above five questions are the ones that most organizations ask themselves. Even in the financial world these questions create the basic structure for constructing long-term successes. Even successful enterprises do not stop asking these questions as the quest for success never ends. Let us take the leader and the pioneer in financial education as a case study here. BIFM conducts such an appraisal of itself periodically which is the prime reason of it being an undisputed leader in the financial education sector. To make their students market-ready for new age careers in finance, BIFM updates theory according to what the market needs, adopts the latest software being used by the industry to give extensive practical training, and follows it up with all the new-age personality-lifting sessions. Their individuality is in the content and its delivery. New age careers need new age delivery mechanisms and a set of faculty who are experts at giving all the finance-content a touch of class making their long-term goals and ambitions a credible profile! The BLB Institute of Financial Markets recognizes success by the quality of placements that they endeavor to make available for students. Thus BIFM gives all these and more to its students.

The illustrated case study in the previous paragraph gives an adequate understanding of how success can be made real through incisive questioning. The questions help us in formulating a plan. This is almost like successful cities are built. The care given to these systems simply means that we will not be creating the city of our personal dreams on the top of repeated ruins!

Elizabeth Barrett Browning remarked: “What is genius but the power of expressing a new individuality?” Your individuality is you and the day you discover it, you have found the greatest power on earth. In simpler terms, do you want to be a power #1 in the world? Then be yourself. It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a time who advance in this world. The great man or woman is the one who never steps outside his or her specialty or foolishly dissipates his or her individuality. Thus the first step to be taken is to discover what makes you different.

Long-term goals and ambitions are a matter of will power in judicious harmony with self-assessment. It is good to establish the tactical as well as the strategic perspective to this goal setting. Tactically, to will is to select a goal, determine a course of action that will bring one to that goal, and then hold to that action till the goal is reached. The key is action. From a strategic point of view, individuals must set priorities for the goals. A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first. Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first. This is the way successful companies function and this is what individuals must learn from successful organizations like BIFM.

Successful organizations follow what Albert Einstein once said: “The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.” For instance, BIFM gives the best financial education to its students in both theoretical as well as practical spheres. BIFM students thus become the darling of recruiters and get the best placements in the industry today. Even individuals must attempt to adopt the value system and give the profession the best quality time as well as inclination!

Recognizing success is vital as this is one aspect that sets the direction for understanding what has been done and what needs to be done. Past successes do create bench-marks for the future. And anyway, opportunity and hard-work do go hand-in-hand. As Thomas Alva Edison has aptly remarked: “Most people don’t recognize opportunity when it comes, because it’s usually dressed in overalls and looks a lot like work.” Remember, there are always opportunities through which businessmen can profit handsomely if they will only recognize and seize them. Thus, recognizing success is almost akin to begin to think with purpose. Obviously, even recognizing failure is an additional pathway to attainment!

The past is not a mere collection of fables… it is like a looking-glass helping you analyze the series of actions taken with the results that emerged! Browsing the past gives the most authentic feed-back provided you develop the ability to pick out the right moments without bias. They form the building-blocks of attitude or the way you look at the world. They also edit how you view your environment and your future. At BIFM, we keep going back into the past to identify all the ways that have succeeded and then add all contemporary wisdom to them to maximize their result-orientation for the present! Thus, your passion and dreams to make it big in the financial world are the focus we at BIFM (BLB Institute of Financial Markets) help you develop. Even as an individual you can follow this model of success and benefit from it.

The five questions given at the start of this article are vital and make it amply clear that it pays not to forget your history nor your destiny.

[Arvind Passey]
Corporate Communications - BIFM
[2008]

The need has increased for intelligent, dynamic communicators and analysts in all aspects of the financial world. The brave new corporate, is an exciting place to be in right now. If there is a right time and right place – this is it. Many indicators are moving north! What is vital, therefore, is opting for a course that the finance industry demands. We at BIFM call it being ‘market-ready’!

To be the darling of top recruiters in the financial world you need the success mantra of BIFM. To become market-ready for new age careers in finance, you need updated theory that the market needs, get extensive practice on all relevant application software, and follow it up with personality-lifting sessions. New age careers need new age delivery mechanisms and a set of faculty who are experts at giving all the finance-content a touch of ‘new age’ class! At BIFM you get all this and more. Prerna Raghav, a fast track student at BIFM says that she “learnt so much about Stock Markets. All thanks to the faculty. Our practical classes further expanded our knowledge sphere and through live trading we grew confident.”

YOU need a career. The FINANCIAL WORLD needs outstanding candidates. The equation here is simple. You need a mentor having the power to connect your need with the needs of the best recruiters in the financial world!

The three power elements granting you a grand entry into the financial world are:

1. Power of an inclination for creating wealth

2. Power of mentors helping you be market-ready

3. Power of new age courses for new age careers

BIFM offers you fast-track as well as long-duration courses. Our fast track courses are in arbitrage, stock analysis and portfolio management, stock market trading & operations, derivatives trading and strategy, and technical analysis. The long-duration courses include a PG Diploma in Financial Planning and Wealth Management as well as ADFP (Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning leading to the prestigious CFP designation). “You get the edge of knowledge enough to convert any ordinary student into an outstanding candidate!” says Vishesh Goel and adds further that, “integrating innovative content with excellent faculty is vital for those who aspire for the global Gold Standard of a Certified Financial Planner.” Teaching methodologies are the inspirational notes that make BIFM the leader in financial education today.

The art and science of achieving one’s financial goals through an intelligent choice of resources is what BIFM strives to teach. The 5 Ws and H (what, when, where, who, why, and how) of investment spanning mutual funds, insurance, stock market, and the financial world are given in-depth treatment in our courses.

We enable professionals convert mere potential into wizards of the financial world through mastering industry-preferred software! Our assets include an invigorating faculty, focused courses, updated and achievement-oriented course material and other services that add value to our efforts. From a well-stocked library to broadband access to the internet, from an involved approach to novel approaches, from success stories to success dreams… we have all that the yearning heart may desire for. Rishab Jain, a PGD-FPWM student at BIFM, agrees that learning is enhanced by personality development and says that “it is your attitude, not your aptitude that will determine your altitude. BIFM helped me give the right focus to my attitude. This vital change in my personality is primarily because of the personality development sessions at BIFM.” Obviously, the additional Personality Development workshops and Executive Speakers series aids them create a new benchmark in professionalism!

In today’s fast paced world planning a career is a great challenge. The tremendous growth in the economy is opening up new opportunities as new businesses get set up. India has become a global hunting ground for talent. Now we have the opportunity to think of ‘global’ careers. A career as a finance professional today is vastly different than it used to be years ago. The study and analysis of today’s markets, financial products and other financially related sectors of the business world are the foundation of financial activities to date. Stockbroker, financial planner, and investment banker are just a few examples of jobs that may be chosen when pursuing a career in finance. As finance grows year to year, being accurate and up to date with financial information and financial techniques is essential when considering a career in finance.

The traditional way of education is almost ‘out of fashion’ now. The course-book savvy, scholastic geniuses are not necessarily the front pacers anymore. Learning has also traversed from classrooms to the comfort zone of one’s home too. “Distance learning is an excellent solution for professionals and students who wish to add value to their conventional qualification,” says an eminent educationist from Delhi. The distance learning modules of BIFM are an apt example of this.

Thus, if you are searching for the secret that will make you reach the top financial companies you must know what the profile of such an outstanding candidate is. The answer can be put in two simple words: RIGHT EDUCATION.

Right education is exactly what you get at BIFM, the pioneer and leader in financial education today!

For more details, SMS <BIFM> to 54646

or log on to our website: www.bifm.edu.in

BIFM courses:

Fast Track Courses

Diploma in Stock Market Trading and Operations (DSMT)

Diploma in Stock Analysis and Portfolio Management (DSAPM)

Commodity Arbitrage Trading and Operations (C-ATD)

Equity Arbitrage Trading and Operations (E-ATD)

Technical Analysis (TA)

Derivatives Trading and Strategy (DTS)

Sales and Marketing of Financial Services (SMFS)

Foundation Certificate in Stock Market (FSM)

Training in NCFM | NCDEX | MCX certification (NCFM Modules)

Long Term Courses

Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and Wealth Management
(PGD-FPWM)

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning + CFP designation (ADFP)

I-Score

Professional course for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program

Distance Learning Programs

Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and Wealth ManagementTM
(PGD-FPWMTM DLP)

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning + CFP designation (ADFP DLP)

Corporate Training

We give world-class customized corporate training solutions in financial markets (CT)

[Arvind Passey]
Corporate Communications - BIFM
[2008]

The primary task of financial planners is to help people sort through and decide on investments, insurance and other financial products. They also do retirement planning, college funding, estate planning and general investment analysis.

The most important feature is to know the kind of qualifications that will lead to appropriate employment. An academic background in accounting, finance, economics, business, mathematics or law surely helps. However, what is vital here is a focused training in the practical aspects of financial planning and wealth management. Fast track or even long-term courses that focus on making you market-ready for the right job in this field is more helpful than regular university degrees. Courses in investments, taxes, estate planning and risk management are valuable add-ons and their role is undeniable.

Financial analysts may also seek the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®), the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and other similar designations to give them a head-start in both knowledge as well as professional advantage. There are job descriptions that may require you to have appropriate module certifications from the NSE too.

With the above introduction, let us make an in-depth analysis of other aspects that a financial planner has to look after. The first amongst all is obtaining new business. One of the hot sources of getting new business is through referrals. The search for clients needing those services and building a customer base is vital to tasting success as a financial planner. This can easily be accomplished through seminars or lectures, through social or business contacts or simply by cold calling. Understand that financial planning is possible only if there are enough clients needing your services.

Thus it is essential to build a wide, massive, and heterogeneous social network and it helps if one enters the field after working in a related occupation such as accountant, auditor, insurance sales agent, lawyer, or securities, commodities and financial services sales agent.

By now you must be wondering which type of organizations need financial advisors? The financial planner has career options of joining finance and insurance companies, including securities and commodity brokers, banks, insurance carriers and financial investment firms. There is a large percentage of qualified financial planners who opt for entrepreneurship and operate through small investment advisory firms, usually in urban areas.

Interestingly, it is estimated that the overall employment of financial analysts and personal financial advisors is expected to increase faster than the average (by 27% or more) for all occupations through 2014. This is a result of the increased investment by businesses and individuals, the rising number of self-directed retirement plans and the growing number of seniors. Personal financial advisors will benefit even more than financial analysts as baby boomers save for retirement and as a better educated and wealthier population requires investment advice. In addition, people are living longer and must plan to finance more years of retirement.

Besides the information given about the career options in financial planning, it is important to determine if you have the right inclination and mental attitude for the rigors that it involves. Remember, you are selling financial services and products and must have a thorough sales-orientation, be an extrovert, communicate well, and have developed analytical abilities. Obviously, starting early will mean grasping the financial quotient better and so your march to getting focused knowledge must ideally begin immediately after graduation. Financial planners must have an independent disposition, be self-starters, and remain pro-active throughout. Let me emphasize on the challenge of building a client base as being vital to the job of a financial planner. This was pointed out earlier in this article. The factor that is bound to bring a smile to anyone reading this article is when I say that you always have to tell yourself: “I’ve never been average and I’ll earn more than the median.”

The characteristics pointed out in the preceding paragraph are those that are what will tell you if you are on the right track if about to opt for financial planning. Understandably, a massive chunk of the money that you mint will be from commissions and that is a rather sobering and terrifying thought. But if you have the right connections and the energy level to work that network, you could succeed in this tough career.

However, if the characteristics of a financial planner appear to be too rugged and rough for you to handle, don’t even think about financial planning. If you love the portfolio analysis side, consider working as a financial analyst. If math is your strong subject, go into financial engineering or quantitative analysis. You’ll make more money without having to sell all day long.

In case this article inspires you, start now. There is no better time than NOW!

Obviously, the most pertinent query at this stage will be… where and how do I find the best institute and the best mentors? Search for an institute that is rooted in excellence. One such institute is BIFM. BIFM is a leader and a pioneer in introducing job-oriented fast-track Diploma and PGD programs for providing the most relevant financial market education. Its fast-track training programmes have already taken the industry by storm and have created a huge talent pool of qualified manpower for the industry. BIFM today has over 95% market share in the fast track programmes for stock, commodity and derivative markets, making it a market leader in this segment.

BIFM is the leading approved education provider of FPSB for CFP programs. CFP is rated as Gold Standard by Wall Street Journal and is recognized in over 20 countries. Long term courses from BIFM include ADFP (Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning) and PGD-FPWM (PG Diploma in Financial Planning and Wealth Management).

The fast track courses in stock market from BIFM have taken the industry by storm. More than 1, 40,000 stock market professionals look forward to learning about stock markets through our fast track courses which range from 1 - 4 months. These courses include Diploma in Stock Market Trading and Operations, Diploma in Stock Analysis and Portfolio Management, Commodity Arbitrage Trading and Operations, Equity Arbitrage Trading and Operations, Technical Analysis, Derivatives Trading and Strategy, Sales and Marketing of Financial Services, a Foundation Certificate in Stock Market, and Training in NCFM | NCDEX | MCX certification.

e-BIFM gives you the most modern distance learning experience and is ideal for working professionals and students who want the best financial education. ADFP and PGD-FPWM are available as distance learning programs.

BIFM also has I-score that is the leading brand for the Charted Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program).

Besides the above courses, BIFM also gives world-class customized corporate training solutions in financial markets.

For more details, SMS <BIFM> to 54646

or log on to the BIFM website: www.bifm.edu.in

BIFM courses:

Fast Track Courses

Diploma in Stock Market Trading and Operations (DSMT)

Diploma in Stock Analysis and Portfolio Management (DSAPM)

Commodity Arbitrage Trading and Operations (C-ATD)

Equity Arbitrage Trading and Operations (E-ATD)

Technical Analysis (TA)

Derivatives Trading and Strategy (DTS)

Sales and Marketing of Financial Services (SMFS)

Foundation Certificate in Stock Market (FSM)

Training in NCFM | NCDEX | MCX certification (NCFM Modules)

Long Term Courses

Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and Wealth ManagementTM
(PGD-FPWMTM)

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning + CFP designation (ADFP)

I-Score

Professional course for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program

Distance Learning Programs

Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and Wealth Management
(PGD-FPWM DLP)

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning + CFP designation (ADFP DLP)

Corporate Training

We give world-class customized corporate training solutions in financial markets (CT)

[Arvind Passey]
Corporate Communications - BIFM
[2008]