Making a difference

WHEN All Financial Services won the Australian Professional Services Small Business Champion award recently, it was a real testament to all the hard work the team had put in since their inception almost a decade ago.

However, director Andy Hills said that the journey for the business wasn’t always a smooth one, and they had plenty of ups and downs along the road to success.

He likens their own journey to many of their clients. ‘‘We help our clients achieve their financial goals, and to stay focused despite all the changes that are happening around them,” Andy said.

‘‘For example, think about all the changes that you will experience in your own life-marriage, children, job changes, housing moves, changes in family relationships.

‘‘Add to that all the external changes that are outside of your control-interest rate rises, investment market fluctuations and changes to superannuation legislation. The list goes on.

‘‘All these things can potentially get you off track financially.

‘‘With a financial adviser by your side, you can adapt to any changes and stay focussed on your goals. That’s where we come in.”

As a business, All Financial Services has also experienced lots of changes that had the potential of getting the team off track.

In the early days, it had staff turnover, moved and refurbished its office premises, launched a new corporate identity and had the challenge of developing a new range of services for its clients.

All these changes had the ability to disrupt the business. ‘‘But we stayed focused on our goals and were able
to continue to grow in small, meaningful steps,” Andy said.

Director Alex Brown said that although the team was thrilled with winning the Australian Professional

Services Small Business Champion award recently, it was also very proud of the contributions it has made to the local community.

‘‘Many of our clients, family and friends have been affected by cancer, and early in 2007, the team at All Financial Services agreed we would do our bit to make a difference,” he said. The team rallied sponsors, supporters, clients and business partners and raised more than $43,400 as part of the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life event.

All Financial Services took out the award for the Highest Corporate Fundraiser in 2007.

All the money raised will stay in the Territory and is dedicated to the research, treatment and prevention of early detection of cancer.

All Financial Services have also sponsored a long list of community sporting teams including Kormilda College, Nightcliff Cricket Club, Nightcliff Football Club, Waratah Netball Club and Banks Hockey Club.

They have also lent their support to the Darwin Symphony Orchestra and sponsored local triathlete Sophie Hawken.

‘‘It’s our goal and our passion to make a difference in people’s lives,” Alex said.

‘‘We do that with our valued clients by helping them achieve their goals, so they can get on with enjoying their lives.

‘‘And, we are proud to say that we’ve also been able to make a difference to people’s lives by contributing to our local community.”