T&C excellence – what does it take?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently published its best practice guidance for the treatment of vulnerable customers, highlighting again the importance of staff having the right skills and capabilities. This increasing focus on culture, conduct, capability, and competence, by the regulator is nothing new and firms really do have to take the role of Training and Competence (T&C) seriously in this new reality.

I read the vulnerable consumer case studies, and this caused me to reflect on my own experience after being diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago. As with the FCA findings, my interactions with firms were a mixed bag.

I phoned my insurer about the critical illness cover I’d sold myself 15 years ago. The individual was extremely knowledgeable, they answered all my questions and explained all the technical bits in a way I could understand. They were sympathetic, clearly articulated the next steps and at every junction kept their promises regarding contact. I have to say my expectations were exceptionally low before ringing however, the whole process was surprisingly hassle free and extremely quick.

Next, I rang the provider of my annual travel insurance policy to understand the impact of my diagnosis on the policy. The individual was abrupt and showed no concern or empathy whatsoever. At the end of the short call, they informed me they could not continue to insure me, and I would need to go elsewhere.

These two experiences were at opposite ends of the spectrum. There were key themes which really resonated on the importance scale for me as a vulnerable customer. And to be fair, they are equally prominent in my expectations for all my customer interactions.

Staff Knowledge of the relevant products, services, and support tools   

I want to interact with staff who know what they are talking about. I want to be talked to in a way I can understand and if they don’t know the answer, they find someone who does.

Staff skills of listening, empathy, and accountability

I want the member of staff to listen to me, let me talk, and not make assumptions. I want them to really engage and show sympathy and understanding, not false condolences. I want to be treated as an individual. Is it wrong to want someone to go out of their way to help you?

So, how do you achieve this panacea of consistent customer experience? You need competent and capable staff. Dare I say, you need to put your employees first in your endeavours towards T&C excellence? Firms that do not invest in T&C and L&D will not achieve that leading customer experience.

You need to ensure your T&C approach encapsulates the following:

  1. The desired staff competencies. Drill down to identify the essential knowledge and skills, not just for current roles, but roles of the future.
  2. The relevant competence standards and the tools to measure. What does good look like and how will you know an individual demonstrates it consistently?
  3. A recruitment practice which identifies whether the competencies and capabilities are held.
  4. Training that builds the appropriate knowledge base and skill set for new starters. As well as strengthens the cognitive capabilities, social and emotional skills, and the adaptability and resilience skills of existing staff.
  5. Managers with the skills to coach, assess, and support their teams individual learning needs. This means managers who can identify and tailor solutions which reflect learning styles and competence gaps.
  6. A learning and development culture that strives for continuous improvement. An organisation where all individuals are motivated and engaged to drive their own development.

I would love to hear your insights on T&C excellence, so please do comment and feel free to like, share and follow me for future articles (I am challenging myself to write an article every couple of months!).

FCA publishes final guidance on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers

On 23 February 2021, the FCA published its guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers.

From a Training & Competence perspective firms need to ensure their staff have the appropriate skills and capability to recognise and respond to the needs of vulnerable customers.

The guidance goes on to provide examples of how some firms have worked with a variety of organisations to help increase the understanding of front-line staff to the needs of vulnerable customers.

Clearstep believe of equal importance is the defining of competencies and standards required for all staff in order that vulnerable customers experience good outcomes and receive consistently fair treatment.

FCA publishes consultation paper on their approach to regulating the Funeral Plans sector

On the 2nd March 2021 the FCA published Consultation Paper 21/4 on their proposed approach to regulating the Funeral Plans sector.

For those with an interest in Training & Competence the proposals are pretty much as expected – firms need to demonstrate their employees have the appropriate knowledge and competence, are of good repute and a minimum of 15 hours training and development is undertaken per year.

Firms affected should not underestimate the timelines required to define their customer journey, design, and deliver the associated training, as well as developing their people policies and frameworks accordingly.

Find out more here: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/consultation/cp21-4.pdf

T&C Networker Meeting – 21st April 2021

On Wednesday 21st April 2021 Clearstep Consulting will be hosting a T&C Networker meeting for T&C/L&D professionals across the industry.

Items on the agenda include:

  • How do firms train and demonstrate staff competency to appropriately recognise and respond to vulnerable customers’ needs?
  • The ongoing approach that firms take to ensure that Conduct Rules training remains relevant to staff and their roles.
  • How do firms measure and monitor the effectiveness of their managers to coach and assess?

If you are interested in attending please drop us an email at info@clearstepconsulting.co.uk.

Employees First, Customers Second: Turning your approach to T&C upside down in 2021

What is the relationship between Training & Competence, culture, brand, and financial performance for regulated firms in 2021? Just one of the key themes explored when our Director, Lynne Hargreaves joined Adrian Harvey, CEO of Elephants Don’t Forget.

Watch the on-demand webinar now: https://vimeo.com/516687347

Listen to the podcast here: https://soundcloud.com/user-720954070/nelly-podcast-employees-first-customers-second

PIMFA ONLINE LEARNING: GETTING YOUR FIT AND PROPER ASSESSMENTS RIGHT FIRST TIME

Clearstep Consulting is facilitating the live learning event ‘SMCR: Getting your fit and proper assessments right first time’ for PIMFA on Monday 22nd February 2021 at 9.30 am.

By the 31st March 2021 solo regulated firms under SM&CR will have to ensure that certified staff are fit and proper (F&P) to do their roles. This is your last opportunity to ensure that your firm’s managers and supervisors get the F&P assessment of your staff right first time, particularly in the area of assessing competence and capability.

This event is open to members and non-members. Please click here to find out more and register https://www.pimfa.co.uk/event/pimfa-live-online-learning-smcr-getting-your-fit-and-proper-assessments-right-first-time-2/

 

Employees First, Customers Second: Turning your approach to T&C upside down in 2021.

Lynne Hargreaves of Clearstep Consulting will be joining Adrian Harvey, CEO of Elephants Don’t Forget for an exclusive new webinar on the 24th February at 10.00 am.

We will be discussing why a more robust approach to T&C in 2021 will be critical for regulated firms looking to enhance consumer trust in the brand.

In this webinar you’ll learn more about:

  • How consumers have redefined the rules of engagement.
  • The role of T&C in the new reality.
  • T&C comply or compete, the choice is yours.
  • The relationship between T&C, culture, brand and financial performance.
  • Choosing how and when to assess your employees.

Please click here to register https://info.elephantsdontforget.com/webinar-registration-employees-first-customers-second

 

PIMFA Online Learning Events

Clearstep Consulting are running two events for PIMFA in December 2020 and January 2021. They are open to members and non-members.

Please click on the links below to find out more and register:

T&C Networker Meeting – 30th September 2020

At the end of September Clearstep Consulting hosted a T&C Networker meeting with T&C professionals from across the industry.

It was a great opportunity to discuss how  T&C frameworks have changed over the last 6 months in light of Co-vid and the management of the new people risks arising from working from home.

Also on the agenda was the training and competency of staff dealing with vulnerable customers and the approach to client remediation.