"Growth, growth, growth!": Q&A with Helen Thom, Ignition Wealth's new Head of Sales
Helen Thom has joined Ignition Wealth during a time of expansion and transformation at the firm and, as she tells Industry Moves, her focus as head of sales will be on "growth, growth, growth!" Thom tells us what drew her to the role and the three key things that make for effective sales. She also shares an "aha" career moment, offers her thoughts on the future of digital advice, and reveals what makes her heart sing.
Helen Thom has joined Ignition Wealth during a time of expansion and transformation at the firm and, as she tells Industry Moves, her focus as head of sales will be on "growth, growth, growth!" Thom tells us what drew her to the role and the three key things that make for effective sales. She also shares an "aha" career moment, offers her thoughts on the future of digital advice, and reveals what makes her heart sing.
What makes a great salesperson?
The three key things are a great work ethic, experience and industry knowledge. It's vital to understand the industry and the needs of your clients and for me that's really understanding the advice industry and being a subject matter expert in financial advice. Because I understand how my clients operate I can sell a solution that really benefits the businesses I work with.
What drew you to Ignition Wealth?
The awesome technology that sits behind the business, the people, the culture and the trust that I have in the leadership and directors. I have a longstanding working relationship with CEO Manish Prasad and love working with such a smart operator.
What are your plans in the role?
Growth growth growth! I want the firm to be the undisputed leader in the digital guidance space and continue to build the Ignition brand globally.
"We spend most of our lives at work so I am lucky that I have found an industry I really enjoy"
How do you see the digital advice space developing over the next few years?
I think it will evolve through a hybrid model, complimenting the existing tools that advisers are using at the moment and developing into an AI space, with full automation, voice activated engagement and a hyper-personalised digital experience.
Has there been a pivotal point in your career - either direction-wise or an 'aha' moment?
When I was paraplanning there was an aha moment when I thought there just has to be an easier way of doing this type of role! The pivotal moment for me was joining Decimal and discovering digital advice.
What makes your heart sing?
Seeing the solution I bring forward to any problem deliver results that make lives easier. We spend most of our lives at work so I am lucky that I have found an industry I really enjoy. That makes my personal life happier too and enriches my appreciation for spending time with my family, enjoying real quality personal time with the ones that I love.
Do you have a hidden skill/secret talent?
When I'm doing it all, being a mother, wife, good employee, I need to have eyes in the back of my head to get it all done!
Where did you grow up and what was it like?
My dad was a pilot and wanted to live both close to the airport and close to the beach so I grew up in a sleepy blue collar beachside suburb. It was a happy childhood and a lovely area to grow up in.
