Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Gesels by die koffietafel >> 8 May 2007
They say that insurance and financial consultants are the best marketers there are and that one has to know one's step with them – well, be as it may, today we chat up close and personal with Johannes Najoe, registered financial planner with Sanlam.
To bring us properly in the picture, I asked Johannes about his roots. He says he was born in Misgund in Langkloof about 250 km from Port Elizabeth and moved to Bloemfontein in 1998 as a manager at Telkom. He joined Sanlam in June 2003.
Johannes sees himself as an advisor and his main job functions include financial planning, disability, trauma, estate planning, business insurance, investments, pension, long term insurance, PPS and more. Johannes gets the most job satisfaction when clients understand what he is trying to explain as well as actually heeding his advice.
A good portfolio consists of four pillars. Firstly the portfolio should have something for immediate needs (anything unpredictable that happens now like death or disability for instance), secondly you should make provision for short term needs (these include holidays, unforeseen expenses or just a peace-of-mind fund). Then your portfolio should have medium term needs stretching between 5-15 years (study provision, new vehicle, etc.). Last but not least you should prepare for long term needs (anything from 15 years and beyond, like subscription to a pension fund). Johannes says he provides each client with a detailed presentation of the different options available to strengthen his or her portfolio.
According to Johannes some people unfortunately take out policies, go through all the trouble and do all the paper work, but then give up somewhere along the line. This causes some frustrations as the advisor not only loses out on commission, but the client is then no longer protected.
On the other hand one of the most exiting aspects of his career is the fact that Johannes gets to meet and interact with a broad spectrum of people on a daily basis. Not only is that highly interesting, but it also affords him the opportunity to bring people from different walks of life in contact with each other, to the mutual benefit of all.
Hobbies? Mountaineering at Thaba Patsoa. Reading – at the moment I'm reading Man's search for meaning and I've just finished Madiba's A long walk to freedom. I usually read a few books at a time and I'm especially fond of the 7 Habits type books. I also enjoy swimming.
Favourite food? Leg of lamb.
Favourite drink? Soda water.
Family? I have a fantastic wife, Mimie, she is really a lot more than just a pillar of strength. She is my soul mate. Since meeting her my life has been changed for the better. We dream, climb mountains, swim and do everything together. In this case one and one doesn't make two, but a whole lot! Then I have a son, Emile, who is in the Air Force, a daughter Nicoline in the Performing Arts and another daughter Noreen, working at ABSA.
Advice? You reap what you sow and if you don't have anything positive to say about somebody, rather don't say anything at all.
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