Freedom Planning offers personalized financial planning services. These services help clients achieve their goals by making informed choices and providing education. The ultimate goal is to ensure a secure financial future for clients.

Freedom Planning recently won the People Management Excellence Award at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. You can find a detailed summary of our award submission below.

What do freedom planning do?

• We enhance people’s financial wellbeing by helping them to create and protect their wealth.
• We provide a service to people with the purpose of improving their quality of life both now and into the future.
• We help people reach Financial Freedom – whatever that means to them.
• We strive to build long-term relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
• We are here to listen to your ideas. We are also here to help you make the right financial decisions. We will support you as you work towards your goals.
• We support people through difficult times and celebrate significant achievements and events.

Our story

Bill Owen & Associates was founded in 1983. It later became Bill Owen Financial Services and then evolved into Freedom Planning.

Alaina Anderlini and Jacinta Tim So now lead the company. Bill Owen used to be a member of the AMP Society and sold life insurance door-to-door. He wanted to offer expert financial advice, which led to the growth and change of his business.

Now Freedom Planning, it offers tailored financial services amongst a variety of types of financial planning. Our business has three partners. We also have two licensed financial advisers. Additionally, we have two full-time staff, with one of them working remotely from Hervey Bay.

Furthermore, we have a virtual assistant in the Philippines. This demonstrates Bill’s commitment to staff development. Fostering our strong organizational culture is also crucial. This shows Bill’s dedication to staff development and is important for our strong organizational culture.

Our business is the result of Bill’s plan. This plan shows his dedication to helping staff grow and creating chances. This ethos remains a fundamental component of our organisational culture, which we continue to uphold.

Key challenges and how we overcome them

Amidst our journey, we’ve tackled dynamic challenges, both internal and within our industry.

Changes in financial regulations like Australia’s FOFA and the Royal Commission into Banking Misconduct caused shifts in the financial industry. To adapt, we emphasised transparency and client-centricity in line with evolving regulations.

Internally, issues like staffing complexities, service costs, and inclusivity dilemmas arose. We managed staffing concerns through strategic recruitment, training, and collaboration with an outsourcing firm for offshore support. To address affordability, we introduced innovative strategies, like general advice coaching, providing accessible entry points for clients not needing an immediate comprehensive financial plan.

Driving Success: Beyond Profitability

For us, success transcends profitability. It encompasses client satisfaction, staff well-being, and our reputation. Our commitment to delivering personalised and valuable financial advice has fostered organic client referrals, indicating trust and superior service.

Our primary business goals revolve around making financial advice accessible and affordable for all individuals, regardless of their financial situation.

Achieving our business goals

To achieve our goal of making financial advice accessible and affordable, we’ve adopted strategic approaches that cater to different needs. 

1. General Advice Coaching Sessions: Our coaching sessions offer comprehensive guidance on prevalent financial matters, financial products and client objectives. These sessions are affordable and boost client confidence in making financial decisions. They are an entrance to our services like planning for the future, managing money, planning for retirement, estate planning, wealth management and super funds.

Subsequently, clients have the option to transition into becoming recurrent coaching clients. Clients have the flexibility to choose when they want to have sessions. They can choose to address specific needs or when they are ready to create a personalized financial plan.

This strategy culminates in procuring personalised financial advice and obtaining a meticulously crafted Financial Plan. This is an indispensable blueprint for realising their aspirations and attaining enduring financial autonomy.

2. Value-Perceived Pricing: By offering our general advice coaching consultations at an initial flat fee of $220.00 for a one-hour session, we’ve enhanced the perceived value of our services. This encourages clients to make changes. It also helps them become comprehensive financial planning clients. They will feel comfortable with using a financial planner and setting financial goals.

Freedom Planning: Exemplary People Management Practices

At Freedom Planning, our commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture and implementing innovative people management initiatives has been paramount to our success. Our workplace culture is founded upon principles of growth, inclusivity, open communication, and collaboration. Over the years, our culture has evolved organically, shaped by our dedication to continuous improvement and our recognition of the value that each team member brings to the table.

Workplace Culture and Development

Our workplace culture centres around embracing growth. We prioritise the development of our team members and actively encourage them to challenge themselves. By providing projects that initially evoke self-doubt but ultimately allow for autonomous problem-solving, we promote both personal and professional development.

Our culture is characterised by open communication, where every team member’s voice is valued. This culture has grown through regular individual and team check-ins, where we actively seek feedback and suggestions. We also employ innovative tools such as annual DISC personality profiling, enabling us to understand our team’s dynamics better and enhance collaboration.

Innovative People Management Initiatives

Our innovative people management initiatives have been pivotal in driving best practices and fostering a thriving work environment.

1. Personality Profiling: The adoption of the DISC personality profiling tool has revolutionised our team dynamics. Through the DISC profiling, we categorise individuals into four primary behavioural styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. This initiative allows us to comprehend everyone’s work style, strengths, and communication preferences. By acknowledging and adapting to these differences, we optimise teamwork, minimise conflicts, and promote effective collaboration.

One of the key components of our approach is our annual team-building sessions. We meet for these sessions after getting the personality profiles and everyone’s agreement. During these sessions, we openly discuss and review each team member’s profile. This process helps us understand and appreciate each other’s work styles, creating an environment of respect and trust.

The insights gained from the profiles have been instrumental in shaping our communication strategies. We understand that effective communication is central to success.

Therefore, we have tailored our communication methods to suit individual preferences. Some team members like emails, others prefer chat messages or phone calls for different reasons. By changing how we communicate, we make sure instructions are clear, interactions are smooth, and everyone feels important.

This comprehensive approach has led to tangible results. We execute our projects with greater efficiency, minimize misunderstandings, and strengthen our team cohesion more than ever. We are proud of our proactive effort to create a place where everyone’s strengths are used and collaboration is maximized.

Using the DISC personality tool and team-building sessions has helped us work better as a team.

2. Remote Work Integration: We have embraced remote work by leveraging technology and outsourcing. Our Senior Compliance and Client Services Specialist works from Hervey Bay, and our Virtual Assistant supports the team from the Philippines. This shows our dedication to being flexible and innovative.

This has helped us in two ways. First, it has allowed us to access a wide range of talented people. Second, it has made us more efficient and productive by spreading out the work.

3. Facilitating Unity and Global Connections through In-Person Collaboration: We believe that fostering unity and facilitating global connections are essential pillars of our people management strategy. To achieve this goal, we regularly gather our team members from Australia. We bring them together at our Cairns office for a week. We do this every six months.

This week-long shared workspace experience provides a concentrated period for idea exchange, collaborative project work, and team bonding. It helps our team connect despite working remotely and makes us feel more united. During this time, we have discussions, share knowledge, and do team-building activities to improve collaboration and operations.

Additionally, we are committed to nurturing relationships with our virtual team members. Alaina, one of our partners, plans to visit our Virtual Assistant in the Philippines next February. This visit strengthens our bond with our online team member and shows how much we appreciate her work. This initiative facilitates cultural exchange, enriches our understanding of our global team, and reinforces our commitment to inclusivity and collaboration regardless of physical location.

• Heightened Collaboration: The in-person collaboration week amplifies our team’s synergy and reinforces the ethos of collaboration that underpins our culture. It allows for intensive brainstorming, joint problem-solving, and enhanced decision-making that extends beyond virtual interactions.
• Cultural Understanding: The visit to our Virtual Assistant in the Philippines signifies our dedication to building personal connections and gaining insights into diverse cultures. This deeper understanding fosters appreciation and empathy among our team, transcending geographical boundaries.
• Global Team Cohesion: Both initiatives work in tandem to enhance our team’s cohesion, irrespective of their geographical locations. We connect virtual and physical workspaces so that every team member feels valued and part of the Freedom Planning community.

We work together and connect globally to create unity and cultural inclusivity in our team. Our dedication is shown through our way of working together and connecting globally. These efforts help teams work together better, understand different viewpoints, and build a global team that helps Freedom Planning succeed.

4. Reward, Team Building and Networking: Nurturing Collaboration and Professional Growth: we focus on teamwork, personal growth, and building meaningful relationships in our work environment. We encourage team members to participate in networking events to strengthen bonds, exchange ideas, and build personal relationships. We have made efforts to build a strong team, connect with others, and acknowledge the outstanding work of our team members. This strategy includes all these important aspects and is open to everyone. This strategy includes all these important aspects and is open to everyone.

• In-Person Team Building and Recognition: We hold steadfast in our belief in the value of face-to-face interactions for nurturing robust team dynamics. To this end, we curate biannual in-person gatherings for our Australian team members. These gatherings are not just events; they help teams bond and build relationships that go beyond the virtual world.

One notable highlight of these occasions is our team-building dinners held in a relaxed and comfortable setting. These dinners serve two purposes: they encourage relaxed and meaningful conversations and express our gratitude in a tangible manner. We gather for these dinners to celebrate accomplishments, recognize effort, and give a deserved reward for their ongoing work. These meetings are important for strengthening our team’s bond and making sure everyone feels appreciated and acknowledged.

• Networking Engagement: To stimulate professional growth and expand our team’s horizons, we actively encourage participation in networking events, with a notable example being our attendance to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Luncheons. By attending these events, team members learn about the business community and meet professionals and potential clients. This exposure to external perspectives fosters innovative thinking and supports their development. Our goal is to empower team members to become advocates for our services within the broader business community.

5. Contributions to Professional Growth: Investing in team building and networking supports our goal of developing strong management and leadership skills in our team.

• Enhanced Collaboration: In-person team building events bridge the gap between remote work environments, enabling team members to forge deeper connections. This translates into improved collaboration, effective communication, and a shared sense of purpose.
• Expanded Knowledge Base and Skill Development: Participation in organised professional development days, in our team members local region, offers access to diverse perspectives and insights from industry peers. The wider view helps our team learn more. This makes them better at supporting our financial advisers. It also makes them better at supporting our clients with all their needs.

We select events aligned with their roles, ensuring a balanced workload. Sharing gained insights afterward fosters collaborative learning, reaffirming our commitment to growth. Supporting senior staff through locally organised personal development days elevates their skills, fosters connections, and reinforces our company’s adaptability in a dynamic business landscape.

To summarize, we prioritize in-person team building and networking events to support the growth of our team members. These initiatives contribute to a cohesive team, a culture of continuous learning, and the cultivation of essential leadership qualities. By providing avenues for personal connections and professional growth we are enriching the careers of our valued team members.

6. Contributions to Success: The impact of our people management initiatives on our business’s success is undeniable.

• Enhanced Productivity: By fostering an environment that encourages autonomy, responsibility, and personal growth, we have significantly elevated our team’s productivity. The implementation of projects that initially challenge individuals has resulted in quicker decision-making and execution, thereby improving efficiency.
• Increased Employee Satisfaction: Our initiatives directly address employee satisfaction. Regular check-ins, open communication, and personality profiling have led to improved job satisfaction and higher morale. This has translated into a positive work atmosphere, reduced staff turnover, and stronger commitment to the company’s goals.
• Streamlined Processes: The adoption of these initiatives, particularly personality profiling and remote work integration, has streamlined our processes. By understanding our team’s dynamics and optimising remote collaboration, we have reduced client meeting preparation time and advice implementation processing time by half. This streamlined approach has led to enhanced client service, satisfaction and reduction in our cost to serve.

Freedom Planning’s focus on growth, effective people management, and tangible results shows our dedication to excellence. Our efforts help our team succeed and also benefit our business’s overall success. We become leaders in financial planning by always improving and being open to change.

Freedom Planning: Community Contribution and Corporate Social Responsibility

At Freedom Planning, our commitment to excellence extends beyond financial expertise; it encompasses our dedication to community contribution and corporate social responsibility. We believe a successful business should not only do well financially but also have a positive effect on its community.

Cairns Community Enrichment: Our financial expertise transcends mere numbers; it influences the socioeconomic fabric of the Cairns community. Helping people make good financial choices can lead to more money to spend, save, and help the local economy grow.

However, our impact goes beyond monetary value. We understand that financial stability contributes to emotional well-being. As families experience reduced financial stress and gain clear financial direction, studies on financial well-being and happiness show an increase in the community’s overall happiness. Our tailored financial solutions help Cairns residents achieve financial freedom and security, contributing to a more harmonious society.

Improving Lives Through Contributions

Enhanced Well-being: We are more than financial advisers; we are guardians of peace of mind. Our commitment to clients’ financial stability translates into enhanced overall well-being. As individuals experience the relief of a secure financial future, they can focus on pursuing their passions and leading fulfilling lives.

You can see proof of our client outcomes through a selection of our customer reviews.

Cultural Inclusivity: We celebrate Cairns’ diverse tapestry by tailoring financial advice to different cultures’ unique challenges and aspirations. This inclusivity strengthens the community’s cultural fabric, fostering stability and education amid diversity.

Accessibility for All: We believe financial literacy is a universal right. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accessible, jargon-free advice, ensuring everyone can make informed decisions.

Youth Education: We engage with the youth, introducing high school seniors to financial responsibility through presentations. Early financial education equips them for adulthood. In 2018, 2019, and 2021, we visited Gordonvale High School, and this year we are visiting Cairns State High School.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Our responsibility extends to the environment, philanthropy, and ethical practices.

Environmental Stewardship: We reduce our environmental footprint through digital practices and reduced paper usage. Our shift to electronic files and reduced printing has saved over 1000 pages monthly since 2020.

Philanthropic Focus: Our unique donation strategy empowers clients to choose preferred charities, aligning our philanthropy with community needs.

Cancer Council Partnership: Our partnership with the Cancer Council Pro Bono Program provides financial advice to cancer patients, alleviating their financial stress during recovery.

Empowering Cairns

Freedom Planning is more than certified financial planning; we embrace community, environment, and well-being. Our approach empowers Cairns, fostering financial freedom, better lives, and ethics. The Cancer Council Pro Bono Program underscores our commitment to impact.

Freedom Planning embodies excellence in holistic financial services. Our tailored planning empowers individuals and families towards prosperity, while our commitment to community and social responsibility enriches lives and leaves a lasting legacy. As industry leaders, we epitomise success, deeply impacting clients, team members, and the community.

Freedom Planning are available to discuss ways you can achieve financial empowerment. Get in touch with us or book your discovery call today.