Advocis teams up with Environics on advisor survey project

(May 8, 2003) Canada’s largest professional association for financial advisors is joining forces with polling firm Environics on a market research project, aimed at collecting advisor opinions on a variety of topics. The first study will measure advisor perception of mutual fund and life insurance companies, Advocis said in a release issued today.

Environics already conducts an annual advisor perception poll focused on the fund industry. That study will be expanded to include life insurance companies, allowing them to gauge how they compare with others in the industry, as well as mutual fund companies.

“I’m delighted with this research partnership because it represents a considerable opportunity for Advocis and Environics to benefit from each other’s competencies and resources,” said Advocis president Steve Howard in a statement. “Advocis as an association will be better positioned to serve its members as a result of the research insights we will gain from Environics.”

Advocis’ 16 corporate partners were consulted on the design of the study, scheduled for this spring, and will also participate.

“Manulife looks forward to seeing the feedback from this research, since we continually look for input from advisors on how we can work together to serve our clients across Canada,” said Manulife Financial vice-president Phil Walton. “The research will help us get a broader national picture of how we can continuously improve our relationships with Canadians and their advisors.”

The ADVISOR Group conducts an annual Dollars & Sense advisor survey, which contains information on the various fund and insurance companies advisors use. Click here for some constructive feedback from last year’s survey from advisors on how financial institutions can improve their services.

The results from the second annual Dollars & Sense survey will be available in October, both in Advisor’s Edge and right here on Advisor.ca.

No need to wait until you’re asked to share your views on mutual fund and life insurance companies — or any other industry-related topic, for that matter! Share your opinions with your fellow advisors in the “Mutual Funds” forum or the “Insurance” forum of the Talvest Town Hall on Advisor.ca.

Filed by Doug Watt, Advisor.ca, dwatt@advisor.ca