IN the world of wealth planning, few professionals embody resilience and dedication like Allia Allisa Affandy.
With a career shaped by personal necessity and driven by an unwavering commitment to her clients, the 27-year-old has emerged as a beacon of excellence in her field.
Her journey from a family-driven career shift to a leading wealth planner is not just a testament to her professional prowess but a reflection of her deep-seated passion for making a difference.
From mastering the art of client engagement through modern technology to navigating the complexities of critical illness claims, Allia’s story is one of perseverance, impact, and an unwavering dedication to securing her clients’ futures.
Allia said her path to becoming a wealth planner with Prudential was shaped by a significant personal transition.
“Two years ago, I made the decision to become a full-time wealth planner after carefully considering it for several months. The decision was driven by my family situation, I needed flexible working hours that would pay well,” she said.
In her role, Allia has mastered the art of building and maintaining client relationships through a combination of traditional and digital methods.
She said the combination of traditional and digital methods allow her to be accessible and responsive to her clients’ needs.
“I build relationships with my clients primarily through referrals and maintain these connections by regularly staying in touch via WhatsApp or engaging with them on social media,” she said.
On her experience in overcoming challenges in her career, Allia said one of the most significant hurdles she faces is managing periods of downtime.
She said this is a common challenge in the sales profession, but having a strong support system in the work environment goes a long way in helping one overcome this.
“The most challenging aspect of being a wealth planner is navigating through downtime moments. These periods are crucial as they determine whether you bounce back or give up.
“Alhamdulillah, with the right leadership and supportive environment I am fortunate to be in, it is easier for me to recover and push forward whenever I face these challenging times,” she said.
Among her many accomplishments, Allia is particularly proud of a critical illness claim she managed, which had a profound impact on her client’s life.
She said the substantial payout offered her client financial relief and emotional peace.
“One of the most significant claims I have handled during my time with Prudential was a critical illness claim for a client diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Her payout was half a million, allowing her to rest and find peace of mind without the added worry of financial strain,” she said.
At the same time, Allia has also bagged several awards in her organisation, namely, second runner for 2023 Top 3 Agent by Production, second runner up for 2024 Quarter 1 by Production and first runner up for 2024 Quarter 1 by Cases.
Allia pointed out that the drive in her role is fuelled by a deep-seated passion for helping others secure their financial future.
She is relieved to witness more people are seeing and understanding the importance of life coverage for themselves as well as their loved ones.
“My passion for helping others secure their financial future is what drives me to excel in my role. Life coverage is a critical component of financial planning, particularly as individuals’ responsibilities and priorities evolve over time.
“As a wealth planner, it is my job to ensure that my clients are adequately protected against any future uncertainties,” she said.
Balancing the demands of a high-stakes career with personal commitments is another challenge that Allia navigates with skill.
She said the flexibility of her working hours has enabled her to seamlessly incorporate her career duties and family responsibilities.
“I wouldn’t consider myself a workaholic, although I do work and meet clients on weekends as well. However, I always make family matters a priority,” she said.
Looking towards the future, Allia said she has set ambitious goals for her career.
She revealed that one of her goals is having her own team which she is looking forward to guide and nurture.
“In the next three years, I envision building a team of over five recruits, which would support my advancement to a higher rank within the industry and help establish a robust Takaful team. Moreover, I aim to achieve Starclub status in personal sales,” she said.
For those who are thinking about entering the wealth planning field, Allia admitted that the first step is often the toughest similar to any other endeavours.
She stressed that perseverance is key as success in this field requires dedication and a strong sense of purpose especially in the fact of challenges.
“The first step is often the toughest, but perseverance is key. Whenever you feel like giving up, remind yourself of your big ‘why’ and seek inspiration from your leader.
“Challenges and obstacles are part of life regardless of what career you choose. The best thing to do is to see them as something that will help you grow,” she said.
