Q: What year did you start at Edward Jones?
A: I started at Edward Jones in June 1997. Q: What did you do previously?
A: I was an office manager for the student government at a local community college. Q: Describe the culture at Edward Jones.
A: Edward Jones has a sharing and a giving culture. Even though we are in two- or three-person offices, we always feel as if we are part of the much larger picture. We are never alone – there is always someone to help us with any problems no matter how big or how small. Also, we develop such good warm relationships with our clients. Q: Talk a little about the support you get from the Home Office.
A: The home office is always there to help and they always have a smile. I have made some very good friends just over the phone. I really appreciate the fact that everyone makes me feel like part of the team. Q: Do you have any experiences that typify what it's like to work at Edward Jones that you'd like to share?
A: There are so many! My favorite experience is about one of our clients who, along with his first wife, would come in just to say hi. They always came into town together and did their shopping together. Then, one day, he came in alone and when I asked him where his wife was, he started crying. She had died the previous week and did not want any obituary or funeral – that is why it was such a shock to me and the FA. Through the next few months, we helped him with some of the details of closing at the last chapter of a long marriage – suggesting what he should clean out of the house and what he should keep. He sold his house and moved into a condo out of town - and we got an invitation to see his new digs after he had everything redecorated. About a year after, he stopped in and asked if we had any coffee on. I told him that we could put some on and he told me he had someone he wanted us to meet (he was 70 at the time and he and his first wife did not have any children.) He brought in a wonderful lady and we had a great visit. After they left, my FA asked me what I thought that was all about and I told her, "He brought her to meet the family." Sure enough, they are married today and she is also a client. Q: How does Edward Jones compare to the companies where you previously worked?
A: There is a real feeling of teamwork and family at Edward Jones. Q: Articulate the spirit of volunteerism that exists at Jones. How have you been involved?
A: I have found that everyone in this organization is willing to assist you. I have been a BOA mentor for six years and the BOA Regional meeting Coordinator for the last two years. Our region has also held BOA spring regional meetings and I have participated as a presenter. Q: Before you came to Edward Jones, what did the name mean to you?
A: Edward Jones was not a known name in this area when I started – the closest office was about 150 miles away. I went on the internet to research the company before I applied, but I still did not know very much about the company. Now, I feel like I am part of a family. I love it when friends say they saw an Edward Jones office on their travels. I also know that I can go into any Edward Jones office anywhere and be welcomed as a friend. I also have extended family with many of my clients. Q: Are you happy with the way Edward Jones has taken care of you in terms of overall compensation package, including medical benefits, vacation time, retirement planning and salary?
A: I am very happy with the overall compensation package; the retirement planning is very good and the bonuses are a nice – bonus. But, it would be nice to have a little more vacation time! Q: What qualities do you think a person needs to have to succeed as a BOA?
A: A person needs to be organized, be able to work very closely with someone else and yet be able to work alone. It’s also a plus if you can multi-task. Q: What keeps you at Edward Jones?
A: I love my relationships with the clients. Also, I know that being a BOA is a career, not just a job. The firm allows me to grow in my position and really makes me feel like I am a very important part of the puzzle. Q: As you go through your daily activities, how do you know you’ve achieved success at Edward Jones?
A: Some days it is just good to know that you have taken care of your client's financial needs. Then there are the days when an elderly woman tells you that consolidating all her accounts with us was the best thing she could have ever done in her life. That is a really rewarding feeling. That’s success to me. Q: What is it like to work in a two-person office?
A: Last year we added our second BOA as a marketing BOA. My Financial Advisor and I have always said that this is often like a marriage – we do spend quite a number of hours in a day together. We have to work very hard to make sure the small stresses of the day to not get us down or angry at each other. Communication is key! Q: What is your relationship like with your Financial Advisor?
A: As I said before, sometimes it seems like a marriage. We enjoy each other's company and we do try to have fun every day. I believe that we are friends and co-workers – not boss and employee. She is very generous and appreciates the work I do. Q: What kinds of things do you do every day to help your Financial Advisor?
A: I think the best thing I do is try to keep her organized. I also handle most phone calls and walk –ins to protect her time. I also bring her chocolate when the need is apparent! Q: What is your relationship like with clients?
A: I like to think I have a very close relationship with my clients. I know so much about their private lives and there are some that know a great deal about mine. We have an elderly gentleman who feels very much like he is at home and he stops for coffee almost daily. We hold a Christmas open house every year and our clients look forward to spending some fun time with us. The clients are the best! Q: How important is it that you work close to where you live? Has it increased your quality of life?
A: I love working close to home. In the summer, I get to go golfing at night and in the winter, I don't have to fight too much snow. I get to spend a lot of time with my grandkids, too. That’s a bonus! Q: What role do you play in increasing awareness of your branch within the community?
A: I am a member of our local Horticultural society; I do mention Edward Jones to all of our friends as often as I can. Q: Describe the training you received when you started.
A: I was lucky to be trained at head office in Mississauga for a week. It was overwhelming but I also found that this is a ‘learning by doing’ job. I learn something new almost every day. Q: What part of that training was the most helpful?
A: The support I received from the trainers and the friendships I gained from the other BOAs in the class. Out of a class of six, there are still two of us left after nearly 10 years. I think that with the training today, the BOA mentors are the most helpful. Your never feel like you are alone.
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