Write so that clients want to read your work

What are other paraplanners and advisers saying about Communicate for Impact?

Paul Stewart, Head of Bartlett Wealth Management

“Further to training from Melissa Kidd at Motem, our client reports are now far more concise, easier to understand and have greater impact at meetings. Thanks to Melissa’s insight and advice, we are better able to convey the value we are adding to clients in simple yet compelling language. Not only that, feedback from the compliance team has been very positive – they’ve said reports are now very well written, flow nicely and easier to read.”

Ruth Betteridge, Operations Manager, Sutherland Independent

"Grammatical errors, wrong tenses, poor word choice and clunky explanations within reports and emails were among some of the challenges we faced before engaging Melissa. Having gone through the Communicate for Impact programme, our paraplanning team has absorbed a lot of learnings with improvements having been noticed across the board. In particular - we're seeing improvements to grammar and context with much improved clarity being achieved within the letter and report structures. More intelligent use of the second and third persons as led to better writing flow with enhanced professionalism. Consequently, time taken to check the paraplanner's reports has now reduced. The communications are now a much better reflection of our high service standards.”

Alex Burrows, Team Leader, E Paraplan

“The Communicate for Impact programme has definitely helped me with my report writing and emails. I now think about what is important to the client and not to me/us, use simpler explanations and have regularly used the tools and tests when writing out more complex info in reports. I would definitely recommend it for Paraplanners/aspiring Paraplanners. Overall 9/10."

Christine Murray, Argyle Finance

“One of the biggest benefits of this programme is that it's specific to Paraplanners. I would be extremely reluctant to spend money on a one-day course – what can you realistically learn in just a day? You need time to absorb, implement, obtain feedback etc. The fact the programme is over a number of weeks, with bite-sized modules and feedback is invaluable."

Charlie Rigg, Paraplanner, Financial Management Bureau Ltd

“I’d been struggling for a while with getting one particular client to respond to information requests. After using what I had learnt in the ‘Action’ module of the course, where Melissa showed me how to restructure my request, I received a response the next day. This course really brought home how much unnecessary jargon we use in the industry. The assignments really forced me to break down what we are saying into a more client friendly way. This will definitely help build client understanding and trust.”

Becci Jones, Paraplanner, The Paraplanners

"Before the course, I struggled to communicate complex, technical terms and concepts efficiently. This would knock my confidence and make me doubt myself – even though I knew what I was talking about! Now I can quickly describe terms and concepts – making my communication much more client focused. These helpful techniques have really boosted my confidence and efficiency. I have had some good feedback from colleagues when proofing my reports and know that my reports are better understood by the end client."

What does it cost per head?

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome to Communicate for Impact

    2. Tour of the platform

    3. What to expect

    4. Where are you now?

    1. Welcome to the Attention module

    2. Attention tutorial part 1

    3. Attention tutorial part 2

    4. Attention Aid

    5. Attention Additions

    6. Attention assignment

    7. Feedback on Attention module

    1. Welcome to the Action module

    2. Action tutorial part 1

    3. Action tutorial part 2

    4. Action assignment

    5. Get Faster Responses Framework

    6. Feedback on Action module

    1. Welcome to Articulate

    2. Articulate part 1

    3. Articulate part 2

    4. Articulate part 3

    5. Translation toolbox

    6. Articulate assignment

    7. Feedback on the Articulate module

    1. How to avoid overwhelm

    1. Welcome to Axe

    2. Axe module part 1

    3. Axe module part 2

    4. Axe checklist

    5. Axe assignment

    6. Feedback on Axe module

About this course

  • £397.00
  • 44 lessons
  • 3.5 hours of video content

FAQ

  • Which problems will this course help me overcome?

    It will help you write in an engaging way so that clients want to read your work. You will learn how to use less jargon, fewer technical terms and acronyms so that clients understand your advice. You will be able to personalise your communication without it taking too long. You will waste less time rewriting lengthy explanations. You will probably spend less time chasing clients for responses, replies and information.

  • How much time will it take?

    12 hours spread over 3 months. This is made up of 6 modules which take roughly an 1 hour to complete plus a 1 hour group coaching call.

  • Does the course come with email or call support

    YES! We have a 1 hour group coaching call each fortnight following the assignments being submitted for review. Check the dates below. The coaching calls are recorded though so you can catch up if you miss one.

  • Our reports and letters are compliant so I'm concerned about making changes

    I understand. What participants find is that they're making the same points but phrased in a way which prioritises the client and as a result gets better engagement. In fact, compliance teams have often remarked on the improved clarity, readability and structure of the letters, reports and emails following their colleagues attending the course.

  • Will you provide CPD certificates?

    Yes all certificates will be issued upon completion.

  • Can I see a sample module?

    Yes, please email me: [email protected] and I will send you some log in details so you can access the platform.

  • Who is the Group programme NOT for?

    You regularly get emails from clients saying: "thanks for making this so easy to undertsand." You don't have to spend any time chasing clients for responses, replies or information. You know that your report writing process is as efficient as it could be. You could be part of a large team and would like everyone to go through it. I can run this in house for you as I limit this to two team members for the open course.

Your Communication Coach

Communication Coach Melissa Kidd

Melissa Kidd helps those in finance to improve their relationships and results through effective communication. She's the Director of Motem Ltd and has a background in marketing and psychology. She has been trained by the Plain English Campaign, holds a certificate in coaching – accredited by the International Coaching Federation, is a Master NLP practitioner and has worked alongside the finance sector for over 10 years.

10 Biggest Problems Paraplanners Face

  • Managing the tension between the writing for your client and compliance

  • Feeling frustrated that your reports may not get read, even after your hard work

  • Time - it takes longer to write a concise report than a lengthy one

  • But it takes too long to check and review reports before they go out to clients

  • Avoiding jargon, acronyms and technical language when they're so everyday for you and your team

  • Conveying complex concepts to those without much investment experience

  • Striking the right tone and sounding like a normal (professional) person

  • Writing concisely without losing meaning

  • Changing templated standard wording

Still not sure?

  • Clear, client friendly AND compliant

    Remember your number one job is to help clients make an informed decision. To understand the advice, they have to read it.

  • Increase readability

    Therefore, your second job is to make your writing as readable as possible. This means you need to understand structure.

  • Improve your structure

    To understand structure you need to prioritise. Therefore, your third job is to ensure that what clients care about - comes first. Of course, there are a few more jobs to do as well...

  • But you're short of time

    You need checklists, frameworks and ready-to-go sentence structures to put the ideas into practice instantly. You also can't have your team out of the office for a whole day.

  • And you're spending too much time

    Checking reports, rewriting paragraphs and chasing clients.

  • This is your answer

    Communicate for Impact will help you and your team write reports, emails and letters that clients want to read, without taking up lots of time in the process.

JOIN THE FEBRUARY 2025 COHORT

Start writing well and stop wasting time

BOOK A CALL

Dates and deadlines

One of the reasons this programme gets quick results is because of the feedback and support you receive through the coaching calls. Here are the dates (they're recorded in case you can't make one):

  • KICK OFF CALL: January 29th at 13:30 - 14:00

  • Assignment 1 deadline: 13th February | Attention Q&A call: Monday 17th February 13:30

  • Assignment 2 deadline: 27th Feb | Action Q&A call: Monday 3rd March at 13:30

  • Assignment 3 deadline: 13th March | Articulate Q&A call: 17th March at 13:30

  • Assignment 4 deadline: 10th April | Axe Q&A call: 16th April at 13:30

  • Assignment 5 deadline: 24th April | Assemble Q&A call 29th April 13:30

  • Assimilate & Next steps call: 7th May 13:30