Mr. Laurent Bensemana, President and founder Ndex Systems

In January 2010, Ndex reached over 10 million accounts, close to 90 billion under management, across more than 30 custody systems, both in and out of Canada, on the portfolio accounting and client relationship management system.  This milestone was reached on a system few had faith in and yet, is now becoming a leader in the portfolio systems market. 

Laurent has an unfailing ability to draw the audience into much debate.  His views are challenging and his style unflappable.  This is a not to be missed opportunity to discuss the current state of "Social Responsibility" in our industry. It's sure to be a very provocative and interesting chat.  ENROL NOW! Seating is limited.

Social Responsibility

The Investment Industry is one which is at cross purposes at the moment. The four pillars of our business used to have a very distinct model of approaching the customer's needs.  With ever increasing technology and business growth, the lines are becoming blurred. Yet, increasingly we're not serving our customers as well as expected. Especially given the amount of technology being utilized by the investment firms. Why is this?

It's not a question of the amount of technology available, but of the information available the technology can extract for the Investment firm or financial institution, and their respective operations centers.

Laurent believes we have a social responsibility to spend as much time as possible with the customer and not with the technology we use in our firms or in our day-to-day jobs.  Not only does he think it's our social responsibility, but our absolute obligation. 

"It's evident we have to be more involved in the client's sense of comfort.  We have to instill and support the client's sense of obligation to the markets by increasing communication levels with them." he says.  In other words, targeted communication.  He adds, "This can only be accomplished when the industry participant (operations, IT, back office) can free up their time and get away from that horrible fixture - the desk!" "Here's a radical model to follow...the best way to better target your message is by actually using your operational staff and turn them into sales support and client support functions rather than "non ROE" administrative functions."

What! How can we turn our operational staff into communication support or sales and marketing support?  Well - that's the point Laurent will address.  Pepsico and Oracle have the largest sales force per sales dollars - when they are asked, "Why such a large sales force?", the response was dead simple. When you saturate your target market with individuals preaching the value of your organization you will undoubtedly gain customers and grow your business. 

Therefore the firm's focus should be, "Who do I have on the payroll that can help me do this?".

Today  excellent  technology can allow a firm to customize the target message to the target customer for an insignificant amount (as far as client acquisitions and client retention), and yet this is not being realized because of our inability to understand the most basic function of our huge technology infrastructure. The value of the information and how it is maintained, extracted and delivered.  The key to changing operational staff into a super sales force is in providing value of information through this immense technological structure.  Laurent goes on to say, "Our social responsiblity can be met when we realize technology is only a tool for the greater good of our customers. We owe our customers the best information and our time - it's an obligation we must uphold."

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Laurent Bensemana is a born entrepreneur. In the mid-nineties he understood the transformative impact of the Internet in democratizing access to financial services.  This led him to co-found Ndex Systems Inc. twelve years ago to capitalize on the need for a comprehensive Wealth Management platform. Ndex's focus today is to radically change the interaction between Wealth Managers and their clients by building new automation tools to complement its extensive offering.  

Laurent is a passionate speaker and a provocative commentator.  You will be educated and entertained. His ability to provide 'everyman's perspective' (with scenarios played out no less!) within the financial market makes for lively and engaging discussions. 

Always engaging, never boring and always an opinion...you might not agree with him, but he'll certainly be able to make his opinion count and understood - and with quite a bit of humor to boot!