Survey for External Project :
Interview for External Project, Emmanuel Hergott - Financial Advisor (“The Hergott: Advisory Group”):
1. Tell me about yourself and how did you start your way?
Study: I have always been interested in business, economics and finance, but my initial university program was Engineering, Environmental. I moved from there to Environmental Sciences and Business. My University - “University of Waterloo” has a focus on “cooperative society” programs where you combine studies with alternating work terms (i.e. study term for 4 months, then 4-month work etc). Through one of my work terms, I worked with a company that did administrative/“back office” functions for mutual companies - I would work with outside advisors who would submit applications for their clients. I was speaking with them, I realized this is the type of profession I wanted to do: work with individuals and families as their financial/investment advisor.
I extended a work term to a full-time job. I then focused my studies on industry qualifications. Then did different jobs in personal banking, investments, discount investing, and full-service wealth management, financial planning, both directly with clients, and working as a “coach” and trainer to advisors/planners, and then managing employees doing that work. After being a manager, I realized I enjoy working directly with clients - I often felt that I was a better, more approachable type of advisor than the advisors I coached/trained.
2. What about the “The Hergott: Advisory Group”, do you collaborate with BMO?
“The Hergott: Advisory Group” is a subsidiary company whose control is with the BMO - a short of Bank of Montreal by BMO Group(Canada). Like many other financial advisors, I am part of BMO, but under my own company, which has its own team and other specialists that work with me.
3. Did you do rebranding? How many times?
We never did rebranding. I have used the same one(website and logo) since I joined BMO in September 2018. The website should be kind of the same with others that BMO owns from other financial advisors. There are some standards but if you, as a graphic designer, can suggest something better, I can take a look with pleasure.
4. How do you consider your company?
I cannot say that the company operates according to the new or old standards. But I can explain our purpose:
Clients who appeal to us for help are always different, and the situations that happen to them are also different. It can be a sad event, or it can be a joyful one. Every time we go through every stage together. My team and I don't care about making more money. We care about our clients, their well-being and the personal approach to each client. I also maintain friendly and warm relations with my clients, we communicate and meet families. The client is looking for a financial advisor, but finds a family that takes care of him and his well-being. Each client brings a different experience, which my team and I turn into a unique experience that will ensure us as a success in the future.
5. Describe deeper your tag line “Life event wealth advisor”
“Life event” - this is the life situations that we face every day: funerals, weddings, divorce, adoption, strengthening or business falling. A financial advisor is the person who collects the necessary information and knows how to act better in a given situation. The consultant helps to develop personal financial plans, open an investment account, choose a suitable mutual fund, shares to buy, etc. I am a wealth consultant, I help people become richer, preserve or grow capital. These are investments that ensure a happy and rich life for my clients.
Survey for Independent Project:
Interview for Independent Project, Medina Miramgali - Professional Pianist, student / soloist:
1. Tell me about yourself. What made you want to become a musician?
Hello, my name is Medina. I am a student of Kazakh National University of Arts. I am in my final year of bachelor studies and my major is piano.
When I was 6 years old my grandmother brought me to music school and that’s when my musical career started.
2. How long did you study? Or how long do you need more?
I have been studying music and in particular piano for 16 years already. I spent 9 years at school, 4 years at college, and 3 years at the university. I need 3 more years. I intend to finish bachelor and masters right after.
3. What/Who inspired you to start playing piano?
My grandmaster sent me to music school and that’s it. No one asked for my opinion. Thankfully they were right and in the 8th grade I understood that I really loved music.
4. What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?
Musical colors, unexplored works. A feeling that allows you to understand the music so deeply that you can understand every thought, without words. It allows me to touch something beautiful, I can connect to the heritage of geniuses. I like to think that when I play some piece of music I can feel the same emotions that its author felt when he created it. Having practiced music for so long sometimes you don’t think about the philosophical intricacies of it, you just do your work.
5. How many hours do you practice a day?
We should spend around 5-6 hours a day, however it’s not always possible.
6. How long does it take to prepare a program for a performance as a soloist?
It depends on the volume of a program and it may take from 1 month to half a year.
7. Do you think that musicians earn low incomes? Why?
Yes, I think so. In my opinion it happens because most of the musicians are paid by the government and government workers usually earn little. When we hear a list of "expensive" professions, a good life, stable and high income is automatically presented in your mind. Such professions as: IT, engineer, art directors, hotel management, etc. But once you think about the musicians, you just want to say "What a pity". So much work, and the salary is a penny. The stereotypical opinion of the community does not allow people to think wider and deeper, to understand music and its features. I think humanity has yet to come to this.
8. Do you think that musicians deserve a better attitude/respect from society?
Yes. In Kazakhstan musicians are not taken seriously. People think that there is not much to learn in music. On the contrary, the world of music is limitless. Even after university you continue to learn. If all mankind studied music, as in the Middle Ages almost all young ladies were taught art and playing classical instruments, then now it would be much easier to understand and realize that music should be paid in full. Every day, musicians learn, practice and improve their skills. This is exactly the profession that lacks respect and understanding.
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