Profile
"West Oak’s success has come from always putting our clients’ best interests first and always finding ways to improve and add more value to them"
Andrew mcquiston,
west oak family office, wellington-altus private wealth
With nearly a quarter-century of experience as an investment industry sales professional, Mark Shimmin has witnessed innumerable changes, including many obstacles. But he’s managed to overcome all sorts of adversities thanks to a simple philosophy.
“I've never seen a successful pessimist. You have to be an eternal optimist in life, but especially in this business,” Mark says. “Advisors have to adapt to many changes, and we as wholesalers have to be sensitive to that. We have to foresee what’s coming their way and get ahead of that, or at least be quick to adjust, so we’ll be in a position to help.”
The Canadian investment landscape underwent a tectonic shift in 2020, and that continued significantly in 2021. As email and virtual meetings became the norm, he says wholesalers have had to become more proficient at sharing resources electronically and in real time. But as the volume of electronic communication increased exponentially, the need to distill a lot of value into every advisor interaction has never been so high.
“There have definitely been some challenges in going through the different communications and prioritizing what’s important to them,” Mark says. “I understood that I was just one of many suppliers my clients are speaking with, so I had to make sure I wasn’t adding to the noise. Instead of sending multiple emails, I had to condense a lot of ideas into one … we have to be careful about how much communication we offer advisors.”
Mark’s primary objective is to form business partnerships by working closely with financial advisors across the BC interior. To help grow their business, he works to identify needs, discover goals, and recommend repeatable and actionable strategies. He also conducts workshops and seminars for financial advisors and their clients focusing on investments, estate, tax and retirement planning to help find new efficiencies in growing their book of business.
From a product perspective, he says there’s been a dramatic shift in the world of fixed income; as decades-high inflation invites a new era of rising interest rates, the question of what type of exposure is appropriate to generate yield in portfolios has become undeniably crucial. On the regulatory side, he says the client-focused reforms have made it more important to develop a holistic understanding of investment products – not just knowing one product’s fees, risks, and return attributes in isolation, but also appreciating how it interacts with others in a portfolio.
“There’s been a lot of conversation around complementary products and how to help advisors put together portfolios that are properly diversified,” Mark says. “We’ve been having more elevated conversations not just about our products, but also about how we compare to some other providers out there, and what funds may fit together better than others.”
As advisors increasingly look to compress their product shelves, there’s more pressure than ever for wholesalers to make the cut and prove their value to the advisors they work with. That means thinking holistically beyond not just the dimensions of accessibility, product expertise, and investment education, but also helping with all aspects of an advisor’s business. To accomplish that, Mark draws on one core operating principle, which he says he’s relied on ever since he started his career.
“You must have sincere curiosity about the person that you’re talking to. You have to know who they are, their business, their clients, and the issues they’re facing as they grow their business,” he says. “That’s when you can really get in depth on how you can help, when there is an authentic meeting of minds.”
700-1095 West Pender St, Vancouver, BC
25 869 9772
mark_shimmin@manulife.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-shimmin-02b75815/
manulifeim.com/retail/ca/en
Mark
Shimmin
District Vice President
Manulife Investment Management
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
With nearly a quarter-century of experience as an investment industry sales professional, Mark Shimmin has witnessed innumerable changes, including many obstacles. But he’s managed to overcome all sorts of adversities thanks to a simple philosophy.
“I've never seen a successful pessimist. You have to be an eternal optimist in life, but especially in this business,” Mark says. “Advisors have to adapt to many changes, and we as wholesalers have to be sensitive to that. We have to foresee what’s coming their way and get ahead of that, or at least be quick to adjust, so we’ll be in a position to help.”
The Canadian investment landscape underwent a tectonic shift in 2020, and that continued significantly in 2021. As email and virtual meetings became the norm, he says wholesalers have had to become more proficient at sharing resources electronically and in real time. But as the volume of electronic communication increased exponentially, the need to distill a lot of value into every advisor interaction has never been so high.
“There have definitely been some challenges in going through the different communications and prioritizing what’s important to them,” Mark says. “I understood that I was just one of many suppliers my clients are speaking with, so I had to make sure I wasn’t adding to the noise. Instead of sending multiple emails, I had to condense a lot of ideas into one … we have to be careful about how much communication we offer advisors.”
Mark’s primary objective is to form business partnerships by working closely with financial advisors across the BC interior. To help grow their business, he works to identify needs, discover goals, and recommend repeatable and actionable strategies. He also conducts workshops and seminars for financial advisors and their clients focusing on investments, estate, tax and retirement planning to help find new efficiencies in growing their book of business.
From a product perspective, he says there’s been a dramatic shift in the world of fixed income; as decades-high inflation invites a new era of rising interest rates, the question of what type of exposure is appropriate to generate yield in portfolios has become undeniably crucial. On the regulatory side, he says the client-focused reforms have made it more important to develop a holistic understanding of investment products – not just knowing one product’s fees, risks, and return attributes in isolation, but also appreciating how it interacts with others in a portfolio.
“There’s been a lot of conversation around complementary products and how to help advisors put together portfolios that are properly diversified,” Mark says. “We’ve been having more elevated conversations not just about our products, but also about how we compare to some other providers out there, and what funds may fit together better than others.”
As advisors increasingly look to compress their product shelves, there’s more pressure than ever for wholesalers to make the cut and prove their value to the advisors they work with. That means thinking holistically beyond not just the dimensions of accessibility, product expertise, and investment education, but also helping with all aspects of an advisor’s business. To accomplish that, Mark draws on one core operating principle, which he says he’s relied on ever since he started his career.
“You must have sincere curiosity about the person that you’re talking to. You have to know who they are, their business, their clients, and the issues they’re facing as they grow their business,” he says. “That’s when you can really get in depth on how you can help, when there is an authentic meeting of minds.”
Milestones
2021
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
District vice president at Manulife Investment Management (Quebec City and South Shore, Chaudières-Appalaches, Bas St-Laurent and Gaspésie)
2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2016-2017
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Director regional sales at Renaissance Investments (Quebec City and Eastern Quebec), 2016
Obtained CFA designation, 2017
2016-2017
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2014
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Business development manager at Renaissance Investments (Quebec City and Eastern Quebec)
2014
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2011
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Finance and personal banking specialist at Scotia Bank (Financial Advisor)
2011
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2006
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Customer service representative at Royal Bank of Canada
2006
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2006
2011
2014
2016-2017
2021
Mark
Shimmin
District Vice President
Manulife Investment Management
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
With nearly a quarter-century of experience as an investment industry sales professional, Mark Shimmin has witnessed innumerable changes, including many obstacles. But he’s managed to overcome all sorts of adversities thanks to a
simple philosophy.
“I've never seen a successful pessimist. You have to be an eternal optimist in life, but especially in this business,” Mark says. “Advisors have to adapt to many changes, and we as wholesalers have to be sensitive to that. We have to foresee what’s coming their way and get ahead of that, or at least be quick to adjust, so we’ll be in a position
to help.”
The Canadian investment landscape underwent a tectonic shift in 2020, and that continued significantly in 2021. As email and virtual meetings became the norm, he says wholesalers have had to become more proficient at sharing resources electronically and in real time. But as the volume of electronic communication increased exponentially, the need to distill a lot of value into every advisor interaction has never been so high.
“There have definitely been some challenges in going through the different communications and prioritizing what’s important to them,” Mark says. “I understood that I was just one of many suppliers my clients are speaking with, so I had to make sure I wasn’t adding to the noise. Instead of sending multiple emails, I had to condense a lot of ideas into one … we have to be careful about how much communication we offer advisors.”
Mark’s primary objective is to form business partnerships by working closely with financial advisors across the BC interior. To help grow their business, he works to identify needs, discover goals, and recommend repeatable and actionable strategies. He also conducts workshops and seminars for financial advisors and their clients focusing on investments, estate,
tax and retirement planning to help find
new efficiencies in growing their book
of business.
From a product perspective, he says there’s been a dramatic shift in the world of fixed income; as decades-high inflation invites a new era of rising interest rates, the question of what type of exposure is appropriate to generate yield in portfolios has become undeniably crucial. On the regulatory side, he says the client-focused reforms have made it more important to develop a holistic understanding of investment products – not just knowing one product’s fees, risks, and return attributes in isolation, but also appreciating how it interacts with others in a portfolio.
“There’s been a lot of conversation around complementary products and how to help advisors put together portfolios that are properly diversified,” Mark says. “We’ve been having more elevated conversations not just about our products, but also about how we compare to some other providers out there, and what funds may fit together better than others.”
As advisors increasingly look to compress their product shelves, there’s more pressure than ever for wholesalers to make the cut and prove their value to the advisors they work with. That means thinking holistically beyond not just the dimensions of accessibility, product expertise, and investment education, but also helping with all aspects of an advisor’s business. To accomplish that, Mark draws on one core operating principle, which he says he’s relied on ever since he started his career.
“You must have sincere curiosity about the person that you’re talking to. You have to know who they are, their business, their clients, and the issues they’re facing as they grow their business,” he says. “That’s when you can really get in depth on how you can help, when there is an authentic meeting
of minds.”
Milestones
2021
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
District vice president at Manulife Investment Management (Quebec City and South Shore, Chaudières-Appalaches, Bas St-Laurent and Gaspésie)
2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2016-2017
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Director regional sales at Renaissance Investments (Quebec City and Eastern Quebec), 2016
Obtained CFA designation, 2017
2016-2017
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2014
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Business development manager at Renaissance Investments
(Quebec City and Eastern Quebec)
2014
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2011
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Finance and personal banking specialist at Scotia Bank
(Financial Advisor)
2011
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2006
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Customer service representative
at Royal Bank of Canada
2006
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2006
2011
2014
2016-2017
2021
Mark Shimmin
District Vice President
Manulife Investment Management
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2020
2019
2018
2022
2021
2020
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Employment and Labour Law)
2020
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2022
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Labour and Employment Law)
2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2022
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Ranked in Chambers Canada
(Employment and Labour: Non-Unionized Employees – Ontario)
2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2022
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Ranked in Chambers Canada
(Employment and Labour: Non-Unionized Employees – Ontario)
2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2021
human resources | key media
Listed in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
(Employment Law – Employer)
2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Milestones
Career Accolades
2021
2016-2017
2014
2011
2006
2021
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
District vice president at Manulife Investment Management (Quebec City and South Shore, Chaudières-Appalaches, Bas St-Laurent and Gaspésie)
2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2016-2017
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Director regional sales at Renaissance Investments (Quebec City and Eastern Quebec), 2016
Obtained CFA designation, 2017
2016-2017
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2014
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Business development manager at Renaissance Investments
(Quebec City and Eastern Quebec)
2014
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2011
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Finance and personal banking specialist at Scotia Bank (Financial Advisor)
2011
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2006
human resources | key media
Customer service representative at Royal Bank of Canada
2006
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Listed in Lexpert/ALM 500
(Employment Law – Employment)
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award
(Labour and Employment Law)
Milestones