S P E C I A L F E A T U R E 36 CARIBBEAN BUSINESS THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 WFG Puerto Rico stands out for its investment-with-a-heart training BY MARIO BELAVAL DÍAZ W orld Financial Group’s (WFG) success in its commitment to provide financial advice to people from all walks of life and at any stage is due to its approach in educating and training its financial professionals. Last year, WFG, a leading financial-services organization, opened a state-of-the-art 7,500 square foot training center in Caguas, just a year after the company established its corporate headquarters on the island at Guaynabo’s City View Plaza. “This growth is a sure sign that our mission to provide people with the education and training to, in turn, provide top and relevant financial advice and guidance to our clients is well under way in Puerto Rico and bearing fruit,” said Julio Velázquez, senior marketing director for WFG Puerto Rico. “In today’s financial environment, we train professionals to work hand in hand with their clients, providing the options and solutions that best fit their needs.” One area that WFG Puerto Rico is focusing on is people’s worries and concerns about planning for their later years. The economic environment in the past years has led to a change in the traditional options that Velázquez termed “the three-leg concept,” consisting of Social Security, pension plans and other work-related options, as well as insurance. “There has been uncertainty about Social Security during the years, as well as the changes or even the fade out of work-related options, such as pension plans, and while people may have savings, they need the right orientation,” Velázquez said. “However, people need not only the right orientation about how to make the most out of those savings, but they also need to feel they can really trust those who are offering that advice.” He noted WFG also offers the opportunity of a very rewarding job to those who wish for a career change more in tune with their interests, abilities and needs, whether full-time or part-time. WFG associates enjoy the reward of knowing they help to provide people with feeling financially secure and thus, enjoying their later years in a life based on their hard work. WFG Puerto Rico holds its training session “In today’s financial environment, we train professionals to work hand in hand with their clients, providing the options and solutions the best fit their needs.” —Julio Velázquez, senior marketing director, WFG Puerto Rico every Tuesday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with plans to expand in terms of additional days and times. The WFG quality training and education of its associates is transformed to a commitment to their growth as professionals through WFG’s mentoring-based model. This approach puts the associate under the direct tutelage of some of the company’s best field leaders, who offer advice and inspire these new associates as they apply their knowledge and skills to benefit their clients. This WFG business platform allows all those interested to pursue a new full-time or part-time career as a WFG associate financial adviser, no matter what their professional background or current experiences with financial services are. Velázquez said that WFG Puerto Rico’s success carries on the spirit of the original promoters of the company on the island 18 years ago, including Peter Lugo, Ángel Ramos and José González. “Since two years ago, I have had the privilege to lead what we can call the new blood, the new generation, with the support of our whole network, keeping the WFG commitment alive and growing in Puerto Rico,” Velázquez said. Among those on the WFG core team in Puerto Rico are Alberto Llerando, Alberto Dávila, Carlos Navedo, Roger Rodríguez, José Rangel and Antonio Rosario.