Meeting: the choice of independence, the customer at the heart of concerns.

For this first edition of 2023, we wanted to share the experience of Mehdi Lakhdar who opted for independence. A former Private Banker, Mehdi now serves as private curator, estate liquidator and mediator. Kindness and empathy: these are the values that we recognize and share with him since his meeting. We are pleased to share his experience and thank him for answering our questions. Good reading!

Mehdi, until recently you were an employee of a private bank in Geneva. You resigned to create ML Conseil. What were your motivations for becoming independent?

In fact, I spent 18 years in the banking world as a wealth manager. This journey was fascinating and allowed me to build extraordinary human and professional relationships. I learned a lot and beyond my marked interest in finance, it was the human experience of putting myself at the service of individuals and families in the quest to support them in all stages of their lives that appealed to me. seduced. This feeling of feeling useful is exciting.

During one of my banking experiences, I worked with clients active in the world of adult protection (curatorship). I immediately felt an interest in this field and my constant desire to learn and understand pushed me to explore the subject.

I continued my career as a "Private Banker" but always kept in mind this desire to do more, to bring different added value to my clients. In 2021, at the age of 35, I had reached a certain professional level, I had acquired pleasant comfort, but inexplicably, I was missing that little something, that feeling of being completely accomplished and at my place. This became obvious to me when I made the decision to act! How do I combine my strong financial skills and my desire to help people who really needed it?

By opening my office for the execution of curatorship mandates! The project was found. After an established "business plan", I launched at the end of 2021.

What services do you offer to your customers today?

Today, after 15 months of activity, my services have greatly expanded in view of demand. I have had to adapt to the needs of the population and am regularly asked to assist individuals in their administrative management. This task is becoming more and more complicated and many individuals are developing a real phobia at the idea of having to manage their mail. This is therefore an offer allowing anyone wishing to completely relieve themselves of any aspect related to administration to have the possibility of delegating these time-consuming and anxiety-provoking tasks.

My services are customizable and adapt to each situation. I intervene both in the form of one-off consultations or via tailor-made packages. Flexibility is key in my business.

The execution of curatorship mandates is aimed at people suffering from disorders which impair their capacity for discernment and requires a protection measure established by the Adult and Child Protection Tribunal (TPAE). Broadly speaking, this involves administering the property of the protégé(e), ensuring their social well-being and safeguarding their interests.

A third major activity relates to the world of succession. I intervene at the request of notaries and/or heirs as liquidator of succession. This involves managing the entire administrative aspect linked to the following of a death. I am also active as an Office Administrator in the service of Justice of the Peace.

In summary, I get up every morning to simplify the lives of my clients and/or their loved ones!

Why do you think it is useful to call on you?

We live in a constantly changing world and we are unfortunately, like it or not, obsessed with performance. Many people experience mental and physical health and daily tasks can quickly become insurmountable. Using my services is, in a sense, daring to ask for help and it is often a first victory in overcoming a difficult stage of life.

My support offers you serenity and peace of mind which can allow you to concentrate on the things in your life which nourish you and bring you real satisfaction.

Today it is rare to find a structure or a professional who can offer you such holistic support and to whom you can entrust certain aspects of your life in order to lighten your mental load.

Have your services evolved according to the demands of your customers?

Yes, as I spoke about previously, my service offering has greatly evolved according to the demands of my clients, to my greatest satisfaction because I have the feeling of responding to real needs and contributing directly to the happiness of my clients. This feeling is very nourishing.

There is no doubt that my services will continue to evolve with my clients. Adaptability is not an option in my field. It is essential to listen to their concerns and keep a pragmatic but open mind.

What are the most common requests you receive today? What types of needs do you face the most?

As I speak to you, I am receiving a lot of requests from individuals wanting administrative support. They do not necessarily suffer from a disorder requiring curatorship, but they live a complicated period of life for various reasons and need to either completely delegate their administrative affairs or to be supported on a weekly basis to "get their heads out water" and regain self-confidence.

This support is very comprehensive and can cover a multitude of aspects (current invoices, writing letters, establishing the budget, financial management consulting, optimization in the broad sense of their economic situation, representation with private third parties or public administrations, etc.)

What is the average age of your customers?

I would say the average age of my clients is approx. 45-50 years old

In a nutshell, how did your relationship with customers transform when you opted for independence?

The relationship with my clients has taken on a whole new dimension. My first words when meeting a new client(s) are: I need you as much as you need me, it's teamwork. In many cases, the administrative problem is more of an underlying symptom which hides discomfort or a state of anxiety. These people need a partner who helps them regain control of their lives by giving them confidence in their abilities. Obviously, my role is not to replace a psychologist or a psychiatrist, however I play a key role in regaining their confidence.

What do you think customers expect today? More customization? More independence in consulting? More transparency in pricing? and in the future according to you?

Customers simply expect what every human being hopes from their interlocutor, namely empathy and kindness. This of course requires a good dose of competence, professionalism and efficiency. Everything is balance in human relationships. To this I would also add that the foundations of any partnership are based on transparency and honesty.

Clients are both surrounded by a plethora of professional(s) (bankers, insurers, accountants, trustees, lawyers, notaries, etc.) but at the same time feel very alone and feel the need to turn to a trustworthy person with the emotional intelligence and technical skills to support them on a daily basis and ensure the protection of their interests by orchestrating all these stakeholders.

Do you work alone or in a network?

After 15 months of activity, I work alone in the sense that I have decided for the moment not to hire an employee because a good part of my activities cannot be delegated. However, I am lucky to have a large network on the Geneva market, built over the years and well maintained, which allows me to respond to almost any request. I have built an ecosystem of carefully selected professionals who share my values and philosophy.

It is advisable to seek help from a professional with all these qualities. Do not hesitate to contact Mehdi Lakhdar: contact@mlconseil.ch / Curateur Genève (curateur-prive-geneve.com)

Impact Financial Engineering SA: contact@impact-fe.ch