Abstract:
This study investigates various threats to the survival of independent financial advisers in their
organisational life cycle. Telephone interviews were conducted to gain more insight into the demographic
data of the respodents and to attempt to group them into life-cycle stages. Personal interviews were
conducted to investigate the respondents’ problems. The contribution of this study is twofold. First, general
life-cycle stages applicable to the businesses of independent financial advisers were determined. Secondly,
the study identified the important problems as well as those that ought to be considered in the advisers’
businesses. The findings could be of assistance to independent financial advisers in analysing both their
current business position and their planning for future requirements as the business develops from one
stage to the next.
