Tikila Munashimwe: A passion for finance
Providing a guiding hand
Munashimwe believes that putting client needs above all else and being willing to go beyond normal working hours are keys to success in this field.
Tikila Munashimwe, a financial planning consultant, says his work is a rewarding challenge and that he finds an opportunity every day to assist clients with their financial planning needs.He emphasised the importance of teaching clients the 'ABC approach' to budgeting. “Where A is where you are, C is where you want to be and B is the bridge between the two."
Munashimwe views each client as a unique case study, making his work a constant learning experience.
Educationally, Munashimwe holds a diploma in business management from the International Training College Lingua and a diploma in accounting from the Polytechnic of Namibia. He also has a competence certificate in estate agency and a certificate in retail management. Currently, he is pursuing a qualification in financial planning to complement his existing experience.
Finding purpose
Munashimwe's career path did not initially lead him to financial planning. Starting as a sales consultant, he worked his way up through various leadership roles, including personal administrative assistant, accounts director, general manager, and branch supervisor. These roles provided him with a foundation in financial management, stock control management and customer service management. Networking, hard work and learning from industry leaders opened up opportunities that eventually led him to financial planning, where he found a greater purpose in positively impacting others' lives.
One of his biggest accomplishments was when he was able to see eight members outside his usual operating environment within a week, establishing a win-win situation by fostering and restoring working relationships while building new ones. “In that week alone, I realised why I do what I do and discovered a greater purpose in the impact I have on others,” he said.
This experience reinforced his purpose and led him to constantly step out of his comfort zone to accommodate the needs of others.
110% effort
The best thing about Munashimwe’s daily job is the opportunity to positively influence someone new every day. He credits his enjoyment of the work culture and the freedom it allows to make a difference. He also acknowledges the contribution of his colleagues, whose collaboration and dedication make his job more enjoyable.
In his free time, Munashimwe enjoys reading, listening to music and playing chess. His daily duties as a financial planning consultant include assisting clients with holistic financial planning, focusing on pension preservation, retirement annuities and life insurance.
He spends 80% of his time listening to clients, 10% planning and advising and 10% on administrative duties, ensuring he gives 110% effort each day. He advises young people pursuing a career in financial planning to be people-oriented, patient, creative, detail-oriented, and proficient in math. He believes that putting client needs above all else and being willing to go beyond normal working hours are keys to success in this field.