Mr. Manish Rastogi, Kanpur
Q1. How would you like to introduce yourself?
Ans: I'm Manish Rastogi, originally from Kanpur. My initial aspiration was to become a Chartered Accountant, but life took an unexpected turn after my father's passing, igniting an entrepreneurial spirit within me. I began my journey in stock broking and then transitioned to the mutual fund industry in 2007, inspired by an encounter with NJ India Team. Today, I proudly serve as a mutual fund distributor, managing over ₹300 Crores in Assets Under Management (AUM), guided by the principles of trust, transparency, and my core philosophy: Conviction, Communication, and Commitment (the 3Cs)."
Q2. How and when did you first hear about NJ Wealth?
Ans: My first exposure to NJ Wealth was in 2007 during a casual visit to a friend's office. I happened to overhear a conversation about a platform that offers comprehensive support for mutual fund distributors. The platform's clarity, structure, and professionalism immediately struck me. Having already obtained my AMFI certification, this encounter provided the confidence and motivation to delve into the mutual fund space more seriously. Looking back, that moment proved to be a pivotal point in my career, guiding me towards a more purposeful and rewarding professional path.
Q3. What are the NJ tools / features that have the biggest impact on your business?
Ans: The NJ Wealth Platform itself is an incredibly powerful tool, providing comprehensive support from business operations to client management and reporting. The NJ Need Assessment Presentation is my essential tool during client meetings, as it facilitates a structured, need based mutual fund investment.
The Client Desk is another game changer, empowering clients to stay informed and engaged with their portfolios. Furthermore, NJ’s marketing support, including MCS images and videos, along with their regular training and client engagement resources, have been instrumental in building and nurturing long-term client relationships.
Q4. What are your key concern areas / challenges today and how are you managing the same?
Ans: A persistent challenge I face is educating investors about market volatility, especially during uncertain periods. Clients can understandably become anxious during market downturns, making it crucial to provide them with a balanced perspective.
To address this, I prioritize proactive communication and financial literacy initiatives. Regular portfolio reviews, transparent discussions, and emphasizing the long-term nature of equity investments are key strategies I employ. I also organize investor meetings and actively utilize digital tools and platforms to maintain strong connections with my clients.
Q5. Can you share a memorable instance where you impacted / transformed a client’s financial life?
Ans: The market crash of 2007-2008 stands out as a defining period in my career. During that time, many investors witnessed their portfolios plummet by 40–60%. While many distributors avoided client calls, I chose a different approach. I personally met with each client, explained the situation clearly, and encouraged them to continue their Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) and remain invested.
The outcome was remarkable: not a single SIP was discontinued. Today, those very SIPs have generated substantial wealth for my clients, solidifying their lifelong trust in my guidance.
This experience deeply reinforced my belief in the 3Cs-Conviction, Communication, and Commitment. Without these principles, I wouldn’t have been able to hold my clients’ hands during such a difficult time or build a business of this scale today.
Q6. What changes or trends do you foresee in the mutual fund industry?
Ans: I anticipate several key shifts in the mutual fund industry:
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An increase in retail investor participation.
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Greater adoption of passive investment strategies.
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Increased utilization of rule-based investment approaches.
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Higher penetration of hybrid fund categories.
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Potential compression in revenue margins.
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Growth in overall volume driven by increased penetration.
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Knowledge becoming an even more critical differentiator.
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The emergence of new fund categories.
Q7. How do you plan to grow your client base in the next 3-5 years?
Ans: My strategy for expanding my client base over the next 3-5 years involves targeting 2,500+ clients through a focus on digital expansion, emphasizing need based assessment, prioritizing client education, and leveraging referrals.
Q8. What is your MF Live SIP Target in 10 Years?
Ans: My 10-year target for Mutual Fund Live SIP is ₹21 Crores, driven by my strong conviction in SIPs as a fundamental tool for long-term wealth building.