When you go into a system like Analyser for the first time, you will likely have a play and generally get a feel for how the tech works.

Once you’ve done that, the first meaningful step on doing due diligence in Analyser is setting up your client proposition, or segments.

A little note on wording here. We call the process of grouping your clients based on the typical types of people you serve as segments or segmentation, in line with the FCA’s language.

But don’t be put off by this – even if your firm runs one core client proposition, we still think it’s worth the short amount of time it takes to put these details into Analyser.

That’s because we firmly believe that suitability starts with your clients. That would be our philosophy even without the regulation that exists around things like assessing suitability, PROD and soon, Consumer Duty.

Analyser isn’t prescriptive – it all comes down to your firm’s way of working.

Some choose to segment by life stage, some by service, some by portfolio size. You might have a different approach entirely, or not segment at all.

It’s all fine by us, but adding your client proposition in Analyser means you can evidence and articulate how your firm works with clients and why you recommend the platforms and investments you do.

Enough chat. How do I do it?

To set up your client proposition, log in to Analyser and from the top menu go to ‘my firm’ then ‘client segments’.

Complete the fields as above.

Name your segment, provide a description and from the dropdown menu choose your chosen type of investment process. Then fill in the fund name/MPS range/portfolio name as applicable, with some details about your investment beliefs and why this investment solution suits these clients.

Then you add the relevant portfolio sizes, and click finish and add segment.

You’ll then see your client proposition listed, which can be edited or deleted at a later date. From there you can repeat the process to add any other client segments you have.

This then feeds through to the due diligence stage.

From the top menu, go to ‘due diligence’ and either ‘platform’ or ‘MPS’. You’re then in the due diligence report building process, where your saved client segments will appear in the first drop down box.

And that’s it.

Capturing your client proposition details at the start and then building your due diligence process allows the info to be pulled through into the end report, and underpins your research as you do it.

So that’s why the system is set out that way. Analyser is designed with PROD, and your target clients, in mind.