New Delhi, Nov. 13 -- The best relationships are those where both parties are aligned to accomplish a common purpose. But, alas, most relationships are not made in this mould and end up being win-lose or at the least, sub-optimal relationships.

In financial advisory too, two pillars matter most: trust and competence. Competence can be verified through qualifications or experience. Trust, however, is harder to test, yet crucial to lasting partnerships.

What makes a good advisor

A good advisor should be qualified-registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), independent, vendor-agnostic, and experienced in handling clients across ages and profiles. But above all, they must be aligned with the client's best interest....