Rene Kormos, an investment advisor with TD Waterhouse Private Investment Advice in Vancouver, keeps her clients informed on her environmental and community activities through a monthly newsletter.

“I love to be able to share what I’ve been doing with the people I’ve built relationships with over the years,” Kormos says. “Many of my clients are very charitable themselves, so it’s nice to be able to hear their stories, too.”

Through a section in the newsletter entitled “Walking in my shoes,” she keeps clients up to date about her community work and what is happening in her personal life.

Building deeper, personal relationships with clients increases the likelihood they will refer you to friends, colleagues and family members.

“I try to add value by being that go-to person for any type of professional referral,“ Kormos says. “If I have clients who are new to town, I will recommend accountants and lawyers. I will even pass on the name of my own dentist and doctor.”

— CLARE O’HARA