Ben Granje: Ensuring financial wellbeing with The Flemish Federation of Individual Investors

According to Ben Granje, CEO of The Flemish Federation of Investors, these four metrics—audience reach, profit, impact, and empowerment—combine to define success in the nonprofit sector. He has set the course for his team to achieve all of these goals and more.

Path to Achievement

Before going on an exchange to the United States, Ben finished his classical studies (Latin and Greek) in Belgium. He began his career after earning his Master’s degree in psychology at a consulting business, but he soon made the transition into the financial sector. He was guided and prodded into the world of investing by a cadre of brilliant mentors.

After gaining experience as an investment adviser at Citigroup, he moved on to a similar role at Invesco Asset Management. The opportunity to launch Morningstar in Belgium and Luxembourg was soon presented to him. In his own words, “This company was the perfect environment for me: excellent values, a focus on the investor as well as the investment, and great leadership.”

Now that he had been in the industry for almost a decade, he decided to take things into his own hands by launching his own consulting business. The B stands for Behavior, Belgium, Ben, and Better Economics; the company, Beconomics Consulting & Research, was founded by him in 2017.

Within a year, VFB had him on board to assist formulate a plan to resume expansion. He jumped at the chance and is now the company’s chief executive officer. As he puts it, “VFB aims to give a voice to the non-professional user of financial services, ensuring their interest is not overlooked by the regulator and the government.”

Gaining fortitude from one’s struggles

Ben thinks that attempting and failing over and over again teaches you much more than succeeding the first time. Never assume that a problem can be solved without first exhausting all of a person’s available resources, expertise, network, and imagination. Advisors have an early challenge in the field of investing when they must counteract their clients’ need for control and their own sense of assurance.

His further explanation is, “I wanted to speak before I learnt to listen. Before I even knew what the issue was, I was sold on the answer. The markets were a tough instructor for many investors. The IT boom of 2003 was the tipping point for me. Because of that, I improved as an investor.

Working with the Flemish Investors’ Federation to improve client investment strategies

Similarly to the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) in the United States, the VFB was founded 40 years ago.

Ben says, “It would be difficult for a single person to gain access to corporate management, to rise above the din, and to be heard in the corridors where policy is formulated.” We provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, research, and experience amongst investors, as well as access to a community of people with similar interests.

Inviting company CEOs and CFOs to speak at their conferences and arranging tours of manufacturing facilities are just two examples of how VFB facilitates relationships between businesses and retail investors. In addition to serving as an investor advocate, VFB convenes financial service providers and listed firms to discuss how they may better serve the needs of individual investors.

Management of Money and Investments: A New Paradigm

Ben argues that a non-profit’s priorities sway back and forth between their humanitarian mission and their financial viability. He has been carrying the idea that the two may be brought together via evidence-based management with him everywhere he goes. He continues, “In the books and articles I published, the message is consistently to stop, think, and reflect before acting on a whim.”

He thinks that investors should be able to see through the present market and hear beyond the noise to uncover the information that justifies any investment choice, and he sees openness as the key to doing both.

He argues that what is needed to safeguard investors is not restrictions or bans, but rather a fair playing field. There will be no collusion, bribery, or other forms of dishonesty.

Ben incorporates these principles, honed through his experiences, into his rules to guarantee honesty and creativity.

Using foresightful strategies to maintain a competitive edge

In its early years after its founding in 1980, the VFB relied on a printed newsletter and in-person meetings as its primary methods of communication and organization. Later, the organization launched a website and e-newsletter, but its members tended toward the older end of the age spectrum, thus they paid little attention to developments in online communication.

He had been in the industry for quite some time, so he understood that a few adjustments would set him on the path to success. To paraphrase what he says: “You cannot engage people if you do not reach them.” Therefore, his primary objective was to bring the site up to date by making it responsive. After that, you should start employing modern methods of communication like webinars, podcasts, and online learning tools, and have a strong social media presence. In order to reach out to marginalized groups like young adults, women, and people of color, it may be helpful to bring in guest speakers.

He says, “Our membership has swiftly changed from a gentlemen’s club (older, white -or grey- male) to a more broad sample of society. VFB aims to be included in conversations on strategic financial planning in order to “listen, and when appropriate, inform and guide.”

Working as a Corporate Leader

Ben, in his capacity as CEO, enjoys being in charge of all operations. He enjoys developing himself and others via inquiry into how, why, and further information.

His days at VFB are “filled with questions and conversations, trying to clarify and pinpoint, educate or challenge, and when necessary decide and direct,” he says. This is a fantastic career for me since I am always challenged intellectually. There is always more to learn about life, human nature, and the search for fulfillment if you share my view that everything is an investment (of time, energy, or money).

He recognizes the value of a strong team and works to keep its members inspired by giving them room to choose their own schedules, allow them to do some of their work from home, and give them wide latitude in determining how they best accomplish their goals.

I think the crew is happy to be a part of our work and of the contribution they made to this wonderful endeavor,” he says. That’s the driving force behind all we do.

The Company’s Long-Term Prospects

About 15,000 persons each month are reached through VFB. Ben hopes to expand this group to include all Belgian investors and savers.

He says, “My vision is to make all members active promoters of our club through word of mouth, rather than passively waiting for people to discover the benefits of VFB.” My mission is to spread the word across Belgium that idle savings and checking account balances are eating away at the country’s riches.

The group has several long-term goals that they want to accomplish.

• Spread your message and enable more individuals to achieve financial freedom via investment.
• Increase the number of members to a level where they may affect policy and management decisions in the areas of regulation and corporate finance.
• Boost the services and turn VFB into a place where people never stop learning.
• Inspire their members to brag about their investment successes to their loved ones and acquaintances.
• Enjoy a life that is rich not in material possessions but in memories and contentment.