Investment planning obviously is aimed at growing the funds. Planning evaluates the future needs, potential, risks and tax implications. Companies or individuals with expertise in the financial world provide the guidelines to execute the plans. This definition is too simple to explain the term investment services; it is a more complex and specialized field. However, it will serve as the starting point, to know the opportunities, who should opt for them and who are the best service providers.

Types of Products

Diversification is the mother of a profitable strategy. Safety and growth are the key words. Safety lies in debt market, deposits and insurance products. Mutual funds and equities are familiar to most of the investors. Riskier but more profitable avenues like hedge-funds, block deals, options, and derivatives along with the "safe" investments drive the investment planning in the right direction.

Who?

The investment scenario has become wider with globalization. Liberalization has broadened the scope of deploying funds in more avenues. The knowledge of product offered, the regulations, risks and potential contribute investing a complex exercise. This is why even fund managers engage professionals for Individual investment services. Homemakers, business people, retired persons, NRIs, foreign fund houses are some of the people who depend on the specialists. The service aims at minimizing the risks and maximizing the profits.

Goal-achievers

The service costs a fee and as such, it will be viable only if the funds are fairly large. While there are no hard and fast rules, generally, the funds must be above Rs.5 lakh for individuals and above Rs.10 Lakh for business enterprises or funds. The fee will depend upon the goals, value of the fund and the service provider. Choose the provider of investment services with an eye on integrity and capability.