Part 1 – Professional Development (600 words) A code of practice is a set of prescribed rules and regulations outlining a certain standard whereby professionals adhere, these rules and regulations aim to raise the standards for professionals in a particular industry and advocate trust for consumers within the industry. Client confidentiality is an essential element of a professional code of conduct due to the disclosure of privy information. Professionals should maintain the highest degree of integrity when handling privately disclosed information or information obtained in relationships founded by trust as information that is incorrectly or carelessly disclosed could lead to a breach of conflict of interest and other codes of conduct. Therefore, privy information should be treated with care not only when disclosed by clients, but also when disclosed by suppliers and associates. Duty of care is also another essential element of a code of conduct as professionals bear the responsibility of any damage caused by actions and advice. Negligent actions or advice can cause clients in which a fiduciary duty is owed, injury or loss. Therefore, professionals must take reasonable care and avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure or create loss. This can be avoided by ensuring their actions and advice always conform with relevant law. Ethics is considered an important element of the code of conduct as professionals should always provide services honestly and honourably and ensure a high degree of integrity is maintained throughout the course of providing the services. Strategies should be put in place to ensure that ethical considerations are taken into account and the clients moral position are being upheld. This ensures that conducts of professionals are always within the scope of the clients best interests. Conflict of interest is another important element of the code of conduct especially in a position where matters are of a sensitive nature. This is due to the fact that clients place their trust and confidence in a Conveyancer to act in their best interest. Situations may arise where professional obligations and personal interests may clash with the Conveyancers fiduciary duty. The Conveyancer shall be obliged to disclose the conflict in such cases and ensure that the client’s interest and their own personal interests do not conflict. Situations may also arise where the client’s interest may conflict with a third party, the professional should at all times ensure that these interest do not conflict and that the fiduciary duty owed to the client is upheld. Professional conduct is considered an important element of the Conveyancing Code of Practice as advice and recommendations should never be influenced by anything other than the best and proper interest of the client. A code is required as it ensures professionals adhere to the highest standard and encourage clients to trust the professionals and influences the workplace to maintain the highest degree of integrity and honestly when handling client’s matters. Feedback Business and technological systems that are used to record, organise and maintain information to meet legislative requirements are software programs such as LEAP and continuing professional development courses. Training and professional development available internally and externally are CPD courses, training provided by the practice and webinars, seminars, lectures, universities and information provided by the AIC (Australian Institute of Conveyancers). Part 2 – DISC Profile (600 words) DISC profiling is a behaviour assessment tool. I got Dominant and Influence Increase your self-knowledge. Help you understand your own behaviours. Help minimise conflict by understanding other people’s behaviours. I am dominant and able to see the bigger picture I show enthusiasm and am able to collaborate with others I am Trusting and optimistic Part 3 – Nurturing relationships and building on referral business for the long term (800 words) The value and importance of nurturing relationships and building on referral business for the long term is because referrals are the most influential source of marketing. It also helps guarantee the long term success of the business as referral marketing relies on motivating satisfied customers and provides greater credibility, provides access to new customers that traditional marketing programs may not reach and better matching of referred customers’ needs to the service. Business networking is an effective low-cost marketing method for developing sales opportunities and contacts, based on referrals and introductions - either face-to-face at meetings and gatherings, or by other contact methods such as phone, email, and increasingly social and business networking websites. Possible networks that you can source and become involved with are networks where people come together because of their common training or task they do, such as Conveyancers, Solicitors, Real Estate Agents, Insurance Agents, IT specialists or HR Practitioners. Networks where people work together or have similar interests Conferences Seminars Business networking websites Professional body websites Local networking events Lectures and talks Real estate agents, brokers, lenders Valuable and useful is genuine business and valuable business with good referrals Personal and professional development gained from networking