Asset finance broker shares productivity strategies
Handling hundreds of client transactions each year can be challenging, but for asset finance broker Alan Walker, structure and efficiency are key.
Since joining Loan Market in 2018, Walker has built a high-performing equipment finance business, serving over 400 clients annually while maintaining work-life balance.
Walker, the owner of Loan Market Alan Walker, attributes his success to smart time management rather than longer hours. His approach centres on setting clear client expectations, streamlining tasks, and prioritising efficiency.
Speaking on LMG’s Broker Bulletin podcast, Walker shared insights on managing workload, simplifying processes, and scaling sustainably.
Time management as a competitive edge
Managing a high transaction volume requires disciplined scheduling. Walker emphasised the importance of batch-tasking.
“If I’ve got 10 quotes to send, I’m not bouncing between them and other tasks. I batch them, get them done, and move on,” he said on a podcast episode.
Walker also prioritises setting clear client expectations. Requests that arrive after his daily quoting session are scheduled for the next day to prevent workflow disruptions.
“The expectation that’s set to them is you’ll hear back from me by tomorrow,” he said. “That way, I’m not going to get bogged down in it because that’s not important to me now.”
Prioritisation through simplicity
Despite the availability of digital productivity tools, Walker prefers a handwritten to-do list to stay organised.
“If I don’t write it the night before, I start the next day already behind,” he said.
His list separates urgent tasks from secondary ones, ensuring focus on critical priorities while avoiding distractions. He also finds the act of crossing off completed tasks to be a motivator.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to cross something off the list and see tasks disappear,” Walker said. “It also shows me, geez, I’ve still got all these other things to do. I can’t sit here and look out the window for another five minutes.”
Proactive communication over reactive responses
Walker advocates for staying ahead of client communication to maintain strong relationships and prevent delays.
“It’s always 10 times easier to make the proactive call than to take the reactive one,” he said.
The asset finance broker believes providing clients with updates before they reach out reduces back-and-forth and keeps transactions moving. He also believes in addressing difficult conversations directly.
“People will always put off that difficult conversation or that difficult customer they need to call… Just pick up the phone and make the call,” Walker said. “You’ll find out after you’ve made that call that it was 10 times easier proactively than reactively.”
Scaling the business with efficiency in mind
As a solo operator nearing capacity, Walker is considering the next steps for growth. While hiring support is an option, he is cautious about maintaining his structured approach.
“If you’re going to free up time by outsourcing tasks, you need to be clear on how you’ll use that time to grow the business,” he said.
Walker also wants to ensure any new team members align with his efficiency-driven culture.
“I need to try and instil that culture into those people,” he said. “Or, be open to seeing ways that other people manage their day and perhaps adapt some of those things as well.”
Walker’s disciplined strategy has enabled him to scale his business while delivering consistent service. By focusing on structure, proactive communication, and efficient task management, he has built a model that supports both high volumes and quality outcomes.
What are your go-to productivity hacks? Share your best tips in the comments below and join the conversation on how to work smarter, not harder!
