The Senate Group is an alliance of independent financial advisors who meet three times a year to share experiences and expertise. Membership requires at least 15 years of experience and compliance with financial advisory standards. The group aims to enrich the practices of members and their clients through knowledge sharing. Modern investment platforms need to offer tailored solutions, integration support, portfolio structuring capabilities, and affordable products including unit trusts, discretionary fund management, and alternative investments. They also need continual innovation in areas like technology, online access, and value-added services to properly serve advisors' needs and support business growth.