We’ve all heard the stats: the oldest Baby Boomer turned 65 in 2011 for the next 18 years boomers will be turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 per day 13% of the population today is older than 65 In 2030, 18% of the population will be older than 65 This aging population phenomenon presents… Continue reading Retirement: Painting a Realistic Picture
Author: Todd Clarke, CLS President
Welcome (back) to the CLS Blog!
Welcome (back) to the CLS Blog! We’re excited to have you here. You are probably noticing that this is our first post in over a year. In the past, our blog content has focused primarily on best business practices. While we still believe this information is incredibly valuable for financial advisors, we also understand that… Continue reading Welcome (back) to the CLS Blog!
Finding & Retaining Quality Employees
Part 1: The Search The process of identifying, enticing, and retaining quality employees has long been the bane of many small businesses’ existence, since they often do not have the time and resources to dedicate to it. Also, since small businesses are frequently limited in terms of the wage and benefit packages they can offer,… Continue reading Finding & Retaining Quality Employees
Marketing Technology
The essential systems that every advisor must have By Peter Montoya All the skill, knowledge and experience in the world can’t impress someone if they know nothing about it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if motivated, qualified prospects could just “know” you were the best Advisor for them and magically appear? Financial Services marketing is nothing… Continue reading Marketing Technology
Creating a Strong Sales Process
Do you have a routine that you follow outlining each step that your sales team executes? Does the outline intertwine both sales and marketing steps that are taken as you move a lead to a prospect, and a prospect to a client? Do you utilize metrics to track how long it takes between each step… Continue reading Creating a Strong Sales Process
Leveraging Professional Relationships
Getting more out of referral relationships with professional contacts, such as CPAs and attorneys is one of the most common challenges that business owners face. Partnerships with other professionals are only successful when the professional directly witnesses the benefit that their clients receive through your service. And in most cases, you have to wait for… Continue reading Leveraging Professional Relationships
Three People Who Can Help Shape New Business Development
If you had the opportunity to get into a new market, where would you start? If you wanted to attract particular clients, who are the people that would help you make a solid entrance? Centers of influence, evangelists, and critical contacts are three potentially powerful types of people who might provide the answers you are… Continue reading Three People Who Can Help Shape New Business Development
Stay in Front of Your Clients Through Video
If you are like most business owners, you want your firm to continue to grow. But, while this is a great accomplishment, it can simultaneously create service issues since you don’t have as much time to tend to each individual client. Although hiring more staff can alleviate this potential issue, it also eliminates one key… Continue reading Stay in Front of Your Clients Through Video
The Fallout
By: David Grau, Jr. Valuation Director, FP Transitions Financial professionals are on the front lines when it comes to dealing with the consequences of a weakened economy. As independent business owners, when the markets are down, it can feel like the value you have built up in your practice is at risk. More and more,… Continue reading The Fallout
Roth Conversions: Who Should Make the Switch?
Check out the audio/video from our recent NorthStar Practice Management series webinar featuring Eric Harrell of PIEtech, Inc. and MoneyGuide Pro. Roth Conversions: Who Should Make the Switch? Roth IRA rules changed in 2010. Hear Eric speak about: Tax implications Economic perspectives Psychology behind the conversion What you need to know to make a solid… Continue reading Roth Conversions: Who Should Make the Switch?