Ed Jacobson Says Planners Must Practice Self-Care in the Days Ahead

At the FPA National Conference in San Diego, on September 16, 2011, Ed Jacobson, PhD,  author of Appreciative Moments: Stories and Practices for Living and Working Appreciatively and a psychologist, business coach, consultant and public speaker who works with financial planners and investment managers, said that financial professionals must put their own oxygen masks on first -- before helping other people during touch times.

Hear Dr. Jacobson's advice in this 2 minute video about improving your personal resilience.

Dave Hubbard says independent financial advisors must band together if they are to compete effectively with the big name brokerage firms and banks over the coming years

David Hubbard, president of Exemplar Financial Network, a network of over 100 independent advisory firms, and one of the top 10 Regional Directors with Financial Network Investment Corporation, one of the nation's largest independent broker/dealers, says that bigger firms will put smaller firms out of business unless the smaller firms find a way to band together and gain scale. Hear what he had to say while at the FPA National Conference in San Diego, on September 16, 2011.

  Unite or die? Watch this 2 minute video clip now.

 

Brett S. Ellen, American Financial Network / Securities America

Hello. My name is Brett S. Ellen, president and CEO of American Financial Network.

The one thing I want advisors today to ask themselves is “Am I really covering all of my clients’ needs or am I only focusing on their personal finance?” It is a big world out there with untapped opportunities, especially among business owners and senior executives with an array of business-related financial challenges.

These challenges might have to do with corporate benefit programs, deferred compensation solutions, tax strategies or insurance plans and your clients may want help with these issues. As their trusted advisor, you are in a perfect position to provide the resources and support they need. Not only can you add value to your client relationships, but the growth opportunity for your practice is real, as well.

There are more than 275,000 mid-market companies in the United States. With revenues between $5 million and $500 million, these businesses generally have a small group of decision makers who can listen to recommendations from trusted advisors and make decisions quickly about how to move forward. Imagine the value you’d bring to your business-owner clients if you could be their go-to advisor for all of their business-related issues.

One way I’ve built a successful practice is by utilizing a brain trust of fellow professionals called the Financial Solutions Alliance. I use the alliance, along with the resources offered to me through Securities America where I have consistently ranked as one of their top advisors and registered representatives, to augment my financial planning and wealth management services. The breadth of expertise of the alliance partners includes accounting, investment banking, business consulting, law, real estate and other services. Developing relationships through our alliance allows each member - and their clients - to benefit from our collective knowledge, experience and independent point of view.

It would be nearly impossible for an individual financial advisor to have the range and depth of expertise in all of these areas. But with the team approach, it makes each of the alliance members more valuable to their clients.

Over the years, I’ve been approached by many advisors, asking how I have expanded my practice to its current size - which is approximately $1 B in assets under advisement. If you are interested in learning more about my approach, visit my website, www.afn-net.com.