Devastating storms have ripped through much of the country in the last few weeks and at least one entire town in Alabama appears to have been virtually wiped off the map by a terrible tornado. Many areas are suffering incredible flood damage and Texas is facing firestorms. Do any of your clients have relatives or investments in those areas? Are they covered by enough of the right kinds of insurance to protect their properties and estates?
This is a great time to call and update your information on all of your best clients. Even if they haven't been personally affected by the storms, floods, the economic crisis, or the cost of oil, etc., this can be a great time to reach out. Find out if they're worried about anything that you can help with, then keep them up to date on your part of what's going on in their lives. Little touches at times like this can build client loyalty that will mean stronger ties and more referrals down the line.thanks and good luck. kfg
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
How Are Your Branding Yourself in This Market?
When advising job seekers, personal branding expert Scott Ginsberg defines branding as "...identity. It's what you're known for knowing. Branding is the best, highest version of yourself - and how other people experience themselves in relation to you." As a financial advisor, you are constantly seeking employment as the advisor of choice for both existing and prospective clients. Your success will be determined largely by how they experience your brand.
Let me offer three suggestions for improving your brand in bad economies:
1. Build what Scott calls a Success Vocabulary by removing any negative language. As a financial advisor it can be very difficult to remain entirely positive when portfolio performance has been hurt by sudden or unexpected downturns in the market. Successful top producers like UBS' Allen Garner suggest 4 ways to stay positive in these situations: first, be proactive. Reach out to your top clients immediately. Don't wait for them to call you. Second, maintain a positive attitude about the future [remember, America has experienced economic problems in the past but has always roared back in time]; third, have a good explanation for the market and the economy [your firm's economists will usually provide that]. And, fourth, have an action they can take RIGHT NOW to improve their situation. Anxious people need direction and, even if they don't take your suggestion, they will remember you as a leader who at least offered a course of action.
2. Delete unprofitable language. Your words to others AND yourself will determine both how you and they feel [motivation]. If you don't sound confident, neither will they. In uncertain times, people will not follow an uncertain leader very far.
3. Become known as THE trusted source for key information about the market, the economy and the future. Hold regular seminars for your best clients and invite your firm's experts to speak. Topics can include anything from the market/economy to changes in the tax codes, estate planning, financial planning, etc. The areas you choose should be based upon informal surveys YOU take of your top clients interests and concerns. To increase your client base, encourage clients who attend to bring guests. Note: you can also provide these kinds of seminars to groups like the Kiwanas, the Rotary, Lions Club, etc. and get a free writeup in the local paper with you and your firm listed as the sponsors.
We'll discuss improving your brand further in future blogs. In the meantime, feel free to add your own thoughts. Thanks and good luck. kfg
Let me offer three suggestions for improving your brand in bad economies:
1. Build what Scott calls a Success Vocabulary by removing any negative language. As a financial advisor it can be very difficult to remain entirely positive when portfolio performance has been hurt by sudden or unexpected downturns in the market. Successful top producers like UBS' Allen Garner suggest 4 ways to stay positive in these situations: first, be proactive. Reach out to your top clients immediately. Don't wait for them to call you. Second, maintain a positive attitude about the future [remember, America has experienced economic problems in the past but has always roared back in time]; third, have a good explanation for the market and the economy [your firm's economists will usually provide that]. And, fourth, have an action they can take RIGHT NOW to improve their situation. Anxious people need direction and, even if they don't take your suggestion, they will remember you as a leader who at least offered a course of action.
2. Delete unprofitable language. Your words to others AND yourself will determine both how you and they feel [motivation]. If you don't sound confident, neither will they. In uncertain times, people will not follow an uncertain leader very far.
3. Become known as THE trusted source for key information about the market, the economy and the future. Hold regular seminars for your best clients and invite your firm's experts to speak. Topics can include anything from the market/economy to changes in the tax codes, estate planning, financial planning, etc. The areas you choose should be based upon informal surveys YOU take of your top clients interests and concerns. To increase your client base, encourage clients who attend to bring guests. Note: you can also provide these kinds of seminars to groups like the Kiwanas, the Rotary, Lions Club, etc. and get a free writeup in the local paper with you and your firm listed as the sponsors.
We'll discuss improving your brand further in future blogs. In the meantime, feel free to add your own thoughts. Thanks and good luck. kfg
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Crazy Politics
With all the theater in Washington these days, many people are very concerned about the national debt, the price of oil / gasoline, government spending and congress's likely impact upon their investments and retirement. Do you have a ready answer for clients who call with concerns? The odds are that your firm has already provided an official statement and I would encourage you to become familiar with it and the regular updates that will follow as new bills affecting small business taxes, healthcare and retirement payments move forward into the headlines.
After the recent financial meltdown, many clients (especially older clients) need to be reassured that everything will be all right. Financial advisors who failed to provide this kind of support in 2008 found many of their clients selling out their investment positions at the bottom of the market, losing a significant portion of their nest eggs. On the other hand, advisors who kept their clients updated on a regular basis, especially those who created or updated clients' financial plans were able to maintain stability during an unstable period. Sometimes, that's our most important job. Make it a practice to keep in touch with your clients. Thanks and good luck. kfg
After the recent financial meltdown, many clients (especially older clients) need to be reassured that everything will be all right. Financial advisors who failed to provide this kind of support in 2008 found many of their clients selling out their investment positions at the bottom of the market, losing a significant portion of their nest eggs. On the other hand, advisors who kept their clients updated on a regular basis, especially those who created or updated clients' financial plans were able to maintain stability during an unstable period. Sometimes, that's our most important job. Make it a practice to keep in touch with your clients. Thanks and good luck. kfg
Friday, April 1, 2011
Marty Maddin
I am pleased to announce the addition of Marty Maddin, Esq. to the Gretz Consulting Group. An experienced consultant, coach and mentor, Marty will head up our team in Detroit, Michigan. He is a leadership and business consultant and coach with experience as an attorney and a successful business owner. He brings a wealth of practical experience to the coaching world, having successfully started, managed and grown a small business to the point of profitability and ultimately sale. In addition to running a business, Marty also spent numerous years practicing law as a commercial real estate and corporate business attorney.
Marty has worked across numerous levels of leadership, industry and stages of business development. Whether working with the CEO of a start-up company, management at a Global 500 Company or attorneys at a law firm, Marty has successfully impacted individuals and organizations through the delivery of personalized coaching and training.
Marty is a dynamic leader with a remarkable capacity to foster environments where others feel safe around accountability and free thinking. He delivers results by combining authentic communication with a significant understanding of human emotions and behaviors. Marty brings energy and an entrepreneurial spirit to everything he does and he works with professionals who are willing to conceive and then achieve extraordinary results.
Marty currently serves on the Board of Directors for numerous Detroit based non-profits. He is a member of the International Coach Federation and the Professional Coaches Association of Michigan. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Marty has worked across numerous levels of leadership, industry and stages of business development. Whether working with the CEO of a start-up company, management at a Global 500 Company or attorneys at a law firm, Marty has successfully impacted individuals and organizations through the delivery of personalized coaching and training.
Marty is a dynamic leader with a remarkable capacity to foster environments where others feel safe around accountability and free thinking. He delivers results by combining authentic communication with a significant understanding of human emotions and behaviors. Marty brings energy and an entrepreneurial spirit to everything he does and he works with professionals who are willing to conceive and then achieve extraordinary results.
Marty currently serves on the Board of Directors for numerous Detroit based non-profits. He is a member of the International Coach Federation and the Professional Coaches Association of Michigan. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
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