Modern Financial Advisor

Brian Margolis from Productivity Giant joins Mike Langford to discuss the importance of a simple weekly strategy for financial advisors to improve their productivity and achieve their goals. Brian emphasizes the need to focus on the right things and prioritize activities that provide the biggest return on investment. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Brian's previous episode of the Modern Financial Advisor PodcastThe Index Card Business Plan For Sales Pros and Entrepreneurs Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:24 The Importance of a Simple Weekly Strategy 09:07 Focusing on the Right Things for Maximum ROI 28:57 Common Pain Points and Symptoms 31:20 Differentiating Between Being Good and Being Successful 39:05 Success Stories and Implementing the Simple Weekly Strategy 45:10 Conclusion

Simon Zais, a senior manager at Egan-Jones Proxy Services, joins Mike Langford on the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast to discuss the importance of "proxy voting as a service" for financial advisors. They explore how proxy voting can help advisors deliver a higher level of service to their clients and align their portfolios with their clients' values and goals. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: MFA Episode featuring Pete Krull of Earthy Equity AdvisorsEngine No. 1 vs ExxonHearts, Minds, and Votes: Where Smarter Wealth Managers Win Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Proxy Voting as a Service 06:03 Aligning Portfolios with Values and Goals 10:22 Proxy Voting and Making an Impact 23:04 The Growing Influence of Retail Votes 23:34 The Growing Influence of Retail Investors in Proxy Voting 26:01 Aligning Proxy Voting with Client Values and Goals 28:18 The Importance of Meaningful Conversations with Clients 31:38 Taking Action on Proxy Voting to Deepen Client Relationships

In this episode of the Modern Financial Advisor podcast, Mike Langford interviews Pete Krull, CEO of Earth Equity Advisors, about sustainable investing. They discuss the importance of sustainable investing for financial advisors and their clients, debunk common myths about sustainable investing, and explore the growth opportunities in the field. Pete and Mike also touch on the role of ESG metrics, the future of the insurance industry in the face of climate change, and the increasing demand for sustainable investing among different generations. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Earth Equity AdvisorsPete Krull on LinkedInOut of Spec YouTubeOut of Spec PodcastGreen Sage Sustainability PortfolioMorgan Stanley Sustainable Signals ReportDollars and Change PodcastYouTube ChannelCradle to CradleDEI Episode of The Modern Financial Advisor Podcast with Laura Gregg Chapters 00:00 The Role of Sustainable Investing for Financial Advisors 03:47 Debunking Myths About Sustainable Investing 12:23 The Future of the Insurance Industry in the Face of Climate Change 25:01 The Increasing Demand for Sustainable Investing Among Different Generations 29:16 Engaging with Clients and Prospects on Sustainable Investing 30:10 Meeting the Needs of Next Gen Investors 32:07 The Growth of Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure 35:19 The Role of Real Estate in Sustainable Investing 43:30 Considering Climate Readiness in Retirement Planning 51:18 Connecting with Influencers in Sustainable Investing

Reese Harper, CEO of Elements, joins Mike Langford to discuss how financial advisors can use vital signs to improve client conversations and increase their comfort level around financial advice. Reese explains that vital signs are objective scores that measure various aspects of a client's financial health, such as liquidity, debt-to-income ratio, and savings rate. By using vital signs, advisors can provide personalized advice and help clients make informed decisions about their finances. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Elementality PodcastCarl RichardsDentist Advisors Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:56 The Concept of Vital Signs 10:05 Improving Financial Behaviors with Vital Signs 28:31 Using Vital Signs in a Niche Market 35:23 The Birth of Elements and the Importance of Vital Signs 41:06 Accelerating Client Onboarding with Elements

What if you could expand your client roster by 300% without having to spend a fortune on marketing? This week's guest Beatriz Acevedo and her team at SUMA Wealth discovered a hidden growth gem by serving the Latinx community. It turns out, people in the community tend to bring other clients with them. And as you'll hear Beatriz discuss with Mike Langford, this growth concept is present in many communities. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: How I Built ThisGuy RazIs Your Credit Guacaready? Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:23 Summa Wealth's Community-First Approach 06:09 The Aha Moment for Summa Wealth 10:18 Understanding the Target Audience 13:40 Learning from Mistakes and Adjusting 22:01 Adapting to Changing Consumer Behavior 25:22 Learning from Younger Generations 26:10 The Value of Different Perspectives 27:06 The Importance of Embracing Change and Learning from Younger Generations 29:03 Transition from TV Producer to FinTech Founder 31:16 Recognizing the Lack of Financial Education in Latino Communities 33:01 The Role of Culture and Community in Fintech 36:00 The Power of Life Experience in Decision-Making 37:26 The Opportunity of Connecting with Younger Generations 43:25 Attracting Non-Latinx Users to Summa Wealth 48:39 Future Plans for Summa Wealth

The lack of robust organic growth for financial advisors' businesses has been a key concern for industry leaders for years. On this episode of the podcast Tom Rieman, CEO and Founding Partner of PracticeI ntel shares what he believes is the key to cracking the code on organic growth for financial advisors. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Bridging The Gap PodcastData from PriceMetrix by McKinseyMFA Podcast episode with Kieran BolThe Augmented Advisor PodcastFidelity Investments 2023 RIA Benchmarking StudySkyView Partners

There are financial advisors working today who are members of the first generation of people to ever call themselves financial advisors. Think about that! On this episode of the show, Matt Reiner returns to nerd out with Mike Langford about some of the exciting innovations that are creating new opportunities for modern financial advisors. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: The Circle"Your Future Self"Harry MarkowitzThe guy who created the foundation for the models that financial advisors use for managing their clients' assets only recently passed away!When Ideas Have Sex

Andrew Crowell, Vice Chairman of Wealth Management at D.A. Davidson returns to the show to share some eye popping facts about the prevalence of financial fraud. Andrew and Mike Langford also explore what financial advisors can do to protect their clients for becoming victims of fraud and how to help clients recover if they are victimized. Toward the end of the episode Andrew and Mike dive into the mechanisms financial advisors can use to protect their firm from fraudsters. Because like the famous bank robber Willie Sutton said when asked why he robs banks, financial advisors are "where the money is." Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Americans Are Not Adequately Prepared To Detect Or Prevent Financial FraudFraud Prevention: A Guide for Senior Investorshttps://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/willie-sutton-rule.asp

Dr. Jean Oursler "The Results Queen" explains how our caveman brains often get in the way of our ability to develop our businesses to the fullest. However, simple changes to a financial advisor's approach to his or her business development process can lead to dramatic improvements in a short time. Dr. Jean also shares some personal stories about her journey. She credits investing in herself early, even before her business was achieving real traction, as key lever for her success. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Caveman Brain6 Killer QuestionsEOS (The Entrepreneurial Operating System)"Change Your Question, Change Your Life"

It may sound hyperbolic but the reality is the advisor who tries to do everything his or herself... is bound to let some important things fall off the table. And as Gina Cotner, CEO of Athena Executive Services explains... it's not just simple "To Do" list items that an advisor might miss. It could be important client updates or opportunities that lead to business growth.

James Beam, President of TD Private Client Wealth breaks down a common challenge that clients of today's financial advisors face... information overload that often results in clients having a distorted picture of what is actually happening in the world. Jim and Mike also explore the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the modern financial advisor's business and how the use of a goals based advice approach can serve as a foundation for advisors regardless of what future technologies may come their way.

Michael Lecours, CFP® says that the origin story of fpPathfinder, a company he co-founded with Michael Kitces, is a bit humbling. He found that he was routinely forgetting to ask the right questions or giving slightly incorrect answers or missing timely opportunities for recommendations when meeting with his clients. It wasn't that Michael was incompetent or lacking in financial planning skills... he is a Certified Financial Planner with over a decade of experience. It's just that there is so many things that a client might need to know about or do or not do at any given time. And the landscape is constantly changing. So, Michael came up with a simple idea. He made a series of checklists and flowcharts that he would use during client meeting to ensure he "checked all the boxes" and kept things on track. Suddenly, he felt like he was delivering higher quality advice to his clients and he realized he was onto something that other advisors could use with their clients. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Advice Engagement StrategiesHow to Increase Post-Acquisition Business Value by Adding Tax Planning ServicesRoger Pine of Holistiplan on Speeding Up the Tax Planning Process for Financial Advisors

Paul McManus, creator of The Short Book Formula and CEO of More Clients More Fun shares how he helps financial advisors write short books to attract their ideal clients. The concept is simple, write a short book that articulates the solution to a specific problem your ideal client is likely to have. Send the book to prospects. Ask them to read it prior to meeting with you. Then, have a productive initial meeting that is likely to result in closing a new client.

Lucas Siegel, CEO of Harbor Life Settlements joins Mike Langford to share how financial advisors can help their clients unlock assets that are lying dormant and unproductive in their life insurance policy. Lucas also shares the simple question to ask your client about their life insurance policy to help them make the best financial decision for their future.

David Wieland, CEO of Realized shares how financial advisors can tap into a $6 trillion market segment by adding investment property wealth management.

Ryan George, Chief Marketing Officer of Docupace joins Mike Langford to share how new digital document technologies are allowing financial advisors to automate the repapering process for transitions, improve productivity, and increase the speed of the new client onboarding process.

Danielle White, CEO of Myriad Advisor Solutions joins Mike Langford to explore how RIAs can focus on leaning on their strengths by leveraging the capabilities of skilled outsourced providers.

Aaron Klein, CEO of Riskalyze shares how financial advisors can grow their business... in terms of winning new clients, increasing share of wallet, and reducing client attrition by getting better at helping clients understand risk. It all boils down to clients having more confidence and comfort in their financial journey.

Mark Gochnour, Head of Global Client Services at Dimensional Fund Advisors explores some of the discoveries he and his team have made about client preferences and behaviors via DFA's most recent "Global Investor Study". Mark also shares some interesting insights on what successful firms are doing to help their younger financial advisors develop their presence with HNW clients.

Kevin Darlington, the General Manager and Head of Broadridge Advisor Solutions joins Mike Langford for a deep dive on advisor marketing trends. Kevin and his team at Broadridge recently released their 4th annual report on advisor marketing trends and there is a ton of fascinating insights for us to cover... whether you are looking to aggressively grow your business or you want to continue to run it as a thriving lifestyle business.. this is a great episode for you.