Tag: Financial Planning

Simplifying Finance: Transforming Complex Concepts into Tangible Asset Maps with Alison Susko (Ep. 20)

Simplifying Finance: Transforming Complex Concepts into Tangible Asset Maps with Alison Susko (Ep. 20)

Advisors strive to provide their clients with valuable and accurate financial guidance, but occasionally, the information they present fails to strike a chord with the end client. While financial advisors may find themselves enthusiastic about showcasing charts and graphs depicting products and returns, clients often require something more tangible and easily understandable to truly grasp their financial situation. 

In this episode, Lara is joined by Alison Susko, Vice President of Community at Asset Map. Drawing from her extensive 15 years in the financial technology industry, Alison brings a wealth of knowledge to this discussion.

Together, Lara and Alison emphasize breaking down intricate concepts and transforming them into a concise Asset Map for your clients. Alison elucidates how creating a discovery questionnaire empowers you to achieve the equivalent of a third meeting with your client during the very first encounter. Gathering essential information about a client before the first meeting not only enhances productivity, but also establishes trust quickly and enables potential clients to assess whether you are the perfect fit for their needs right from the start. 

In this episode, you’ll learn key concepts on: 

  • Simplifying complex financial topics to make them easily digestible for clients
  • Pivoting from educator to advisor with proven tactics
  • Creating a comfort level between advisor and client
  • An exclusive invitation to White Glove’s Annual Host University — an extraordinary event that promises to transform your marketing perspective
  • And more!

 

Connect with Lara Galloway:

Connect with Alison Susko

Host University 2023: 

About our Guest: 

Alison Susko is VP of Community at Asset Map, a financial technology firm dedicated to creating engaging visual communication tools used throughout the customer and advisor journey. 

Alison has been working in the financial technology industry for over 15 years specializing in Account Management, Training and Partnership Development/Growth. 

Before joining Asset Map in 2018, she worked at eMoney Advisor where she oversaw Account Development and Enterprise Relationships and Docupace Technologies where she created and ran their Training Department. 

The Virtual First Advantage: Empowering Financial Advisors in the Digital Age with Ross Marino (Ep. 19)

The Virtual First Advantage: Empowering Financial Advisors in the Digital Age with Ross Marino (Ep. 19)

It’s vital not to lose sight of the importance of human interaction and personalized guidance in the financial industry. Human-first financial guidance emphasizes the significance of building relationships, understanding individual needs and tailoring solutions accordingly. Financial advisors who prioritize the human aspect of their profession can provide empathetic support, establish trust and offer a more holistic approach to their clients’ financial well-being. 

In this episode, Lara is joined by Ross Marino, CFP®, CeFT®, an esteemed financial advisor with over 30 years of experience. As an author, social entrepreneur and founder of Transitus Wealth Partners, Ross brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion. Together, they explore the concept of being “Virtual First” and its potential as a powerful tactic for financial advisors. 

Ross explains how going virtual can expand one’s client base, enhance productivity and improve efficiency. The barrier to connecting with clients is remarkably low in the virtual realm, making it an accessible and effective strategy for advisors seeking to strengthen their practice. 

In this episode, you’ll learn

  • Strategies for gaining and retaining clients virtually
  • How to screen clients via Zoom for increased efficiency
  • Why and how the virtual environment can strenghten client relationships
  • The differences between traditional financial planning and transitionist planning
  • And more!

 

Connect with Lara Galloway:

Connect with Ross Marino:

Resources

Host University 2023:

About our Guest: 

Ross Marino has been a financial advisor for 30+ years, and he fell in love with investments in the 9th grade when he received a copy of Money Magazine as a birthday gift. He’s an author, social entrepreneur and founder of Transitus Wealth Partners, a fee-only financial planning firm specializing in human-first financial guidance.

Ross also founded Advisor2x (A2X), a professional development company for financial advisors. A2X hosts the SHIFT Conference for financial planners who value the psychology of financial planning and the Wealth@Wor(k) conference for 401(k) advisors. He also hosts over 50 podcasts and YouTube shows each year and recently published his first book with co-author Susan Bradley — Shaping Change: How to Respond When Life Disrupts Your Retirement Plans.

Ross has been married for over 30 years, has two wonderful children and shares his home with multiple pets that live to be served by humans. 

Protecting Your Clients’ Financial Futures: The Impact of Legislative Risk with Becky Swansburg (Ep. 11)

Protecting Your Clients’ Financial Futures: The Impact of Legislative Risk with Becky Swansburg (Ep. 11)

Attention Financial Advisors,

Are you aware of the largest yet least understood risks facing American savers today? Legislative risk, closely related to tax risk, is a threat that cannot be ignored. While tax risk refers to the level of taxation we experience in retirement compared to today, legislative risk is the risk Congress holds when altering rules and regulations that affect our retirement plans.

It’s time to take action by gaining a deeper understanding of these risks. In this episode, Lara Galloway is joined by Becky Swansburg, an accomplished author, retirement savings expert, and CEO of Stonewood Financial, to discuss how legislative, tax, and longevity risks can affect your portfolio and retirement planning. 

Don’t let these risks catch you off guard. Arm yourself with knowledge and prepare for the future of your clients’ retirement plans. Tune in to this episode now.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

  • The knowledge needed to mitigate the effects of legislative risk
  • How to safeguard your clients’ retirement plans from potential disruption due to tax changes
  • Best practices for ensuring your client’s assets are protected
  • How to assist your clients in diversifying their market risk
  • And much more!

 

Connect with Becky Swansburg:

About our Guest: 

Becky Swansburg is an accomplished author, retirement savings expert, nationally-recognized speaker, and CEO of Stonewood Financial. Prior to joining Stonewood, Becky headed communications for economic development organizations, U.S. congressmen, and government agencies. Currently, she trains independent financial advisors across the country on incorporating tax-efficient income planning and new holistic strategies into their practices.

Success After Succession: Maximizing the Value of Your Business (Ep. 8)

Success After Succession: Maximizing the Value of Your Business (Ep. 8)

Although the advisory business has been around for many years, the concept of true succession planning has not been. Many advisors treat it like an event as opposed to a plan, but the process must be thoughtful, deliberate, and focused on maximizing value and on the client.

In our latest episode, we delve into the importance of preparing for the eventual transition of leadership and how it can mean the difference between the continued success or failure of your business long after you step down.

Join us as we discuss succession planning with our special guest Phillip Ackers, an expert in the field with over 35 years of experience. Phillip, Founder, and Principal at Lakeshore Performance Limited will share his knowledge on the essential elements of a strong succession plan and the key steps advisors should take to ensure they maximize the value of their business. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

  • How to incorporate a comprehensive succession plan into your practice and why it’s crucial for long-term success
  • The importance of shifting away from a transactional approach
  • The consequences of neglecting succession planning and how to safeguard your business from potential risks
  • And more!

Connect with Phillip Ackers: 

About Phillip Ackers: 

Phil is the principal and founder of Lakeshore Performance Limited – a company focused on helping firms and advisors address their key issues and challenges.  

With over 35 years in the financial services industry, Phil has worked with firms and advisors in Canada and the U.S., helping them unlock their potential. Phil has worked with advisors focused on developing both their insurance and wealth businesses right through to those who are in the private bank.

Phil is a CPA and has his MBA, which assists in applying a pragmatic and business lens focused on creating efficiencies and profitability.