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April 01, 2007 at 04:00 AM
Commonwealth Financial Network sent 26 of its leading advisors to a three-day retreat in Boston this January with an emphasis on learning and a bit of relaxation.
The annual Chairman’s Retreat entails case analysis and lectures by a Harvard Business School professor; this year’s instructor was Frances Frei. And, even though the event takes a lot out of them, advisors say, it is highly beneficial and re-invigorates their enthusiasm for the job.
“It’s a demanding 48 hours,” says Charlie Parks, head of C.F. Parks & Company in Salisbury, N.C. “But when I return home, I meet with my staff the next day and do a mini-retreat to review the cases and apply the lessons to our practice. Every year, we get more and more out of it.”
Parks’ wealth-management practice includes eight individuals who manage about $60 million.
“Commonwealth staff members ask, ‘What do these guys need to help them run their business better?’ And that helps everyone prosper,” explains Parks.
The educational event is “innovative,” adds Parks, because Commonwealth “has built it around practice management and practice growth. It’s not a ‘rewards trip.’ You must roll up your sleeves — debate, discuss and then apply what you learn.”
“I’ve already applied things I’ve learned this year,” he adds. “It’s really good stuff. The staff looks forward to me coming back and sharing what I’ve learned, because it’s interesting to see the lessons of other companies’ successes and failures.”
