4 tips for surfing the barrel: How to turn disruption into opportunity

These days, when the government starts to even hint at changes in legislation, advisors have a hard time resisting the urge to turn their backs on the wave and paddle as hard as they can to outrun it, not realizing that they might accomplish far more by paddling into it.

Having to make a pivot or adapt to a new set of regulations can interrupt cash flow and slow growth, which we touched on my last article. At the same time, we have to be open the idea that a change could actually create more opportunities for new business if we are willing to endure the growing pains and rethink some facets of our business.

Advisors in the qualified plans space recently saw this happen with MEPs (multiple employer plans). From the government’s perspective, advocating for this plan option was a way to allow smaller business to pool their resources so that they too could get access to the investment opportunities of much larger corporations. The swim-for-the-beach mentality could see this as unnecessary government meddling and perhaps a frustrating new layer of complexity.

The advisor willing to see the opportunity in change, however, would see this as a new business opportunity. Piggybacking on the government’s vocal advocacy, this advisor now has a new way to engage new business owners as well as their current clients.

Change does not have to be bad. And that goes for all advisors, including life insurance.

The best way to position yourself to capitalize on new opportunities is to build your business around the inevitability of change. Instead of clinging to your way of business as it is now, design it to be malleable. Put some wax on your surfing board and get used to looking for the sweet ride through the barrel of the wave that other struggle to catch.

This is what a change-positive advisor shoulder consider incorporating into his or her business:

1. Update your messaging

How often do you revisit the stories you tell to prospects during the sales process? Regularly evaluating your process and challenging yourself to stay current can keep your sales process fresh and engaging. Your messaging should help you standout, so what is cutting edge today, might not necessarily be cutting edge tomorrow.

2. Pay attention to product changes

Regularly reading industry news or participating in industry groups can help you to anticipate and account for changes ahead of time. Like your messaging, your products should never feel stale.

3. Plan to endure

Advisors fear disruption because it could mean a loss of revenue, which then destabilizes their businesses and their lifestyles. To give yourself more freedom when times are tough, set aside some resources during your high points so that the low points won’t feel so extreme.