Resource Center

Because client relationships are at the heart of your business, the right client relationship management (CRM) solution can be your biggest competitive advantage. As you look to scale up your business, a CRM plays an essential role in managing multiple client relationships, agreements, interactions, referrals, leads, and prospects. But how do you know if you’re really maximizing the ROI from your CRM? 

Download this white paper now to ensure you’re getting optimal value and competitive advantage from this core technology by aligning your setup with your business goals. You will discover:

• 5 key steps for successful CRM adoption 
• How a CRM should support your client retention efforts
• Ways a CRM can accelerate your pipeline
• How a CRM can eliminate the need for certain meetings and automate reports

Learn how an advanced CRM can lead to higher productivity, lower servicing costs, reduced compliance risks and more satisfied clients. If you use your CRM correctly, it can be a powerful contributor to growth. 

There’s no denying that the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model brings more freedom and control to those who pursue it. But did you know that choosing the right custodian can make an even greater impact on your future?  Schwab Advisor Services™ goes far beyond the basics, with in-depth assistance to help you choose the business model and solutions that are best for you – and continues to support you for the long haul.

Our white paper can help you decide what’s important to consider when choosing a custodian. We’ll go over various topics, including:

• Four essential steps to success
• Different services a custodian can offer
• The value of a benchmark study

Download this white paper to see how the right custodian can impact your business.

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC. Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

This is a sponsored feature developed by Charles Schwab and supported by ThinkAdvisor.

ThinkAdvisor is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

TRG (0420-0GMV) (04/20)

As an advisor you need to communicate well, be creative, understand complex financial issues and be compassionate to your clients. All of these traits play a crucial role when you help clients plan for their futures, especially as their lives near the end. It’s difficult to talk about, but the expenses related to a person’s death can really hurt their survivors. As an advisor, you can help clients prepare now to prevent more pain later. Also, proper planning provides instant liquidity to beneficiaries, making things even easier.

Download this white paper now to get tips on how to discuss end-of-life planning with clients and how you can help  protect their legacies. You’ll receive a list of questions to ask about final expense issues, to help address topics like:

• Funeral costs
• Using a trust to protect life insurance money from creditors
• Charitable causes/the type of legacy they want to leave
• And more!

The cost of losing a family member is hard enough for those left behind, don’t let your clients’ families fall victim to financial burdens just because they’re unprepared. Start communication now so you can help them be prepared for the future. 

Crises are a fact of life in financial markets. Each crisis is different, but there are also common threads running through them. 

As investors, what can we learn from them to help us navigate the coronavirus pandemic?

In this hurting economy, the last thing you need is a major fine from a compliance violation. Over the past year, many firms got hit with steep penalties from a variety of violations totalling $4.3 billion. By examining the mistakes those organizations made, you will get crucial insights and recommendations to solve compliance challenges and reduce risk at your firm.

Download this report now to get a rundown of 10 notable violations and learn what you can do to avoid the same. This includes what happens when you fail to:

• Properly supervise employees and operations, which can lead to fraud
• Monitor all employees’ social media use carefully, including executives 
• Establish proper email/text message oversight  
• Heed warnings/“red flags”
• And more… 

By studying the violations made by other organizations in 2019, you can make better choices for your firm. Take steps now to bolster your compliance processes.

How are you helping your clients bring back feelings of control and resist the temptation to make emotional investment decisions? 

History shows us that staying invested over the long-term pays off. Our new conversation starter will help you talk through the benefits of a calm and focused approach.

Navigating uncertainty is nothing new to Lincoln Financial Group. And, we want to share our top strategies for helping investors bring protection and growth into balance so they can stay the course and focus on their long-term goals for retirement.

LCN-3039424-041320

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and insurance company affiliates, including The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and in New York, Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY. Variable products distributed by broker-dealer/affiliate Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., Radnor, PA. Securities and investment advisory services offered through other affiliates.

© 2020 Lincoln National Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

We’re living in an unprecedented time and reassuring your entire network around COVID-19 and ongoing market volatility is a daunting task. It’s also a prime opportunity to demonstrate the irreplaceable value you provide. To ensure you communicate effectively with all the connections in your life, you must stay organized and ready to adapt as the situation evolves. That means creating a schedule and plan of action for every important relationship.

Download this communication toolkit now to equip yourself with the right tools to build, maintain, and support relationships during this extraordinary time. You will receive ideas and sample content, such as email copy and social media posts, for:

• Clients
• Family & friends
• Centers of influence
• Referrals
• Prospects

Now more than ever, relationships matter. Communication is key to provide timely, relevant, and informative updates and ensure those in your network can access your valuable advice. Get ideas for how to reach out now!

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak means many firms, including yours, need to suddenly adjust to the realities of a remote workforce. We are all working from home and that brings the common struggles of finding a work-life balance. For firms that must adhere to SEC and FINRA supervisory review obligations, working remotely can also create a number of new challenges that did not exist when registered reps or advisors were simply across the aisle in an office or up on another floor.

Watch this on-demand webinar now to discover what steps you should take right away and what regulatory agencies expect of you during the pandemic. You will also learn how to answer these key questions:

• Does your supervisory process work equally well for remote and on-site locations?
• Do your policies properly reflect the location of your supervised users?
• What new technologies do you need, and how can you manage the possible introduction of new regulatory, security, or privacy risks?
• What additional training do supervisors,reps, and advisors need to ensure everyone is clear on the rules governing remote work?

Even though regulators may be more reasonable during this time, it’s still critical that you maintain proper compliance. Prioritizing your biggest risks, and minimizing them, will ensure your business continues to thrive during this unusual time.

For many of us, the mobile devices in our pockets are at the epicenter of our work. We can easily access calendars, messages and documents at any time. However, text messages, social media, collaboration platforms and a variety of emerging apps make it more complicated than ever to archive and monitor employee communications, leaving regulated companies vulnerable to risk. With more people working outside the office these days, you need solutions to ensure your organization is protected and compliant.

Download this guide to learn more about 5 important steps that will help you manage any knowledge or policy gaps, working toward a seamless, scalable and forward-thinking mobile communication solution. This includes:

• The importance of comprehensive corporate governance
• What a mobility-first strategy looks like
• Better ways to collect and preserve mobile data
• How you need to adjust your inspection protocols
• Ways to train employees to ensure compliance

Any solutions implemented need to address the full spectrum of your company’s mobile needs. With mobile use growing exponentially, make sure you’re set up for compliance and success now.

While times like these are challenging for investors, we believe they can also help sharpen conviction in underlying investments. We have not made any wholesale changes. 

With a longer-term approach to investing, we believe the fear of others will continue to present us with attractive opportunities.

It’s easier than ever for you to offer direct indexing to clients because of newly available tools. With online trading commissions dropped to zero, it’s also a strategic way for you to offer more personalized service to a larger cross-section of clients – you no longer have to limit this service to high-net-worth clients. One of the fastest-growing market segments – the mass affluent – also demands personalization and tax benefits, which you can now offer more easily through direct indexing.

Download this white paper now to learn how you can capitalize on the trend of customized, tax-optimized portfolios for a growing segment of investors. You will discover:

• The definition of mass affluent and details about their demographics
• Why direct indexing is not just for the wealthy anymore
• How to navigate the wash sale rule
• Tactics for introducing direct indexing to clients

Take steps now to offer direct indexing to a broader client base. Give more of your clients what they want: a custom, risk-balanced portfolio that performs well. 

Financial events in the workplace are often relegated to retirement plan advisors, but why? With the majority of American workers undereducated about their finances and investments—56% of all workers don't know how much they'll need to save for retirement*— there’s a clear need to get more information out. Hosting  workplace financial wellness events is an opportunity to help you improve the financial well-being of employees, strengthen your current relationships, and build new, potentially long-term relationships.

Download this white paper now to get more information on how to take advantage of this opportunity and how to do it well, including:

• Tips for getting started and how to approach your current clients with the idea
• Ways to choose the best topics and deliver a great presentation
• How you can strengthen your approach with data and insights

With actionable advice, you could be among the first financial professionals to realize this burgeoning opportunity among American businesses. Make sure you’re equipped to take advantage now! 

*Amedeo, K. (2019, Nov. 20). Make Sure the Retirement Crisis Doesn't Happen to You: Why Boomers Won't Retire. The Balance. New York, NY: Dotdash. Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/retirement-crisis-stats-causes-effect-3306215

As a financial advisor, you understand the value of financial planning—but your clients may not. It’s up to you to effectively communicate with your clients and prospective clients about the benefits of a goals-based financial plan: increased savings, a greater likelihood of reaching their goals, and stronger advisor-client relationships.

Clients are looking for a dedicated human being who deeply understands their financial picture and can guide them toward their goals; building the right marketing strategy around your financial planning offering will help you deliver on those needs.

Download this white paper now to explore guidelines and best practices for implementing a powerful financial planning marketing strategy. This includes connecting with clients and better developing a story around your financial planning services. You can do this by:

• Identifying your goals and your target audience
• Creating and distributing compelling content
• Developing a communication budget that will keep you on track
• And more…

The process of financial planning enables advisors to “show their work” and therefore justify their value to their clients. By enhancing your clients’ experience through more effective marketing, you can strengthen relationships and build lasting loyalty. 

0598-OAS-3/12/2020

The financial industry is fascinated by Millennials, and it’s easy to understand why. Numbering more than 83 million, Millennials are the largest generation in the U.S. workforce and the fastest-growing generation of consumers in the marketplace.* However, connecting with them is not always easy. It’s important to understand that they are entering their wealth accumulation phase later than Baby Boomers.* Additionally, they have different attitudes towards sales and marketing which should cause you to change your prospecting approach.

Download this article now to discover how you can adjust your tactics to bring in more Millennial clients. This includes: 

• Reasons you need to increase your digital presence & the importance of using video
• How to leverage recommendations
• Why you should emphasize retirement experiences, not saving for things 
• Ways you can change your communications style and why you should find a worthy cause

Act now to get tips that will help you reach this crucial demographic and bring in more clients. By modifying how you do business, you can spur your firm’s growth.

*Marketing, Selling To, And Employing Millennials (aka Gen Y). Retrieved from https://genhq.com/millennials-gen-y-generation-y-info-2/

If you're exploring an independent business model, you can rely on Fidelity's consultative support to help you pursue your vision. 

Find out how in our latest eBook.

The emergence of relatively low-cost renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, along with lower natural gas prices, and the conversion from coal to cheaper gas generation are transforming utilities into a growth sector that may offer some of the most favorable risk-adjusted return opportunities over the long term. 

More and more advisors are choosing independence to create the future they imagine for themselves and their clients. Custodians and platform providers work together to help position advisor teams to reach their full potential.

As a Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA"), you serve clients and design your business the way you know is best. Download this white paper and take a closer look at:

• RIA channel growth
• Benefits of independence
• Differences among RIA models
• Economics of RIA firms
• Planning considerations
• The custodian’s role

You’ll also receive time tested steps and a roadmap for making your own transformation.

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC (www.sipc.org). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

This is a sponsored feature developed by Charles Schwab and supported by ThinkAdvisor.

ThinkAdvisor is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

TRG (0220-0D4M) (02/20)

In the last five years, the number of advisors moving to the independent Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") space has increased significantly, with custodians and platform providers working together to help advisors reach their full potential. This move to independence brings new opportunities with it, including unique paths like the hybrid RIA model. Hybrid RIAs maintain both a brokerage and advisory business -- a combination that can benefit their clients and businesses alike.

Get an overview of the different types of hybrid models. See whether one aligns with your goals as you explore key topics: 

• Momentum in the hybrid RIA channel
• The hybrid model defined
• Opportunity within the hybrid model
• Differences among the hybrid RIA models

Download this white paper to discover how the hybrid RIA model could help transform your business.

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC (www.sipc.com). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

This is a sponsored feature developed by Charles Schwab and supported by ThinkAdvisor.

ThinkAdvisor is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

TRG (0220-0D4M) (02/20)

Taking the leap to start your own Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") firm gives you the opportunity to build your business and serve your clients, your way -- but you're not alone. Custodians and platform providers are ready to help you reach your full potential. Schwab Advisor Services™ has brought together more than 30 years of industry-leading expertise and insight in The RIA Roadmap. Download this guide to start your journey to independence, with discussions on:

• Defining your business strategy
• Preparing for legal and compliance issues
• Connecting with resources to help set up your office
• Converting your accounts
• Strengthening your practice

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC (www.sipc.org). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

This is a sponsored feature developed by Charles Schwab and supported by ThinkAdvisor.

ThinkAdvisor is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

TRG (0220-0D4M) (02/20)

Learn why billion-dollar teams are breaking away to pursue the independent model and redefine the advisor industry.

• Discover the converging forces fueling the Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") movement.
• Learn the advantages teams gain as RIAs.
• Explore the highly evolved support ecosystem including custodians and platform providers.
• See why experts are calling this the dawn of a new RIA era.

Download this white paper to learn more about how the RIA model is changing the advisor industry. 

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC (www.sipc.com). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

This is a sponsored feature developed by Charles Schwab and supported by ThinkAdvisor.

ThinkAdvisor is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

TRG (0220-0D4M) (02/20)

The kind of support a Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") receives is based on their personal and professional goals. Whether you want to pursue independence as an owner, an affiliate, or a teammate, Schwab can help you through the transition and support you throughout the life of your business.

In this white paper, we highlight the five most common RIA profiles while exploring topics like:

• The different levels of control an RIA can have over their business
• The benefits of platform provider support, upfront financial support, and existing infrastructure
• Ways to pursue independence without being self-employed

No matter which path to independence you choose, custodians and platform providers will be ready to help you reach your full potential. Download this white paper to learn more. 

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC (www.sipc.com). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

This is a sponsored feature developed by Charles Schwab and supported by ThinkAdvisor.

ThinkAdvisor is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

TRG (0220-0D4M) (02/20)

Why are more and more advisors choosing independence? The answer is simple: The Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") model has become more than a place to break free from tradition. Custodians and platform providers work together to help position advisor teams to reach their full potential. It's now the destination for those in search of a better way of doing business -- one where more freedom and control allows both advisors and their clients to thrive. 

As you embark on your journey, consider the: 

• Growth of the RIA channel*
• Benefits of independence
• Differences among the five business models for the modern RIA
• Experiences of advisors who chose independence

Download this white paper to discover the five business models for the modern RIA.

*The Cerulli Report: U.S. Intermediary Distribution 2018, Exhibit 2.07.

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC (www.sipc.com). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

This is a sponsored feature developed by Charles Schwab and supported by ThinkAdvisor.

ThinkAdvisor is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

TRG (0220-0D4M) (02/20)

The hybrid advisor model is an ideal path for those who wish to maintain a commission-based business while building an advisory practice. Exploring a few key questions can help you identify your business goals and decide whether this is the right model for you.

This white paper includes important questions to consider:

• What is your business objective?
• What is your investment philosophy?
• What support will you need?
• What are your economic and ownership goals?

No matter which path to independence you choose, custodians and platform providers will be ready to help you reach your full potential. Download this white paper to understand the benefits of the hybrid Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") model. 

Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), member SIPC (www.sipc.com). Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

This is a sponsored feature developed by Charles Schwab and supported by ThinkAdvisor.

ThinkAdvisor is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation.

ThinkAdvisor will share your information with Sponsor, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab may use it to contact you and to send you additional insights from Schwab Advisor Services™. Read about privacy at Schwab at www.schwab.com/privacy.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

TRG (0220-0D4M) (02/20)

We believe that bonds will continue to provide benefits in terms of both portfolio diversification and return. However, with absolute yields at low or even negative levels in some markets, these benefits may be muted relative to historical patterns. 

These dynamics heighten the need to take an active, global approach to a fixed income allocation.

Mobility is in a constant state of change, and connecting the mobile world will only continue to become a more crucial part of your business. New tools and business demands emerge on an almost daily basis. Your firm wants to use mobility as a competitive edge, but it’s difficult for your IT department to enable services while meeting ever-changing requirements. You need a way to tackle problems and recognize the modern communications landscape for what it is now, not what it was.

Download this guide now for advice on how to stay ahead of evolving trends as well as key steps to help you build a strong and compliant mobile ecosystem. You will learn:

• How to identify the concerns you should have around compliance and mobility
• What your mobility transformation journey should look like and the framework that could support it
• How to redefine strategies for both mobility and archiving to create a compliant communications environment

Make sure your company focuses on the user of mobile technology, not the device as you enhance your policies. By focusing on a combination of compliance matched with convenience, you will set your employees and your firm on a path to success.

As you strive to deliver more personalized customer communications and experiences, it puts pressure on your IT and compliance resources to expand the allowable services you can use to reach your clients. Before broadening the ways you can connect, you must understand what risks your organization may become vulnerable to. It’s also helpful to know what your industry peers are doing in response to regulations regarding supervision, protection and recordkeeping of electronic communications.

Download this report now to get the results of an in-depth survey of financial professionals responsible for the retention and oversight of electronic communications. Learn how requirements impact their ability to confidently manage risk, as well as three key takeaways from the research. You’ll discover:

• What smart firms should be doing to compete and grow
• The truth about personal devices and their use
• Why compliance is moving from a cost center to a value driver

Find out how can you manage risk within your electronic communications, meet your regulatory obligations, and help pivot the compliance function from a cost function to one that helps grow your business in 2020!

You’ve built a successful practice based on appealing to a wide spectrum of clients. But what if you could maximize your growth and increase your chances of gaining more clients by narrowing your focus?

Download this white paper now to learn how scrapping the one-size-fits-all approach can help you remain competitive and  deliver the customer service your clients need and deserve. You’ll also discover:

• Three methods to help you identify and develop a niche market
• Specific strategies to connect with centers of influence (COIs) who can boost your market access
• Key factors that will help you stand apart from the competition

Take steps now to identify and market to a niche group that will ultimately increase your clientele and bottom line!

Business leaders who focus on client experience have 100x higher revenue.* If you’re a successful financial professional, you’re probably devoted to exceptional service, which is why you might be wondering whether you really need to worry about client experience. You think you are probably already doing it. But that may not be true. 

Client experience is bigger than just service. It’s an intentional discipline that requires attention to a client’s every interaction with your organization.

Download this white paper now for three keys for creating an experience-centric business, including how to:

• Understand your clients through data acquisition and management.
• Invest in success, including time and monetary resources.
• Create experiences, both in person and digitally.

With a clearer understanding of the differences between service and client experience, you can shift your focus toward sophisticated, revenue-boosting experiences this year!

*Hotjar Team. (2019, Oct. 11). CX trends for 2019. Malta: Hotjar. Retrieved from https://www.hotjar.com/customer-experience/trends-and-stats

Central bank accommodation appears to have put the global economy on a reflationary course. Low or negative yields pose duration risks, but potential opportunities can still be found in credit sectors. We expect technology to continue to disrupt global sectors and industries. Geopolitical events could be triggers for market volatility in 2020.

As the popularity of text messaging continues to grow in the business world, your employees and clients now expect to be able to use it to communicate. Since you don’t want to prohibit the use of this valuable tool, you need to figure out how you can allow use without violating regulations and damaging your firm’s overall reputation. Text messaging doesn’t have to create risks, but you may need to make changes to ensure your firm is protected.

Download this guide now to get crucial information about text messaging and your business, including five proactive steps you can take right now to build a risk-management program that protects your organization while allowing you to use text messaging. These steps include:

• Deciding who will own and operate devices used for text communications
• How to update your policies 
• Picking the appropriate mobile plans/carriers
• Determining if your firm needs to use a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution
• Strategies to retain, supervise, and produce text message data

Fusing these five elements to form your mobile strategy will help ensure that your firm’s compliance, legal, IT, risk management, and other critical teams coordinate and prepare to mitigate text message risks. Act now to make sure your advisors can be truly mobile, without worry.

Working with the right broker/dealer is essential to your short and long-term business success. Deciding to stay with your current firm or to affiliate with a new one may be one of the most important decisions of your career. With this comprehensive scorecard, you'll gain insight into the support and resources that are most important to you and your practice, and have a simple way to determine how potential partners measure up.

Download your scorecard now to help you:

• Assess a potential partner’s technology and tools
• Compare different types of compensation packages
• Determine how a new partner will support you and your clients through a transition
• And more...

Arm yourself with the information you need to choose the partner that will help you grow your business and meet your long-term goals. 

Despite the inevitability of needing one, only 27% of advisors have formal succession plans in place, and 49% say the biggest challenge of succession is “finding a successor who can grow and manage the business.”* Many financial professionals wait until they’re only a year or two from retirement before they start planning their succession, costing them valuation, flexibility and opportunity. 

Download this white paper now to learn why you should start planning your succession as soon as possible, four key areas you should focus on, and other topics to consider, such as:

• Timeline
• Types of successors and plans
• How and where to find a successor
• Training
• Unplanned exits

With concrete tips to help you get started today, you’ll be able to begin the process of protecting the legacy you’ve built.

*The Succession Challenge 2018: Why Financial Advisers Are Failing to Plan for the Inevitable. (2018). Janus Henderson Investors, Financial Planning Association.

A growing number of companies are facing secular risks (like new competition, tech advancements, regulatory changes, or changes in customer habits) that could impair their long-term growth prospects. While the stocks of such companies may not be attractive over the long term, investing in shorter-term debt securities in the industries most affected could present attractive opportunities for you and your clients. 

Download this white paper now to learn more about how even companies challenged by secular risk can provide excellent investment possibilities for high yield bond investors. You will also discover why certain industries may be ripe for this type of investing, including:

• Auto
• New generation companies like Netflix, Uber and Tesla that aren’t yet profitable
• Energy and utilities 
• Cable

Take advantage of the disruptive forces that are reshaping the market and use this strategy to grow client portfolios now!

Finding ways to boost your practice’s value is inherently tied your long-term financial success – and it’s not just based on revenue, earnings and portfolio performance. Value is also driven by where your practice is heading. If you increase value in the right way, it will also bring in continuing waves of new clients and lead to a cycle of growth. 

Download this white paper now to understand how to boost your practice’s value, including three proven strategies and insights on:

• When outsourcing makes sense and how it can provide the help you need
• Methods to strengthen existing relationships with clients by incorporating smart customization
• Ways to fill your prospect pipeline by cultivating your influence, serving the underserved, and understanding who your clients are and aren’t

Bringing in new business helps solidify your stability now, as well as improves your practice’s value for the foreseeable future. Start using these three strategies now to make sure your business doesn’t get left behind.

As Baby Boomers continue to move closer to the point where they pass their wealth on to the next generation, many financial advisors are  not prepared. Only 29% of all financial advisors are offering intergenerational wealth planning.* As baby boomers enter their twilight years, an expected $30 trillion in assets will be transferring to their gen X and millennial heirs.** Advisors who’ve built relationships across generations have the best chance at ensuring those assets stay under their management.

Download this white paper now to learn about four key areas of focus for building a multigenerational practice, including:

• Infrastructure
• Technology and communication
• Service model
• Value-add resources

With tips, tools, and real-life examples, you’ll learn how to take tangible steps today to prepare for the pending wealth transfer. Start preparing now so the next generation keeps their inheritance under the management of your firm.

*U.S. Advisor Metrics 2017: The Next Generation of Planning. (2018). Boston, MA: Cerulli Associates. 136

**Stonefield, J. (2018, May 21). Are boomers ready to make the greatest wealth transfer in history? Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2018/05/21/are-boomers-ready-to-make-the-greatest-wealth-transfer-in-history/#6a20a512677d

Over the past year, the SEC and FINRA have been hard at work enforcing communications supervision compliance regulations throughout the financial services industry. Several firms were fined hefty sums of money. Looking at their situations can provide important insights and recommendations that will help solve compliance challenges and reduce risk at your firm.

Download this report now to get a rundown of 10 notable violations from the past year and learn what you can do to avoid the same. This includes what happens when you fail to:

• Stay informed about regulatory updates
• Properly supervise email and all other forms of communication
• Create a supervisory system for ongoing reviews 
• Safeguard against mistakes when using text messaging

Studying how authorities came down on other organizations for violations over the past year can help you make better choices for the future of your firm. Don’t become another headline – bolster your processes for compliance now.

With thousands of Baby Boomers reaching retirement each day, this is your wake-up call. You must start focusing on the demographics that will inherit and control the wealth in the future. Sticking with old-school thinking that only focuses on Baby Boomers and middle-aged men is a recipe for failure. You must unlock the extraordinary opportunities and significant challenges created by multigenerational planning.

Download this article now to learn how to ensure your clients’ heirs turn into clients themselves. Get tips and strategies to help you safeguard your business, including:

• Why you need to start early.
• The importance of focusing on female clients.
• Understanding the differences, and how to cater to each generation.

Don’t wait for your clients to retire and watch your business slowly dwindle away. Start making the right moves now to expand your reach to a broader client base. 

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the competition in the financial services industry, especially when you’re up against larger firms with seemingly unlimited resources to support their growth. You need to know how to rely on resources to spur growth, without sacrificing the quality relationships and personalization your clients deserve and expect. With the right approach, you can implement a dynamic system that will both support today’s business needs and your goals.

Download this white paper now to discover how to expand your practice and position it for the future. You will learn:

• The questions you should be asking (and answering) to ensure you’re ready for growth
• The benefits of automated workflows 
• Ways to ensure technology enhances personalization instead of replacing it
• And more...

Find out how you can easily build your business and deliver the quality service and advice your clients demand!

In today’s world and the media Baby Boomers and Millennials seem to get the most attention, with Gen X often flying under the radar. That means Gen X often gets underserved, especially when it comes to their finances. However, if you learn to understand and serve this generation – what they need and what they fear when it comes to finances – it can unlock huge opportunities for your firm. 

Download this article now to get a better understanding of how to connect and communicate with Gen X by addressing their specific needs. This includes:

• Gen X’s unique financial situation and priorities
• How the group feels about their long-term goals
• Ways you can help ease their financial strains

Don’t continue to ignore this demographic for whom retirement is only 15-20 years away. Learn how you can bring them into the fold and boost your business now! 

The oldest Millennials are now in their late 30s and early 40s — no longer college kids. As their lives become more complex and their assets grow, they are increasingly attractive prospects for financial advisors. You need to be able to connect with these “digital natives” online in ways that feel natural to them. While your website is an important “storefront”, you also need the digital equivalents of flyers, bulletin boards, community events, and word of mouth.

Download this white paper now to get a better understanding of various channels for online marketing and how you can effectively use them to reach the Millennial audience. You will learn:

• How Millennials make purchasing decisions and the importance of “freemium” strategies
• Which interactive channels you should embrace and how to do it successfully
• About the importance of consistency and automation in your efforts

Finding the right efforts to focus on can be challenging —  take steps now to ensure you’re effectively reaching this key demographic. Go beyond your website and find easy ways to reach Millennials now.

The idea of transitioning your business naturally raises questions. What will your payouts be? What technology resources will you have? What is the new firm's culture like? 

To overcome this uncertainty, you must separate myth from reality and build a solid plan for the future.

Download this white paper to learn what you need to know before making a move:

• Debunk the myths about moving to a new broker/dealer
• Learn the three keys to transitioning successfully
• Find the partner that works best with your practice

No one says change is easy, but if done properly, a transition can be the best decision for you and your clients. Act now to prepare for a move that will help you grow your business. 

Advanced professional designations can help you stand out in a crowded field and attract more high-value relationships, but getting the credentials requires a significant investment of your time and, in many cases, money. Before actually doing the work, you should have an understanding of what your return on investment might be. Additionally, since there are more than 250 possible designations or certifications, you must be able to assess the merits of each possibility.

Download this white paper now for four ways an advanced professional designation can drive personal and practice growth and what you should consider when choosing what to pursue. You will learn:

• How clients view and value the different designations and certifications
• How designations may make your client relationships more valuable
• How they might increase earnings and revenue potential
• Ways they can mitigate fiduciary risk

Before deciding to spend the time and money to add letters behind your name, you should understand the true costs and value involved. Get key insights to direct your path forward.

All advisors know that clients do not always act in wise and rational ways when it comes to their investments. In thinking about their future and their families, emotions can start to influence their thought processes. They look to you to be their guide to the right financial decisions and irrational reactions present you with the opportunity to offer helpful coaching and advice.

Download this white paper now to access research and insights that will help you spot potential challenges and navigate through them. You’ll learn about:

• Six common pitfalls and their emotional undertones
• What these missteps may cost your clients
• Actionable steps you can take to help educate your clients and overcome the challenges

Your clients’ emotional reactions can sway them into making dangerous choices with their finances. Make sure you’re prepared to help them navigate tricky times and feel confident about their financial plan.

Modern communication is so much more than email, including direct messages, social media, and platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams. The financial services industry continues to lead the way in integrating new types of communication, but it’s important to stay on top of the new risks these types of tools pose. 

Download this white paper now to get a better understanding of the steps you should take to ensure your organization can avoid compliance violations. You will learn how to create policies that:

• Ensure everyone has a clear understanding of responsibilities
• Are proactive and place an emphasis on spotting infractions early
• Address specific needs of social and mobile communications
• Encourage more participation in new communication channels

Simply trying to prohibit the use of new communication tools is not enough. Many employees will use them anyway, despite a lack of supervision. Take steps now to protect your firm and your clients!

As your Baby Boomer clients enter retirement, they begin to draw down their assets, that may also mean drawing down your business. The good news is there are plenty of younger clients who need advice and can help your business thrive. However, the key is knowing how to best connect with this new generation.

Download this white paper now to get tips and insights into how to connect with younger prospects in ways that resonate with them. You will learn:

• The different demographics that may represent the greatest potential for business growth (and the least competition from other advisors)
• Prospecting ideas that are both practical and fun for you and your potential clients
• How to cater your prospecting to different audiences and make them more receptive to your efforts

Don’t wait for your business to dwindle and  your bottom line to be at risk. Act now to embrace new, younger clients and set your organization up for continued success moving forward!

As social media’s role in our industry continues to grow, you need practical advice that will help you develop a social media strategy and policy that follows regulations while also pushing your business forward. You must be ready to present your social media records on demand and avoid pitfalls while communicating with clients on multiple platforms.

Download this guide now and discover ways you can be proactive and diligent in your social media use. You will learn:

• Key social media rules and regulations for broker-dealers and RIAs
• Effective strategies for developing a successful and compliant social media presence
• Considerations you must make when creating social media personas and communications
• The value of each social media platform and best practices for social use in your firm

Don’t let the risk of audit or litigation keep you from building personal bonds with clients through social media. Ensure you’re compliant by taking advantage of this guide now!

You understand the value of personalized financial advice — strengthen your offering to help ensure clients and prospects always remember and appreciate what you bring to the table.

Download Cetera’s latest white paper, 5 Ways to Make Your Financial Advice Irreplaceable, to find:

• Five areas where you can enhance your offering to increase the value of your client relationships
• Actionable steps to implement these strategies
• Ways to turn these areas into prospecting opportunities

Act now and you’ll also learn more about a partner who keeps advice at the forefront and is committed to enhancing our profession. 

Like most companies, employees at financial firms demand a modern environment with technology that makes it easy to communicate and be productive. To that end, many firms are increasingly allowing the use of collaboration platforms, instant messaging, file sharing applications and group chat suites. However, this new communication environment comes with a host of compliance challenges. Addressing and overcoming these issues is critical to your employees’ satisfaction and your firm’s success.

Download this white paper now to understand the applicable regulations for these types of communication platforms and how you can comply. You will discover how to:

• Ensure IT implements the proper technology
• Develop Written Supervisory Policies and train employees
• Keep communications efficient but supervised

Workplace communication continues to change - make sure your firm is being proactive with recordkeeping and remains compliant with increasing regulations!

The widespread options for communication in today’s landscape help your firm stay connected to each other and clients. However, while some firms leverage best practices and get the most out of the technology available, others stumble into bad habits that create dangerous vulnerabilities.

Download this field guide to understand what not to do with modern communication tools in order to remain compliant to regulatory obligations. You will understand how to limit risk involving:

• Text messaging
• Social media
• Email
• Other sharing platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams

Don’t just stick your head in the sand with danger on the horizon, act now to make sure you protect your firm and your clients as you embrace the digital age.

Younger clients and tech-savvy employees continue to expect easier and faster ways to conduct business in today’s market – via social media, text messaging and collaboration platforms like Slack. However, you know that bowing to these demands means a drastic increase in the amount of data you need to collect and archive in order to remain compliant to industry regulations.

Download this guide now to understand how to achieve and maintain regulatory compliance while taking advantage of these tools that increase productivity. This guide will also teach you:

• Why “compliant productivity” no longer has to be an oxymoron
• Why text messaging, social media and collaboration platforms are no longer the future of business, but the present, and
• The benefits and risks of this business reality

Modern tools and clever solutions make compliant productivity a realistic goal for your firm if you’re willing to take the necessary steps to achieve it. Act now to improve productivity, morale, and create better connections! 

Anyone who works in the financial services industry knows it’s critical to look for ways to connect with the millennial generation that represents a rising population in the workforce and among customers. Millennials stand to inherit an estimated $30 trillion from the Baby Boomer era. However, it can be very hard to communicate with this demographic and you need to tap into technology they already use on a regular basis: text messaging.

Download this white paper to understand why millennials demand this type of communication with their financial advisors and how your firm can overcome the compliance issues that come with it. You’ll receive 6 tips for developing a compliant texting strategy, including how to:

• Evaluate your firm’s device ownership model
• Update your policies
• Train staff and ensure integration
• And more…

Embrace the future and start using text messaging today to gain a competitive edge and meet the new generation where they feel comfortable.