Knowledge and Insight
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aRIA (The Alliance for RIAs) Releases Second Whitepaper for Advisors; Challenges Independent Advisors on Business Management
Added on October 2013 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: Too few advisors have a coherent business plan and many choose to ignore key structural issues. Independents are guilty of some of the same questionable practices of which they accuse wirehouse reps. Advisors who believe they are well-positioned to sell their businesses at the end of their careers for a decent price are, for the most part, mistaken. The objective is to help avoid “catastrophic outcome” for advisors ignoring warning signs
Three RIA Adventures that Led to Dramatic Asset Growth
Added on October 2013 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: Three advisors shared their strategies to take advantage of opportunities for growth within their firms.They attributed much of their success to taking risks and trying something new, even if it wasn’t popularat the time. One strategy was taking advantage of the opportunity to assist in forming non-profit retirement plans. Another advisor worked specifically with high-yield bonds
A talent shortage looms as the industry booms
Added on April 2012 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: The profound demographic trend that is boosting demand for investment advice — the millions of baby boomers retiring or planning their retirement — also is threatening the financial advisory sector with a talent shortage.
A 2011 survey by Cerulli Associates Inc. showed that 22% of advisers were below 40 and only 5% were younger than 30. The average age of advisers was 49.6, up one year from 2010. The average for wirehouse advisers was 50.6.
Innovation Is About Arguing, Not Brainstorming. Here's How To Argue Productively
Added on April 2012 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: Turns out that brainstorming isn’t the golden ticket to innovation after all. Science shows that brainstorms can activate a neurological fear of rejection and that groups are not necessarily more creative than individuals. Brainstorming can actually be detrimental to good ideas.
But the idea behind brainstorming is right. To innovate, we need environments that support imaginative thinking. We need to work both collaboratively and individually. We also need a healthy amount of heated discussion, even arguing. We need places where someone can throw out a thought, have it critiqued, and not feel so judged that they become defensive and shut down. Yet this creative process is not necessarily supported by the traditional tenets of brainstorming: group collaboration, all ideas held equal, nothing judged.
The 6 Habits of True Strategic Thinkers
Added on March 2012 in Thought Leadership
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Summary: After two decades of advising organizations large and small, my colleagues and I have formed a clear idea of what's required of you in this role. Adaptive strategic leaders — the kind who thrive in today’s uncertain environment – do six things well:
