Retirement Inside Out: Recent Episodes
Financial Independence Group
Are you ready for some thoughtful discussions about how to meet and exceed the rigors of today's retirement industry? Join host Tom Lamendola, Director of Marketing for Financial Independence Group, for a deep dive into the demands of today's retirement industry.
Each episode, Tom will lead a thoughtful discussion with leaders in the financial arena to create a unique show that's designed to serve both financial professionals and everyday investors.
Financial Independence Group (FIG) has been a leader in the financial services space for more than 40 years. Tom Lamendola joined FIG in 2017 and has been responsible for growing high performing teams and challenge organizations to reach their potential for more than 15 years.
Questions for Tom? Want to be a guest? Inquire at tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com or by calling 800-527-1155.
In this episode, Tom is joined by Jaime Cowper, CLTC, NSSA®, founder and CEO of Unity Financial Advisors. She shares how she went from a career in banking to building a successful, holistic financial planning firm- and the key moments and strategies that made it possible.
We dive into her client-first approach, how she scaled her team, and why referrals have played a strong role in her business’ success. Jaime also discusses the challenges women face in the traditionally male-dominated financial industry and how mentorship has been a vital part of her journey. Now, she’s paying it forward through customized coaching, offering guidance to next-gen advisors and female professionals navigating this field of work.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your business with purpose, you’ll want to tune into this conversation with Jaime!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💼 How Jaime got into the financial industry + what pushed her to start her own firm
📈 The most successful marketing funnels for Jaime when creating her new business
🧩Jaime’s playbook for hiring, training, and scaling a team
🤝 Jaime’s mission to mentor advisors- especially women- and help them thrive in the industry
Resources for this episode:
Learn more about Unity Financial Advisors:
https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
What happens when women in finance stop waiting for permission and start telling their stories? In this episode, Leslie Lipscomb, Senior Vice President at FIG, sits down with Jessica Schloemp, Director of Operations at FIG, to share the heart behind Financial Trendsetters 2, a collaborative book written by 12 women who are redefining what it means to lead in financial services.
They’ll give us a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of this book, all while discussing imposter syndrome, accountability tribes, and why women’s stories must be heard, especially in male-dominated industries. This conversation is about more than a book release- it’s about vulnerability, courage, connection, and lifting others as you rise. Plus, all proceeds from the book support an awesome cause that you’ll want to hear more about!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📚 Behind the scenes of Financial Trendsetters 2
🧠 Combating imposter syndrome
🤝 What it really means to be a “trendsetter”
🎯 The power of accountability circles
🎓 Fueling the future with scholarships for women in finance
Resources for this episode:
Get your copy of Financial Trendsetters 2: https://shorturl.at/1qEyu
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
As the financial world evolves at lightning speed, staying ahead means embracing smarter tools- not just for efficiency, but for better outcomes. In this episode, guest host Shawn Sigler sits down with Keith Burger, Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Channel Sales at FIG, to unpack the power of Lifecycle Manager- FIG’s proprietary, advisor-focused technology that’s transforming how annuity and insurance portfolios are managed.
Keith shares how this tool consolidates complex carrier data into a single, actionable platform, making it easier for advisors to evaluate legacy contracts, uncover new opportunities, and elevate the client experience. We’ll also explore some real-life examples of how this technology can drive superior outcomes for clients. If you're an advisor looking for ways to elevate service, stay competitive, and turn disruption into opportunity, this conversation is a must!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💻 What Lifecycle Manager is and why it matters
🤝 How tech enhances, rather than replaces, human relationships
🔄 Why “refinancing retirement” matters more now than ever
📊 What’s next: AI, life insurance integration & improved UI
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Today, Hamilton Morales, Senior VP and Social Security Strategist at FIG, is taking over as host to walk through some important Social Security changes taking place in 2025.
He explains the newly signed Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). This change restores full Social Security benefits to millions of public sector workers who were previously penalized and even offers retroactive payments dating back to January 2024.
He also covers important annual updates, including higher taxable wage bases, earnings limits for early retirees, and the new cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Plus, he previews potential legislation that could eliminate taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits altogether, while raising important questions about how to protect Social Security’s long-term solvency.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📈 Important 2024 and 2025 Social Security changes
🏛️ What is the Social Security Fairness Act?
📉 Impact of eliminating WEP and GPO penalties
💵 Future push for no tax on tips, overtime, and benefits
🛠️ How future reforms could affect Social Security solvency
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Today, Arron Price, COO at FIG, takes over as host and is joined by Jessica Schloemp, DOO at FIG. Jess is here to unpack what makes operations truly tick and how culture, collaboration, and self-awareness shape the way teams show up and succeed.
Jess will share her experience building and leading a 34-person operations team, none of whom came from the insurance world, by focusing less on resumes and more on mindset, adaptability, and heart. From empowering team members to take ownership, to replacing meeting culture with real, solution-focused collaboration, this conversation is packed with insights for leaders looking to build more engaged and effective teams.
We also unpack what it means to lead authentically, how to build true self-awareness, and why being unapologetically yourself is a value worth holding onto at every level of business.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🛠️ Building operational teams that solve problems
🧠 Why culture should be intentional, not accidental
🤝 Intentional collaboration vs. meetings: what drives real progress
👥 Embracing authenticity and self-awareness at work
🌱 Hiring for potential, not just resumes
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
It’s an exciting day on The Retirement Inside Out Podcast! Guest host Shawn Sigler, Executive VP at FIG, is taking over the mic today for a special conversation with David McKnight- best-selling author, speaker, and financial strategist. With over two decades of experience in the financial industry, David has helped countless advisors transform their approach to retirement planning through his Power of Zero program.
David will share some powerful insights from his book, The Power of Zero, and discuss the inspiration behind his latest bestseller The Guru Gap. Shawn and David also dive into why financial advisors are seeing massive success with the Power of Zero marketing program. If you’re tired of cold calls, dinner seminars, or unpredictable prospecting, this system might be what you’ve been searching for!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- David’s background, the Power of Zero message, and partnership with FIG
- Why David wrote his new book, The Guru Gap
- The benefits of starting a YouTube channel for financial advisors
- The success advisors are having inside the Power of Zero program
- Next steps if you’re interested in learning more about the Power of Zero
Resources for this episode:
Learn more about The Power of Zero:
https://www.powerofzero.com/
David’s YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxUwL7NvZUyLfgO18h3e2g
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Mark Gaffney, Founder and CEO of MEG (Mark Edward Gaffney), a boutique marketing firm specializing in financial professionals. With over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, Mark has dedicated his career to helping advisors refine their marketing strategies using one key element- data.
Mark shares how analyzing key metrics, diagnosing inefficiencies, and implementing structured marketing plans can drive exponential growth for financial advisors. He also breaks down the importance of having a plan, tracking performance, and making data-backed refinements to stay competitive in an evolving landscape. If you’ve ever wondered how to take a smarter, more strategic approach to marketing, this conversation is for you!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- The challenges some advisors are facing as they look ahead to 2025
- Becoming more efficient in business through technology
- Dedicating time to working only on your business
- Finding the ideal investment in marketing for advisors in growth mode
- The competitive advantage of having a marketing plan
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
It’s always a treat to have Nicholas Ross, Chief Strategy Officer at FIG, on the show! In this episode, we're diving into strategies that can help financial professionals stand out in a crowded industry and build deeper, more personalized relationships with their clients. From cutting through the noise in the financial world to leveraging data and communication effectively, Nicholas shares valuable insights on how to differentiate yourself and grow your business.
Nicholas also explores the importance of truly understanding your clients' unique needs and how you can provide relevant, tailored information that adds real value. Then, we'll discuss how financial advisors can optimize their operations and step into more of a CEO role by outsourcing key business functions. Whether you're looking to enhance client relationships or optimize your firm’s day-to-day operations, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Navigating industry noise and prioritizing the different levels of your business
- Becoming a known resource for your client through personalized communication
- Differentiating yourself from your competition through the “RID” system
- Outsourcing business functions to scale and grow your business
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
We’re shaking it up here on the Retirement Inside Out Podcast! In 2025, we’re bringing you a fresh lineup of voices, featuring guest hosts from the Financial Independence Group team, along with advisors, industry experts, and business owners. But don’t worry- Tom will still be making regular appearances to share his valuable insights!
To kick off the first episode of the year, we’re thrilled to welcome back the highly popular Tony Parish, CFA, CQF. As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in investment management is growing stronger. Tune in as we dive into a discussion with Tony about AI’s potential and limitations in portfolio management, the latest market trends, and exciting updates from Alphastar.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- AI’s role in investment management and market trends
- The bullish outlook for 2025 and the potential for market reversals
- The impact of global trade dynamics, tariffs, and immigration policies on the market
- The outlook for the jobs and housing market in 2025
- Updates on Alphastar’s initiatives
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
In this week’s episode, we welcome back Tony Parish, CFA, CQF, Chief Investment Officer at Alphastar Capital Management, for another insightful conversation about the U.S. economy and market trends. This episode offers an exclusive preview of our upcoming State of the Markets presentation.
Stay tuned as Tony sheds light on the overarching theme for 2024: the incredible persistence and resilience of the U.S. economy and markets. Despite global challenges and inflation concerns, the U.S. economy has demonstrated unparalleled strength and recovery, which is reflected in this year’s market performance. Join us as Tony dives into the data, discusses the impact of elections on the markets, and offers insights on inflation trends.
Then, at the end of the episode, he’ll also share some exciting updates from Alphastar, including their new Orion Enterprise Experience, which is launching this year.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- The U.S. economy's impressive resilience and strength in 2024
- The lack of a strong correlation between U.S. elections and market performance
- Common misconceptions surrounding inflation + managing expectations about its impact on daily expenses
- Exciting updates and projects from Alphastar this year
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
In this episode, we’re joined by the one and only Dave Hostetler to talk about the evolving world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for independent financial advisors. He’s here to share the insights he's gained from talking with small business owners, highlighting current trends like friend-to-friend deals and internal succession plans becoming more popular. Join us as we discuss key factors influencing the valuation of advisory practices and provide some helpful insights for buyers and sellers preparing for successful transactions.
This conversation also touches on some broader practice management topics such as team building, talent acquisition, and the importance of structured training programs for new hires. Dave talks about how process manuals and standardized procedures can boost efficiency and create a positive workplace environment. Whether you're considering selling your advisory practice, exploring growth through acquisitions, or optimizing your operational framework, this episode is one you don’t want to miss!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- The increasing trend of internal transactions over open market sales
- Key factors that can enhance a business’ valuation for potential mergers and acquisitions
- The lengthy and complex nature of M&As + ensuring a good fit in terms of values, processes, technology, and more
- The importance of training and process manuals for new staff in financial advisory practices
- The considerations and challenges of hiring associate advisors
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
As the financial services industry continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve means engaging with the next generation of clients and advisors. Today we are joined by FIG’s Chief Strategy Officer, Nicholas Ross, to discuss the transfer of wealth to younger generations and the integration of younger clients and advisors into financial firms.
One key takeaway from this discussion is the importance of understanding what wealth means to the next generation. While incorporating technology into the planning process is crucial for attracting the right talent and clients, it is equally important to understand where younger demographics spend their time and what they value. By asking the right questions, you can develop more comprehensive strategies that resonate with the next generation. Tune in to learn more!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- The evolution of next-gen wealth management
- Engaging with the next generation + understanding their financial needs
- Integrating technology seamlessly into client interactions
- Strategies for attracting and retaining young talent and clients
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
For the first ever time, we’re welcoming Keith Burger onto the Retirement Inside Out podcast! He recently joined the FIG team as the Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Channel Sales. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the FIG team.
Tune in as we chat with Keith about his extensive background, including his tenure at AIG Corebridge and Luma Financial Technologies, and what led him to join FIG. Then, we’ll dive into the opportunities and challenges facing insurance distribution in the broker-dealer and institutional channels, especially in light of evolving regulations. Join us as he shares his vision for the future and outlines how FIG is working to meet the unique needs of broker-dealers.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Keith's journey to becoming EVP at FIG and his vision for institutional channel sales
- The importance of a broker-dealer-first strategy in today's regulatory environment
- How FIG is helping broker-dealers streamline and enhance their insurance planning models
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Ever wondered what it's like to be on the front lines of the financial services industry as an intern? We’ve got just the conversation for you this week! We are joined by Graham Wald and Paul Matanovic, our 2024 FIG spring interns in today’s episode.
Tune in as we discuss their backgrounds, experiences, and takeaways from their internship here at FIG. From hands-on learning to relationship building, Graham and Paul have gained valuable insights into various aspects of the industry, from product knowledge to communication and networking skills. Stay tuned for a unique glimpse into the importance of internships and early talent development in shaping the future of the financial services industry.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Graham and Paul’s backgrounds + what led them to the financial services industry
- The importance of early talent strategy and internships in the financial industry
- Paul and Graham’s key learnings from this internship experience at FIG
- Staying open-minded, continuously networking, and embracing learning opportunities throughout your career
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Join us for a special episode featuring David McKnight, our partner from Power of Zero. He’s here to talk about the upcoming Heroes of Zero conference in Nashville on May 16th and 17th at the Renaissance Hotel. Stay tuned as David shares the list of incredible financial experts that are going to be featured this year and discusses the details of the event.
From understanding the latest tax law changes to implementing the most effective marketing strategies for your business, this event will bring you some of the most cutting-edge retirement planning education in the industry. This is an excellent opportunity to network with peers, learn from the best, and equip yourself with the knowledge to shield your clients and prospects from the impact of rising taxes. Stay tuned to learn more!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- What is the Heroes of Zero conference and who will be speaking?
- What topics will be covered during the event?
- How can attending the conference benefit financial professionals and their practices?
- How much does this event cost to attend and how do I register?
Register for Heroes of Zero
https://ca.heroesofzero.live/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
In today’s episode, we’re focusing on a topic that is increasingly vital for our clients: long-term care planning. Joining us on the show is Lily Vittayarukskul, the CEO and founder of Waterlily Planning. We’re so excited to partner with Waterlily and introduce you to its innovative approach to long-term care planning.
Lily's personal journey, sparked by her aunt's battle with terminal cancer, led her to develop a solution aimed at easing the financial and emotional burdens of aging care. Waterlily harnesses the power of AI and machine learning to offer clients a better understanding of their long-term care needs, including cost projections and potential family involvement. Tune in as Lily discusses the role of predictive analytics in retirement planning and how Waterlily empowers advisors to better serve their clients' needs.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Lily's journey and motivation for entering the long-term care industry
- What is Waterlily and how does it help advisors with long-term care conversations?
- The importance of holistic planning and incorporating long-term care considerations into retirement strategies
- What’s in the future for Waterlily?
Resources for this episode:
Waterlily Planning
https://www.joinwaterlily.com/
Lily on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-vittayarukskul/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Welcome back to the Retirement Inside Out podcast! Hamilton Morales, the Senior Vice President of Social Security here at FIG, is with us for this week’s episode. Amidst a busy start to the year, he has some important updates and insights to share surrounding Social Security.
Listen in to learn how Hamilton assists financial professionals in staying informed about Social Security changes, and the various Social Security events and seminars he is available to host. He’ll discuss the latest adjustments to Social Security for 2024, including increases in maximum taxable earnings and changes to the earnings test exemption amount. He’ll also shed light on the complexities of Social Security taxation and reveal a surprising detail about state taxes on Social Security benefits in certain states. Don’t miss this enlightening discussion!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Getting in touch with Hamilton to speak at your event
- The maximum taxable earnings for Social Security has increased in 2024
- The earnings test exemption amount has increased from $21,240 in 2023 to $22,320 in 2024
- While the COLA dropped from 8.7% in 2023 to 3.2% in 2024, Medicare Part B premiums increased by almost 6%
- Some states impose taxes on Social Security benefits + educating clients on federal and state taxation
- Understanding spousal benefits, widows' benefits, and benefits for children
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
We’re very excited to have our friend, Mark Gaffney, on the show today. Mark is the founder and owner of Mark Edward Gaffney (MEG), a boutique consulting and marketing firm for the financial services industry, and partner of FIG. In today’s episode, he’s joining us to talk about the data-driven marketing approaches that MEG uses to generate significant returns for financial advisors.
Stay tuned as Mark shares some of MEG’s success stories, demonstrating the power that even the smallest of tweaks to your marketing process can have. You’ll also get a sneak peek into the upcoming launch of FIG TV, powered by MEG’s turnkey marketing system. Join us to learn more about this process and the incredible benefits that TV marketing can bring to the right advisor!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Mark’s history in marketing for financial advisors + the impact of minor adjustments to your marketing process
- The importance of paying attention to data in the current business landscape and being coachable
- The power of events (seminars and webinars) and database management marketing for financial firms
- The upcoming launch of FIG TV, the right candidates for this kind of service + the limited slots available with MEG
Learn more about MEG
https://markedwardgaffney.com/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Brian Herriot is the founder of Choosy Consultant. He’s joining us on the podcast today to discuss his role as a lifestyle and wealth coach, working with successful individuals like consultants, coaches, and small business owners, to help them transition to a choosier life and achieve financial freedom.
In our conversation, Brian shares his personal journey to financial freedom and how it led him to establish Choosy Consultant. He’ll share more about his unique coaching approach, which includes a one-week intensive session covering topics such as vision-setting, savings and investing, transitioning work to part-time, and emotional readiness. Tune in to learn more about how Brian helps individuals design a remarkable life and achieve financial freedom on their own terms!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Brian’s transition from a traditional full-time job to becoming a lifestyle and wealth coach
- A need for a new sense of purpose and belonging at age 40
- What it looks like to participate in Brian’s coaching program
- How to get involved with Brian’s coaching program + his financial freedom quiz and private podcast
Learn more about Brian and Choosy Consultant:
https://www.choosyconsultant.com/
The Financial Freedom Accelerator Quiz
https://brian-xecsfp1i.scoreapp.com/
Choosy Consultant Secret Podcast
https://app.helloaudio.fm/feed/c7345ee0-08a2-4985-a353-6c168493592f/signup
Leslie Lipscomb, Senior Vice President at FIG, joins us for this week’s episode. She’s here to share her inspiring journey since joining the organization in 2006, starting as a sales associate and progressing to her current role. Join us as she highlights the company's resilience and growth after the passing of its thought leader, Bo Johnson, and her passion for building strong relationships, advocating for advisors, and uplifting women in the field.
We’ll dive more into Leslie’s role as SVP, which focuses on empowering and serving advisors to build efficient and refined firms and learn more about her involvement in the book Financial Trendsetters- an anthology featuring stories from 15 women in financial services. Don't miss the pre-order details for the book below and this great conversation with Leslie!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Leslie’s 20-year journey at FIG from a sales associate to Senior Vice President + the impact of Bo Johnson’s mentorship
- What Leslie’s role as the Senior Vice President at FIG entails
- Leslie’s passion for building relationships with people in the field + empowering women in financial their careers
- Leslie’s experience contributing to the book, Financial Trendsetters + receiving the Bo Johnson Award in 2023
Pre-order the book, Financial Trendsetters
https://jessicaweaver.com/financial-trendsetters/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
We’ve got a great conversation for you today! Ben and Kaitlin Schrock, two of our elevate coaches here at FIG and founders of BA Schrock Financial Group, are here to dive into their journey of building a successful RIA firm from the ground up. They’ll discuss the challenges they faced, the pivotal moments that shaped their journey, and the strategies they employed to achieve remarkable growth.
Stay tuned to learn how they navigated the initial struggles of business ownership, built a highly efficient team, and implemented effective marketing strategies to propel their business to new heights. Ben and Kaitlin have some powerful insights for financial professionals looking to scale their businesses and cultivate lasting success. If you’re looking to take your practice to the next level, this episode is sure to inspire!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Ben and Kaitlin’s journey into financial advisory services + how they’ve worked to propel BA Schrock Financial Group into success
- Navigating the transition to independent advisory + how Ben and Kaitlin have found a balance between corporate training and entrepreneurial spirit
- How BA Schock’s marketing efforts have evolved + the importance of nurturing client relationships and community involvement
- The value of opportunistic hiring + bringing in individuals who align with your firm’s goals
Learn more about Ben and Kaitlin:
https://baschrock-fg.com/team/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Arron Price, the Chief Operating Officer at FIG, joins us today for our annual beginning-of-the-year prognostication. Get ready for insights into what lies ahead in financial services, InsurTech, data culture, and operations. We’ll look back on the predictions and forecasts he made for 2023 and explore how the industry has evolved.
To kick off our discussion, we’ll revisit Arron’s forecast that the “great resignation” would be forgotten in 2023 and chat about the evolving mindset of different generations in the workforce. Then, we’ll focus on the industry's remarkable operational scalability achievements in 2023 and shift toward real-time data access, transparency, and ultra-personalization in the world of marketing.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Arron’s prediction that the “great resignation” would be forgotten in 2023 + the mindset shifts of both younger and older generations regarding retirement and work
- The impressive performance of insurance operations in 2023+ the growing role of AI in achieving greater efficiencies
- Why real-time data access is the next crucial step in operational efficiency
- The shift towards comprehensive marketing plans and ultra-personalization in the coming years
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Tony Parish, CFA, CQF, the Chief Investment Officer at AlphaStar Capital Management, is with us for today’s episode. He joins us twice a year to talk about the state of the market and share his halftime report. Stay tuned as we dive into market updates, the US and world economy, and get a glimpse into Tony’s market forecasts for 2024.
We’ll kick off this episode by reflecting on the remarkable resilience of the economy and the markets in 2023. Then, we’ll talk about the impact of inflation on our day-to-day expenses, the likelihood of market surprises in the upcoming year, and discuss the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in the financial industry.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- The market’s unexpected resilience in 2023 + how economists measure inflation and how consumers perceive it
- Why investors may face disappointment in 2024 with more modest returns
- Unforeseen events and surprises may play a significant role in shaping the economic landscape throughout the year
- How politics will impact the markets globally in 2024
- AI’s impact on the financial markets
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
We're excited to feature David Graham, the Director of Advanced Strategies at FIG, on the podcast today. David plays a crucial role in educating advisors on advanced planning concepts that go beyond day-to-day financial planning. Today, he's here to give us insights into the upcoming estate planning webinar series hosted by FIG's Advanced Strategies division.
This series covers everything from the basics of estate planning to intricate strategies involving trusts, life insurance, and tax-efficient transfers. The aim is to provide advisors with a thorough understanding of advanced planning techniques so that they can better serve their clients.
If you're curious about how advanced strategies can elevate your financial planning expertise and want to learn more, stay tuned!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- The estate planning topics that season 2 of David’s advanced strategies webinar series will focus on
- How this series is designed to help advisors improve their expertise and offer valuable solutions to clients of all net worths
- The process for advisors interested in attending the estate planning seminar series
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Welcome to the first official episode of 2024! We’re thrilled to be joined by Lisa Crosta, CFP®, CPA, MBA, this week, the Director of Wealth Management at BPP Wealth Solutions. She’s here to share her journey into financial services and insights into BPP’s comprehensive financial planning process, collaborative team structure, and Security Income Plan®.
Lisa also shares her passion for educating and empowering female investors. As an all-women firm, BPP Wealth Solutions is uniquely positioned to cater to women's financial needs and ensure they are well informed about their investments, income, and retirement plans.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Lisa’s financial career + passion for developing intimate client relationships
- BPP Wealth Solutions’ process, which starts with a comprehensive financial plan and goes on to build a roadmap for building, protecting, and preserving wealth
- BPP Wealth’s collaborative process, training efforts, and note-taking procedures
- Why BPP chose to start charging for their financial plans + the value this change has brought to their clients
- BPP Wealth Solutions' commitment to financial awareness among female investors
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
As the world continues to technologically evolve, staying ahead of the curve in the financial services industry has never been more crucial. Andrew Barnett, the Director of Technology Innovation at FIG, joins us on the podcast today to talk to us about his role and the important technology and business solutions being developed inside FIG.
From the industry's race to modernize and embrace emerging technologies to the evolving intersection of wealth management and insurance, Andrew talks about the pressing need for a more seamless customer experience. Stay tuned as we explore the impact of tools like AI, share a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience, and reflect on the exciting yet demanding journey of the financial industry's technological evolution.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- What Andrew’s role entails, including collaboration with the engineering team to enhance the customer and client experience and integrating AI
- The need for the insurance sector to catch up and modernize, the rapid growth of tools available for financial professionals, and creating a more seamless experience for users with a unified platform
- The new platform that FIG recently rolled out + plans for the future to continue streamlining processes for financial professionals
- FIG's attention to security and compliance as the industry continues to innovate
- The rising prominence of AI in the insurance technology landscape
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Hamilton Morales, our Senior Vice President and Social Security Specialist here at FIG, joins us for today’s episode. We love having him on once or twice a year to update our audience on what’s happening inside the world of Social Security. In today’s episode, we’ll discuss the latest news for Social Security in 2024, including the 3.2% cost of living adjustment, rising Medicare Part B premiums, and the importance of comprehensive retirement planning to combat inflation and changing financial landscapes.
We also dive into the value of partnering with experts like Hamilton to provide clients with the best information and guidance on the ever-changing world of Social Security. Learn more about the presentations he offers, including Social Security seminars and webinars, as well as his new membership with the Society of Financial Awareness (SOFA) to offer even more educational opportunities for advisors and clients.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Social Security COLA for 2024 is announced at 3.2%, which may not be sufficient to cover the rising Medicare Part B premiums
- How can retirees address the challenge of inflation and rising expenses?
- The Social Security presentations that Hamilton has been putting on this year + what’s to come in 2024
- The value of partnering with experts like Hamilton to provide clients with the best information and guidance regarding Social Security
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
This week we are joined by the founder and president of Illuminated Advisors, Anna Shea, to dive deep into the world of digital marketing in the financial services industry. She will discuss the path that led her to establish a boutique digital marketing firm, the power of personalized content, and share some insightful strategies to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
As Anna offers her unique perspective on what's hot within this dynamic realm, we also delve into the exciting possibilities of AI in marketing. You might be surprised to find out that you've been interacting with AI in your digital experiences for longer than you think.
Thanks for listening and hope you enjoy the show!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Anna’s career background + what inspired her to start Illuminated Advisors
- How having a dedicated marketing or COO person in a financial advisory firm can improve efficiency + success
- Adapting to new marketing strategies and technologies while maintaining the personal touch that financial advisors provide
- The importance of creating a personalized and resonating experience for website users through original and consistent content
Learn more about Anna and Illuminated Advisors:
https://illuminatedadvisors.com/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Welcome back to the Retirement Inside Out podcast! Today are joined by FIG’s Talent Solutions team to talk about generational differences in the workplace and the changing landscape of talent acquisition. Tune in as we chat with Lori Miller and Alex Batdorf about how to effectively identify, attract, and retain next generation talent for your independent financial professional or financial services firm.
The conversation covers various aspects of hiring and working with the next generation of talent, including their unique communication styles, preferences for transparency in compensation, and the importance of flexibility. We also discuss the evolving expectations candidates have during interviews, such as the need for clear salary discussions and the impact of technology on the hiring process.
Join us for valuable insights into talent strategy in the ever-changing landscape of the financial services industry!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
- Business owners and hiring managers need to adapt to changing times and evolving generational expectations. The job market has shifted, and businesses should evolve their talent strategies accordingly.
- Next-gen talent, in particular, values open communication about salary, benefits, and expectations.
- The younger generation values flexibility in their work arrangements. Having the option for remote work, flexible hours, or mental health days can be a significant attraction for them.
- Next-gen workers are comfortable with technology, and they expect companies to provide up-to-date tools and systems. Outdated technology can deter them from considering a job opportunity.
- Employers should think about ways to retain their current employees. Addressing issues like salary competitiveness, growth opportunities, and benefits can help prevent valuable employees from seeking new opportunities elsewhere.
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Join us for a conversation with FIG Chief Strategy Officer Nicholas Ross, where we tackle the need for strategic thinking in the financial professional world. We discuss everything from the impact of global economic trends on your clients to the importance of owning your narrative in your financial business. Tune in to gain insight on how to stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving industry, the need to operate at both macro and micro levels, and the importance of becoming the CEO of your firm.
The episode also puts a spotlight on the significance of continuous education and learning for financial advisors. Ross stresses the value of staying updated with key concepts and building relationships with key partners. Plus, you'll discover why it's vital to control the information your clients receive, and how this aids in fostering a trusted advisor relationship. So, don't miss out on this episode filled with strategies, tactics, and tips to help you succeed in the financial world.
Here is an overview of what we discuss in this episode:
- The importance of understanding the macro and micro influences of the economy and how this plays into effective strategy and decision-making.
- Why advisors should prioritize learning and staying updated with key concepts in the industry.
- Proactively providing valuable and timely information allows you to control the narrative and build trust with clients.
- How to utilize digital platforms to communicate effectively with clients and distribute necessary information.
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
We are back with FIG’s Executive Vice President, Dave Henry. He’s bringing us a quarterly life insurance industry update in today’s episode. Tune in as we discuss advancements in technology that are revolutionizing the insurance industry, from precise illustration systems to streamlined policy management.
We also delve into how insurance carriers are responding to new regulations like AG 49-A and AG 49-B while maintaining fairness for all clients. Then we’ll chat about the rising interest and popularity in advanced planning strategies, due to changing regulations and market dynamics. We wrap up this episode by discussing the value of the advanced strategies team at FIG, which specializes in helping clients with complex needs.
Here is an overview of what we discuss in this episode:
- Innovative technology that offers accurate projections and policy management tools while streamlining processes, benefiting both financial professionals and clients
- Insurance carriers' response to new regulations like AG 49-A and AG 49-B
- The increasing interest in advanced planning strategies among advisors and clients with the changing regulations and shift in wealth dynamics
- The importance of collaboration between financial advisors and subject matter experts
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Today we’re excited to be joined by Monica Breeding, our Director of Marketing at FIG, who is here to talk to us about our upcoming ElevateU branding and coaching event. This event, designed to help improve and scale your business, is taking place in St. Louis on September 17th, 18th, and 19th.
We are especially excited about this ElevateU event, as it features a stacked lineup of industry experts and introduces two brand-new programs designed to boost your marketing efforts. Discover the power of customized content that sets you apart in the digital landscape, learn about lead generation strategies, and explore the benefits of artificial intelligence in streamlining your outreach. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and receive one-on-one coaching from successful advisors who have been through the trials and tribulations of growing their practices.
Tune in for more inside tips on why you need to be at this incredible event!
Here are some key takeaways from this episode:
-
The upcoming ElevateU event will offer insights on brand building, digital marketing, database marketing, and lead generation from industry experts and successful advisors.
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Two new marketing programs will be introduced at ElevateU, focusing on branding, database marketing, and lead generation. These programs are digitally inclined and aim to help businesses reach their target audience more effectively.
-
The event will also offer coaching programs and insights from model offices. Attendees can choose the program that suits their business needs, whether it's a total firm transformation or minor adjustments to enhance business.
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Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and attend a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game, offering a mix of professional development and leisure activities.
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Welcome back to the Retirement Inside Out podcast! Today, we are excited to be joined by, Arron Price, Chief Operating Officer of FIG. In this episode, we explore how organizations like FIG and other financial services firms are leveraging agile project methodology to empower their teams, enhance efficiency, and provide remarkable results and deliverables for clients and stakeholders. Aaron provides valuable insights into the benefits of agile project methodology, its potential applications in various industries, and the importance of proper implementation to drive successful outcomes.
Join the conversation as we explore the origins of agile, its evolution, and its application in technology, marketing, and more in the financial services industry. If you're curious about how agility is transforming industries and problem-solving approaches, this episode is for you!
Here are some key takeaways from this episode:
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Learn about the concept of agility and agile project methodology, which emerged from the need to adapt quickly in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
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Agile project methodology involves breaking down large tasks into manageable segments, focusing on value creation at every stage. It emphasizes adaptability, continuous refinement, and learning from previous iterations to enhance overall effectiveness.
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Adopting agile practices fosters collaboration and teamwork within organizations, helping to deliver impactful results and maintain client-centric approaches
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For successful implementation, buy-in from all levels of the organization is essential. Change management is necessary to help employees transition from traditional project methods to agile practices.
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Welcome back to the Retirement Inside Out podcast! In today's episode, we are joined by the Chief Investment Officer at Alphastar Capital Management, a member of the FIG operating system, Tony Parish, CFA, CQF. He’s here to share his half-time report with us today, providing valuable insights on the state of the market and more.
Tony will kick off this episode by sharing his analysis of the first six months of 2023, which have been vastly different from the challenging year of 2022. He discusses the strength of the US consumer, the decline in inflation, and the overall positive state of the labor market, providing reasons to be optimistic about the economic outlook.
With election day right around the corner, Tony cautions investors against making investment decisions based on political speculation and reiterates the importance of focusing on long-term strategies. The discussion also delves into the role of artificial intelligence in the financial industry. Tony highlights that AI can be a powerful tool to assist professional money managers but doesn't replace the human element of judgment, experience, and adaptability in investing.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- 2023 has been a positive surprise in the markets, with all segments performing well except commodities + The normalization of interest rates, and concerns about a recession. (2:59)
- The likelihood of a recession in 2023 has decreased significantly + Updates on inflation and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to orchestrate a soft landing. (7:30)
- Unemployment is close to a multigenerational low + The changing nature of work where flexibility and control are more normalized. (14:43)
- Investors should not make investment decisions based on political beliefs or election outcomes. (19:13)
- How might the increased use of AI impact the markets? (24:05)
Learn More about Tony:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-parish-cfa-cqf-6b178b13/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Welcome back to the Retirement Inside Out podcast! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of having Mike Lecours, CFP®, co-founder of fpPathfinder, join us. fpPathfinder is an incredible resource for financial professionals, offering a wide range of tools and resources, including checklists, flowcharts, and optimized client and prospect meetings. With over 4000 financial professionals benefiting from this remarkable technology, Mike is here to share how it has revolutionized practice management.
This innovative FinTech and efficiency system has quickly become a game-changer, enabling advisors to reclaim their time and focus on meaningful client interactions. We're thrilled to delve deeper into the world of fpPathfinder and explore how it brings efficiency and strategic value to the financial sector. So stay tuned for an enlightening conversation with Mike as we discuss the utilization of these tools, the implementation of personalized and engaging content as an advisor, client retention strategies, and much more.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- How fpPathfinder got started and what kind of resources it provides. (1:46)
- How does an advisor use these tools in their business? (5:57)
- Providing value for prospective and existing clients. (11:26)
- What’s in the future for fpPathfinder? (13:38)
- Client retention through personalized, engaging content and feedback. (17:07)
Learn more about Mike:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaellecours
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Welcome back to the Retirement Inside Out podcast! Today we are joined by two very special guests, president of Independent Property & Casualty Group, Matt Woodford, and president of U.S. E & O Brokers, Angela Schroder. They are sitting down with us to talk about all things Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance- from making sure you have the right coverage to how often you should review your coverage. As your business grows and carriers and policies change over time, this is a critical step that you do not want to miss.
Join us as Matt and Angela take a deep dive into the misconceptions and risks associated with inadequate insurance, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluation, and understanding of policies. With real-life examples and practical insights, they highlight the significance of E&O coverage and the importance of understanding policy exclusions, claims triggers, and more.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Considering the business type, revenue, and comprehensive protection for the organization, rather than individual employees. (3:09)
- Seeking expert advice and reviewing your insurance coverage when there are changes in your business is critical. (9:53)
- The importance of understanding policy details, exclusions, and claims triggers to ensure adequate protection + annual reviews. (17:01)
- Do not just pay for the policy, make sure it’s the right one. (23:43)
- Angela’s recommendation for those retiring from their business and looking to protect their family and estate moving forward. (28:40)
- Matt shares about the new program offered through IPCG to help financial professionals understand the E&O space. (31:30)
Learn more about Matt:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-woodford-b081371/
Learn more about Angela:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-schroder-1a288a37/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Today, we are back with our COO here at Financial Independence Group, Arron Price. Arron is here to provide a detailed update on his recent travels, meetings with insurance carriers and tech partners, and the exciting developments happening within FIG. This episode focuses on the drive for greater efficiency, accuracy, and speed in the financial industry to meet the demands of today's fast-paced world.
Arron sheds light on how the industry is shifting towards digitization and embracing technology, aiming to improve operational efficiency and enhance the client experience. Tom and Arron also touch on the emergence of tech-driven startup carriers and the need for established companies to adapt. Tune in to this insightful episode to learn about the exciting changes happening in the industry and how they will impact financial professionals and clients.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Arron reflects on his business travels this year and working toward operational efficiency through digitalization. (2:17)
- “The world is always getting faster, especially when it comes to technology and enablement and efficiencies.” (4:27)
- E-solutions, e-adoption, e-signature: some of the main initiatives being implemented in the industry + regulation changes. (8:51)
- Making business ownership simpler in the adviser industry. (14:40)
Learn more about Arron:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arron-price-2385016b/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
In this episode, we are joined by Dave Henry, CLTC, the Executive Vice President of Life Insurance at FIG, who will provide us with a quarterly update on the innovative developments that are happening within FIG. He’ll also highlight some changes that are taking place in the industry to make life insurance more accessible for both licensed professionals and consumers.
Join us as we discuss industry regulations, rate information on universal life insurance, and FIG's expansion of its advanced strategies team to support advisors working with complex needs. We also explore the trend of decreasing average case sizes in the life insurance industry and how FIG is leveraging technology to improve efficiency. Tune in to learn about FIG's commitment to empowering financial professionals through education, support, and innovative solutions.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- How FIG is focusing on the high-net-worth space and creating educational materials through an advanced strategies team. (2:18)
- How FIG’s advanced strategies team can help advisors tackle complex solutions for high-net-worth clients. (5:12)
- The importance of education in the life insurance industry. (9:14)
- There is an industry-wide decrease in the average size of insurance cases outside of the high-net-worth space. (10:11)
- Finding ways for advisors to do more in less time through the use of technology. (14:04)
- What’s going on in the industry right now? (16:32)
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Today we're back with the one and only Alecia Barnette, CLTC. Alecia is the Senior Vice President of our care planning division at FIG. She is going to shed light on some remarkable developments taking place within the care planning industry and in long-term care insurance in this episode. We'll explore the importance of thoughtful care planning and financing strategies in today’s evolving landscape, particularly as the aging retiree population and baby boomers face the reality of future care needs.
Join us to learn about state mandates for long-term care insurance and the potential for healthcare for all acts or socialized healthcare in different states. We’ll share why discussing these long-term care options with clients before these possibilities are implemented is critical. We also explore product innovations like joint life and group products that allow younger clients to opt out of state mandates.
To wrap up this episode, Alecia will chat about the educational client events and webinars she hosts for financial advisors and insurance agencies focused on long-term care. She walks through how they work and the benefits of these events.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Alecia shares an update on the long-term care state mandates across the country. (3:05)
- What’s in the news when it comes to product innovation? (8:56)
- Alecia walks through the client events and webinars she hosts for financial advisors and insurance agencies. (11:08)
- The importance of having a written plan to give to your healthcare power of attorney. (18:13)
- Giving back to your clients by providing them with the right resources. (19:51)
Get in Touch with Alecia:
https://www.figmarketing.com/#!/ProductRD/Alecia-Barnette
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
On today’s episode, we are joined by Lori Miller and Dave Hostetler, CLTC, two leaders within FIG’s business development practice management division. Lori leads our talent solutions division and Dave oversees all aspects of business consulting, practice management, and succession planning. Together, they will shed light on the crucial role that a "people strategy" and "people plan" play in the overall efficiency of your business.
Lori will kick off this episode by talking about the impact of having a strong hiring process from start to finish- from attracting the right candidates to keeping them engaged throughout the interview process. She discusses the significance of staying organized, communicating clearly, and ultimately making candidates feel seen and valued.
Dave will then dive into the topic of employee onboarding and retention. He'll offer guidance on structuring a strong onboarding process that sets your new hires up for success from day one. He will also share practical strategies for clearly communicating your company's guidelines and expectations to ensure your team members stay engaged and motivated over the long term.
Stay tuned for some critical insight and advice from these experts who have helped hundreds of advisors train and retain top talent. You’re sure to take away some valuable tips in this episode on scoring top-notch candidates and setting them up for success!
Here's some of what we'll discuss in this episode:
- Why it’s important to have a people strategy and a people plan. (2:06)
- Some mistakes that could lead to losing good candidates during the interview process. (5:54)
- Setting up employees for success during the onboarding process. (12:32)
- Best practices for employee retention and happiness. (19:50)
- The importance of informative routine meetings and internal communication. (24:58)
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
On today’s episode, we are glad to be joined by our Chief Strategy Officer at Financial Independence Group, Nicholas Ross. From strategy and planning tips to integrating AI services, Nicholas is here to discuss getting tactical with your business. Join us as we talk about the importance of thinking big and keeping up with the progression of technology in today’s world.
Today, we discuss how COVID-19 has changed the future of the financial industry and the importance of keeping up with the demands of this global shift. Nicholas explains the crucial difference between strategy and a plan for business owners and how the world of finance will forever be changed by the introduction of artificial intelligence.
Join us for an insightful conversation with Nicholas Ross about keeping up with the times, harnessing the tool of AI to your advantage, and finding the “edge” that sets your business apart from its competitors.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Nicholas defines the two types of strategies used at Financial Independence Group and reflects on the future of financial services. (2:30)
- How COVID-19 forced businesses to move forward technologically. (6:43)
- “The time of dominating your small market is over.” Why businesses need to be thinking about dominating globally. (9:19)
- The difference between a strategy and a plan. (13:14)
- Nicholas’ thoughts on the future of AI in the financial industry. (15:42)
- Some targeted coaching tips that Nicholas is giving to different advisors. (22:23)
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
On today’s episode, we are joined by Ben Hockema, CFP®, founder of Illuminate Wealth Management. In this episode, Ben offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of launching a virtual advisory firm during COVID-19, as well as the importance of prioritizing client needs to build a successful business.
Ben kicks off this episode by discussing his decision to leave an independent advisory firm and pursue his own vision. He dives into how he managed to create a virtual client base and business model that focuses on work-life balance and client needs.
Throughout the episode, Ben emphasizes the importance of meeting clients where they are and focusing on quality work. He shares how this approach has created incredible opportunities for his business’ growth and lasting relationships with his clients.
Join us for an engaging conversation with Ben as we discuss business development, client retention, and succession planning for the next generation.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Ben talks about starting Illuminate Wealth Management during the pandemic and his vision to start a business that prioritizes work-life balance. (2:35)
- A look into breaking away from an independent firm. (6:31)
- Illuminate Wealth Management’s business model focuses on clients by providing outsourced CFO services. (10:20)
- Where Ben thinks the future of the industry is going and the power of meeting client needs. (15:52)
More About Our Guest:
https://www.illuminatewm.com/
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
On today’s episode, we are thrilled to be joined by a very special guest, Teresa Speir. As one of our vice presidents of life insurance at Financial Independence Group, Teresa brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. With her certifications as a CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, and CLTC®, Teresa is a valued member of our team who performs analytical duties for our agents and advisors to help enhance client portfolios.
Throughout this episode, Teresa will share her insights on the life insurance industry, covering everything from recent regulations to trending topics on social media. We will also delve into the value that Teresa and teams like hers at FIG provide to agents and advisors, equipping them with the knowledge to talk confidently about the role of life insurance in a well-rounded portfolio.
Whether you are an agent, advisor, or consumer of life insurance, you don’t want to miss this informative discussion with Teresa Speir.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
A refresher on the different types of life insurance. (3:26)
- What consumers and advisors should know about recent life insurance regulations. (7:09)
- Taking a deeper look at Actuarial Guideline 49. (11:20)
- Teresa shares a little more about her expertise and certifications and the impact this education makes at Financial Independence Group. (15:55)
- Life insurance is a trending topic on social media. (18:11)
800-527-1155
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
On today’s episode we are going to breakdown the difference between strategy and plan based on some research and conversations we’ve had with our top financial professionals over the last few months. We’ve come to realize that not everyone has a financial strategy or plan, and without the two of them together, it’s difficult to achieve your goals.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Strategies and plans are not interchangeable and what that means for your business. (3:44)
- How a strategy and a plan help you stay aligned with your business’ vision (6:12)
- The ‘secret sauce’ that we offer for marketing (8:50)
- Should you use goal-based or budget-based marketing plan? (13:08)
- Identifying KPIs and key results in your marketing plan. (16:27)
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
We get a chance today to talk with one of the experts in the podcasting space and someone we’ve built a great relationship with at FIG. Walter Storholt is a co-owner of Third Wheel Media, who helps us produce our show and bring it to market, and we wanted to learn much more about how to best leverage this medium to grow your business.
In a world where business owners can really take control of their brand and their marketing message, podcasting and radio have become key pieces to a marketing strategy. We’ll talk about those mediums and get some insight into best practices from someone who has helped hundreds of advisors across the country.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Advice for an advisor who is considering getting into podcasting and what kind of things should they think about. (9:05)
- What frequency should you be releasing new episodes? (13:38)
- What types of content works best? (17:55)
- Podcasting is just another medium for people to get to know you personally along with the educational element. (24:08)
- Remember your mission but also don’t be afraid to start because you worry about being perfect. (33:45)
Learn more about Walter Storholt & Third Wheel Media: https://thirdwheelmedia.com/
It’s time for another beginning of the year update with friend of the show, Tony Parish, CFA®, CQF, the Chief Investment Officer at Alphastar Capital Management. We're grateful for his time twice each year on the podcast as he gives us a great overview of the economy and investment markets.
On this episode of Retirement Inside Out, Tony and Tom recap the economic headlines of 2022 and analyze which factors will carry over into playing a role in 2023’s economy. Will we see overtightening from the Fed? How will supply chain issues, CPI numbers, labor data and other factors impact inflation and the economy in the year ahead?
Will there be a recession, and if there is one, will it be mild?
Tony also illustrates why we need to remember proper perspective when talking about debt issues and separate the conversation into short vs. long term.
The energy is always at a high level when Tony and Tom get together, so tune in for an action packed 20 minutes of content that’ll leave you with some great takeaways on where your focus should be as you absorb the new year’s economic headlines.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Tony recaps 2022 and details how investors had nowhere to hide. (2:50)
- “Let’s open the books for 2023.” All eyes will be on inflation… Is the risk of inflation declining? (7:20)
- Tom is most curious about Tony’s opinions about the country’s debt, obligations, and the debt ceiling doomsday headlines we’ve been seeing in the media frequently lately. (12:20)
- More than Social Security and some other foundational financial topics, Tony says what happens in housing will be very impactful to many people across the country. (16:30)
Learn more about Tony Parish & Alphastar: https://www.alphastarcm.com/who-we-are/
Call FIG: 800-527-1155
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
Social Security will always be a key piece of the income planning puzzle and it’s gotten a little more attention this year with the 8.7% COLA increase in 2023.
FIG understands the value of providing resources to the financial professionals we work with and we have a tremendous one in Hamilton Morales, Senior Vice President at FIG. He’s been with the company for more than 15 years, but over the past seven years, he’s been strictly focused on becoming an expert in Social Security. He’s provided hours of educational opportunities to the financial professionals we work with so that they can better serve their investors and clients when it’s time to plan for Social Security.
Now FIG is launching a new program to make Hamilton more accessible to our financial professionals through live and virtual workshops. He joins us today to tell us more about this new program and who he thinks it will benefit. Hamilton is one of the most well-versed people in the industry when it comes to Social Security so this will be your chance to learn more from him and find out how he can be an asset to your business.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Details on the new service FIG is launching in 2023. (3:56)
- His view on the COLA increase this year. (7:31)
- What does the process look like when an advisor invites Hamilton to visit? (10:29)
- This has been well received by both clients and prospects. (17:59)
- Best way to get in touch with Hamilton. (25:23)
Get in touch with Hamilton:
hamilton.morales@figmarketing.com
800-527-1155
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
Even after everything we saw in 2020 and 2021, the past year seemed to top both of those in terms of news and volatility. Much of that craziness led to challenging financial conditions, but it’s interesting to look back on how the industry adapted to 2022.
To help us reflect on the past year, FIG Chief Operations Officer Arron Price returns to the show to help provide a big-picture view of our profession and the trends we’ve seen come out of a bear market.
We’ll discuss the year that was with Arron and share our prognostications for what 2023 has in store. Now that we can turn the page, we’ll talk about what we’re planning at FIG and what industry trends we’re paying attention to over the next 12 months.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- A look back at a crazy year both financially and from a worldview. (2:37)
- The product innovation we saw in 2022. (5:18)
- How marketing strategies have shifted back and forth between digital and in-person. (10:05)
- Teamwork and collaboration has been renewed thanks to these conditions. (14:42)
- What trends does Arron see in 2023? (17:09)
- Will specialization in marketing continue or will there be more consolidation? (23:06)
About our guest: https://www.figmarketing.com/#!/FIGStory#anchor_figLeadership
Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com
The digital age has changed the way we all do business but one huge shift that it’s created is in content. Now entrepreneurs and small businesses can build a following and credibility through the content they produce.
Today’s guest is a perfect example of that. Ann Garcia is an independent, fee-only advisor at Independent Progressive Advisors, and she’s built her brand and company by educating people on college funding. We wanted to feature her story on this episode and talk about how she got into the business and was able to find a niche and a marketing focus that led to over 500 blog submissions and eventually a book.
If you’ve ever wondered why content can be so powerful for a financial business, this conversation should help make that strategy much clearer.
Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode:
- Background on how Ann ended up at IPA and began focusing on college funding. (2:16)
- How do you know when to add an associate advisor to the team? (5:03)
- The story of how she took blogging and turned it into a college funding book. (10:41)
- The way she utilizes the book to bring in prospects and gain clients. (15:18)
- What are their growth strategies from here? (19:02)
About our guest: https://www.ipawealthmanagement.com/
We have an exciting show today featuring our guest, Darren Woodson. Darren is a Dallas Cowboys 3-time Super Bowl Champion and 5 Time Pro Bowl Selection.
He will be a Keynote speaker at FIG’s upcoming Symposium. In this episode, you will get a glimpse into Darren’s life and the things that have inspired him, driven him, and helped him achieve the goals he has set.
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this episode:
- Darren’s experience with different financial advisors. (2:57)
- The importance of community service and what drove him to become so passionate about it. (7:12)
- How Darren learned from the processes his mother established to care for her family as a single parent. (11:21)
- The similarities between running a business and the NFL. (19:35)
More about our guest:
https://darrenwoodson.com/
Learn About FIG:
https://www.figmarketing.com
Today we are joined by David and Jonah Stillman, a father-son duo who founded GenGuru. They specialize in generational gaps and will be speaking at our symposium event.
In this episode, we will cover some of the differences in the various generations and how understanding them can help you as an employer and business owner.
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this episode:
- What you should know about recruiting Gen Z from an employer perspective. (5:59)
- How understanding the generations can benefit you. (9:53)
- Here you can learn how to approach the generations if your goal is to attract them as consumers. (13:03)
More about our guest:
https://genguru.com/
Learn About FIG:
https://www.figmarketing.com
Today we are joined by David and Jonah Stillman, a father-son duo who founded GenGuru. They specialize in generational gaps and will be speaking at our symposium event.
In this episode, we will cover some of the differences in the various generations and how understanding them can help you as an employer and business owner.
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this episode:
- What you should know about recruiting Gen Z from an employer perspective. (5:59)
- How understanding the generations can benefit you. (9:53)
- Here you can learn how to approach the generations if your goal is to attract them as consumers. (13:03)
More about our guest:
https://genguru.com/
Learn About FIG:
https://www.figmarketing.com
We are back with Arron Price, COO at Financial Independence Group. He leads our operations and technology teams here at FIG.
In this episode, we will be discussing some new things that are happening in the industry. We share some of the behind-the-scenes from Arron’s travels to industry events and our thoughts on them.
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this episode:
- Hear what Arron learned during the event he attended recently. (2:18)
- How the industry has changed over the years. (5:11)
- The specific ways Insurance is distributed. (11:14)
- The perks of larger and smaller companies. (16:54)
More about our guest:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arron-price-2385016b
Learn About FIG:
https://www.figmarketing.com
Today’s guest is Sheri Fitts, Founder/CEO of Sheri Fitts & Co. Sheri specializes in financial services marketing and branding. In this episode, Sheri tells the story of how she got into marketing in the financial industry and shares some of her knowledge with us.
Sheri will be a keynote speaker at our upcoming symposium and will be highlighting the changes and future of marketing. You can find out more about the event on our website. Listen to get a small preview of the value Sheri will be bringing.
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this episode:
- How Sheri got started in marketing and the financial industry. (2:29)
- Here Sheri speaks about storytelling and how impactful it is to a brand. (11:28)
- How video enables you to connect on a deeper level with your audience. (17:49)
More about our guest:
www.sherifitts.com
Learn About FIG:
https://www.figmarketing.com
Today we have our Executive Vice President of Life Insurance, Dave Henry, as our guest. We will discuss three hot topics in the industry right now: How inflation is affecting the death benefit of a life insurance policy, what business owners can do to use life insurance to retain top talent, and how to combine annuities and life insurance together.
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this episode:
- Listen here to learn how inflation is affecting life insurance, specifically existing policies. (2:28)
- Listen here to learn what employers are doing to retain employees. (7:34)
- Dave shares about combining annuities with life insurance in the unique market we are in. (11:55)
Learn About FIG:
https://www.figmarketing.com
Today’s guest is Michael Finke, Wealth and Retirement Professor, and Frank M. Engle Chair of Economic Security at The American College.
Not only is he an expert in the world of retirement income, but he will also be a keynote speaker at our upcoming sales symposium in Dallas Texas on Feb 22nd-24th.
We wanted to share how he and others are helping financial professionals tell the story of guaranteed income. It is more important than ever before, for people to plan for income in retirement.
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this episode:
- How Michael got started in the financial industry. (2:12)
- Ways to introduce annuities to those that don’t understand them. (3:17)
- How emotions factor into the marketplace and building a portfolio. (19:26)
Learn About FIG:
https://www.figmarketing.com
Welcome back to our monthly discussion with FIG COO, Arron Price. Arron joins us once a month to talk about operations, technology, culture, and anything in the retirement planning industry.
Today we discuss the issue of sourcing talent and how it impacts business. We also give you an inside look at FIG operations as we navigate an influx of business and changes in marketing.
Hiring is one of the most important things to a business. It’s important to build a team with experience, yes, but candidates that care and think outside of the box are what the industry needs. Listen to learn more about the qualities that are valued in team members in this rapidly evolving industry.
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this episode:
- How FIG is navigating a talent shortage and an influx of business. (8:33)
- Can you find opportunity in adversity? (11:52)
- Business is not slowing down; it will likely significantly increase. (20:01)
- Our thoughts on how the marketing process has changed. (25:00)
Learn About FIG:
https://www.figmarketing.com
Many people dream of having a family, owning a business, and maybe writing a book, but not everyone makes it happen. Today we are going to hear from Jessica Weaver, CFP®, CDFA®, CFS®, Wealth Advisor, and Founder of the Women’s Wealth Boutique.
Jessica shares how she built a unique brand in the financial industry and strives to serve each person as their true, authentic selves. Listen to learn how she attracts her ideal team members and supports them throughout their careers.
Here is some of what you’ll learn on this episode:
- How her branding was inspired by the pursuit of authenticity. (2:24)
- Here are ways you can work smarter and juggle work, family, and goals. (7:35)
- What a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst does. (16:24)
- How she built the ideal team for her business. (19:35)
More About Our Guest:
https://jessicaweaver.com/
https://www.womenswealthboutique.com/
Hard to believe it’s already time for another mid-year update with our good friend Tony Parish, CFA®, CQF, who is the Chief Investment Officer at Alphastar Capital Management.
We're grateful for his time twice each year on the podcast as he gives us a great overview of the economy and investment markets. Today he’s here to provide a summation and culmination of everything that went on during the first half of the year, which was marked by volatility and inflation.
Every year around August, Tony pulls together all the Alphastar market and economic data to put together a PowerPoint presentation that we provide all of our advisors. It’s a tremendous resource that’ll you’ll get some insight from on the show today. We think this is another highly-informative show from someone who is plugged into the US Capitol and investment and economic markets.
Here is some of what you’ll learn on this episode:
- A recap of the brutal first half the of the year from Tony’s perspective. (3:19)
- His outlook on the second half of the year and why there’s reason for investor optimism. (5:39)
- Why their data is telling them to be prepared for a long period of above-average inflation. (9:44)
- What tools are they offering advisors right now based on current conditions? (12:14)
- The three known variables Alphastar is watching closely the rest of the year. (14:45)
- What should advisors be doing right now? (19:50)
More About Our Guest: https://www.alphastarcm.com/who-we-are/
Today’s show will be a little bit different than most of our previous ones but we think you’ll get a lot out of this. Josh and Charlene Dearing are a local husband and wife team in the Charlotte area of North Carolina, and they bring years of experience in real estate.
We wanted to pick their brain on starting a business together and building a team as partners. We have plenty of our small business owners and advisors in a similar position so we think there’s a lot to glean from this conversation. Hopefully, you can pick up on strategies, processes, and how to find success in this setup.
Plus, the real estate market has been roaring these past few years so we want to find out what trends they’re currently seeing and how real estate is being used more and more in retirement planning.
Here is some of what you’ll learn on this episode:
- How they capitalized on a relationship with a well-known broker to implement a new strategy and help manage their talent. (4:06)
- What strategies do they use for marketing and branding? (12:18)
- How are retirees and pre-retirees using real estate as part of their retirement plan and how have trends changed? (18:03)
- The husband-wife dynamic and how they balance that in day-to-day operations. (21:53)
- Advice they’d give people who are thinking about starting their own business or just getting started. (25:21)
More About Our Guest: https://www.costellorei.com/agents/the-dearing-team/
Life insurance is going through a large transition right now. Sales are up across the board and financial professionals are drastically changing their approach to this product. Talking to your clients about life insurance is essential for both business and their well-being.
Carriers are trying to make life insurance easier for both clients and advisors. But these clients still need help on the "why". As an advisor, you can be their guide.
We are welcoming back the Executive VP of Life Insurance at FIG, Dave Henry, on today’s show. He leads the team of our life insurance analysts and will bring to you our second quarterly update on various life insurance trends you need to be aware of in 2022.
Listen for these key points:
1:51 – What new trends are we seeing in life insurance?
5:16 – Carriers are changing their approach to insurance
8:37 – Multi-generational planning aspect
11:55 – Continued improvements and education opportunities
13:56 – Are we seeing life insurance more with RIAs?
15:25 – These changes are happening through planners
On today’s episode, Alecia Barnette, the Senior Vice President of Care Planning at FIG, joins us once more for her quarterly review of trends going on inside long-term care and long-term care insurance. A lot of changes are coming to the industry!
Carriers are listening and are creating innovative products for our clients, elevating the long-term care industry services we offer. Alecia is going to break down these trends, potential legislation impacting long-term care, keynote seminars she offers, and much more.
Contact Alecia: teambarnette@figmarketing.com
Listen for these key points:
1:47 – What is going on with the carriers we work with?
6:30 – Legislation that may be impacting the industry
10:16 - Education workshops and keynote seminars
14:35 – Switching to thought leadership
17:41 – How do people get in contact with you?
Today, is a special episode where the Chief Operating Officer at FIG, Arron Price, will be interviewing our host Tom Lamendola. As many of you know, Tom is the director of marketing here at FIG. From an insider's perspective, what marketing trends is he seeing in the industry?
Video is a huge advantage for advisors and it can scale your presence nationally and internationally. What does video marketing look like? We start with a diagnostic that determines if you’re ready to start video marketing. Then we customize it to your needs and the clients you want to reach. Join us today as Tom breaks down digital marketing and technological trends sweeping across the industry.
Listen for these key points:
2:14 – What are some of the trends you are seeing?
4:09 – How does someone get started with video?
6:40 – What is tracking data like?
8:24 – How do you handle outreach?
10:18 – Are advisors bringing marketing in house?
13:01 – How do advisors handle the price?
15:03 – How does regulation play into marketing?
17:33 – The power of brand awareness
20:09 – What do you stand for?
22:20 – Where is the future of marketing going?
On today’s episode, the founding principal of Head Start Equity and former advisor, Brian Head joins us on the show. Starting out in single-family flips found great success in real estate and is now investing in multi-million-dollar properties and helping others do the same.
After a life-changing event with Brian and his family, he realized that he didn’t want to work into his 60s. He wants to spend time with his family now, and multi-family properties allowed him to scale his business to do so. We’ll explore this unique perspective on investments, diversification, and saving for retirement.
More about Brian and his company: https://headstartequity.com/about-us
Listen for these key points:
2:34 – Brian’s background and current company
4:10 – The “why” on multi-family home investments
9:07 – Who are you working with?
9:54 – What is a real estate investment trust?
12:16 – How did mastermind groups help you?
15:28 – Accountability partnerships
17:42 – What is your experience with coaching?
21:57 – Looking at things differently
25:26 – How can people reach out to you?
On today’s episode, we are welcomed by two COO guests, Arron Price and Laura Furner. Arron is our reoccurring guest from FIG, while Laura is the COO at Alphastar Capital Management. We’ve heard a lot about the importance of culture, process, and workflow in this industry and we are going to discuss what both these leaders are seeing in their fields and how they are optimizing their businesses.
As an operations leader, both Aaron and Laura have seen the importance of scaling their business and finding efficient workflows that work for them, their team, and their clients. With the current job market, it’s essential to keep our teams cohesive and content through our practices and culture. We’ll explore the future of the RIA model, technology, and the future of advising on today’s show.
Listen for these key points:
2:18 – Welcome Laura
3:56 – Refresher on FIG
5:44 – Operational changes
7:51 – How Alphastar helps advisors affiliate
9:41 – The future of RIA technology
11:09 – The future of financial advising
12:37 – Closing the gap from the execution side
14:54 – Planning for the next generation
17:44 – Having connected relationships
19:10 – Extreme focus on leadership and alignment
21:07 – Common insurance questions coming in
24:39 – Multiple industries coming together
Nicholle Overkamp, CEO, founder, and advisor at Wilcox Financial Group joins us on today’s show. She’s going to break down her journey from a personal producer to a CEO and entrepreneur in financial services.
Nicholle has built a brand for high-net individuals, female investors, and business owners. Not only is she helping her clients financially, but she is also a business coach aiding other advisors throughout the industry.
More about Nicholle: https://www.wilcoxfinancialgroup.com/team/nicholle-overkamp-mba
Listen for these key points:
2:36 – How did you get into the industry?
6:03 – Have you seen a full cycle?
8:57 – What were your considerations when going off on your own?
12:10 – How did you pick this brand?
16:13 – Focusing on women in this industry
18:11 – How did you market your business?
22:15 – Have you segmented your database?
27:20 – What is Powerhouse and who is it serving?
31:26 – How have you found talent?
36:03 – What’s your favorite pizza place?
On today’s episode, Dave Henry the Vice President of Life Insurance at FIG joins us to discuss how advisors, agents, and clients are using life insurance and annuities to save time and to make sure client needs are met. Dave’s going to break down how our insurance review can help save you 12 hours of time per client, making your business more efficient and productive. How are financial professionals using enforced contracts and enforced policy reviews to really better their services?
Dave and his team are reviewing these insurance policies. They focus on re-educating clients and advisors, explaining to them what they own, how it performs, and the educated decisions they should make in the future. Join us today as we explore why advisors need to start implementing this approach and how it can elevate their business and client experience.
Listen for these key points:
4:42 – What is an enforced policy review?
6:44 – How many advisors use enforced policy review?
7:49 – Why aren’t advisors using this regularly?
10:20 – What is the consumer side like?
14:24 – A review is not going backward
17:59 - Mutually beneficial advantage: multi-generational planning
21:07 – What is the FIG program that addresses this?
25:26 – What is the time saving like?
27:15 – Grow your business with more time
Today is our monthly update with Chief Operating Officer at FIG, Arron Price. Financial professionals (and business owners) are looking to technology more and more to save time, and stress, and to improve efficiency within their businesses.
On the other hand, the various platforms and programs offered in the market can overwhelm professionals. It’s a balancing act, finding the right programs for the problems you are facing without investing too much in one platform. The goal for many of us is to have a seamless advisor and client experience, technology will be necessary to get there. Join us as we take a deep dive into technological solutions, consistency, outcomes, and experiments within our industry.
Listen for these key points:
2:49 – Looking for tech solutions
6:02 – Balancing these programs
8:28 – Experimenting with programs
10:39 – All in one platform and program acquisitions
12:59 – FIG’s user experience and what we’re working on
17:23 – Consistency in our marketing strategy
20:17 – Improving our client's database systems
22:28 – Surviving in today’s market
24:36 – People are starting to pay attention
26:21 – Have a defined outcome goal
28:47 – Example of our future goals
We have some exciting content coming your way at Retirement Inside Out and FIG! Today, we’ll break down these office updates, upcoming FIG events, and some summer marketing tips that will help you generate business over the “slow” summer months.
Events are coming back stronger than ever and we all need a refresh on the importance of events in our marketing plan. We’re going to get back to the strong basics. From the Elevate You event to the Capstone Recruiting event, there will be plenty of opportunities to join us this summer. Don’t take this summer off when it comes to marketing, start the season strong!
More about Life Innovators: https://lifeinnovators.com/
Listen for these key points:
1:53 – Content coming your way!
2:38 – Upcoming events with FIG
4:16 – “Elevate You” event
7:37 – Capstone recruiting event
9:15 – Power of Zero and Elite Event
10:57 – Advanced planning events
11:20 – Carson Excel event
12:39 – Shout out to the model office!
13:48 – Marketing in the summer
15:21 – Database and digital marketing
17:10 – Make a communication plan
19:22 – Offer client events
21:04 – Internal and external clients
21:52 – Track your data
On today’s episode, Bobby Samuelson joins us once again to discuss product concepts for investors and for insurance carriers. Bobby is the President of Life Innovators, a product development and research company that helps insurance carriers develop product solutions that fit their client’s needs.
With more people interested in life insurance than ever, advisors and clients realize there isn’t a tool like it in the financial industry. Bobby is helping make introductions between companies, allowing them to serve their client base with the best possible resources. As advisors look to find ways to preserve the gains of their clients, they are looking to better-fitted tools and Bobby is helping implement them. Join us today as we break down the current insurance trends, new product innovations, and more.
More about Life Innovators: https://lifeinnovators.com/
Listen for these key points:
2:02 – Welcome back Bobby!
3:11 – Trying to get into life insurance
5:33 – Preconceived notions about annuities
8:02 – Are you getting requests for help?
11:04 – Finding peace of mind in investing
12:52 – Innovative products you’re working on
18:40 – Having a large inventory of products
21:28 – What we don’t do at Life Innovators
24:12 – Innovation is necessary as needs change
27:09 – Thank you for joining us Bobby!
On today’s episode, sales coach, Sarano Kelly joins us to discuss how we can define and optimize our sales process as financial professionals. He loves to coach, working with top performers and CEOs to market and communicate effectively to their audiences. Being a confident and effective communicator can help you stand out from the crowd in a world that’s increasingly isolated by technology.
Authentic communication truly allows you to connect with people, but it can be a difficult skill to master. Recognizing we need to change can be frightening. Having a coach like Sarano can improve your skills, confidence, and business. We’ll break down Sarano’s journey, the importance of communication in sales and marketing, and much more!
More about Sarano: https://thekelleygroup.net/
Listen for these key points:
1:29 – Welcome Sarano!
3:09 – Being a coach for professionals
4:06 – Reversal of the Deal book
5:30 – Human communication
7:30 – Being transparent in relationships
10:00 – Authentic to yourself and clients
11:50 – Recognizing the need for change
14:50 – How do you connect with others?
15:55 – Providing the same benefit to leaders
17:58 – Partnership at the coaching level
19:50 – Clients experiencing asset increases
21:35 – What else is helpful for business professionals?
23:54 – How can you get engaged?
Over the past two years, life insurance and long-term care insurance have been growing at a rapid pace. On today’s episode, Alecia Barnette, FIG’s Senior Vice President of Care Planning, joins us to discuss the growing role long-term care is playing in financial and retirement planning. With not a lot of departments offering such services, Alecia is changing the field with FIG’s Care Planning team.
With a record start to the year, Alecia helps advisors serve the growing needs of their clients, while also staying up to date on trends in long-term care. We are going to break down trends in the market, product innovation, and how she’s helping advisors implement a holistic financial plan that covers health issues on today's show.
*More about Alecia and her team:* https://www.figmarketing.com/#!/ProductRD/Alecia-Barnette
Listen for these key points:
2:05 – Welcome Alecia!
6:18 – How to start implementing long term care
9:04 – Business model protection
10:07 – What is the monthly cost?
11:00 – Why are people more aware?
13:17 – The cost is going to go up
14:22 – Working with Alecia
15:55 – Long term care planning workshops
18:09 – Making advisors and clients aware of their options
20:14 – Reach out if you have questions!
Today we’ll move outside of the FIG framework and moves more into variable, registered, and structured products with our partners at Barnabas Capital. We asked our friends Joe Powell, President, and Josh Lewis, Head of Structured Products, to join us to take us inside their business and what they offer.
This should be a highly educational episode for advisors who want to learn more about the different asset classes available and the lines of business they provide. Plus, they’ll tell us how they help breakaways make that breakaway a little smoother and more seamless.
Learn more about Barnabas Capital: https://barnabascapital.com/
Listen for these key points:
2:15 – Who is Barnabas Capital?
5:35 – Market update
9:49 – Structured products
13:55 – How Barnabas engages with advisors
16:45 – How products are made available
20:03 – Their credentials
21:50 – Limited downside and asset protection
22:52 – Advisors moving towards independence
26:06 – Technology partners
27:07 – Final thoughts
Over the past two years, life insurance sales and therefore the evolution of the product has skyrocketed. On today’s episode, FIG’s Executive Vice President of Life Insurance, Dave Henry, joins us to unpack new product concepts and the industry’s shift into solution-based services.
With different regulations coming into place, carriers are able to be more flexible with their product design leading to new market trends. One such trend is a resurgence in whole life policies. These new regulations are leading to creative product design from carriers that offer retail clients a new perspective on life insurance. Bringing life insurance inside of your business provides clients with a one-stop-shop with a thorough understanding of their lives and finances. Join us as we break down the newest trends in life insurance and how these trends impact advisors, insurance agents, and clients alike.
Key Points:
4:23 – What kind of market trends are we seeing?
7:24 – What is index universal life?
12:38 – Having a one-stop shop with life insurance
15:44 – 5,000 baby boomers pass away every day
19:29 – CAR tool used by advisors
22:58 – Average policy holder ages and marketing
26:02 – Cost of life insurance is never going to be lower
Welcome back to our monthly discussion with FIG COO, Arron Price. We’re going to break down FIG’s Quinci Platform, the industry’s first end-to-end insurance, and registered products planning system. Launched in July of 2021, we’ve continued to integrate this application to help agents and advisors get contracted and educated.
Quinci pulls in all things contracting, carrier appointments, education, insurance planning, and registered products through partnerships. These technological solutions are driving advisors to integrate efficient tools within their business making their lives and their clients’ lives easier. Join us today as we explore the highlights of Quinci and other technological innovations coming out of FIG.
Key Points:
3:33 – The industry’s first end-to-end application
8:07 – Some of the biggest highlights
10:14 – Being ahead of the game
12:36 – The feedback we are hearing
15:52 – Never losing our human element
18:50 – Empowering financial professionals
20:55 – Using Quinci in your business
23:14 – Annuity and insurance division
25:25 – Using your team at FIG
Finding and retaining talent isn’t as easy as it used to be. 47 million Americans resigned last year, looking for new opportunities. On today’s episode the Vice President of Talent Solutions at FIG, Lori Miller joins us to discuss recruiting, employment trends, and more. Talent Solutions helps FIG firms and advisors hire all positions, educating them on company culture and team cohesiveness in this competitive employment market.
The Great Resignation over the past months is very real and it’s impacting advisors searching to grow their team. People are looking at their options, considering more than just wages. Competition between companies for talent is increasing tremendously. So, how can you stand out to potential employees and ensure your team is taken care of? Join us today as Lori takes a deep dive into the employee market and the trends she is seeing when it comes to hiring.
More about Talent Solutions: https://www.figmarketing.com/#!/TalentSolutions
Key Points:
2:16 – Welcome Lori Miller!
4:48 – What is she seeing in the market
6:56 – Competing with other companies
8:48 – Offering other benefits
9:44 – The market is moving quickly
11:04 – Mindset of a hiring manager
12:59 – Be prepared for counteroffers
14:47 – The benefits of a recruiter
17:15 – Empowering financial professionals
18:54 – Are they delivering plans?
20:00 – Trends with other employment benefits
21:52 – What makes you different?
24:50 – How important is training?
26:32 – Making a first impression
29:12 – Advice for hiring managers and advisors
30:44 – Working with a recruiter
When it comes to planning for retirement as a federal or government employee, you often face unique challenges that not every advisor will be ready to face. On today’s episode, an experienced financial advisor inside of the Federal Retirement Program joins us to discuss federal employee specialization and how he serves this niche. Rich Zeitz is the founder of Bravias Financial and he is helping federal employees navigate the world of finance and save for the future.
This is a tough niche for advisors, but Rich is continually learning and expanding his knowledge to improve client relationships. Most federal employees don’t understand the benefits they are offered and at the end of the day, Rich wants to educate his clients on the best choices for them. We’ll explore the unique challenges this niche faces, how Rich utilizes the resources at FIG, and more on today’s episode.
More about Rich: https://braviasfinancial.com/about-us/attachment/rich-zeitz/
Key Points:
2:47 – How Rich got into the financial industry
16:28 – Challenge from an advisor standpoint
22:14 – Using research sources with FIG
28:08 – Are you considering breaking away?
38:24 – Growing his business, where can you hear more?
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. But how often are we forgetting what growth, together as a team, looks like? On today’s episode, the President of Boss LLC, Lawrence Henderson, joins us to discuss leadership and developing proper communication in our personal and professional life. In a short amount of time since our own training session with Lawrence, we’ve already seen tremendous improvement and growth within our team.
Boss LLC works with teams to frame professional communication within a business, really investing in the people side of that engagement. They’re helping leaders navigate through psychological safety, culture statements and values, and what it actually looks like to put these things into practice. We’ll explore the key components of a leader in today’s episode, including the importance of effective communication with our teams and clients.
Boss Consulting LLC:
https://www.bossconsultingllc.net/
Key Points:
3:53 – Lawrence’s background story
6:22 – Tag line from TEDx talk
9:42 – What kind of engagements?
11:07 – Why are we missing this?
13:20 – Communication and leadership
15:12 – Knowing how to be successful
16:53 – Helping clients filter information
19:15 – Gifting yourself the pause
21:50 – How often do you check-in?
25:00 – Framing expectations
On today’s episode, the lead investment advisor at Ruggeri Financial, Logan Sadler, joins us to discuss his story and how a succession plan helped him transition into his current role after the passing of Ruggeri’s founder.
As a second-generation financial advisor, Logan joined the industry shortly after finishing school and was brought on as the future succession plan for Ruggeri Financial that lead to a reliable transition for clients. They focused on communication, meaning everyone met and knew Logan through the years, giving them the peace of mind, they needed. We’ll discuss the components of an effective succession plan, multi-generational planning, new marketing funnels, and more with Logan.
Key Points:
2:39 – Logan’s background story
4:50 – Quick learning moments
6:46 – Ability to think on your toes
8:00 – Succession after Ruggeri’s passing
11:02 – Communication and meeting clients
13:23 – Working with small businesses
15:30 – Peace of mind planning
17:38 – Multi-generational planning
19:09 – Documenting your succession plan
22:13 – Doing what you said you would do
24:43 – Surge and Max team
25:36 – New marketing funnels
27:44 – Multi-channel marketing
33:21 – Advice to those starting a succession plan
When Arron went out looking for a new Director of Operations, he was looking for true leaders who understand the impact individuals can make in an organization. A lot of businesses are looking for this type of change and shift in culture. Leadership is evolving and teams want to be more involved in business development and growth.
On today’s episode, our COO Arron Price and Director of Operations Jessica Schloemp join us to discuss coaching, empowerment, and important changes within FIG. Jessica explains the difference between management and leadership, she knows the importance of leaders working with their teams in a collaborative and respective manner. The best success comes just outside our comfort zone. So, it’s important as business owners and leaders to find the balance that impassions our team to grow with us.
Key Points:
2:53 – What are you working on?
3:41 – Looking for new leaders
6:42 – Management versus leadership
9:49 – Intentional when we are hiring
12:13 – Changes within operations
14:35 – How does this apply to you?
17:05 – What type of people are you looking for?
19:51 – Inspiration and motivation
On today’s episode, Reno Frazzita, the founder of Smart Money Financial Advisors, and his Senior Paraplanner Nicole Andridge join us to discuss growing a financial business and the importance of digital marketing. As a small business, they are truly making a difference in their clients’ lives. Becoming an RIA allowed Reno and Nicole to grow their business with flexible marketing. Now they are helping other advisors with their digital marketing strategy through Advisor Distillery.
We’ll discuss the process Reno and Nicole take when working with clients and what really works well for them. They’ll highlight their three levels of framework planning. As well as their marketing strategy and how Advisor Distillery uses education-based marketing and metrics to help grow an advisors target audience and reach.
Smart Money Financial Advisors: https://smartmoneyfa.com/
Advisor Distillery: https://www.advisordistillery.com/
Key Points:
2:18 – About Reno and his business
5:10 – Nicole’s background with Reno
6:33 – What was the deciding factor?
10:10 – Why did Reno want to be an RIA?
13:29 – Process at their firm and working with clients
19:33 – Three levels of framework planning
22:18 – What does Advisor Distillery do?
26:49 – What metrics do they use?
28:31 – What is the quality like?
32:36 – Built by financial professionals
What does it take to be successful in a sport? In business? The similarities between success in both may be more similar than you realize. On today’s episode, the record-breaking Paralympic star, Jessica Long joins us to discuss her story and what motivates and inspires her to achieve greatness.
Training for hours a day, consistency has always been a key component in Jessica's life. It’s not always easy, but showing up and starting is the first step. Once you have mastered consistency and technique you begin to see progress. This resonates with sports stars, business owners, and anyone else trying to grow on a professional and personal level. We explore the similarities between sports and business, the importance of a good coach, and more on today’s episode with Jessica.
Key Points:
2:34 – How many hours does she train?
4:08 – How important is consistency?
6:53 – There’s no quick and easy way
8:52 – Similarities between sports and business
10:22 – The importance of having a coach
11:52 – What makes a great coach?
13:08 – Knowing when to push
14:09 – Getting into the correct mindset
16:02 – First experience swimming for a medal
18:00 – Staying focused on your passion
19:54 – Jessica’s favorite race?
23:00 – What is the hardest swimming style?
24:00 – What qualities does she look for in partnerships?
There has been a big push for businesses to become more aligned with their mission and goals in the past few years. In today’s complex world it is getting more difficult for business owners to stay focused. At FIG we are working to help recenter and empower our advisors.
On the other side, employers have been caught off guard by “The Great Resignation.” Companies are realizing they have to offer new values to their employees. How do we keep people engaged? You have to have a strong strategy when leading a team. On today’s episode, we are going to focus on leadership, growth, focus, and purpose with FIG’s COO, Arron Price. We will discuss building a team that has a purpose, quantifying your business’ mission, becoming a great leader, and more with Arron.
Key Points:
2:29 – Leadership throughout the industry
5:13 – Connecting team members to the vision
7:01 – Quantifying what your business does
9:28 – Having a strong mission statement
11:03 – Moving away from tasks and processes
13:41 – Why are you doing something a certain way?
15:21 – Biggest takeaways as a business owner
18:52 – Closing thoughts from Arron
What kind of unique insurance policy services are available for advisors in today’s market? Your clients face unique factors in life, meaning they need customizable and innovative insurance. On today’s episode, we are joined by a group from Exceptional Risk Advisors, Sean McNiff and Ryan Moore. We’ll be discussing exactly what they do at Exceptional Risk Advisors, their relationship with Lloyd’s, and how they are educating advisors on customizable insurance solutions.
Their clients are typically high-end insurance practitioners. Functioning like an insurance carrier allows them to educate and consult with planners. Insurance is becoming more innovative as the world becomes more complex. Join us today as we discuss the background on Lloyd’s, how they partner with advisors, and some of the interesting cases they’ve encountered throughout the years.
Key Points:
2:49 – About Exceptional Risk Advisors
5:19 – Offering innovative insurance
7:08 – What does the process look like?
9:17 – Some unique cases they’ve faced
12:20 – How do they help advisors directly?
14:14 – Disability coverage and protections
17:08 – NBA sneaker deals
18:45 – Million-dollar income clients
20:54 – Where can they help out?
21:54 – Sean and Ryan’s responsibilities
22:52 – How should advisors engage?
24:58 – Signing up for newsletter
26:54 – Solving problems together
More About Our Guest:
https://www.exceptionalriskadvisors.com/
The market has been relatively stable over the past few years, but this could be changing. What do you need to know to help your clients make the best decisions possible? On today’s show, Tony Parish joins us to discuss his state of the market presentation.
Tony provides advisors with thorough information on important financial topics like inflation, investments, and market trends. 2022 has started off rocky in January. To truly understand where we stand today, Tony explores the events leading up to the current state of the market and where things are likely to go. Using these tools, Tony hopes advisors have the information and knowledge they need for success in the new year.
Key Points:
1:50 – Welcome Tony! 2:55 – State of the market presentation
6:04 – How detailed is this presentation?
7:22 – Tracking inflation and its impacts
10:49 – The 5 goals for investors
14:36 – What can you add to your process?
18:01 – What does a CIO at Alphastar do?
21:15 – Empowering your business
23:08 – Insurance as an asset class
More About Our Guest:
https://gocheckers.com/
When it comes to professional sports, a lot of marketing goes into the events they hold, similar to the financial industry. On today’s episode the Chief Operating Officer of the Charlotte Checkers Hockey Team, Tera Black, joins us to discuss challenges we face as business owners and leaders. Starting her journey on the west coast, Tera explains some of the main differences she’s seen now that she’s on the east coast when it comes to marketing. How does this apply to advisors trying to expand their image and services nationally? The Charlotte checkers have successfully marketed their team and their events as locally oriented and family-friendly through strategic planning. We’ll discuss the process of operating a marketing strategy for a professional sports team, the obstacles they face, and more.
Key Points:
1:50 – Welcome Tera!
3:31 – Marketing on different coasts
6:16 – How does recruiting work?
9:01 – Responsibilities as a COO
12:15 – Affiliate with the Florida Panthers
14:22 – Their marketing strategy and success
19:42 – Working with other teams
21:18 – Some of the obstacles in the future
24:22 – The similarities between sports and finances
More About Our Guest:
https://gocheckers.com/
What should small businesses be on the lookout for this year? How can we optimize our operations to have productive workflows and outcomes? We are excited to speak with our recurring guest, Arron Price the Chief Operating Officer at FIG on today’s episode. We’ll discuss emerging trends and efficiencies inside of FIG that you need to be aware of.
A lot of trends are being driven by technology and it’s important to stay informed as an industry, whether you are an advisor or a client. There are so many pieces to being a financial professional and it’s Arron’s goal to help consolidate and streamline financial services. By doing so he hopes to see efficient and automated workflows expand in 2022 and beyond. Join us today as we explore Arron’s mission at FIG and how FIG is working to revolutionize the financial industry.
Key Points:
1:35 – Introducing Arron Price
2:50 – Discussing trends
4:34 – The client perspective
6:03 – Consolidating the many pieces
9:23 – Building the momentum
12:11 – Resource investment
13:46 – Technology and efficiency
17:43 – Speed at which we can do things
19:03 – The advisor and client experience
21:01 – The complexities of products
21:56 – Making progress with technology
26:55 – Upcoming symposium in February
29:27 – More trends coming in 2022
More About Our Guest:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arron-price-2385016b/
The day of door-to-door financial planning is coming to an end. So how do you get your business to stand out from others? You have to be willing to enhance your practice and focus on factors that will bring your ideal client to you.
On today’s episode, we are joined by Ken Van Leeuwen of Van Leeuwen Company. They serve corporate executive clients with high-end financial planning and an elevated client experience. We are going to discuss how he’s differentiating his business through the Rembrandt Society, education, qualified financial professionals, and more.
More about our guest: https://www.vanleeuwenco.com/
Key Points:
1:48 – Welcome Ken!
3:16 – Segmenting his business
4:28 – Multi-generational planning
5:25 – Clients coming from referrals
6:41 – Executive compensation
7:33 – Active prospective systems
9:39 – The Rembrandt Society
12:55 – Keeping it simple and direct
14:45 – What makes them unique?
15:39 – Moving to a fee-based model
17:28 – Using a PR firm
10:31 – Paying an expert to do it
21:33 – Initiatives for the next year
24:39 – Focusing on qualifications
27:05 – Name your process
29:12 – Enhancing your practice
ESG investing (Environmental, Social, and Governance investing) is a growing buzzword in the financial industry. More and more people are interested in aligning their values with their investments. On today’s show, Luke Wilcox the founder of Ethos ESG joins us to discuss ESG and how his company is helping advisors elevate their services.
There is a lot of information out there about this type of service and it can be overwhelming. That’s why Luke started this journey. He wants to simplify ESG and educate others. Focusing on client engagement, his organization assists advisors with managing client risk, portfolio values, and more. Join us as we discuss ESG and how Ethos ESG can elevate your client services.
Contact Luke: luke@ethosesg.com
Key Points:
2:21 – What is Ethos ESG?
4:06 – What led Luke to start this business?
5:44 – How does Ethos help advisors?
9:34 - Multi-generational planning
11:17 – Outputs are branded for you
12:20 – What educational opportunities are there?
13:28 – What are some trends and prognostications?
15:45 – Is there an ideal client for Ethos?
17:05 – How do you start this conversation?
17:54 – What’s next for Ethos?
20:00 – How can you get connected with Luke and Ethos?
Welcome to 2022 and our 2nd season of Retirement Inside Out. We believe that it’s never too late to create your business plan or marketing plan for the year. So on today’s episode, Tom will discuss some best practices, strategies, and tactics to follow as you build out your plan for 2022. Do you have an events calendar? People want to hear from you and know when they can get information from you. An event is a really simple way to get your information out there. We’ll also go over the strategies we’ll focus on this season: keeping it simple, segmentation, setting expectations, measuring data, client appreciation, and SEO strategy.
Key Points:
0:46 – Welcome to our 2nd season
2:39 – Is it ever too late to create a business plan?
5:23 – Having an events calendar
6:54 – FIG events and what to expect
10:16 – Tactics and our future guests
11:11 – Keeping it simple
12:38 – Segmentation
13:58 – Set proper expectations
14:44 – Tracking and measuring your data
15:19 – Client appreciation events
16:06 – SEO strategy
Disney World, the happiest place on earth, certainly knows the importance of brand imagery and cultural impact. On today’s episode, we speak with 30-year Disney employee Dani Bridgers about cultural influence and advocacy. She’s worked for MGM studio, ESPN, and at the Disney parks.
At Disney, they value a cultural experience for everyone involved, the characters, the employees, and the customers. In similar ways, we want to provide an excellent client experience to our own clients and provide a culture of acceptance in our businesses. After her career at Disney, she shared her skills with a veterinarian practice and helped them revitalize their company culture. We will discuss company integrity, company culture, and how we can provide a better culture for our employees and clients.
Key Points:
2:30 – Dani’s backstory with Disney
8:13 – What are the auditions like?
10:34 – How do the roles work?
12:54 – Bringing an experience to life
15:34 – The underground Disney
17:50 – Customer experience
22:28 – After her career at Disney
27:33 – Company’s culture on your team
30:28 – Branding and values
As independent advisors, it's important we develop an inclusive and diverse environment for our clients and employees. On today's episode, we speak with Sandra Cho, the founder and CEO of Pointwealth Capital Management. Sandra knew she wanted to help people from all walks of life, to give them the skills to ensure their families were taken care of. We will be discussing her journey as an independent advisor, what we can learn from facing adversity, and how we can be part of a more diverse and inclusive future for all in the financial industry.
More about our guest: https://www.pointwealthcm.com/about-us/sandra-cho/
Key Points:
1:54 – Introducing Sandra Cho
2:40 – Why did she go into financial services?
6:51 – What led her to go independent?
10:06 – Integrating another advisor
12:07 – Why is her business growing?
14:00 – Cultural shifts and employees
18:55 – Diversity and inclusion
24:56 – How can we be part of the solution?
28:41 – Empowering women advisors and clients
Educating our clients in financial literacy is a great way to empower them to make capable decisions. There are various ways to reach clients and potential clients through webinars and seminars. On today's show, Karen Altfest the founder of Altfest Wealth Management joins us. She has focused her career to help women gain financial literacy and independence. She is passionate about teaching her clients and giving them the tools, they need to understand their own financial decisions. We will be discussing financial literacy, events, business development, and more.
More about our guest: https://www.altfest.com/
Key Points:
2:20 – Karen and Altfest’s Story
7:19 – Fee-based models
8:42 – Client structure
9:45 – Her son’s business development
11:43 – Plans for 2022
15:00 – Webinars
17:52 – Financial literacy
21:10 – Workshops
25:06 – Working with women
27:06 – Relating to someone
28:51 – Managing clients and building trust
Many of us joined the financial industry to help others. David Rosell has combined his passion for helping people with his love for storytelling. On today's episode, David Rosell joins us to speak on his approach to the art of storytelling and the importance it plays in our marketing and financial planning strategy. He's an author, speaker, and financial planner that is educating his clients and other advisors. We will be discussing his approach to marketing, his risk blueprint, and how retirement planning is like climbing Mount Everest.
More about our guest: https://www.davidrosell.com/
Key Points:
2:27 – David Rosell’s backstory
6:47 – What brought him into financial planning?
9:48 – Marketing funnels and strategy
13:00 – How people find his book
14:22 – Marketing his book
18:26 – Retirement and Mount Everest
21:54 – Risk blueprint
25:51 – Fear of the future
In the financial world and beyond we must be capable of overcoming adversity. We need to grow from our experiences. On today's show, Austin Hatch is joining us to share his G.R.I.T. framework and how it helps teams develop into their best selves.
Austin was in two separate plane crashes as a child and young adult, he then went on to play basketball at Michigan University. He has used his experiences to help others build their resilience. We are going to discuss his story and how G.R.I.T. is helping businesses around the country.
More about our guest: https://austin-hatch.com/meet-austin/
Key Points:
3:23 – Austin’s backstory
6:01 – Honing his methods
10:23 – How is he helping people today?
12:00 – What is G.R.I.T.?
18:30 – Applying G.R.I.T. to life
23:10 – Where can you find Austin?
As the world starts to open back up, live events are starting up again. The importance of events whether they are live, online, or a hybrid can not be understated. Events are crucial for our education and business development.
You can learn a lot when attending one of these events and you should focus on implementing this new knowledge into your business. On today’s show, Tom is going to discuss why we need to be attending events as financial professionals. He will also be highlighting upcoming events and what you will learn at each.
Upcoming Events: https://www.figmarketing.com/#!/BusinessDevelopment#networkingUpcomingEvents
Key Points:
0:46 – The importance of events
2:36 – Due diligence events
5:11 – Events FIG hosts
8:06 – New things coming out
10:16 – Carson partnership
11:01 – Next events
13:49 – Model office coaching
14:34 – Schechter due diligence events
15:48 – Continued education events
16:39 – 'Elevate you' event
19:13 – C.A.R. Program
20:19 – Hear from Brain Evens
22:55 – Advisor marketing
A few episodes ago we interviewed Gino with Icon Trust. Today we are continuing the conversation with his partner, Brian Simmons. Brian has been in the field for over a decade, accommodating clients with asset protection through trusts.
Icon Trust values being advisor-friendly, encouraging partnerships rather than competition. Instead of trying to get into the world of investments, they focus on trust management and providing asset protection to the clients of financial advisors. On today’s episode, we will be breaking down irrevocable trusts, state laws, market trends, and more.
More about our guest: https://icontrustnv.com/icontrust-officers/
Key Points:
1:43 – Introducing Brian Simmons of Icon Trust
2:44 – Who is Brian Simmons?
4:08 – FIG’s alliance with ICON Trust
6:57 – Breaking down what a trust is
10:31 – Licensing
12:01 – Irrevocable trusts
16:07 – Identifying opportunities with advisors
17:55 – Advisor friendly trust company
21:41 – What is next in the market?
Hiring new employees looks a lot different than it did a few years ago. Small business owners and independent financial advisors are finding it harder than ever to recruit quality candidates on their own.
To explain this change in the job market we invited Lori Miller, Vice President of FIG Talent Solutions, onto the show. Lori is an expert at connecting financial advisors with talented employees. She is going to discuss the current candidate market, wages, and how Talent Solutions can help financial advisors find their next hire.
More about our guest: https://www.figmarketing.com/#!/TalentSolutions
Key Points:
1:43 - Introducing Lori Miller
3:00 – What is Talent Solutions?
5:57 – Positions filled recently
7:17 – Advising advisors on hiring
10:13 – Wages and working from home
13:38 – Today’s job market
17:08 – How is the current applicant flow?
22:19 – Vetting candidates
25:54 – Compensation consulting
30:00 – How to contact Lori
We need coaches in many different parts of our lives, not just on the field. From financial coaches to life coaches, having someone there with the enthusiasm, expertise, and most importantly empathy to guide us can change the trajectory of our lives.
Today, we have invited Martin Rooney the founder of Training for Warriors on the show. We will be discussing his journey and the things he has discovered about teaching and learning from others.
More about our guest: https://www.trainingforwarriors.com/our-team/
Into the Roar Podcast: https://www.trainingforwarriors.com/podcast/
Key Points:
2:15 – Notre Dame Fans
4:00 – Coach, author, founder Martin Rooney
7:13 – Don’t do something you don’t love
9:05 – Becoming fiscally responsible
14:34 – Importance of having a coach
19:50 – Objections or roadblocks
27:40 – Looking for a coach
The financial industry has seen tremendous growth in the past few decades and with this has come many changes in the market. Joining us today is Karl Hoover, the Senior Vice President at FIG. With more than 2 decades in the field, his insight and passion have allowed him to help many independent financial advisors utilize tools to grow their practice. During our conversation today, we‘ll discuss FIG’s coaching strategies and programs, digital marketing, and more.
More about our guest:
https://www.figmarketing.com/#!/ProductRD/Karl-Hoover
https://advisordevelopmentshow.com/
Key Points:
2:14 – Introducing Karl, FIG Senior VP.
9:15 – Working with the local market
13:51 – Development and coaching advisors
19:50 – Client referrals and digital marketing
24:16 – Affinity Group & Tip of the Triangle
Today, Gina Pascucci, the Chief Marketing Officer at Icon Trust, is joining us to discuss the importance of trusts for financial advisors and clients. Gino is changing the field of trust management by ensuring his company doesn't compete directly with advisors but instead works in tandem with them to create holistic plans for their clients and their families. Instead of relying on trusts through the bank, independent trust administrators can provide a relationship-based service with better customer service and investment management for all parties. Learn more about this multigenerational service and why you should be incorporating them into your business.
About our guest: https://icontrustnv.com/
Key Points:
1:30 – Who is Gino and what is ‘Icon Trust’
3:17 – Being advisor friendly
5:48 – Multigenerational planning
7:48 – Who and when should client’s get trusts
10:17 – How ‘Icon Trust’ is different
12:29 – Having a transparent flat fee
15:29 – Different types of trusts
18:30 – Where ‘Icon Trust’ can fit in
20:59 – Successor trustee business
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
With only a few months left in 2021, we thought it would be the perfect time to discuss key strategies to consider implementing in your 2022 business plan. Using data to effectively grow your business can be a lot harder than it sounds. So today, Tom is going to detail the steps you need to take to reach your 2022 goals.
Key Points:
2:00 – Using data
6:43 – What’s your cost per lead?
7:47 – Cost per attendee
8:15 – Cost per appointment
11:03 – Cost to acquire
12:20 – Hire a junior advisor
17:37 – Integrate video marketing
20:12 – Know your client’s interests
21:35 – Hire a coach
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Today we welcome on Dan McDonald, CFP, CLU, ChFC, Senior Vice President of RIA Insurance Solutions. His team works with all forms of RIAs to provide a wide array of insurance solutions. We invited him on to share details of those different product offerings and explain how their company works with a variety of business models to provide the best insurance solutions for RIAs and their clients.
About our guest: https://www.ria-insurancesolutions.com/
Key Points:
1:40 – Welcome in Dan
2:50 – Who is RIA Insurance Solutions and what do they do?
8:28 – Team is more than just insurance agents
12:08 – How an RIA would engage with their team
16:46 – Assisting advisors
20:07 – How 2020 accelerated growth of business
25:37 – Helping educate RIAs
30:47 – How the relationship is structured
33:52 – The process
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Our guest today is Tony Parish, CFA®, CQF, who is the Chief Investment Officer at Alphastar Capital Management. As you can guess, he’s keenly tapped into what’s happening in all corners of finance and we’ve invited him on to share a bit of his insight. During this conversation, he’ll provide a great perspective on the economy during the first half of 2021, give his thoughts on Bitcoin, and share some insight into precious metals. It’s a thorough breakdown on where things are right now that we feel can benefit both financial professionals and retail investors.
About our guest: https://www.alphastarcm.com/who-we-are/#team
Key Points:
2:32 – His time with Alphastar
3:05 – RIAs
5:41 – His role as CIO
8:28 – Thoughts on first half of 2021
11:14 – Indicators he’s watching
14:08 – Perspective on employment right now
20:34 – Bitcoin and cryptocurrency
23:11 – Precious metals and safer investments
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Today’s guest is Dwayne Black, SVP and COO of Shutterfly, who brings a wealth of experience and business acumen to the show. We’ll talk all things big business and what he looks at from a leadership perspective, how he identifies and manages talent, and key business principles that he’s used throughout his career. There’s no doubt today’s conversation will resonate with independent financial professionals as well as small and medium-sized business owners.
About our guest: https://www.shutterflyinc.com/leadership/?l=1
Key Points:
2:39 – His background with Shutterfly
5:55 – Hiring the right people
8:20 – Finding team players that can work in multiple roles
12:39 – Coaching and providing feedback
18:30 – Transitioning through an acquisition
23:22 – Upcoming marketing trends
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Today we welcome Kevin Lozer, CFP®, co-founder of Holisitiplan tax software. We love what his team is doing because of how important tax planning has become for financial advisors, and this software allows you to scale the process in a comprehensive and efficient manner. Find out why more than 2,300 firms have already subscribed in the first two years, how this software works, and what the future of the industry could look like.
Learn more about Holistiplan: https://www.holistiplan.com/
Key Moments:
1:42 – Background on Kevin
2:55 – How the software filled a gap
4:43 – What bells and whistles are in the software
6:51 – Integrating tax planning into your practice
9:04 – Technology improvements
11:17 – Subscriber base growth
13:56 – What’s next in the industry?
19:20 – New tax laws coming into play
20:44 – Scaling his business
23:28 – His advice for advisors
26:44 – Tax planning helps attract small business owners
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Fresh off a trip to Las Vegas, co-CEOs Mike Mullan, Biran Williams, and Jim Cooper join the podcast to review our largest event to date in the Sales Symposium and we’ll share some of the cool things we rolled out there. Plus, these business leaders will share their view of where the industry is headed and what’s in store for FIG and its partners.
About the FIG leadership team: https://www.figmarketing.com/#!/FIGStory#anchor_figLeadership
Key Moments:
2:04 – Themes from Las Vegas
5:39 – Spending time on the business
8:14 – Commitment to advisors has never been greater
10:41 – Growth thanks to FIG feedback
16:29 – Fast-tracking of FinTech
20:28 – Embracing FinTech
24:43 – Validation for what we’re doing
30:16 – Excitement for the upcoming evolution
33:58 – Reflecting on the growth we’ve had
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
The retirement landscape is continually shifting and changing as the years go by. Each generation of retirees have new challenges and hurdles to overcome. As we are introduced to these problems, new products are developed to try and address these needs. We invite David Blanchett to the show today to discuss some of the new financial products that are on the rise and what resources advisors can tap into in order to learn about these products.
About David Blanchett:
David Blanchett is the Managing Director and Head of Retirement Research, DC Solutions for QMA. David conducts research primarily in the areas of financial planning, tax planning, annuities, and retirement plans. David has published over 100 papers in a variety of industry and academic journals and has won multiple awards for his work. He is a regular contributor to the Advisor Perspectives, ThinkAdvisor, and the Wall Street Journal.
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3A1QYIS
Key Moments:
2:33 - David’s Background
3:32 - Common Questions From Advisors
5:03 - Will There Be More Exotic Products?
6:40 - Educational Resources For Financial Professionals
8:30 - Why Are Income Solutions The Next Big Thing?
12:03 - Tips & Tricks When Comparing Different Solutions
13:48 - What’s A RILA?
17:31 - Why Does The RILA Make Sense In Today’s Retirement Portfolio?
19:06 - What Are Some DIY Options?
21:30 - What’s Next?
23:39 - Is There Anything David Is Acutely Focused On Right Now?
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
2020 really solidified the idea that technology is here to stay. We need to embrace this mindset and find the most efficient use of technology as it relates to our businesses. We invite Arron Price to today’s show. Arron will discuss how technology relates to relevancy and product development and some helpful tips for advisors that are looking to expand their horizon in this area.
About Arron Price:
Arron Price is the Chief Operating Officer at FIG. He originally joined FIG in 2013 as a Software Developer and worked his way up to his current position, which he took on in 2019. He works closely with his colleagues on the Executive Team to develop global strategies and direction for FIG.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arron-price-2385016b
Key Moments:
2:35 - Emerging Trends?
5:15 - Aiming To Make The Advisor’s & Client’s Experience More Simple
6:38 - Current Projects In FIG
8:23 - What Influences Product Development In FIG?
9:36 - Changes In The Life Insurance Landscape
12:11 - Does Efficiency Affect Life Insurance Sales?
14:23 - Capitalize On Someone Else’s Technology
17:18 - What Should Financial Advisors Be Looking For When Researching Technology?
22:02 - Being Compliant Because Of Technology
24:46 - Stay Ahead Of The Curve
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
As we go through life, we will encounter many peaks and valleys. At times it can be easy to give up on a goal, or a dream you have, but you must persevere to achieve greatness. We invite Marques Ogden to today’s show and he will talk about the importance of being resilient and finding a purpose.
About Marques Ogden:
Before Marques was a speaker, he was in the NFL for 5 years. He played for 5 years as an offensive lineman with the Titans, Bills, Ravens and Jaguars. He went on to launch a construction business that ultimately failed. In order to provide for his family, Marques took a job as a janitor. He knew that he couldn’t stay complacent in this position forever, so he started pursuing public speaking. Fast forward to now, Marques is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and corporate trainer.
Company Website: https://bit.ly/3dw3neF
Key Moments:
1:49 - Marques’s Background
5:02 - What’s Your “Why?”
8:06 - Connecting To Prospective Clients
10:59 - Diversity & Inclusion
15:22 - The Importance Of Coaching
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Tom sits down with Alana Kohl who is the President and Founder of AdvisorPR. We discuss how AdvisorPR helps financial advisors develop their brand, create and curate content for their clients, and much more on today's show.
About Alana Kohl:
Alana is the President and Founder of AdvisorPR. AdvisorPR is dedicated to serving the marketing communications needs of financial services professionals. Being exclusively dedicated to the financial industry since 2005, the team have built our team, services and network of industry and media relationships to truly cater to this unique niche.
Company Website: https://advisorpr.com/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3vR3E25
Key Moments:
2:40 - Background - Who Alana Is, How AdvisorPR Helps Advisors
6:10 - Early Steps & Strategies That AdvisorPR Took To Help Their Clients
11:41 - How Much Work Does The Advisor Do As Part Of A PR Campaign?
17:17 - How Does Alana Challenge Her Clients To Differentiate Themselves From Other Financial Advisors?
21:39 - The “Don’t”s Of A PR Or Marketing Campaign
29:00 - What’s To Come In The Future?
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
In this episode, Tom speaks with Brad Swineheart of White Glove about using data metrics and tracking what are the best ways for advisors to work with their clients. He shares some of the upcoming projects that White Glove is incorporating into their business model, and how they hope to bring a simpler approach to a chaotic industry for financial professionals.
About Brad Swineheart:
Brad is the Senior Vice President of Business Development at White Glove, an industry leader in innovating ways of marketing for financial advisors. He focuses on building genuine partnerships and tracking data that help advisors efficiently grow their business.
Company Website: https://whiteglove.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradswineheart/
Key Moments:
2:24 - Brad Shares What White Glove Does In Marketing
9:41 - The Top Marketing Strategies To Use In The Era Of Free Information
13:13 - Being Open To New Forms Of Communication And Tracking The Data
19:07 - Looking For Where To Make Most Efficient Marketing Recommendations To Clients
24:08 - How To Simplify Marketing For Advisors
27:44 - Future Projects and Changes Coming To Marketing
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
The medical field is continuously making progress and breakthroughs with medicine and just an overall understanding of how the body works. This is why people live so much longer today. While living longer is a good thing, you may have an accident that causes you to have to stay in a long term care facility at some point in your life. Alecia Barnette joins us on today’s show and discusses why you need to be prepared for a long term care event and the consequences of failing to plan.
About Alecia Barnette:
Alecia Barnette is the Senior Vice President Of Care Planning at FIG. She has 20+ years of experience in the care planning industry and her goal is to assist agents in protecting their clients from the consequences of unexpected care needs.
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3gkBfgf
Key Moments:
3:13 - How Long Alecia Has Been With FIG
4:48 - Difference Between Traditional & Asset Based Long Term Care
7:52 - Getting Financial Professionals To Include Long Term Care Planning In Their Practice
14:09 - Consequences For Lack Of Coverage
13:46 - What Are Some Current Trends In The Industry?
16:32 - Helping Financial Professionals Become Confident In This Area
18:42 - Turnkey Programs
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
As time goes on, people are growing less concerned with staying loyal to a particular brand. Consumers and clients want to feel more connected to brands on a personal level. Samantha Russell has spent a lot of her time developing marketing strategies that focus on this authentic way to attract clients and she will share some of these ideas with Tom today.
About Samantha Russell:
Samantha is the Chief Evangelist at FMG Suite & Twenty Over Ten. Russell uses her extensive digital, content and social media marketing to educate financial advisors with their marketing resources and strategies to help them grow their practices.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthacrussell
Key Moments:
2:14 - Samantha’s Background
7:06 - Successful Marketing Tactics
10:44 - Making More Specific Calls To Action
14:18 - Use The Client’s Language
19:12 - Long Term Marketing Mindset
27:04 - What’s Next?
30:26 - Any Gimmicks To Be Aware Of?
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Over the past year, we saw the havoc that COVID-19 caused all across the globe. The media would broadcast the number of those who passed due to this disease and how many hospitals were at their max capacity. These factors caused a huge surge in life insurance sales and inquiries. But like many things, the more a product grows, the more changes we start to see in that arena. Dave Henry talks to Tom today on what he has witnessed over the past year, what changes have been made, and what's on the horizon for the life insurance industry.
About Dave Henry:
Dave is the Executive Vice President of Life Insurance at FIG. Dave has an extensive background in the life insurance realm and uses his knowledge to educate his advisors, who then educate their clients. His team strives to match each client’s objectives with the correct products for their situation.
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3p8pUCM
Key Moments:
1:56 - Dave’s Role At FIG
6:24 - The Current Landscape Of Life Insurance
14:06 - The CAR Program
18:23 - How The Underwriting Process Has Changed
23:38 - What Changes Might Be Coming?
28:50 - Planning Around New Legislation
30:44 - Product Innovation
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Today's podcast is going to be a little bit different than our usual interviews. We sit down with FIG's Senior Marketing Strategist Alisa Agnew to review the epiodes of the podcast we have done so far. We talk about the high points of each interview, some common traits we have observed, and what's on the horizon for FIG.
Key Moments:
1:19 - Looking Back On Starting The Podcast
4:18 - Michael Kitces
6:00 - Kindra Hall
9:45 - Colin Branch
10:57 - Matt Woodford
11:40 - David Drummond
15:48 - Sheryl Moore
17:06 - FiComm
18:19 - Louis Diamond
19:23 - David McKnight
20:20 - Monica Breeding
26:13 - Phil Puma
27:34 - Pat Quinn
30:09 - Schechter
31:04 - Devan Kline
33:00 - Jamie Hopkins
35:32 - Erica Pauly
36:50 - Elevate Live Event
38:17 - Ryan Sterling
38:56 - Wendy Burk
40:49 - What’s Coming Next?
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Tom sits down with Wendy Burk to talk about how the past year has impacted the travel industry. Wendy also discusses how her team shifted their focus once travel restrictions took place, as well as lessons they learned for the future. Other topics also include advice for business owners looking to book corporate trips and how retirees should approach traveling.
About Wendy Burk:
Wendy is the CEO and Founder of Cadence Travel, a full-service corporate travel management group. With over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, Wendy is committed to building lasting relationships and expanding people’s traveling horizons.
Company Website: https://www.cadencetravel.com
Key Moments:
2:17 - Wendy Shares What Cadence Travel Does And How They Serve Clients
5:45 - What Corporate Travel Conversations Look Like Right Now
12:40 - Initial Impact Of The Coronavirus On The Travel Industry And What Has Come Out Of The Past Year
21:16 - Sharing The Daily Message
24:46 - How Retirees Should Approach Traveling
29:01 - Recommendations For Corporate Trips
32:00 - Threats To The Travel Industry Right Now
35:27 - What To Look For In An Advisor
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
In this episode, Tom speaks with Ryan Sterling about why he decided to shift his company to an independent standing. They also discuss Ryan's interest in getting younger professionals interested in their financial plans and how he separates himself from other financial companies.
About Ryan Sterling:
Ryan is the Founder of Future You Wealth, an independent financial company that is helping both young and established professionals achieve financial peace through wealth management.
Company Website: https://futureyouwealth.com/about-fyw
Key Moments:
2:32 - Ryan Shares His Background And How It’s Lead Him To The Present Day
6:59 - Making The Decision To Take Your Company Independent
12:40 - How Ryan Has Marketed To His Target Market
19:01 - Breaking Down the Future You Wealth Model
28:34 - Ryan Explains His Revenue Model For His Company
33:11 - How The Past Year Has Affected Ryan And His Work
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
We have a special edition of the podcast today! Instead of a regular podcast recording, this discussion took place at an Elevate event in Chicago, where Tom was a guest speaker. He chats with Monica Breeding about how the pandemic has affected marketing, some best practices for digital marketing, and what we can expect moving forward.
About Monica Breeding:
Monica is the Senior Vice President of Advisor Marketing at Financial Independence Group. With over eight years in the industry, she helps bring new and innovative ideas to marketing, as well as interpret market trends to make the best decisions for FIG.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-breeding-30160b47/
Key Moments:
1:29 - What Does An Advisor Marketing Team Look Like?
5:07 - Strategies That Monica & Her Team Offer
11:34 - What’s An Engagement Campaign?
16:45 - The Need For Video Marketing
20:48 - Being Authentic
23:41 - Recommendations For Financial Advisors
26:41 - Collecting Data From Webinars
32:42 - APM Digital Coaching
36:43 - Sales & Marketing Trackers
47:34 - Video Content That Has Had Success Outside Of Webinars
52:35 - Tracking KPIs
54:35 - Differences Between Loan Beacon & All Points Media
56:20 - Strategies That Have Come Out Of The Pandemic That Will Continue To Be Relevant
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
In this episode, Tom speaks with Erica Pauley about how important it is for advisors and financial professionals to track data to best serve their clients. They also discuss how Erica’s company is helping coach these advisors, and what trends she has noticed in the past year when it comes to data and analytics.
About Erica Pauley:
Erica is the founder of Track That Advisor, a company that utilizes numbers to better serve and coach advisors. Through this data-driven approach, financial professionals can now better understand the changing market around them.
Company Website: https://trackthatadvisor.com/
Key Moments:
2:59 - Erica Shares Her Background And What Track That Advisor Does For Clients
6:56 - Which Data Metrics Are Important To Track For Financial Professionals
16:52 - What An Ideal Office Setup Looks Like For Successful Clients
20:24 - Interesting Data Trends Over The Past Year
26:41 - What Tools Are Available For Advisors To Use To Track Their Data
29:02 - Creating Dashboards For Tracking Important Data
33:01 - What To Be Paying Attention To When Looking For A New Financial Advisor
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
In this episode, Tom sits down with Jamie Hopkins to discuss the growing world of retirement planning, and how it will continue to change going forward for future retirees. Jamie also breaks down his role as a Retirement Research Director and how he expects the market to change from his recent research.
About Jamie Hopkins:
Motivated by a personal tragedy in his own life, Jamie made it his goal to help people not only better understand their retirement but also help them set up safer plans they can trust. Serving as the Director of Retirement Research at Carson Group, Jamie studies and anticipates market trends that could affect financial retirement plans.
Jamie’s Website: https://www.jamiehopkins.com/
Company Website: https://www.carsonwealth.com/team-members/jamie-hopkins/
Key Moments:
5:42- Jamie Breaks Down His Professional Journey
15:33 - Why Retirement Education Is Growing Recently
19:30 - Understanding Financial Certifications
23:36 - Jamie Explains His Role With The Carson Group
26:32 - What To Anticipate In the Near Future With Financial Markets
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
On this Episode Tom takes a different approach, sitting down with fitness expert Devan Kline. They tie in how your fitness can help guide decisions you make in the business world, and how a good physical state of mind can lead to a more productive workplace and success.
About Devan Kline:
Kline is the Co-Founder and CEO of Burn Bootcamp, a national fitness franchise that continues to grow across the country, with over 300 locations.
Company Website: https://burnbootcamp.com/
Key Moments:
2:34 - An Explanation Into What Burn Bootcamp Is
7:39 - The Importance Of Creating A Vision and Following It
11:27 - How Devan Would Coach Another Business Owner When It Comes to Marketing
20:28 - What People Should be Thinking About In Terms Of Their Physical Health As They Approach Retirement
26:25 - The Growth of Burn Bootcamp And The Future
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
When buying life insurance, it’s important to find a policy that is a great fit for your family and financial plan. However, there are many life insurance policies out there that take a one-size-fits all approach. The team at Schechter®wants to find a policy that is custom to you by utilizing advanced insurance planning concepts and strategies. Kevin Beauchamp & Jordan Smith from Schechter® join us on today’s show to break down what advanced insurance planning is and what situations you can use it for.
About Schechter®:
Schechter® is a multi-faceted company that contains three lines of business: insurance, investment advisory, and private capital. For over 80 years they have been helping clients solve a variety of problems. From finding the right insurance policy to building a business succession plan, and much more.
Company Website: https://www.schechterwealth.com/#
Key Moments:
2:00 - What Schechter® Does
4:10 - Background On Jordan
6:36 - Advanced Insurance Planning Strategies
8:10 - Premium Financing On The Consumer Side
10:21 - Who’s Right For Premium Financing?
12:54 - How Schechter® Helps Financial Advisors
15:37 - Finding Solutions For Business Owners
16:32 - Cases They Have Worked On
19:19 - Example Of Helping A Business
23:15 - Educating Advisors & Clients
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Tom gets the chance to talk with Pat Quinn from Advance Your Reach, a company that recently partnered with FIG. They discuss how AYR helps build better communicators, and the basic steps everyone should be taking when it comes to better sharing your message.
About Pat Quinn:
From performing magic tricks, to eventually becoming a high school math teacher, Pat got first-hand experience learning how important communication is in the world. Now serving as a presentation coach at Advance Your Reach, Pat wants to help people effectively spread their messages in a way that sticks with the audience well after the presentation.
Company Website: https://advanceyourreach.com/
Key Moments:
2:04 - Pat Shares What Advance Your Reach Does As Well As What His Role Entails With The Company
6:14 - What Types of Clients Reach Out To Advance Your Reach
8:47 - Being Authentic When You Speak
12:07 - The Four-Part Structure To Communication
17:59 - Tips For Financial Advisor Or Insurance Agents When Communicating With Customers
24:42 - Who All Does Advance Your Reach Serve Outside of Financial World
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
In this episode, Tom discusses the world of market metrics and analytics with Jeremy Lyons, and how Cornerstone implements that data into their work. They also discuss what Cornerstone has learned over the last year and how they hope to continue their success in 2021.
About Jeremy Lyons:
Once the owner of a construction business, Jeremy now serves as the Director of Marketing at Cornerstone Wealth Management. He analyzes market trends and metrics to identify where Cornerstone can better serve its clients.
Company Website: cornerstonevegas.com
Key Moments:
2:17 - Insight Into What Cornerstone Does
3:46 - What Does The Role Director Of Marketing Entail At A Large Firm
6:22 - Is Tracking Data New To Cornerstone Or Something The Company Has Been Doing For Awhile
13:24 - What Is A Director Of First Impressions
21:44 - What Marketing Lessons Have Been Learned from 2020
32:30 - Cornerstone’s Plans For 2021
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
In this episode, Tom sits down with his friend and realtor Phil Puma to learn his perspective as a small business owner. They also discuss Phil’s predictions for the housing market over the next 18 months, as well as building connections and growing a business.
About Phil Puma:
Phil is the founder of Puma and Associates, one of the largest privately-held independent real estate agencies in the Carolinas.
Company Website: pumahomes.com
Key Moments:
2:34 - Phil Shares Insight Into His Background & What Brought Him To Charlotte
5:24 - How Phil Has Structured His Reality Company Compared To Others
11:29 - Why It’s Important To Be A Real Estate Coach, But Also Still Be Coachable Yourself
14:30 - What To Expect For The Next 18 Months In The Real Estate World
17:48 - How To Approach The Real Estate Market Right Now
20:39 - Adding Other Professional Services To Your Company As A Business Owner
25:00 - Tips For Navigating The Rising Digital Age Of Real Estate
29:31 - What Characteristics Phil Would Look For When It Comes To Finding A New Financial Planner
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Monica joins Tom to explain how her team customizes marketing plans for financial professionals in FIG’s Elevate program. She also shares what she has observed over the last year through trendy marketing techniques and how professionals can navigate the virtual world of working with consumers
About Monica Breeding:
Monica is the Senior Vice President of Advisor Marketing at Financial Independence Group. With over eight years in the industry, she helps bring new and innovative ideas to marketing, as well as interpret market trends to make the best decisions for FIG.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-breeding-30160b47/
Key Moments:
2:13 - Monica's Background In Marketing & Her Journey To FIG
6:12 - What FIG’s Marketing Strategists Do For Financial Advisors & Business Owners
13:38 - Recommendations For Companies Creating A Marketing Budget
16:54 - Marketing Takeaways From The End Of 2020
24:07 - Are People Open To These New Forms Of Marketing?
29:36 - How Monica Is Working To Spread Her Marketing Knowledge Out To Consumers
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Taxes have been a hot topic in the industry, especially with a new presidential administration that has talked about raising the current tax rates and all of the stimulus money that has gone out over the past year. We need to be proactive in our financial planning and that’s why we bring in David McKnight to today’s show. David talks to us about why the Power Of Zero is more relevant than ever, ways they have adapted to the pandemic, and much more.
About David McKnight:
David is a bestselling author, known most notably for writing The Power Of Zero. Many financial professionals loved this book and its principles, so David has launched his own Power Of Zero program. This program aims to train advisors with the Power Of Zero methods and help them execute them correctly to better serve their clients.
David's Website For Consumers: https://davidmcknight.com/
David’s Website For Advisors: https://www.powerofzero.com/
Key Moments:
1:23 David’s Background
3:53 - Common Responses
7:16 - Adapting Business Strategy
12:03 - Taxes With The New Administration
14:58 - Equipping CPA’s With Education
16:57 - Let The Experts Tell The Story
18:30 - Advice With Personal Branding
20:54 - What’s Next For David?
22:14 - Fear Around Digital Marketing
24:43 - What Should We Look For In A Financial Professional?
26:33 - David’s Contact Information
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
In today’s show, Tom speaks with Diamond Consultants President Louis Diamond, to discuss all things enterprise value for independent advisors. He also provides a unique and qualified perspective when it comes to company evaluations, implementing plans of continuity and succession, as well as how to effectively add talent.
About Louis Diamond:
Louis Diamond is the President of Diamond Consultants. He’s helped a number of teams transition to a different employee-model firm or launch an RIA firm. Louis has first-hand knowledge when it comes to working with multi-generational teams in today’s industry.
Company website: https://www.diamond-consultants.com/
Key Moments:
2:17 - Louis's Background & His Role With Diamond Consultants
8:46 - Advice That Louis & His Team Offer
12:35 - How Often Companies Or People Have A Succession Or Continuity Plan In Place.
17:21 - Where Valuation Stands In The Process Of Change
21:12 - Industry Averages When It Comes To Multipliers
25:13 - Why You Don’t Necessarily Have To Give Up 100% Of The Company When You’re Looking To Sell
29:18 - Best Strategies To Use When Looking To Add More Advisors To Your Firm
34:48 - What The Next Generation Of Financial Advisors Looks Like
36:40 - Advice For Consumers Looking To Make A Change In Financial Advisors
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
The world around us is constantly changing and it's important that we are able to adapt in our business appropriately to better serve our clients. That's exactly what David Drummond has perfected in his practice. We talk to David about how COVID-19 has changed the way they do business, and the importance of continually making an effort to meet your clients' needs as the world around them advances and moves forward.
About David Drummond:
David is a financial advisor in South Florida and works alongside his brother serving the Miami-Dade area.
Drummond Brothers Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/3aqzpry
BENCOR Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/3qqu4WD
Key Moments:
2:28 - What Did The First Months Of The Pandemic Look Like?
6:57 - Client Expectations
10:13 - Challenges Of Getting Authenticity Through A Screen
16:01 - Diversification Of Business
20:02 - Listening To Clients & Meeting Their Needs
29:58 - Plans For 2021?
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
In this episode, John sits down with Megan Carpenter and Candice Carlton from FiComm to discuss their marketing mantra “New Skool,” which is helping leaders become authentic in their approach. They also discuss how to market to different audiences in this new age, and how to incorporate new methods to reach those target groups.
About FiComm
FiComm is an industry leader in the marketing space when it comes to Registered Investment Advisors and Broker-Dealers. They are helping create change through their marketing strategies.
Company website: https://www.ficommpartners.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganficomm/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicecarlton/
Key Moments
(2:16) - What FiComm is and how they serve clients.
(3:42) - What does leading with authenticity mean?
(7:07) - Common concerns among advisors when learning to be authentic.
(12:35) - Where advisors need to show up in their leadership.
(24:09) - Not all marketing strategies reach clients equally.
(26:46) - Metrics to keep an eye on when it comes to marketing.
(29:55) - An explanation of the “New Skool” podcast and what the show is about.
(34:31) - Predictions for marketing for financial advisors in 2021.
(38:07) - Tips for consumers looking for a new financial advisor.
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Tom sits down with Sheryl Moore to discuss her experience in the financial insurance industry. They cover what financial professionals need to know about regulations and products, as well as what consumers can learn about annuities.
About Sheryl Moore
Sheryl is an annuity and life insurance expert. She serves as the Chief storyteller at Wink, Inc., an industry research firm. She is also the President of Moore Market Intelligence, providing valuable intel for the professional financial community.
Company website: Winkintel.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryljmoore/
Key Moments
1:56 - Sheryl gives insight into her background in the financial industry.
7:10 - How rate changes in the past year will affect the fixed insurance industry.
10:14 - Why we might see a trend of insurance carriers dropping out of the industry due to COVID.
11:55 - How fee structures on FIAs may become the new norm.
14:40 - How recent and upcoming regulation changes will affect the insurance industry going forward.
20:42 - Sheryl shares a story about her relationship with regulators.
25:04 - Why there is a growing interest in annuities.
27:41 - How to educate your sales team on pitching annuities.
32:20 - Common concerns among consumers about financial insurance.
35:31 - Sheryl offers advice to someone looking to make a change with their financial insurance plan.
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Tom sits down with long time friend Matt Woodford to discuss overlooked insurance coverage options for all consumers, as well as why advisors who offer property & casualty insurance have collected more assets on average than those who haven't offered the service. Make sure you’re not missing out on the advantages of one of the most common asset protection strategies.
About Matt Woodford:
Matt is the the president of IPCG, a property and casualty Insurance Brokerage Firm, and member of the FIG family of companies.
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3bUxDzK
Company Website: https://www.ipcginsurance.com/
Key Moments:
1:50 - Matt provides background on how IPCG started and why partnering with FIG is so helpful to their clients.
5:38 - What factors went into Matt’s decision to leave a larger corporation like State Farm to work independently.
11:39 - Why offering P&C is beneficial for all parties involved as well as planning for the future.
15:37 - Highlighting some of the objections to offering P&C and how Matt counters those.
17:16 Commonly overlooked coverage options that people miss.
19:12 - The issue with getting an insurance plan without doing proper research as well as not going over your plan annually.
21:22 - Matt shares how you should be reviewing your plan annually and what you should be looking for during these reviews.
22:41 - How financial advisors can market IPCG to their clients successfully.
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Today we sit down with Colin Branch. the Vice President of Life Sales for Financial Independence Group. We talk to Colin today about his transition to FIG, time in the NFL, and the importance of finding a financial professional that works with your best interest in mind.
About Colin Branch:
Colin originally arrived to the Carolinas after he was drafted by the Panthers in 2003. He got his start in the financial industry by working as an agent for Northwestern Mutual, but after some time, he realized he wanted to work with a team of people. He interviewed with FIG and has been with the company for 6 years.
Key Moments:
1:52 - Colin’s Background
6:07 - What Brought Colin To FIG?
12:11 - Will Life Insurance Continue To Go Up In Sales?
16:36 - Saquon Barkley Story
20:00 - Pro Athletes & Finances
25:22 - Traits To Look For In A Financial Advisor
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Best-selling author Kindra Hall joins Tom to discuss why stories are so important in business today. They'll also explore why financial professionals can benefit from video storytelling on their websites and share tips on how advisors can tell their "Value Story".
About Kindra Hall:
Kindra is the Chief Storyteller Officer at Success Magazine. She's an entrepreneur and the best-selling author of the book "Stories That Stick."
Website: https://kindrahall.com/
Book: https://www.storiesthatstick.com/
Success Magazine: https://www.success.com/
Key Moments:
1:43 - How Kindra became a national champion storyteller.
3:50 - Kindra underscores how important "The Founder's Story" is for every company.
7:17 - How advisors can leverage their "Value Story".
13:36 - Tips for advisors who want to integrate video marketing into their practices.
17:57 - Is video marketing an expectation now?
20:00 - Kindra shares some ideas for entrepreneurs who are just starting their business journey.
24:27 - Tom asks Kindra to outline what she personally would look for in a financial professional.
Contact Retirement Inside Out:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Renowned financial planning professional Michael Kitces joins Tom to discuss Michael's viewpoint on the messaging as it pertains to the retirement dilemma in the US. They'll also delve into the best practices for financial professionals to fish for new clients, and what financial professionals and investors alike should focus on in today's fast-changing financial world.
About Michael Kitces:
Michael is the Publisher, Editor-In-Chief, and Chief Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com. He's also the head of planning and strategy at Buckingham Wealth Partners and the co-founder of several additional ventures in the financial services space. He's also the host of the Financial Advisor Success Podcast.
Key Moments:
2:00 - What's behind the "Kitces Blue"?
5:10 - Michael reflects on how marketing for financial professionals has changed during the Coronavirus pandemic.
10:25 - Should you try to be everywhere you possibly can from a marketing perspective?
16:36 - Is there a nationwide retirement dilemma facing us today?
26:10 - Michael looks back at an old 60 Minutes segment that painted an inaccurate picture of the financial services industry and what it takes to be prepared for retirement, and the lessons that can be learned from that today.
Contact:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com
Meet Retirement Inside Out's host Tom Lamendola as he outlines the vision behind the podcast. Tom is joined by Alisa Agnew, Senior Marketing Strategist at Financial Independence Group, to talk about the uniqueness of the show and how it seeks to serve both financial professionals and everyday investors about exceeding the demands of today's retirement industry.
Key Moments:
0:32 - The Vision Behind Creating Retirement Inside Out
2:02 - Tom Reflects On His Past Experiences In The Financial Industry
3:37 - Introducing Alisa Agnew, Senior Marketing Strategist At FIG
5:00 - Alisa Evaluates How Things Have Changed In The Industry Over Past Several Years
Contact:
Email: tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com
Phone: 800-527-1155
Web: figmarketing.com