Month: April 2020

Ep 13: Using Video to Guide Your Clients Through Uncertainty – With Laura Garfield and Fernando Ereneta

Ep 13: Using Video to Guide Your Clients Through Uncertainty – With Laura Garfield and Fernando Ereneta

Welcome to The Flexible Advisor podcast! This is the show for financial advisors that digs into industry trends, investor preferences, and FlexShares’ proprietary advisor and investor research. 

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain welcome two special guests: Idea Decanter co-founder Laura Garfield and advisor Fernando Ereneta. Together, the four discuss how advisors can best get their message out to clients during this time of self-isolation and working from home using one simple tool — video.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why advisors are being called upon to lead right now
  • A technique to create studio-quality videos remotely with an iPhone
  • How to use video to share your authentic self to clients and prospects
  • And more!

Tune in now to get some tips on working remotely, communicating quickly, and connecting with your clients!

Resources:  FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Idea Decanter | Fernando Ereneta

Ep 12: Better Client Communication Through Technology – Stronger Every Day in 15 Minutes

Ep 12: Better Client Communication Through Technology – Stronger Every Day in 15 Minutes

The Flexible Advisor Podcast

Leveraging Technology To Improve Client Relationships – 15 Minute Conversation with Laura Gregg and David Partain

Navigating this health crisis and the financial volatility that goes along with it is like drinking from a fire hose.  FlexShares is working hard to deliver a variety of resources for advisors under the banner of Stronger Every Day including 15-minute bite-size podcasts to give you some quick ideas around helping clients – and your business through this uncertain time. In this episode, Laura and David talk about the importance of proactive communication.

In this episode, Laura and David will discuss

  • Staying connected with new digital technologies and some old favorites.
  • Using planning tools to keep the conversation going.
  • Leveraging digital marketing strategies to grow your brand..

Tune in now to learn practical ways to keep yourself top of mind for clients!  

Resources:

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain 

Ep 11: Raising Awareness of Financial Planning in Diverse Communities – With Malcolm Ethridge

Ep 11: Raising Awareness of Financial Planning in Diverse Communities – With Malcolm Ethridge

Over the next 20 years, the U.S. is going to look much different than it does today. In fact, we’re already seeing more women, people of color, younger people, and LGBTQ people owning a larger share of U.S. and global wealth. 

Is your advisory firm building diverse teams and clientele? 

Today, Laura Gregg and David Partain speak to Malcolm Ethridge of CIC Wealth Management about what firms can do to make their services accessible to under-served communities as well as how they can seek diverse talent. This is an honest conversation that explores opportunities that are available to every firm that says “yes” to diversity.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How Malcolm is delivering financial literacy in a new way to help give back to his community and others like it. 
  • Malcolm’s perspective on whether clients truly seek out advisors who look like them
  • What firms should focus on when trying to build a diverse team
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn practical ways to start working to capture and retain a more diverse clientele!  

Resources:  FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | Malcolm Ethridge on LinkedIn | Manage Your Damn Money with Ben & Malcolm

Ep 10: Clients Don’t Want Another Email – Stronger Every Day in 15 Minutes

Ep 10: Clients Don’t Want Another Email – Stronger Every Day in 15 Minutes

Navigating this health crisis and the financial volatility that goes along with it is like drinking from a fire hose.  FlexShares is working hard to deliver a variety of resources for advisors under the banner of Stronger Every Day including 15-minute bite-size podcasts to give you some quick ideas around helping clients – and your business through this uncertain time. In this episode, Laura and David talk about the importance of proactive communication.

In this episode, you will learn

  • Why navigating 2008 successfully doesn’t’ give you a free pass today – your clients have changed.
  • Why now is the time to deepen relationships by giving email a break
  • The importance of leading with personal wellbeing and then offering to educate and stress test plans

Tune in now to learn practical ways to keep yourself top of mind for clients!  

Resources:

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | Related Blog Post

Ep 9: Now is the Time to Spend Marketing Dollars – With Malcolm Ethridge

Ep 9: Now is the Time to Spend Marketing Dollars – With Malcolm Ethridge

With markets in disarray, many investors are looking for help from financial advisors. While it may seem counterintuitive, now is the time to boost – rather than cut – your marketing spend and optimize your visibility online. 

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Malcolm Ethridge, a financial advisor and executive vice president of CIC Wealth Management. Malcolm explains why is ramping up his marketing activities and how they are different than what he was doing earlier in the year. He also talks about how he is getting referrals during the COVID-19 pandemic without asking for them..

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Which digital marketing strategies have been effective for Malcolm 
  • The importance of working with your compliance officer to be as nimble as possible
  • A different approach to attracting referrals
  • Why LinkedIn is such an important platform for advisors today 
  • And more!

Tune in now for ideas on how to shift your marketing and ramp it up during this time when people are increasingly looking for your expertise.

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | Malcolm Ethridge on LinkedIn | Manage Your Damn Money with Ben & Malcolm

Ep 8: An Advisor’s Guide to the CARES Act – With Susan Czochara and Lee Freitag

Ep 8: An Advisor’s Guide to the CARES Act – With Susan Czochara and Lee Freitag

The recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is a stimulus package that offers Americans a bridge to short-term financial survival. 

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Susan Czochara and Lee Freitag from Northern Trust Asset Management to walk you through the CARES Act. They discuss the provisions that are aimed at providing relief for retirement investors’ short-term funding needs, plus the options that are available to individuals, families, and small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • What the CARES Act is
  • How the CARES Act might affect IRA contributions and distributions
  • About the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses
  • How advisors can help investors balance the need to support short-term funding needs versus remaining focused on long-term investment goals
  • And more!

Tune in now for insights on the CARE Act.

Resources:

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain

Ep 7: Ways to Manage and Inspire Newly Remote Teams – With Kelli Cruz

Ep 7: Ways to Manage and Inspire Newly Remote Teams – With Kelli Cruz

Could you use some tried-and-true advice to help your team adapt to remote work?

In this episode, Laura Gregg is joined by Kelli Cruz of Cruz Consulting Group. They discuss how to engage, manage, and inspire your team while working remotely and how to set up your advisory practice for growth that can continue outside of the COVID-19 crisis.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Why some firms have had a smooth transition to remote work
  • Ideas for implementing a digital open-door policy for your team
  • Tips for keeping the social aspect of your workplace alive
  • Why some advisors are using this time to address their firm’s capacity issues
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how to serve your newly remote employees and nurture a positive work culture.

Resources:  FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain
| Cruz Consulting Group | Kelli Cruz on LinkedIn 

 

Ep 6 Rethink How to Win Executives – Part 3 of 3

Ep 6 Rethink How to Win Executives – Part 3 of 3

Are your assumptions about high-net-worth (HNW) male and female primary breadwinners hurting your bottom line?

In this final episode of the mini-series, Laura Gregg and David Partain of FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds bust advisors’ gender assumptions about executive investors. Together, they urge advisors to reconsider the assumptions that they may be making about their executive and professional clients.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Techniques and considerations for working with couples
  • Why it’s important to consider risk appetite in terms of dollars, not percentages
  • What advisors have to lose if they don’t change their approach 
  • And more!

Tune in now and learn how to give your approach to working with HNW investors an overhaul. 

Resources:  FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Study: “Rethink How to Win Executives” |
Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | The Integrated Core Approach to ESG

Ep 5: Rethink How to Win Executives – Part 2 of 3

Ep 5: Rethink How to Win Executives – Part 2 of 3

It’s time to challenge what you thought you knew about the investor behaviors of high-net-worth (HNW) men versus women. 

In part two of our mini-series, the conversation continues with Laura Gregg and David Partain of FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds as they dig deeper into the unexpected findings from their stereotype-smashing study. Together, they uncover the actions, desires, and perceptions of men and women HNW investors that are true departures from gender stereotypes. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Surprisingly, who the more conservative investor is
  • Which gender considers themselves to be “experts” in investing
  • How vastly different financial goals are between the genders
  • What these HNW primary breadwinners really want from their advisor services
  • And more!

Tune in to hear what the findings reveal about the behaviors of HNW primary breadwinner men versus women. 

Resources:  FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Study: “Rethink How to Win Executives” | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain

Ep 4: Rethink How to Win Executives – Part 1 of 3

Ep 4: Rethink How to Win Executives – Part 1 of 3

Despite high-net-worth (HNW) earners being a key market for advisors, little research has been done on the investor behaviors of men versus women in this demographic. Now FlexShares’ study is casting light on the gender differences within this group, and the results call for advisors to change their approach. 

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain of FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds talk about the remarkable findings from their study, which reveals that HNW earners don’t fit the mold of traditional gender stereotypes. This is a conversation that examines advisors’ assumptions and opportunities for them to make changes that will cultivate lasting client relationships.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • What prompted FlexShares to invest in this study
  • How the results can help advisors rethink how they serve HNW clients
  • Which gender stereotypes and assumptions were called into question by the results
  • And more!

Tune in now and discover how HNW primary breadwinners are defying traditional gender stereotypes.

Resources:  FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Study: “Rethink How to Win Executives” | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain