Month: June 2021

Ep 56: Assess Before Building A Diversity & Inclusion Program – With Kemy Joseph, CEO of F.E.A.R.S Advantage

Ep 56: Assess Before Building A Diversity & Inclusion Program – With Kemy Joseph, CEO of F.E.A.R.S Advantage

Assess before you make a mess,” is what Kemy Joseph, CEO and DEI Strategist at F.E.A.R.S. Advantage tells Laura Gregg and David Partain in this episode of The Flexible Advisor.

Kemy talks about the stress that firm leaders face when it comes to the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and why it’s critical that firm leaders understand the current culture that exists within their firm before implementing DEI change. Once existing staff and leaders feel safe, trusted and included, then consider adding other diverse hires in an intentional way to strengthen your firm’s culture. The conversation covers data from FlexShares latest diversity study and how Kemy works with firm leaders identify appropriate goals for their firm’s DEI program that lead to measurable business benefits

Listen to learn: 

  • Why trust is a critical underpinning for building a successful DEI program.
  • Confusion that DEI is just about hiring people of different skin colors or genders
  • The difference between DEI committees and DEI clubs
  • Building a DE&I program based on specific outcomes firms desire
  • The four measures of safety within an organization 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Kemy Joseph:

Connect With  Laura Gregg: 

Connect With  David Partain: 

About Our Guest:

Kemy Joseph is the CEO and DEI strategist at F.E.A.R.S. Advantage LLC. He works with firm owners and leaders within the financial services space to help them better understand how to create diversity, equity and inclusion programs that will yield results, both business and social. He’s on a mission to help around 5 million business leaders advance equity in their organizations by 2030 to create company culture where people of all backgrounds can work safely and thrive.

Ep 55: Consumer Preferences In Hiring a Financial Planner — With Dr. Miranda Reiter, CFP®, Texas Tech University

Ep 55: Consumer Preferences In Hiring a Financial Planner — With Dr. Miranda Reiter, CFP®, Texas Tech University

What’s most important when choosing a financial planner?  Does race and gender outweigh other characteristics like age, years of experience or levels of trust?

Dr. Miranda Reiter, CFP®, from Texas Tech University, is studying this topic and shares her findings on what’s most important to consumers. Listen as Laura Gregg and David Partain compare and contrast data with Dr. Reiter’s about her work and the FlexShares’ 2021 study on diversity in advisory. Where were findings similar and where did they diverge and why? 

Topics covered: 

  • Dr. Reiter’s journey from banker to financial planner and entrepreneur to college professor.
  • What sparked her curiosity to study the impact of race and gender in hiring a planner?
  • Where does trust rank in the decision process?
  • How planning students are engaging in digital advisor technology
  • Covid’s impact on virtual engagements and reach in finding a planner
  • Why to consider improving your cultural competency
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Dr. Miranda Reiter

Connect With  Laura Gregg

Connect With David Partain

About Our Guest:

Miranda Reiter, CFP® is an assistant professor of financial planning at Texas Tech University. Her research interests in financial planning and consumer finance include race, diversity, and gender issues. She has worked as a financial planner and a banker at several Fortune 500 firms. Miranda recently received recognition for her work including 2020 Omicron Nu Research Fellowship, 2020 Center for Financial Security Junior Scholar, 2019 Financial Planning Association Best Research Award and 2019 Under 40 Award! 

Ep 54: Finding Your Ideal Clients Through Content Marketing — With Samuel Deane

Ep 54: Finding Your Ideal Clients Through Content Marketing — With Samuel Deane

How do conversations with your prospects start? Is it about their needs or about your firm?

Samuel Deane, CEO of Deane Financial Partners, talks about his experience as an immigrant seeking the American dream and why taking a traditional wealth management path wasn’t a fit for him. At 25 he started his own firm focused on addressing the unique needs of Millennial tech executives. Samuel talks with Laura Gregg and David Partain about how he’s grown his firm through a laser focus on his ideal client and a robust content marketing program which has led to his insights being featured in major national media outlets. 

In this episode, we cover:

  • How to narrow your target market
  • The power of educational content marketing
  • The importance of creating an intentional user experience
  • How Sam has succeeded with Millennial tech executives
  • Why it’s critical to understand your clients’ money stories
  • Sam’s candid views on why this industry isn’t inclusive
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how targeted business and content marketing plans can help drive ideal clients to your firm!

Resources: FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Laura Gregg | David Partain | Deane Financial | Samuel S. Deane