Category: COVID – 19

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Ep 17: How to Manage Your PR and Client Communications in Times of Crisis – With Mark LaVoie

Ep 17: How to Manage Your PR and Client Communications in Times of Crisis – With Mark LaVoie

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Do you know how to show your clients that you’re present and at their service? Do you know how to approach questions about portfolio performance right now? 

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Mark LaVoie, vice president at Prosek Partners, to discuss communication strategies for advisors to adopt during the pandemic. Mark shares which conversations to have –– and not have –– with clients right now along with ways to use email, video, and social media to maintain ongoing communication.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How to maintain ongoing communication with clients
  • How to address portfolio-performance questions
  • Which types of meetings to hold over video calls
  • Opportunities for advisors to support their community
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how to shift your communication methods to better suit your clients’ needs during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

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

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Ep 16: A Healthcare Analyst’s Views on the Progression of Coronavirus – With Erick Noensie

Ep 16: A Healthcare Analyst’s Views on the Progression of Coronavirus – With Erick Noensie

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This podcast conversation was recorded on April 29 and the data and material cited were as of that time.  

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 speaks with Erick Noensie, a Senior Healthcare Analyst from Northern Trust about the progression of Coronavirus. Erick provides interesting information: 

  • A comparison of Coronavirus to other health outbreaks in the past
  • He provides an estimated requirements and potential timelines of containment
  • His views on potential treatments and vaccines

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

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Ep 15: Medical Safety Considerations for Advisory Firms – With Dr. Ari Levy, MD, MBA

Ep 15: Medical Safety Considerations for Advisory Firms – With Dr. Ari Levy, MD, MBA

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When advisors choose to return to the office, they must do it with an abundance of caution.

In this episode, Laura Gregg is joined by Ari Levy, MD, MBA and the Founder and CEO of SHIFT – a place for people looking for a transformative approach to healthcare delivery.  Ari is a medical doctor, clinician and innovator, and dives into health considerations for re-opening physical offices. Together, they discuss updates to testing protocols, whether physical distancing will continue into the workplace, and possible solutions to help create a safer workplace.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Medical updates on testing for COVID-19
  • What prevalence means 
  • The unknowns involved in antibody testing
  • What advisors should think about as they consider opening up their office doors 
  • And more!

Listen now to learn safety precautions for returning to the physical office.

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Ari Levy on LinkedIn | SHIFT

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Ep 14: Planning for Re-Opening Your Office – With Kelli Cruz

Ep 14: Planning for Re-Opening Your Office – With Kelli Cruz

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With many states beginning to lift stay-at-home restrictions, you’ll want to create a plan for how and when to open your doors to employees and clients. Who should return to the office and when?  How will you create and maintain a safe office environment?

Laura Gregg and David Partain, along with Kelli Cruz, the principal and founder of Cruz Consulting Group, discuss things that advisory firms should be considering before unlocking the office door. It’s unlikely that “business as usual” will look as it did pre-COVID-19; there are myriad new variables that should be considered as you plan to reopen. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • What to consider before bringing employees back into the office
  • Who should come back first and who should remain remote
  • Office space and common area considerations
  • External circumstances that may impact your employees return
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn what to consider as you plan for the re-opening of your office. 

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | Cruz Consulting Group

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Before investing, carefully consider the FlexShares® investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses.  This and other information is in the prospectus and a summary prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by visiting http://www.flexshares.com.  Read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

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Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee that specific strategy will be successful. ETF’s are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the underlying strategy of the fund. These risks could include liquidity risk, sector risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, real estate investments, and commodities, to name a few.

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