Tag: Research

Ep 22: Partnering with Community Foundations to Strengthen Client Relationships in Uncertain Times – With Elena Pullen-Venema

Ep 22: Partnering with Community Foundations to Strengthen Client Relationships in Uncertain Times – With Elena Pullen-Venema

Charitable giving is on the minds of many people, now more than ever.

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Elena Pullen-Venema, the Director of Gift Planning at the Community Foundation of Snohomish County (Greater Seattle Area). Elena explains the foundation’s growing commitment to Racial Equity and how grants during the Coronavirus pandemic are being focused on supporting communities of color. She also describes how some foundations are partnering with advisors as they continue to manage clients’ charitable investments.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How foundations can help you connect your clients to charities supporting racial equity and Covid-19 relief.
  • Options for wealth managers to maintain management of charitable investments
  • How community foundations can help with complex charitable gift structures
  • Misconceptions about the people and families that create donor-advised funds
  • And more!

Discover why building relationships with your local community foundations can help you better serve your clients!

Resources:

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | The Community Foundation of Snohomish County | Elena Pullen-Venema on LinkedIn | Association of African American Financial Advisors | FlexShares Diversity Research

Ep 21: Strategies for Advancing Racial Equity and Diversity – With Connie Lindsey

Ep 21: Strategies for Advancing Racial Equity and Diversity – With Connie Lindsey

The worldwide protests calling for racial justice and equity have been a wake-up call for us all and the lack of diversity in the wealth management space has been noted for years.

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Connie Lindsey, formerly the Executive Vice President and head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Northern Trust, who has since retired. In this must-listen conversation, Connie talks about the importance of better educating people on the important difference between equality and equity and what leaders can do to provide support and drive change.

She comments on the statistics from a recent study on investor and advisor views on building diverse wealth management teams.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Actions for leaders to support employees and clients
  • The critical difference between equality and equity
  • The importance of shared experiences between advisors and clients
  • How to be an ally to the Black community
  • And more!

Listen now to learn how you can promote inclusion, diversity, and equity in your daily life and firm.

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | Connie Lindsey on LinkedIn | Diversity Research

Ep 20: Coaching Clients in Volatile Times – With Morningstar’s Dr. Sarah Newcomb

Ep 20: Coaching Clients in Volatile Times – With Morningstar’s Dr. Sarah Newcomb

How should you advise clients who are going into a fight, flight, or freeze response to the market volatility?

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Dr. Sarah Newcomb, director of behavioral science at Morningstar. Sarah discusses how financial advisors can have productive conversations with clients to keep them on track. She reveals different emotional reactions that come to light during a crisis and ways for advisors to support their clients.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The emotional impact a crisis has on investment decisions
  • How fears can translate into fight, flight, or freeze responses 
  • The conversations advisors should have with clients to keep them on track
  • And more!

Listen now and learn how to help your clients stay focused on their long-term goals. 

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | Morningstar Behavioral Insights 

NTAC:3NS-20

Ep 19: Is the Video Call Here to Stay? Adapting as We Return to the Office – With Bev Flaxington

Ep 19: Is the Video Call Here to Stay? Adapting as We Return to the Office – With Bev Flaxington

The pandemic has altered our work style and the way we communicate. Many have come to rely on video conferencing and other digital tools to keep in touch. But what happens as we
begin to migrate back to the office?

In this episode of The Flexible Advisor podcast, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Bev Flaxington, a personal and career coach and a business development expert. Bev talks
frankly about the good, bad and the ugly of our increased reliance on digital communication channels. She addresses what we need to consider when some – but not all of us – return to
the physical office.

In this episode, you will learn:
● The effects of the extensive use of technology during quarantine
● The blending of professional and home life
● Why communication styles need to evolve post-pandemic
● And more!

Tune in now as Laura Gregg, David Partain and Bev Flaxington discuss how our modes of communication will never be the same.

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | Bev Flaxington on LinkedIn

NTAC:3NS-20

Ep 18: Serving Medical Professionals During COVID-19 – With Lauren Oschman

Ep 18: Serving Medical Professionals During COVID-19 – With Lauren Oschman

Doctors are experiencing financial uncertainty right now just like everyone else, despite their increased workload on the frontlines.

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Lauren Oschman of Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors. Lauren talks about how she is adding value to doctors on the front line of the COVID-19 crisis and helping surgeons as they are sidelined from elective surgeries.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • What impact COVID-19 has on different types of medical doctors
  • Compensation issues arising for doctors
  • The stark difference between the what’s happening in the markets vs. in hospitals
  • Why over-communication with clients is critial
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how doctors are being impacted during COVID-19.

Information from our guest: Investment advisory services offered through Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors, Vestia Retirement Plan Consultants, and Vestia Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., 5187 Utica Ridge Rd, Davenport, IA. 52807  (563)3262064. Member FINRA/SIPC. Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors, Vestia Retirement Plan Consultants, Vestia Advisors, LLC and Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. are independently owned and operated.

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Contact Laura Gregg | Contact David Partain | Vestia Wealth Advisors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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