/ by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments
Picture this: You’ve just laid out a rock-solid financial plan. It’s diversified, tailored to their goals, and built on years of expertise. You’re expecting a nod of approval, maybe even a “Wow, this is great!” Instead, your client leans back, furrows their brow, and says, “Are you sure this is the right move?”
It stings. You might wonder if they doubt your competence or if you’ve misread their needs. But here’s the truth: when clients second-guess your advice, it’s rarely about distrust. More often, it’s about fear, confusion, or a lack of understanding. They’re not challenging your expertise—they’re wrestling with their own discomfort. The good news is that you can prevent this doubt before it even starts by communicating with empathy, clarity, and intention. Let’s explore why this happens and how to stop it in its tracks.
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10 Timeless Guiding Principles Every Advisor Should Share with Clients
/ by Don Connelly / Investing Wisdom / 0 comments
Markets swing, headlines scream, but great advice stands firm. Clients don’t just need portfolio updates; they need steady principles to cut through the noise, calm their fears, and keep them anchored to their goals. As an advisor, you’re not just managing money; you’re guiding people through uncertainty.
These 10 timeless principles are your go-to list for client conversations, reviews, or whenever doubt creeps in. They’re simple, enduring truths that build trust and focus, no matter the market’s mood.
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Why Clients Second-Guess Financial Advice—and How to Prevent It Before It Happens
/ by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments
Picture this: You’ve just laid out a rock-solid financial plan. It’s diversified, tailored to their goals, and built on years of expertise. You’re expecting a nod of approval, maybe even a “Wow, this is great!” Instead, your client leans back, furrows their brow, and says, “Are you sure this is the right move?”
It stings. You might wonder if they doubt your competence or if you’ve misread their needs. But here’s the truth: when clients second-guess your advice, it’s rarely about distrust. More often, it’s about fear, confusion, or a lack of understanding. They’re not challenging your expertise—they’re wrestling with their own discomfort. The good news is that you can prevent this doubt before it even starts by communicating with empathy, clarity, and intention. Let’s explore why this happens and how to stop it in its tracks.
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Want Your Clients to Take Their Financial Plan Seriously? Keep It Front and Center in Your Relationship
/ by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments
It wasn’t so long ago that clients perceived financial plans as an extension of the prospecting process to entice them to open an account and hand over their money. Many financial advisors feigned the role as a financial planner to create the perception of objectivity with the recommendations they would make. Clients received a faux leather-bound financial plan that just took up shelf space, never to be revisited by them or their advisor.
Fast forward to today, and we see an increasing number of financial advisors who are committed to a more holistic approach to working with clients, making the financial plan a critical cornerstone of their relationships. That, of course, is in response to what more and more clients are looking for in their advisor relationships—a plan that addresses the entirety of their financial life to guide them in life-critical decisions.
Why is it then that the value of a well-conceived financial plan seems to wane among clients who, further into the advisory relationship, begin to question their advisor’s advice or express disenchantment because their investments are underperforming their neighbor’s or colleagues’ portfolio? What do advisors need to do to get their clients to refocus on what’s really important?
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7 Ways to Manage Client Expectations
/ by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments
Managing client expectations is crucial in order to keep your clients invested in you and with their financial plan. Here are a few ways to make sure you deliver on your clients’ expectations both in terms of investment performance and your level of service.
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12 Questions Great Financial Advisors Ask
/ by Kirti Anand Sharma / Best Practices, Connelly Corner / 0 comments
Being a professional Financial Advisor is quite challenging as there are plenty of financial professionals trying to sell nearly the same inventory. So the question really is: what would set you apart from your competition? What would make you a Great Financial Advisor?
I believe one thing great Financial Advisors are known for is finding a well-rounded financial solution for each client.
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