How to Excel in the Securities Industry Archives

How to Convince Prospects and Clients That You Understand What They’re Going through

January 11, 2021 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

It’s long been said that people might forget what you say. But they will never forget how you made them feel.

There’s a lot of truth to that. And one of the first things your clients and prospects should feel is that you understand what they’re going through. Before some of you were born, there was a great, great sales trainer and educator named Zig Ziglar. Look him up! He learned to sell by selling brushes. Door-to-door.

He went on more sales calls before breakfast than some of you go on in a month. And he used to say “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care… about them.”

There’s two steps to that equation: First, you need to genuinely understand what they are going through. Second, you need to communicate that to them.

How to Fill Your Pipeline Despite the Coronavirus Pandemic

June 29, 2020 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 0 comments

Back in 1998, physician and author Spencer Johnson wrote a best-selling book called “Who Moved My Cheese?”

It’s the story of four mice who live in a maze and who have grown accustomed to cheese being deposited in the same spot every day… until one day it didn’t happen. The rest of the book explores their strategies for coping with change – both successful and unsuccessful.

The moral of the story is this: “Change happens.” It’s inevitable. Not everyone can roll with the punches, but you’ve got to adapt, improvise and overcome. You’ve got to move with the cheese.

Well, friends, the cheese just got moved!

Now, don’t get me wrong: The cheese hasn’t gone away. It’s still out there! People still want and need help managing their money. In fact, they want and need it now more than they have in years. But the way to get to the cheese is now radically different.

5 Advantages Young Financial Advisors Have Over Older Advisors

June 8, 2020 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments

When it comes to asking people to handle their money, having a few grey hairs does bring a small advantage. People are just naturally reluctant to trust people with managing their money who are younger than their own children.

But there are some huge advantages to being a younger advisor, as well. In fact, I can tell you after decades in this business, there has never been a better time in the history of the financial services business to be coming into this business as a young advisor, or even a career changer under 40.

When Do People Get a Financial Advisor?

March 18, 2019 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments

No two clients are exactly alike. People generally get a financial advisor for a number of reasons. Therefore, you need a flexible process in place when it comes to approaching different prospects in accordance with their reasons for seeking financial advice.

Here are some cases when people get a financial advisor, along with their reasons for doing so and some recommendations on moving things forward.

Why You Need to Be a Good Business Person to Succeed as a Financial Advisor

September 10, 2018 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments

A large percentage of financial advisors fail, not because they aren’t good at what they do, but because they lack the core competencies of running a business.

If you want to succeed in this profession, you need to become a business person.

Let’s look at what this entails.

5 Signs That It’s Time to Let Go of a Client

February 26, 2018 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

Signing up a new client – any client – feels like an achievement, especially for new advisors. Keeping money coming in is after all the number one priority. Over time however you’ll find that you have two types of clients: Clients you actively look forward to speaking to i.e. those who are pleasant to do business with, make realistic demands on your time, and are fully onboard with your ideas. And then there are the others – the ones you come to dread dealing with.

As a financial advisor you should aim to only work with clients who are enjoyable to deal with and profitable. It’s not only acceptable to prune out bad clients – but essential to keep your business healthy.

So how do you know when it’s time to let go of a client?

5 Reasons Why Prospects Will Hire You Over The Competition

February 5, 2018 / by Don Connelly / Prospecting / 1 comment

People won’t decide to do business with you because of your products, expertise, experience or reputation. These attributes (whilst important) will not ultimately convert prospects into loyal clients. Your hard skills won’t provide them with a compelling enough reason to hire you over the competition. If you want to impress prospects, you need to demonstrate that you are not only smart, but that you are likeable and trustworthy.

Here are five reasons why a prospect will hire you over the competition.

Getting Clients to Talk about Money

December 18, 2017 / by Don Connelly / Managing the Relationship / 0 comments

As financial advisors we’re comfortable talking about money, it’s what we’re trained to do. But for everyone else it’s a different story. Most people feel uncomfortable talking about money, so you need to consider how to introduce the topic in a relaxed way.

Don’t dive into the numbers at the initial meeting. Instead focus on building rapport with clients; then ask them what it is they want money for. The goals must come first – then the money. Once you understand your client’s vision of the future you can start doing the math on how to get there.

If You Try to Be Perfect, You Will Always Fall Short

October 2, 2017 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments

Don’t constantly strive for perfection. You will never achieve it. It will simply waste your energy and make you miserable. Instead, focus on what is achievable.

Sharpen your best skills and qualities so you can showcase them to clients and prospects. Practice them over and over until you get things right every time. Don’t dwell on what you’re not so good at.

Here are some ways to forget perfection and strive for excellence.

It’s The Little Things That Add Up in The Long Run

July 10, 2017 / by Don Connelly / Best Practices / 0 comments

It Is The Little Things That Add Up in The Long Run

Having big ambitions is great – but if you want to achieve your long-term goals, you need to know there’s no rapid escalator to success. Only by learning the art of self-discipline and taking small and consistent steps will you reach your ultimate target. Here’s how smaller steps can lead to bigger things.

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