The Perfect RIA

Surge will transform your practice. However, it takes work to implement, and naturally, making such a large change to your practice is bound to create some questions. Are you curious about appointment schedules? What happens to prospects during surge? Do clients ever not show up? And what do you do about that dreaded head trash? On this week's Worlds To Conquer, Jamie answers some of the most common questions we have received at The Perfect RIA regarding surge. http://bit.ly/3YSPqN4

How are you deciding ways to connect with your clients throughout the year? If it's to update them on the latest news story without any true purpose, then you might be doing them a disservice. On today's episode, Micah is joined by Chad Hufford, a fellow Alaskan from Veritas Wealth Management, to talk about how he creates events and touchpoints that help build momentum and educate his clients. Micah and Chad will also discuss the lens to view with deciding what content to share as well as why you don't have to be the expert in everything to add value to your clients. http://bit.ly/411IXRZ

When you imagine value as a sledgehammer, does that seem positive or negative to you? On today's episode, Matt and Micah talk through what it means to deliver value and how it can never be too much. However, it's important to understand what is considered valuable and what isn't (such as calling a client just to say 'hi'). Listen in as they share why providing value is about focusing on what is beneficial to your client and why you want to look at all areas in your life where you can add value to others. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/193

Surge and your prospect process are some of the key areas to improve your practice. What does the initial prospect experience look like, and are you educating prospects versus selling to them? When it comes to surge, are you taking the time to go through your process before a client walks through your doors or joins your virtual meeting, and what does the process look like from your team's perspective? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: We Don't Need Surge, We Need Prospects [Episode 192] What Works Wednesday - Creating A Surge Process That Works For You With John Mason Worlds to Conquer - A Detailed Look At Surge http://bit.ly/3xaztWQ

Are you ready to implement surge, but you're unsure of what this truly looks like both for the advisor and the team? On today's episode, Jamie breaks down surge from the time involved before a client walks in, through the weeks of surge, and as well as after, when tasks are still being completed. Listen in as Jamie shares the schedule that allows her office to deliver massive value during this hyper-focused period of time. http://bit.ly/40KLXlq

When implementing surge, it's important to be intentional about your time and schedule, and understand what you're solving for. On today's episode, Matt is joined by John Mason from Mason and Associates in Newport News, VA. John will share how surge has worked in his practice, which his firm calls strategic planning meeting season, and how he has created a successful process that benefits his clients, including having almost all meetings as a virtual session. http://bit.ly/3Yaiik5

Are you waiting for more clients before you start creating and implementing processes in your practice? In order to create a positive and powerful experience for your prospects, having a top notch process is key. On today's episode, Matt and Micah discuss how the prospect process starts well before someone even shows up to your office, or for that first meeting. They'll share why you want to look at the initial impression the prospect has and the importance of constantly setting expectations. You'll also learn when, and how, to address the topic everyone anticipates - fees. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/192

Implementing surge is beneficial for you, but it also creates a better experience for your client. However, surge takes work and requires preparation leading up to it. How are you going through this with your team? Have you taken the time to look at what you're creating in your practice and your ideal life? Are you having those up-periscope meetings with your team to ensure things are happening as you believe they are? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Your Q1 Surge PlanYour Q1 Surge Plan [Episode 191] What Works Wednesday - The Advisor Path With BenVerWys Worlds to Conquer - Surge And Questions For Your Team http://bit.ly/40ubGOU

You can't assume that because you have something articulated clearly in your mind, that your team knows and understands every detail. On today's episode, Jamie discusses why you need to have up-periscope meetings and check in with your team. She'll share three questions that you can ask them that will deliver a better experience to your clients. http://bit.ly/3DFAmu5

If you're good at what you do, it's understandable that there can be endless opportunities available to you. On today's episode, Matt is joined by Ben VerWys, the founder of Fiduciary Financial Advisors, to share his experience, from starting as a W-2 employee to building his own firm. Ben will share the gaps that he believes exist in the industry and that there's a path to providing value to your clients while also living your ideal life. http://bit.ly/3Yf36BD

With Spring Surge around the corner, what are you doing to prepare now so that you are creating an incredible meeting experience for your clients? On this episode, Matt and Micah explain the concept of surge and how it's about being intentional and providing the most value to your clients. They'll share the importance of your team's involvement and getting them on board. For advisors who have been implementing surge, Matt and Micah will also discuss ways to level up to continue to improve your surge meetings. Listen in as they talk about some of the head trash that they still deal with and the best way to start your client meetings. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/191

Are you doing whatever you can to improve the client experience? Do you practice getting comfortable with being uncomfortable? Are you trying to create your own surge schedule to see what might work or taking advantage of a tried and tested plan? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Best Communication Tips - You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks [Episode 190] What Works Wednesday - Pushing Your Comfort Zone With Bryan Garris Worlds to Conquer - Surge: Schedules and Teams Follow Up Friday - Best Communication Tips - You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks http://bit.ly/3wwK1z8

You do not need to reinvent the wheel to implement surge. On this episode, Jamie shares a proven surge schedule based on years of experience and understanding of when this will deliver the most value to clients. Listen in as she also discusses the different pods within her firm and how to create an environment with a strong team that performs at their highest level. http://bit.ly/3WM6N0y

There can always be an excuse or a reason to not do something, but what if, instead, you just choose to push through and get uncomfortable to make changes in yourself and your practice? In this episode, Matt is joined by Bryan Garris from TriaGen, to talk about getting uncomfortable and how having an accountability partner can help you achieve your tough goals. Bryan will share how he transitioned from a BD to an RIA and how by becoming more intentional he's able to be more efficient and grow his practice. http://bit.ly/3WJrE4O

It's possible to embrace technology to improve upon tried and true practices when it comes to communication. Video is a great way to correspond with your clients in a unique, personalized way that requires fairly minimal effort. In this episode, Matt and Micah discuss how they've utilized video messaging in their firms to improve the client experience and create additional touchpoints; however, not all videos are created equal. Listen in as they share their tips to make this powerful communication tool a positive one and a way to ensure your clients are excited each time they hear from you. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/190

What would you do if you had to come up with a way to double your productivity? What if, through your extreme accountability, you had to graduate clients? Are you and your team on the same page in regard to what is considered delivering massive value to your clients? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this weeks episodes: What If You HAD To Double Your Productivity?!? [Episode 189] What Works Wednesday - Graduating Clients and Implementing Surge With Chris Michalman Worlds to Conquer - Defining Value With Your Team http://bit.ly/3j0pCPV

Does discovering that your clients have been receiving greater than usual touchpoints automatically mean that more value is being delivered? In today's episode, Jamie will go in-depth on why you need to have clear metrics in your firm, a clear definition of what it means to deliver massive value to your clients, and filters to determine what is and isn't value. http://bit.ly/3ZSwBen

Sometimes, in order to make extreme changes in your practice, it takes a mastermind and extreme accountability to push you toward those changes. On this episode, Matt is joined by Chris Michalman of Integrated Financial Partners in Derry, NH, to talk about how he first implemented surge in his practice and his experience in graduating clients. Matt and Chris will share the emotional aspect that goes along with transitioning clients while knowing that it's in their best interest, and also discuss how making these changes help you to better serve the right clients and become more valuable to them. http://bit.ly/3ZWWPfw

We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Because of this, we also have the opportunity to reset every single day to determine how to spend those hours and choose to double productivity and crush the day. In this episode, Matt and Micah discuss their top recommendations for how you can improve your productivity. It's easy to let small moments distract you from your work, but that time adds up and takes away from your productivity. Listen in as they share how some small but sometimes painful changes can greatly improve your efficiency and productivity. They'll also discuss ways to help be proactive about potential distractions to help get you back on track. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/189

Are you having real, authentic conversations and discussions about what is working in your practice and do you have someone who will tell you when what you're doing isn't working? If you work in a multigenerational practice, at what point should you start looking at succession planning? Are you telling yourself that everything you do is for your family and then nothing putting them first? Listen in as we recap the highlights and action items from this week's episodes. Listen to this week's podcasts: The Goal Of The Perfect RIA [Episode 188] What Works Wednesday - Deal Structures and Trends In The M&A Market Worlds to Conquer - Getting Uncomfortable With Your Goals http://bit.ly/3CS2jP7

Do you say and believe that everything that you do is for your family, and then not include them in your plans or put your goals ahead of them? On today's episode, Jamie gets into questions you need to ask yourself to fully understand whether you're being true to yourself and putting your family first. She'll also provide guidance on ways to involve your family in your plans, as well as why it's important to have your family create their own goals. http://bit.ly/3kjI0Ud

What happens when a senior advisor is looking to sell their practice to a junior advisor, but there's a large gap between the firm's valuation and the advisor's income? On today's What Works Wednesday, Matt is joined by Harris Baltch from Dynasty Financial Partners to share his recommendations for advisors who may be considering selling their practice, as well as an advisor who may be considering buying in the future. Harris will also discuss the importance of CEOs being educated and why planning early can make all the difference in a deal going forward. http://bit.ly/3GHBj5L

Through the success of their own practices and in looking at other rockstar advisors, Matt and Micah have learned that there are similarities and a consistent formula for success. The Perfect RIA was created to share that message and encourage advisors to be authentic and transparent. On today's episode, Matt and Micah discuss the mission of The Perfect RIA and the importance of surrounding yourself with others who aren't just there to pat you on the back. Listen in as they share how even through creating this weekly podcast, it forces them to be open and look at what works and doesn't work in their own practice. They'll also discuss why they don't look at simple growth but instead focus on doubling and how that requires dramatic changes to your practice. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/188

How do you determine whether your activities are propelling you forward or just playing office? What are some lessons for advisors who have recently started their own RIA? Have you taken an inventory of repeatable processes, and what plans are you taking to achieve your goals? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Why Is Playing Office Such An Evil?!? [ Episode 187] What Works Wednesday - Insight Into The First Year Of An RIA With Nick Covyeau Worlds to Conquer - Goals And Productivity http://bit.ly/3QdLbZz

Do processes and procedures exist in your own mind or are you taking the time to write it down so that you team knows what to do? How often do you spend time looking out the window at what others have versus looking at yourself to see how you can achieve your goals? How do you handle failures, which are inevitable in life? On today's episode, Jamie goes through steps to increase your productivity and further help you towards reaching your goals. http://bit.ly/3GHYwGg

When making a move to start your own RIA, what will help you determine what type of practice you want to have and who you want to work with? In today's episode, Matt is joined by Nick Covyeau of Swell Financial to share his experience during his first year of starting his RIA. Nick will share the importance of determining and focusing on your niche, as well as how he's focusing on client onboarding and creating meeting standards for both clients and prospects. Nick will also share how he uses video messaging to personalize the advice for his clients. http://bit.ly/3WMOtp1

Do you think playing office means that you're at your desk playing solitaire? We all need downtime, and we all play office, but what's more important is whether you are performing your productive activities first, those that will move the needle, or if you're spending your day 'researching.' On today's episode, Matt and Micah discuss one of their biggest pet peeves with advisors who play office but also claim they are too busy. Listen in as they share what to look for in your day-to-day activities that could mean you're playing office and how to create forcing mechanisms to help you become more intentional with your time. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/187

What end of the spectrum are you planning to be on in terms of adding value through tax planning with your clients? How do you start creating and implementing processes so you're not constantly reinventing the wheel? How many times are you interrupted by notifications and messages? Listen in as we cover this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this week's episodes: Tax Planning In 2023 [Episode 186] What Works Wednesday - Creating Systems and Processes With Cameo Roberson Worlds to Conquer - Goal Setting: Email And Chat http://bit.ly/3PZQR9i

Instant messaging is an all-day meeting with random people invited and no agenda. Does this help you to be productive and meet your goals, and does this help your team do the same? In today's episode, Jamie shares the reason for boundaries and why you need to be purposeful with your time. She'll also share why you need to help your team members be intentional with their day and not let notifications and messages distract and interrupt their productivity. http://bit.ly/3YTiHYR

As an advisor, you are responsible for coordinating and understanding how everything is connected between you, your clients, and the custodian. On today's episode, Matt is joined by Cameo Roberson from Atlas Park Consulting to share why having systems and processes in place are vital to your growth. They'll discuss how you need to know how you communicate with the custodian and why professional pushback is ok. Cameo will also provide her recommendations for steps to follow in order to create a system as well as train your team, and set them up for success. http://bit.ly/3WRkP1y

Willpower is not enough! If you're familiar with this statement, then what is your plan to make 2023 your best year ever? On today's episode, Matt and Micah take a look at how you can kick off the year by adding value to your clients through tax planning. There are numerous tax planning opportunities, and while you don't need to take on everything the first time, tax planning is becoming more predominant in the industry, and you don't want to get left behind. Listen in as Matt and Micah discuss the spectrum of working with your clients on tax planning and why you need to decide where you want to be. They'll also share the conversations they'll be having throughout the year with their clients, as well as why they feel that tax planning starts with you as the advisor. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/186

How often do you find yourself saying that you're at capacity and how realistic are the numbers you associate with your practice? How do you handle challenging situations as well as overcoming negativity? When you are looking at setting up your goals, how big are those goals, and are you creating a plan to achieve them? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. Listen to this weeks episodes: You Are Playing Office, Here's How To Tell [Episode 185] What Works Wednesday - Focusing On Positivity With Rich Chen Worlds to Conquer - Goal Setting http://bit.ly/3jkMSI9

When looking at your next goals, do you have a plan in place and think about all the actionable steps to meet your goal, or is it just a wish? On today's episode, Jamie will take you through a step-by-step process of figuring out what that goal should be (hint: it should scare you) and how to make it a reality. http://bit.ly/3jqUF7m

Each one of us has challenges that we face throughout our lives, and it's easy to get swept up in the negativity and head trash. On today's episode, Matt is joined again by attorney Rich Chen to share his experience growing up blind and how he overcame his own challenges by focusing on positivity, surrounding himself with positive influences, and tuning out negativity. Rich will also share how there is too much fear of failure and, instead, it's important to dream big by focusing on one step at a time. http://bit.ly/3hM9oco

It's easy to say and assume that you're at capacity, because what else are you doing with all your time? But if you're claiming that you're researching and just too busy, then we're here to tell you that you've been drinking your own Kool-Aid. On today's episode, Matt and Micah discuss how by looking at your REAL numbers or having someone else call you out on what you claim your real numbers are, you will have the opportunity to truly discover how much office you're really playing…and how to improve and be intentional with your time. Listen in as they share why empowering your team with systems and rules and understanding that making everything in your office a manual process does not provide personal advice to your clients. They'll also explain the importance of following your own advice. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/185

When you look to your goals for the next year, are you being specific and intentional about them? As an advisor, what lessons do you focus on for the day-to-day strategies of your business, and what's the importance of your time and value? What is important to consider when implementing a transition within your office and communicating that to your clients? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. This week's episodes: Was 2022 Your Best Year Ever? [Episode 184] What Works Wednesday - Leading Advisors With Dustin Corrente Worlds to Conquer - Family Offices Q&A http://bit.ly/3FqFPoI

In the fourth and final episode on family offices, Jamie wraps up by sharing questions from advisors on how to handle transitions within a multigenerational practice. Jamie will provide her experience and thoughts on who should attend client meetings, agreements on commission and revenue, how to inform clients, and whether a coach is helpful. If you missed Jamie's prior episodes on this topic, be sure to listen to them here: Worlds To Conquer - Family Offices Words To Conquer - Family Offices: An Interview With Floyd Shilanski Worlds To Conquer - Growing Up In A Family Office With Lane Wild http://bit.ly/3FTyWh2

How do you translate lessons that you learn into day-to-day strategies? On this What Works Wednesday, Matt is joined by Dustin Corrente, the Managing Director for Prudential Advisors Mid-Atlantic Financial Group, to talk about how he utilized Matt's book Delivering Massive Value as part of the curriculum in a team meeting and how he helps other advisors learn to run their business. Dustin will share the importance of time management, meeting surges, and understanding your value, fees, and what he sees with advisors who are doing really well running their practices. http://bit.ly/3HyzvhE

When you look back at this past year, are you questioning if you even did anything, or are you a victim of drinking your own kool-aid and celebrating accomplishments that may or may not have happened? On today's episode, Matt and Micah share how tracking your successes and celebrating those wins are as important as having specific goals for the coming year. What are you doing to make 2023 your best year ever? Listen in as Matt and Micah discuss why you need systems and processes in place as you grow and pick themes for your next year to help you focus on where you want to improve. They'll also share how to truly hold yourself accountable and that you don't need to wait until the new year to take action. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/184

Is your head trash what's stopping you from implementing surge and finding ways to deliver more value to your clients? If you're going to implement surge, have you thought about steps to take to start or how to communicate how it's beneficial to your clients? How does being surrounded by the knowledge of financial planning and positivity impact children? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. http://bit.ly/3W1jwwG

On week three of our series of working in a family firm, Jamie is joined by her son Lane Wild as he shares what it's like to be the grandchild of the founder of a financial advisory practice and the impact it's had on his life. Jamie and Lane will share their experience in homeschooling, their difficult discussion surrounding Lane's choice and decision on college, as well as why it's important to help guide others to their path in life. http://bit.ly/3uuKsZF

Making changes within your practice can be a difficult decision to make, especially when that involves bringing in a partner or making the leap to implement surge meetings. On today's What Works Wednesday, Matt is joined by Monica Osborne and Colleen Wallace from CorLux Financial in Eugene, Oregon, to discuss their experience in creating a partnership as well as their process of implementing surge meetings. Monica and Colleen will share that while they are both CPAs, they felt that they could provide their clients with the highest value through financial planning. In addition, they'll discuss how by having mutual respect for each other and a desire to serve their clients best, they have created a partnership that provides a greater service for their clients. http://bit.ly/3gAEO5a

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but what sets up the good from the great is how that time is used. This is where surge meetings come into play and give you a way to be hyper-intentional while delivering massive value to your clients. On today's episode, Matt and Micah push back on some of the reasons why other advisors claim they can't implement surge meetings and why a lot of that is just head trash. Listen in as they talk about how there's always room for improvement in surge meetings and processes along with the benefits of surge for you as well as for your clients, and that surge isn't a competition; it's about doing what works. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/183/

If you aren't yet implementing value adds, you're missing an opportunity to help your clients achieve their goals. But it's important to make sure that when you start offering value adds, or if you're already doing so, that they provide actionable advice. Have you also considered value adds for your clients with small businesses, or how important it is to explain LLCs to help them structure their business best? Are you in favor of hiring family members, or do you feel that's a disaster waiting to happen? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. http://bit.ly/3VNTSen

Hire family or don't hire family? This might depend on who you're asking. In the second part of this series, Jamie is joined by her father, the legendary Floyd Shilanski, to talk about the different aspects of a family firm. Jamie and Floyd will discuss how their firm, Shilanski and Associates, evolved from where Floyd and his wife Rosa started it to where it is today, as well of the realities of working in a family firm. http://bit.ly/3VGOwBH

When discussing business structures, do your clients focus on tax impacts first, or are you helping them consider what they're solving for? Micah is joined on this What Works Wednesday by Steven Jarvis from Retirement Tax Services to talk about planning with small businesses. They'll discuss some of the myths surrounding LLCs and why you need to be able to explain to your clients how an LLC works. Micah and Steven will discuss why you want to be involved before your client makes a decision on their business structure and ways that you can help your clients visually understand their business structure decision. http://bit.ly/3OQ9FXY

Value adds aren't a catchphrase; they're a way to provide specific, actionable advice to clients. But as with anything you choose to implement in your office, value adds should not only be systematized, but they also need your team's involvement. On today's episode, Matt and Micah will talk about how while value adds take time, by producing them, you're providing an opportunity for your clients to see the work you do for them as well as empowering them to take control of their finances. Listen in as they discuss that value adds don't need to fit 100% of your clients and that the most important step you take is to do them. They'll also share what you need to take into consideration when providing value adds, such as your team's understanding and quality control. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/182

When the markets are down, are you discussing investments and portfolios, or are you providing clients with a simplified report so they understand that adjustments can be made and they can still feel confident in their plan? How much do you think about the words that you use and the habits in your life? If you're working in a family firm and will be transitioning a book of business, have you thought about what plans need to be discussed and put in place? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. http://bit.ly/3tXcfSk

When you hear that an advisor works for their parent, does that immediately conjure an idea that the advisor doesn't necessarily deserve to be in their role, as if something was just given to them? What if, instead, it actually meant that advisors needed to work twice as hard to prove their worth? In today's episode, Jamie kicks off a four-part series on working in a family office and why having really good expectations, creating business plans for transitions, and always asking, 'is this your best?' will set you and your team up for success. http://bit.ly/3EA4dnx

Have you thought about the impact of using the word 'should' and is it has a positive or negative meaning? On this What Works Wednesday, Matt is joined by competitive athlete, CrossFit, and habit coach, Lindsay Picone to discuss why it's important to focus on the verbiage that we use every day and how little changes can make big differences. Lindsay will share that while it's wonderful to have big goals, breaking them down and simplifying individual items to turn into habits can further propel you in your life. http://bit.ly/3Vq1QKY