The Perfect RIA

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

When you meet with your clients, how much time are you spending discussing the markets and investments versus providing them with information on items that they can control and take action on? On today's episode, Matt and Micah will share how they've used Buckets and Guardrails to help their clients understand their cash flow and feel confident in their financial plan. Listen in as Matt and Micah discuss how you can determine whether what you're saying is to fill up space in the absence of value and how you can simplify your client's reports in a way that makes sense. They'll also share how they present reports to their clients and the importance of surrounding yourself with a network of advisors performing at the level you want to be. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/181

When planning for value adds, do you expect everything to go off without a hitch, or are you taking the time to not only go through where a process could go wrong but learning from others' mistakes? If you're considering bringing on a new advisor to your firm, have you thought about how you'll make that transition a positive experience for you, the new advisor, and especially your clients? When you hire a new team member, do you have a plan in place to train them from day one and ensure they continue to grow professionally? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. http://bit.ly/3OgsuTO

When you bring on a new team member, do you have an expectation that they will automatically know how your office works and how to communicate with your clients - so that client feels like the only client? On today's Worlds To Conquer, Jamie shares what steps she takes to train her team, not just when they start, but on a continual basis, so they are constantly learning. She'll also share the importance of note-taking and how it empowers you and your team. http://bit.ly/3AnaaCS

If you haven't taken steps to add an advisor to your team, it may seem like a daunting task to take on. On today's What Works Wednesday, Matthew Jarvis is joined by Cleveland advisor Matthew Daugherty from The Balanced Wealth Group to discuss how he has helped and mentored advisors within his own firm. He'll share his experience and recommendations for making this transition and the importance of looking at why you want to consider bringing on a new advisor. Listen in as Matthew Daugherty discusses the steps that he takes, from bringing on a new team member to the ongoing process that he takes to help his team and his clients with a transition. https://bit.ly/3Aq5EDM

At The Perfect RIA, we're all about the journey to Deliver Massive Value to your clients. While Surge has been catching on like wildfire, we believe the next incredible focus will be with Value Adds, which provide specific, actionable advice. But with value adds, there are items to consider so that they not only provide massive value to your clients but so that your team is empowered as well. Matt and Micah will share the sometimes embarrassing mistakes that they've made while creating and sharing value adds. They'll share not only their experiences with what went wrong and why but how they learned from these mistakes and made their processes better. Listen in as they discuss how planning, team discussions, and doing what works can make value adds a success with your clients. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/180

Does talking to your clients about their gross numbers create clarity for them or just confuse them? What if, instead, you focused on communication with your clients and shared numbers in the simplest way possible, helping to ease their concerns about moving into retirement? What if you have a strong level of technical expertise, but your clients still don't understand your explanations? How do your team members set priorities with their tasks when it may feel as though everything is a priority. Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. http://bit.ly/3UMCS7N

Does your team know how to handle tasks when everything is a priority? Have you as the advisor set up rules and guidelines for how to handle those situations and what truly needs to come first? Listen in as Jamie shares her tips for helping your team understand how to organize their tasks and why you need a communication policy in place. http://bit.ly/3Tuy1XP

Having a focus and niche in your practice, to the point where your niche immediately triggers your name with someone, is fabulous. But just because you have a specific focus, it doesn't mean it will resonate with others. On this week's episode, Matt is joined by Ashley Murphy, an advisor and the creator of the Global Financial Planning Institute, where he focuses on helping others who work with national and multinational clients. Ashley will share how he created the Global Financial Planning Institute out of his desire to fill a gap in the education and community for advisors working with international clients. Matt and Ashley will also discuss how in addition to technical expertise, you need to be able to communicate effectively with your clients and how taking on clients that aren't within your area of knowledge is not in their best interest. https://bit.ly/3fQwkX6

When a client is getting close to retirement, how confident do they feel, and are they mentally spending money that they may not actually see? Matt and Micah discuss why it's important to make things simple and to be clear to clients about what the numbers they see actually mean. Listen in to learn about a value add that Micah is incredibly passionate about - The Retirement Income Timeline, and how this can provide clients with a simple guide to know where their money is coming from. The guys will also share the importance of doing a full financial plan and how doing so can uncover mistakes that clients weren't aware of. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/179

Have you gone through the practice analyzer to take a deep dive into your practice to see where you're spending your time and energy? Have you thought about how simplifying terms and making finances fun can empower a younger generation? What steps are you taking to make sure your team is constantly growing? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. https://bit.ly/3zHt1YS

Most employees leave their current employer because they feel there isn't any place for them to go. What if you create an environment where your employees never plateau and instead are always looking for ways to grow within your organization? Listen in as Jamie shares her tips and recommendations on ensuring your team is in a perpetual state of learning and how to create specific goals for them. https://bit.ly/3DAS1Cb

On this What Works Wednesday, Matt is joined by CFP and author Daniele Beasley of Twenty Concierge Wealth Management. Daniele shares her background and experience that led her and her partner, Kelli, to create an adult coloring book for financial planning called Financial Wellness. Listen in as Daniele shares how she took her past as a dancer and her love of music and combined it with her financial knowledge to create a book for young adults to help with their financial understanding. She'll discuss how she hopes to give back to the younger generation and empower them to understand their finances. https://bit.ly/3ft1GCU

What happens when you put Matthew Jarvis and Micah Shilanski in a room with advisors who are committed to success? Matt and Micah recap the most recent TPR live event in this episode. They share how putting together this event takes a lot of time and energy, and yes… head trash! And how they overcome this. Listen in as the guys discuss the practice analyzer and how, by breaking down the number, you can start to truly see where your time is being spent. They'll also discuss why you need to know which tasks are and aren't playing office, along with why you need to take a hard look at the fee you're charging clients and if it's truly representative of the value you're delivering to your clients. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/178

Do you have your line in the sand that you know you won't cross with your clients? What happens if they cross that line or if they don't take your advice? Have you thought about how you need to approach your aging clients or clients with aging parents to discuss how they want to plan their future care? What about your prospects? Are you working with the right people or do you think that anyone who hires you is the right client? Listen in as we recap this week's highlights and action items. https://bit.ly/3TYuxO7

What is the number one rule of prospecting? If you serve everyone, then you serve no one! On today's Worlds To Conquer, Jamie dives into prospecting and how to make sure you're working with the right people. She'll also discuss why once you determine who you work best with, you need to share this with your team. Listen in as Jamie shares why if you have a great prospecting strategy, you can grow and not stay stagnant, and that it's important to create an environment where your team can respectfully push back. https://bit.ly/3FmTn6e

How do you talk with your aging clients about planning for future care or for a change in their health? On today's What Works Wednesday, Matthew is joined by Lisa Mayfield, the creator of Aging Wisdom and former President of the Aging Life Care Association. Listen in as Lisa shares her thoughts and recommendations for what advisors can do as their clients get older in life and they start needing care beyond what they can provide for themselves. Lisa and Matt will discuss how to open these conversations with your clients and how an Aging Life Care professional can be another partner in your client's support system. https://bit.ly/3zlb9mC

When clients aren't the right fit, or when they aren't open to your advice, do keep them on, hoping they'll just listen? Or, do you have a set of dealbreakers and lines that you will not cross and know that at some point, you'll need to graduate certain clients? What do you do when a client graduates you? Listen in as Matt and Micah discuss why you need to be clear with yourself, and your clients, on your dealbreakers. They'll also discuss once you've determined that a client is no longer a good fit, how to make that transition while always erring on the side of grace. Matt and Micah will also share why you don't have to stay in your lane to deliver massive value. https://theperfectria.com/podcast/177