The Perfect RIA

Do you feel that you should create a new and unique system with each and every client and truly believe that doing so provides value? What if, instead, you created a process for your new and existing clients - from empowering your team to assist and setting standards for the 'right' way to answer a client call, to constantly setting expectations with your clients on what it is that you're doing for them? Listen in as Matthew and Micah share why having processes in place when bringing in a new client allows you and your team to truly provide the most value to your clients. They also share why you need to remember that everything you do is fresh and new to a client and how little things can add up to make a big difference. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://theperfectria.com/podcast/174

What you need to know about onboarding. https://bit.ly/3Veoiac

What we expect prospects to give us prior to the initial conversation with them, how we prepare for the initial meeting, and more. https://bit.ly/3edEwzN

If you are an investor wanting to avoid the larger wirehouses, you are probably in the market for an independent financial planner or advisor who doesn't work at one of the larger firms. Generally, an independent planner or advisor will either be a registered investment advisor (RIA) or someone who works for an independent broker-dealer. In this episode, Matt is joined by Brad Wales, Founder of Transition to RIA, and although they are both large advocates for RIAs, they will be sharing their top reasons as to why you may want to stay with a broker-dealer. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3BVcn8p

Your prospect just said 'yes'—now what? Don't panic! Micah and Matthew have tips, strategies, and answers for you. One of the key ways that they recommend navigating a new client relationship is to lay the groundwork early and communicate the processes you have in place. Today, they share the different elements of creating and implementing a process, as well as real-life insight from how they make it work in their own practices. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3SA3d8H

Key takeaways from this week's episodes. https://bit.ly/3y8PYn5

Beginning a month-long series all about onboarding brand new clients. https://bit.ly/3E9Sg9k

Building a practice that can run successfully without you being there for extended periods of time can be hard work, but it is entirely worth it. Taking time off and detaching from work is important for focus and stress management, and can even be beneficial for long-term health. But do you think your practice could run without you for an entire month? Taylor Schulte, Founder of Define Financial, joins the show to share his experience with going completely offline for an entire month, including how he prepared his practice and the things he did in the lead-up. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3xAqdvy

Every advisor knows that they need to be meeting with clients regularly, but most of them don't know what to say in a client meeting. If you are still having trouble knowing what to say and how to add value to your meetings, this is the episode for you. Matthew and Micah jump in to share some of the origins of the value-add, how they struggled in client meetings at first, and what helped them find more confidence in their meeting times with clients and prospects. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3LIA20m

Helping your team to help you. https://bit.ly/3SgTJPx

What young advisors need to know in order to grow their practices. https://bit.ly/3BMVMnb

Having a clear target market can earn you true validation as a financial advisor. As many successful advisors know, having a specific niche that you focus on allows you to establish a reputation within your niche and enhances your client-acquisition efforts. In this episode, Don Hilario, Founder of Hilpan Moxie Wealth Management, will be joining the show to share how he found his niche serving Big Tech, how he structures his day to maximize productivity, and his advice for any advisors searching for a way to be more intentional with their workdays. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3S2Ku5h

Is it possible to delegate all initial client emails, tasks, and communications—and expect your team to run it like you would? Matthew and Micah sit down to address the difficulties in delegation and share insight into how they help their own team members run triage on client requests. If you're hoping to carve out more time for yourself and empower your team in a way that allows your business to grow, this episode is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3db2Di4

Action items from this week's episodes. https://bit.ly/3RPNUbq

The right way to terminate someone you know shouldn't be on your staff. https://bit.ly/3f1iP6k

If you have expertise and knowledge to share beyond what you share with your clients as an advisor, writing a book has probably crossed your mind—and rightly so. A high-quality, engaging book can establish you as an industry expert and give you a chance to speak to a broader audience. However, you're busy running a successful practice and the idea of putting in the work to create a book is probably daunting. So, where do you begin? In this episode, Josh Raab, Founder of Raab & Co, will join Matthew to discuss the process of publishing a book. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3qhXQhM

There's a classic honeymoon period where you hire someone and think they're going to solve all your problems. But what happens when that's over and you realize all your problems aren't solved? Matthew and Micah sit down to tackle the problem of employing people and discuss what needs to happen in order to have an effective and harmonious team. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3Bor0C4

Recapping the pros and cons of working with family. https://bit.ly/3eDPdeM

Settling the debate over whether it's a good idea to hire family members. https://bit.ly/3QBnZCN

Many advisors reach a point in their careers when they wonder if the firm where they're working is the best place for them to serve their clients and find their desired work-life balance. However, actually taking the next step and exploring this next phase can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? In this episode, Louis Diamond, President of Diamond Consultants, will be joining Matthew to discuss how to approach this next step in your life strategically so that there are no missteps made along the way. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3R5CRuv

Don't hire your family members—just don't do it. Matthew and Micah jump on today to discuss the dilemma of hiring family members and why it's a bad idea 99% of the time. They both share from their own experience working with family, offering examples of how it can go really wrong. If you are considering hiring family, friends, or someone you would hesitate to fire for any reason other than performance, this is the perfect episode for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3KwrR6W

Action items for making sure your practice doesn't burn down when you're away. https://bit.ly/3KFzIio

Tips for finding, screening, and hiring candidates. https://bit.ly/3cLcJ95

As an advisor, if you don't have the behavioral part of financial planning dialed in, nothing else will matter. This aspect of financial planning comes down to good communication and a deep understanding of how your clients operate. In fact, the practices that are the most successful and have the best relationships with their clients have mastered the human side of finances. In this episode, Brendan Frazier, Founder of Wired Planning, will be joining Matthew to discuss the "softer side" of financial planning that everyone should be focusing on. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3CE1k5z

If nothing gets done when you leave the office, is it because you don't have a rockstar—or is it because you suck as a leader? In this episode, Matthew and Micah are joined by their partner and chief technology officer, Orion Matthews, who joins in on the discussion about the issues advisors face when they need to be out of office for any reason. You will get insight into what goes wrong and why having the right team leadership will be a game-changer for your business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3POK1l9

Recapping this week's episodes and action items to implement right away. https://bit.ly/3PO66QR

How surge works with family units and dynamics. https://bit.ly/3KltNz3

We all have goals and desires, but which objectives are musts in your life? The pursuits we choose to invest time in are a reflection of our standards, and so are the people we surround ourselves with. When you actively choose to surround yourself with people who share your ambitions or have achieved the things you are after, it elevates your life. Aaron Walker, life and business coach, mastermind group facilitator, author, and trusted advisor, joins Matthew in this episode to share his advice for those looking to be not only successful, but also significant. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3PGPXwM

If you're new to surge or you have a client who has not yet experienced surge, how do you manage expectations? Telling a prospect that they can't see you for 6 months could cause mutiny, so it's important to clearly communicate your framework and what they can expect. Matthew and Micah dive into this dilemma today and share insight into how you can plan, prepare, and ultimately deliver incredible value to clients in a new-to-surge situation. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3plFCLT

Action items from this week's episodes. https://bit.ly/3pPdGjX

How to make surge as efficient as possible. https://bit.ly/3dLgmMk

The CFP® designation has been the standard of excellence for financial planners for decades—and it's easy to see why. The highest designation in financial planning, combined with the commitment to high ethical standards, sets advisors holding this designation apart from the rest. So, what comes next after you receive your CFP®? And how can we implement processes to ensure our practices run as smoothly as possible? Jeff Rattiner, President at Rattiner's Financial Planning Fast Track, Inc., joins Micah today to share the answers to these questions and more. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3QzLoFa

Is discounted service really a value? Matthew and Micah are diving into the world of discounted service vs. massive value, and the hypothetical fists are flying. Matthew put together a challenge between advisors to create a financial plan in 30 minutes on stage. Get out your gloves and listen in to hear about why he's doing that and what we can all learn from other advisors. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3w9ARZB

The differences in how Matt and Micah run surge. https://bit.ly/3PkN18A

The importance of figuring out your value adds. https://bit.ly/3wl7kwn

When starting and then running your own practice, it is essential that you seek legal advice to ensure everything is done correctly. Having an attorney you can comfortably rely on allows you successfully run your practice, whilst also ensuring it is compliant with the various legal obligations that apply. Richard Chen, a seasoned attorney, entrepreneur, and public speaker joins Matthew to share his advice for financial advisors seeking to protect themselves and their businesses. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3dhrfWl

The focus this month is on surge meetings because they are such a critical part of an office. Today Matthew and Micah talk about how they do surge differently in their respective offices. This is something that many people ask about, so grab your notes and listen in to hear how and why they differ in some key surge procedures and processes. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3Qbot3p

What to avoid when planning surge. https://bit.ly/3QotMfm

What to know about running surge. https://bit.ly/3Jt1eiw

As financial advisors, we are generally not qualified to give tax or legal advice when helping our clients. However, these are both important steps in the financial planning process. So, what advice can we give without crossing any lines—while still providing the most value to our clients? Steven Jarvis, CPA, and Leila Shaver, attorney, join Micah on this episode to discuss what is okay (and what is not okay) to converse about with your clients. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3oAKEDX

If you jump headfirst into the pool of surge meetings, you're going to hit your head! This week, Matthew and Micah tackle the topic of surge meetings and share the common mistakes they see people making when doing surge. You will get some great tactics that will ensure that your surge runs smoothly and effectively in the future. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3vqwfxO

How traveling and being out of the office is like cruise control on a car, dealbreakers, and more. https://bit.ly/3OQfWRK

Entrepreneurship and building a business can be a long, hard and lonely journey. Many advisors want to learn what they need to do in order to be the best advisors for their clients, while others want to not only do good for their clients, but also make a shift in their lives and the lives of other advisors along the way. The latter is exactly what Alan Moore decided to do. Alan is the co-founder of the XY Planning Network, a support network for advisors looking to serve next generation clients. In this episode, Alan joins Matthew to share his journey, including his advice for any young financial advisors looking to get started in their careers. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3vhQi1B

In this episode, Matthew and Micah touch on the importance of being able to put systems in place, delegate, and put our practices on autopilot successfully. They share specifically how key your estate planning process is and where you absolutely need to be involved as an advisor. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3J6BEzO

Where advisors struggle with prioritizing business AND family. https://bit.ly/3BbrrjF

Financial advisors spend most of their time helping their clients achieve their financial goals, but in order to ensure the long-term success of the practice, it is essential to plan for the future of the firm, as well. Although he was running a successful practice already, Joe Curry, President & Financial Planner at Matthews + Associates Ltd., recognized that there were some big shifts that needed to be made to really elevate his practice to the next level. So, in this episode, Joe shares the changes he implemented in his practice and his advice for anyone hoping to do the same. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ciTlzO

Why is it so important to be effective with your time when it comes to business practices and personal life? Often, because it allows you the time and energy to show up more fully for those that matter the most to you. In this episode, Matthew and Micah discuss the misconception of needing to prioritize your business and your clients while also prioritizing family and personal life. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3chc3Yr

Highlights from Monday's podcast. https://bit.ly/3RF00Eu

Running an efficient, successful and profitable practice is something most advisors aspire to do. However, making this goal a reality takes hard work, dedication and a willingness to not only learn new things, but also admit when you could improve on something. As the founder of Brandywine Oak Private Wealth, Michael Henley brings more than a dozen years of experience in providing financial advice and guidance to highly successful families. In this episode, Michael joins Matthew to share his advice on running a successful firm, including the importance of being vulnerable, honest and open to communication. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3uKNGsy

Could cognitive biases be the reason that you are stuck or stagnating? In this episode, Matthew and Micah share insight on how to step back and understand what is helping, what is hurting, and how to move past a sticky area that is holding you back. This is your chance to re-evaluate that head trash and finally take it out to the dump where it belongs. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3AFxOLK