Expectations....

Are you "planning your work and working your plan" for 2009 already? Here is a quick tip that should lead to greater success in the year to come.

Set your goals this way - stretch and expectation - with the "headliner" lying directly in between those two.

E.g. A revenue "expectation" of 1.25 million, a "stretch" of 1.75 million, while constantly keeping 1.5 million as your firm goal. Whatever is thrown your way in this up and down climate you are sure to perform well.

Slow week....

Generally speaking this is a slower week for most advisors than others. Enjoy your time with family and friends throughout the holidays.....and try not to think to often about work. You will feel that much better when the new year arrives.

But if you do think about it, try this on for size; how many clients would "testify" on your behalf? And what can you do in 2009 to make that number go up? 

Its a good place to start when it comes to prioritizing for 2009.

Bailouts, Bailouts, Bailouts.....

Another big announcement this morning for the automakers. A 17 billion dollar bailout, or more so a "bridge" loan. As always the question is, how do you and your team create value on the news. Do you have clients tied to the auto industry? Do you have clients that have retired from the manufacturing industry and are emotionally tied to this issue? 

Give some thought to having a seminar focused on your clients that have any sort of tie, either directly or generationally, to manufacturing. Make it a "fireside chat", and do all you can not to sell anything, but simply build relationships by calming emotions and offering advice. 

These are historic times for this subset of clients. Take some time today to think about how to best serve them.

The LATEST....

More amazing action in the markets that constantly affects recruiting, retention and revenues within the "advisor world". The real question is....."How do you profit from it?" Add clients? Trim clients? Acquire a struggling practice? Switch firms? So many questions and so little time to make changes to your "long term" plans.

Which brings us to the most important issue in today's blog : Long - term planning. Even though the markets are crazy, clients are beside themselves, and investment banks continue to be less relevant; you MUST remain focused on your core principles as an advisor or advisor team. Not sure what those are.....if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.

AP