There are financial advisors who, after years of cultivating a client base and looking to sell their practice, tend to look at the sale as a transaction. It’s easy to fall into thinking that selling is about making the ‘best’ deal or finding a ‘good buyer ..read more

I like the analogy that is occasionally used in our industry, which finds parallels in the relationship between doctor and patient, and advisor and client. And while I am not at all suggesting that we are doctors, the nature of the interaction between doctor and patient does mirror the way that we interact with clients in our work.  ..read more

You may know that I love to spend time in Aruba. It’s where I go to unwind, to spend time with my family, and work for a few weeks each year. I have an office setup, much like home, but with better weather and an ocean view ..read more

Let me begin by saying that I consider myself an optimistic person. This doesn’t mean my life has been easy; I have had my share of challenges. But overall, I believe I have a positive outlook on life.  ..read more

Too often, in the financial world, there's a misguided obsession with beating benchmarks like the S&P 500 within arbitrary time frames, such as the calendar year. Remember the legendary fund manager Bill Miller and his Legg Mason Value Trust fund's remarkable streak? He outperformed the S&P 500 for 15 consecutive years. Impressive, right? But here's a reality check: it was more about the quirks of the calendar than a consistent, year-round performance ..read more

In a recent advisor team meeting at Beck Bode, I drew a parallel between financial planning and my experience with pre-flight checklists for helicopters. I am a student helicopter pilot, and my dad was a decorated pilot who served in Vietnam, a story I have shared in several blogs here ..read more

If you’re thinking you’d like to sell your practice at some point, you’ll want to know what it’s worth. As a prospective seller, it makes sense to get a valuation from a  third-party professional valuation firm, and to update it periodically. A big chunk of a third-party valuation is based on revenue. Let’s be clear here, revenue is an essential component of the valuation, but there is more to the story than revenue ..read more

At Beck Bode, we see fitness and finance as going hand in hand. You want to be financially prepared for a long life, but that requires you to be physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared for a long life, too. Which means tending to health and wellbeing in all aspects of our lives ..read more

Every financial advisor - in fact, anyone who provides advice to others - needs to do a certain amount of preparation before a client meeting. Once you master the basics, most of that preparation becomes mental preparation. The question is: are you really ready to meet with this person? Let’s see ..read more

What do you do when you’re not getting enough referrals from your Centers of Influence (COI)? Or maybe you are getting referrals, but they’re not of the quality you need. In the realm of business, relationships are the cornerstone of success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a financial advisor, or a professional in any field, the ability to foster strong connections with centers of influence (COIs) can make a significant difference in your growth trajectory. However, cultivating these relationships requires intention, effort, and a strategic approach ..read more