Clip File | Advisor Today

Clips from Advisor Today

Tee Time, September 2007
People know that golf is more than a game—it’s a great way to build relationships. But it’s not just a man’s game anymore.

Pick a Position, August 2007
Positioning isn’t the same thing as branding—you can put a ton of money into a logo, for instance, but it’s the logo reputation that matters. Features information from Martin Andelman.

Close to Home, August 2007
Part of the realLIFEstories series.

Dealing With Divorcing Clients, June 2007
A companion piece in which I interviewed the author of a piece that talks about financial strategies for the newly divorced and asked her about the emotional side of the transaction.

Spreading the Word, June 2007
A profile of Michael Lynch, a former Capitol Hill journalist who’s found success as a financial advisor.

Building a Portable Office, May 2007
Staying Organized on the Go, May 2007
Companion pieces explaining the ins and outs of doing business on the road, with organizing tips from Stephanie Winston and some tips from advisors who work on the road or in multiple offices.

The Other 80 Percent, April 2007
Yeah, it makes sense to sell to the wealthiest people–they do, after all, have the most money. But there’s a tremendous amount of untapped opportunity in the rest of the marketplace, who need your services too.

What’s Your Plan? March 2007
What’s Your Plan? Part 2, March 2007
Two articles addressing the importance of using a business plan to launch or revitalize your business.

Selling Disability Income Insurance at the Workplace, January 2007
What the headline says.

Family Ties, December 2006
Profiles of three successful multigenerational insurance practices.
Make a Wish, December 2006
Using online wish lists on sites such as Froogle and Amazon. Includes four book titles that might catch the eye of insurance sales professionals.

Magical Ways to Sell Long-Term Care Insurance, Advisor Today, November 2006
When Lynn Devitt used the Bewitched nose twinkle to explain her techniques for explaining LTCI to folks, I knew there was a story in there.

Information Overload, October 2006
In which I interview productivity guru David Allen of Getting Things Done to find out how to get my flippin’ inbox empty. Decided that landing such an A-list interview on company time might merit an article.

Variable Annuities and You, September 2006
One of the things I learned about NAIFA members while working for their association is that they are passionate about the integrity of their business. As such, Dan Strain’s insights on when a VA is appropriate made me wonder what Motley Fool has to lose.

Setting Service Standards, September 2006
I had a very strong interest in covering customer service techniques when I was at NAIFA, perhaps because I was a consumer who’d had plenty of horror stories. I wrote this one from a management persepective: how to inspire your staff to the same lofty standards you have for yourself.

Feed Me, Seymour, August 2006
RSS Feeds 101

Making the A-List, July 2006
I heard about Robert Fakhimi’s successful practice out in California and was totally dumbfounded to discover that he was among our under-40 contingent. Got him to share a few tips.

Serving Up Success, May 2006
I won a Bronze Award for Feature Writing from the Society of National Association Publications for this feature, another in my line of customer service pieces.

On Their Own, May 2006
All about short-term and individual health insurance, particularly for recent grads.

The Barely Boomers, April 2006
One of my pet peeves is the marginalization of people born between 1961 and 1978–Gen X and tail-end Boomers–and I was constantly pushing to cover those beats.

Safety First: Internet Security, April 2006
A primer on internet security, written with small business professionals in mind.

The Boomer Touch, March 2006
The Boomers are coming, the Boomers are coming, yadda yadda. Interview with Maddy Dychtwald of Age Wave.

Know Your Score, March 2006
Are you familiar with the Kolbe scale? I’m a 6-5-9-2.

How’s Your Browser? February 2006
In which I exhort our members to ditch Internet Explorer for Firefox or Opera.

Demystifying Part D, January 2006
A short guide to help advisors explain Medicaid Part D to their clients.

Thank You Very Much, December 2005
OK, so the headline is directly from Scrooge–we used to sing that song at the end of my dance revues when I was a kid. But.. anyhow, how to say thank you with an extra special touch.

Let the Buyer Beware, November 2005
Your guide to buying guides.

A Briefcase in Your Pocket, November 2005
Flash drives for flashy and nonflashy alike. Oh, and what a flash drive actually is.

Making Your Business a Top-Flight Operation, November 2005
My first “cover” story, with strategies for structuring and succeeding in your business, with inspirations from Southwest Airlines.

Why Go Wireless? October 2005
A quick and dirty guide to cutting the cord.