Could you please provide some scripting or options around disengaging clients once you have completed the Values Staircase™ with them? If they are not your Ideal Clients…

Article ID: 177
Last updated: 20 Nov, 2019
I would not disengage just because they are not an Ideal Client. I would disengage if they are not getting value from the Values Conversation™. This might show up in them being uncooperative or unable to answer the questions. In this case, simply tell the truth. It might sound like, “I have the impression that you are not getting much value from our conversation today and I don’t think it makes sense to continue. Your time is too valuable to waste on something that’s not working for you. Although we agreed to meet for an hour today, I propose that we cut this meeting short and that we both move on to something that’s a better use of our time. How does this sound to you?”

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b I have long-time clients who, for the most part, have been completing Financial Road Maps® with me. When I get to Commitment to Implement Conversation™ section, I haven't been asking for that firstly because I cannot charge a hard dollar fee and secondly, if I had a form for them to sign, the form would basically not have meaning as I work for Merrill Lynch and they would not approve of a form that the client to sign for implementing a plan. How do I handle this?
b How do I better describe my value? One potential client thought he was already living out many of his values and thus enjoying his ideal life. How do I describe that what I do provides incredible value even for the person who enjoys managing his own investments and has enough money and time to take plenty of vacations?
b I have several existing clients and prospects that have zero debt and range typically from $3-$10 million in liquid net worth. Many of them have believed in “Term and invest the rest” mentality and therefore don't like to discuss insurance needs and their term policies have expired. By this, I'm referring to clients who are past the accumulation phase and confident in their mind that they have been adequately insured and no longer need much insurance (I realize this may not be true), and have the notion typically to only buy term and put the rest of their money into savings. When we get to the Commitment to Hire Conversation™. Many of my existing clients have zero debt, more cash then they need to have sitting around (I realize this needs to be addressed), and don't feel they need much help with insurance. Therefore the step-by-step plan addressing these four areas only has one area where they typically want, or feel, they need help in creating a plan. I'm curious if it would it make sense to change the "What you get” discussion to something that could provide a little more value than the 4 bullets currently in the script? Can you please tell me perhaps a different word track then the Financial Road Map® script since two of the four areas are not of much interest to these types of clients?
b When making the calls to schedule Financial Road Map® interviews with current clients, I've received the same reply numerous times. The client will often say something to the effect that he/she needs to check scheduling with their spouse and will get back to me with a time that works for the two of them. I reply that it is fine and confirm when I can check back in. I then send an email to the client I spoke with to serve as a reminder. Is there anything else I should be doing? I imagine that pressing to set an appointment on the phone, with language like, “Let's set a time that works for you, you'll check with your spouse and we can reschedule if necessary” is too “salesy”?
b Can you point me in the right direction for a letter or document I can provide Potential Ideal Clients who may want to talk with existing Ideal Clients about our work. Is there a template – I am sure it has been spoken about but cannot easily find anything online. I Have a 2nd round meeting this Friday with Potential Ideal Clients that said yes, and then thought about the fee and said it was too much. I want to have something I can give for them to call existing Ideal Clients. Have chatted with some existing Ideal Clients and they are happy to take calls.
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