At the end of the most recent webinar you gave an example of what you would say to a prospect who wanted to wait on doing a plan. One of the things you mentioned is that the advisor’s main benefit is not in the plan or any other technical work, but in the coaching and accountability. I hate to ask, but why don’t we include that in the script to make sure every prospect knows just what they are getting and why this will be different?

Article ID: 588
Last updated: 20 Nov, 2019

It could be something you tell them during Commitment to Hire depending on the questions they ask. For example, if they get to the point where they ask something like, “what makes you different from the other advisors I’m working with now or have worked with in the past?” You might say something like, “One big thing is accountability. I can tell from looking at your current financial reality that your current advisors do not hold you accountable to implement. For example, your estate situation and legal documents are a disaster. I’m sure you know that you need to get this done and are aware that you’ve just been lucky that this hasn’t bitten you in the butt. What this tells me is that your current advisors might be making recommendations, but aren’t holding you accountable to actually GET THESE THINGS DONE. When you work with me these things WILL GET DONE. Does that appeal to you?"

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b I completed a Financial Road Map® with this gentleman and his wife. He loved the experience and was very excited to go ahead and have us create an action plan. We requested additional information needed to complete the plan. I then received this email (see below). How would you respond? Thanks. Morning, Michele and I had the opportunity to sit down with an investment adviser yesterday and discovered that Optimal Performance is not only an investment company but also a financial planning firm. Embarrassing for me, as we have worked with Diane for over five years and she has helped us manage a myriad of financial challenges over that time. To realize that I have not fully taken advantage of her years of experience her expertise was "uncomfortable" to say the least. That said, Michele and I have decided not to continue moving forward with Ideal Life and re-engage Diane since we are already paying for that service. Additional, I am sure you can appreciate that we do not want to put our relationship with Diane in jeopardy especially after she has been a cornerstone for us. I have reviewed our chequing account and as of Friday, our cheque has not been processed and we would ask that it does not happen. We are prepared to pay a small fee for the work to date (including the Value-Based book) and will issue another cheque to cover that amount. I can have that available when I come to pick up our binder. As you witnessed, we were ready to make the move to see the plan and realize this a disappointing news however this is the right thing for us and aligns with the values we hold true.
b What is the most appropriate way to handle situations where the Financial Road Map Interview™ goes extremely well, the client fits the Ideal Client Profile, and they are very receptive to working with me, but just want some more time to talk it over before committing? My current approach is to mail them a follow-up letter summarizing our Financial Road Map® conversation, inviting them to become a client, and indicating that I will call in a week to see how they feel about it. Is that the right approach?
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 Can you clarify when to give a Values-Based Financial Planning™ book to an existing client? I set appointments with existing clients and do the Old World, New World introduction and then the Financial Road Map®. Should I always give the Values-Based Financial Planning™ book to the clients if they hire me?
b How does one “politely disengage” from existing clients with whom I no longer want to work? Perhaps an example?
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