How can you ensure that you have a successful start to 2024? What should you keep in mind throughout the year to maintain consistent success? In this episode, members of the MDRT Executive Committee explain how they prepare for the arrival of January and keep a steady perspective on their processes regardless of the month.

You’ll hear from:
MDRT President Gregory B. Gagne, ChFC
MDRT Secretary Clay Gillespie, CIM, CFP
MDRT First Vice President Carol Kheng, ChFC
MDRT Second Vice President John F. Nichols, CLU, MSM

Episode breakdown:
0:34—Planning for the new year before it starts
2:48—Beginning January with focus and a fast pace
6:43—Avoiding a sense of starting over as the year begins
8:26—Applying learning from January 2023 to January 2024
15:39—Remembering to make thoughtful decisions in January

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

How MDRT Executive Committee members start the year off right

What can advisors do to confirm that clients are not just listening but processing the information that has been discussed? In this episode, MDRT members share communication techniques that help keep everyone on the same page and prevent confusion or frustration on either side.

You’ll hear from:
Joseph Tan, ChFC, CLU
Abigail Venida Yabot

Episode breakdown:

0:22 – Presenting an amount of information that won’t overwhelm clients
3:12 – Maintaining clarity by giving clients three types of advice 
6:36 – Creating trust to drive understanding when it feels like clients aren’t listening
8:20 – Recognizing when something is missing from the client’s ability to move forward
10:19 – Making sure to give clients ownership over their decisions

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

How I ensure that clients understand their finances

How do you streamline the many challenges that occur as a business is acquired? In this episode, MDRT member D. Kyle Atkins, CFP, CLU, and president of Succession Resource Group David Grau Jr. share techniques they’ve learned to help minimize roadblocks and pursue success and happiness between buyer and seller.

Episode breakdown:

0:38 – Steps to simplify both quantitative and qualitative questions
3:07 – Best practices to retain clients after an acquisition
5:23 – How to figure out challenging timelines regarding payment
8:43 – Learning from internal and external acquisitions
10:12 – Considering certain compromises because of the size of a practice

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

Smoothing out some complexities of business transition

What do you say when clients want you to resolve family conflict or say something that they are struggling to communicate? In this episode, MDRT members share how they maintain harmony, professionalism, and service when faced with some potentially uncomfortable situations.

You’ll hear from:
Aaron Kane, AFA, B Bus
Adam Thomas Rex, AIF, CFP

Episode breakdown:
0:24 – Handling a difference of opinion between parents and their child
3:11 – Being asked to encourage someone toward retirement
6:50 – Determining how to reset client relationships
9:41 – Developing two different models of service

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

How I navigate awkward conversations with clients

While many advisors recognize the benefits of partnering with other professionals to help their clients, doing that successfully often requires practice and adaptation. In this episode, members of the MDRT Executive Committee explain how they have learned to identify and thrive in these collaborative circumstances.

You’ll hear from:
MDRT President Gregory B. Gagne, ChFC
MDRT Secretary Clay Gillespie, CIM, CFP

Episode breakdown:
0:25 – Levelling up by finding a mentor
0:57 – Recognizing when someone else is better at something than you
2:09 – What to do when someone else can be more helpful to your client
2:55 – Serving your clients best by focusing on what’s in your area of expertise
3:40 – Creating a process to systematize what you do best
4:57 – Setting expectations with clients at the beginning of your relationship

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

What to do and not do for joint work

With so much to consider about identifying and working with centers of influence, what best practices can you follow to create these connections? In this episode, MDRT members share strategies they’ve developed to drive effective relationships with these important professional partners.

You’ll hear from:
Alessandro M. Forte, DipPFS, CSP
Renee Hanson, CFP, CDFA

Episode breakdown:

0:30 – Challenges involved in utilizing centers of influence to find the right clients
1:20 – Determining what value you can provide to centers of influence
3:35 – Reframing your thinking to overcome fear about developing COI relationships 
7:24 – The benefits of distributing an At-A-Glance card
10:11 – Developing additional educational materials for both clients and COI
11:46 – Creating new opportunities to develop clarity and relationships with COI
14:08 – Establishing the importance of you and COIs staying present in each other’s lives
16:07 – Creating a strong sense of reputation and reciprocity
19:44 – Documenting your recommended COIs to clients

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

Finding and fostering relationships with centers of influence

What questions can lead clients to provide the information that guides your recommendations? What personal experience should you offer to demonstrate how you can help your ideal clients? In this episode, MDRT members share techniques for turning effective communication into strategic financial planning.

You’ll hear from:
Joseph Tan, ChFC, CLU
Abigail Venida Yabot

Episode breakdown:

0:26 – Demonstrating authenticity with your target market
2:35 – Determining the right amount of talking and listening with clients
4:16 – Utilizing strong communication to motivate clients to share information
7:02 – Offering personal information to connect experience to expertise
9:08 – Transitioning from reflections to planning that can be both aspirational and practical

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

Unique ways I identify financial solutions for my niche – and how that can help other advisors

With the many ways an acquisition can go wrong, how can you circumvent these problems in pursuit of success? In this episode, MDRT member D. Kyle Atkins, CFP, CLU, and president of Succession Resource Group David Grau Jr. explain what to avoid and what to do instead to foster more effective decisions and business transitions.

Episode breakdown:

0:34 – Why you shouldn’t call the biggest and best clients first
3:01 – Establishing clarity for a valuation
6:05 – Communicating the transition plan to a soon-to-be-retiring advisor
7:57 – Turning preparation and teamwork into success
10:43 – Ensuring that opinions match with facts

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

What you absolutely should not do in an acquisition

What can you do to not just accept new regulations but thrive through adaptation and compliance? In this episode, MDRT members explain how their perspective and ability to take action has led them to turn regulation into opportunity and success.

You’ll hear from:
Simon D. Lister, Dip PFS
Jamie McIntyre, CFP

Episode breakdown:
0:34—Focusing on the benefits that come from required additional qualifications 
3:10—Why resistance only leads to greater difficulty  
5:39—Utilizing regulations as a chance to further define your ideal clientele
7:41—How to create time to meet regulation standards and drive business success
13:15—Turning frustration into empowerment

Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

Changes I’ve made to embrace regulation and overcome challenges

How do advisors confront difficult situations in terms of interacting with others? In this episode, MDRT member Douglas B. Miller, CLU, CFP, discusses communication challenges and how to benefit from increased clarity and accountability.

Episode breakdown:

0:23 – The patience to understand clients’ hesitation
1:09 -- Leading them to a decision
1:52 - Working with people who think differently
3:10 - Making communication more concise
4:57 - Competition with search engines
6:13 - Are clients receiving enough coverage through their employer?
7:50 - When you shouldn’t do something you love
9:40 - Acknowledging a mistake to a client
10:48 - Gaining trust through accountability

Listen to the new monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

Improve communication with clients and staff

In this EXCEL Award-winning series, hear thoughts and suggestions from top MDRT members on issues that financial and insurance professionals encounter in their careers. 

Contact us at podcast@mdrt.org. MDRT diversity statement: https://www.mdrt.org/diversity-statement

The Million Dollar Round Table® (MDRT) does not guarantee the accuracy of tax and legal information and is not liable for errors or omissions. You are urged to check with tax and legal professionals in your state, province or country. The MDRT also suggests you consult local insurance and security regulations and compliance departments, pertaining to the use of any new sales material with clients. Examples are for educational purposes only. Copyright Million Dollar Round Table.

Improve communication with clients and staff

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