Looking for tips to improve your business? “Building A Better, More Enjoyable Business” is Don Connelly’s most recent article on his blog for Financial Advisor Magazine’s website, FA-Mag.com. The article includes 12 great tips focusing on personal qualities advisors should embody for developing successful, enjoyable businesses.
Several of the tips are traits found in highly successful people, like tip #1, “Get really good at what you do. Do the ordinary things extraordinarily well.” And tip #4, “Make a commitment to succeed. People get successful on purpose, not by accident. You can’t become great until you decide to be great.” It takes dedication and focus to perfect your talents, and continuing commitment and action to develop your business.
Other tips are more specific to the advisory business, including tip #7 “Don’t focus on what changes. Focus on what doesn’t change. Your clients always have goals. Markets may change but the reasons they invest don’t change. ” And tip #11 “Always remember what business you’re in. You’re not in the financial planning, ETF, mutual fund or annuity business. Those things make up your inventory. You’re in the peace of mind business. Your purpose is not to create financial plans. Your purpose is to get clients retired and get their children educated. Market yourself accordingly.”
I like matter of fact nature of several of the tips, like tip #2, “Always ask for a commitment. There are only two ways you can gather assets: either you wait until someone offers or you ask.” Being proactive is essential to build your business.
Take a moment as you read the tips and reflect how each tip resonates with you. Are you already implementing these tips in your business? If so, are you doing them “extraordinarily well,” or could you improve yourself and your business to reach a higher level.
