Article Library

How much life insurance do I need? 6 steps that will help your clients decide
Article posted by Sheryl Moore
The following is my take on how to assess the amount of life insurance one needs, and what products should be covering those needs. This discussion is intended only to give a general, high-level overview of a life insurance needs assessment. (And by all means, if you disagree with this self-taught theory, point out my mistakes!)

John Bogle predicts two 50 percent declines in the market over the next 10 years
Article posted by Roccy DeFrancesco
I’m sure many of you will want to use Mr. Bogle’s quotes when discussing the proper tools to help your clients grow and protect their wealth.

Long-term care is a women's issue — or is it?
Article posted by Stephen Forman
A calculated attempt to market LTCI to women has been an ongoing plotline for years. What's not so obvious is whether this is desirable or warranted.

Advisors matter
Article posted by Robert Kerzner
Throughout the world, legislators and regulators are banning commission-based advice. Even here is the U.S., there has been much discussion about instituting a universal fiduciary standard, which would effectively ban commission-based advice. The problem is, our research has shown that most people are willing to far less than the cost of providing that advice.

9 cognitive biases that impede your sales — and how to overcome them
Article posted by Vanessa De La Rosa
I want to bring you face-to-face with the cognitive fallacies and biases undermining your sales success, on both sides of the conversation, and how to overcome them.

Stock market signs and predictions: déjà vu all over again?
Article posted by Jason Kestler
According to Warren Buffet, “There is no great mystery to the stock market. The longer I follow it, the less complicated it actually becomes. Buy stocks when they are cheap and everyone is afraid to own them. Don’t buy stocks when they are expensive and everyone is afraid of getting 'left behind.' In other words, be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”

Physician shortages and Medicare: A one-two punch for your clients
Article posted by Dan McGrath
With the largest segment of our population knocking on Medicare’s door, the timing of this simply could not be worse. We expect to see an ever-increasing demand for physician services and a growing number of doctors who are no longer willing to see Medicare patients.

How to annoy your audience
Article posted by Michael Goldberg
I see this scarcity mindset all the time with financial advisors that are looking to deliver seminars and “network” when, in essence, they’re looking to simply set appointments to explain “the value of their work.” It’s no wonder insurance agents and advisors get such a bad rap.

A tangible storytelling example to help you sell complicated products
Article posted by Kevin Startt
Here’s one simple idea using a simple tool — the tape measure. This idea will cost you a whole two-dollar bill, but I've seen advisors use this to make $2 million in sales.

Sales psychology and the takeaway technique, Pt. 1
Article posted by Steve Lewit
Most sales professionals that I coach have a high level of technical expertise, poor acting skills and little understanding of client psychology. That is why so many professionals rely on the old way of selling

Bad bosses, Pt. 1: fight or flee from black hats?
Article posted by Steven McCarty
Black-hatters especially will have no qualms asking others to lie for them or to break the law as long as it advances their interests. Clearly, we can’t point to a single best answer because it will depend on the circumstances of each advisor. But here’s what we can recommend.

Dave Ramsey is making me a wealthy man
Article posted by Rodney Ballance
“Dave Ramsey is making me a wealthy man,” said the friend whom I thought I knew so well. I couldn’t believe my ears.