In Control*

 


This week I was thrilled to read No Rules, Rules. It reminded me of the great professionals I have worked with that didn’t want to be told what to do. They could figure out their own superior solution to the Ivory Tower. This week I will summarize how we can apply Netflix’s ideas to the independent wealth advisory business.  We don’t have any movies, but we now have technology and a an advisor mindset that we can apply. 


Brady Belichick Kraft

Netflix reminds us that we are not family, we are a team. This speaks to me as a man, apologies to Kenzie Grant, and to my wife and two daughters . As a team we must hold all of our teammates to a high standard. If they can’t make the grade we need to replace them. If they do make the grade we need to pay them a free agent wage. Our teammates want to be a part of our team because we win and our success will trickle down to them and help attract great advisors and clients. 


Tools

Great teams have the money to spend on great facilities and state of the art equipment. Great advisory firms need to provide FinTech that most competitors don’t have. The cost and the evaluation needs to be provided by experienced practitioners. They and their solutions are expensive too. The tools every other firm uses won’t work for the tops advisors and their clients. Our great new coaches can help you develop an app. 



Championship 

Winning is seductive and others will be attracted to your success. How we monitor our progress is important for all. Clients and advisors want to be surrounded by other winners. Success will beget success but Netflix learned that the hard decisions on when to cut poor under performing advisors and clients is essential to your success. We need to define who and how these decisions are made. The coach and the owners should the final arbiters. Unfortunately these decisions not be popular. Firms that continue to succeed and win championships make difficult decisions daily.  Bill Belichick just wins games but not popularity contests. 

It always sounds easier than it is to be Netflix or The Patriots. We need to hire the best players and support them with a superior structure. Easier said than just writing a good book and paying a free agent. 

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