Wealth Think

Sharing too much and assuming that you always know what is best are among the surefire ways of pointing clients to the door.

I may be opening up an old wound here, and if I am, I hope you'll forgive me. But I find myself wondering about all the ways that the interests of a broker-dealer differ from the interests of its affiliated advisors. I've never seen this explored anywhere.

Ryan O'Neal is at it again. He and Craig Nevius, a Hollywood producer who used to work closely with Farrah Fawcett, are in the midst of more legal fighting against one another.

For a financial advisor, social media can be a powerful new business development tool. Managed right, social media can connect your business to an almost unending stream of new and interested prospects. But to enjoy that kind of success, you have to take an active approach.

Since financial advice is a trust-based business, PR should play an important part of every advisor’s marketing plan. Having a good number of media mentions that show your professional character and business philosophy can really make a difference in how people perceive you and your potential value to them.

I have a lot of pet peeves but one of my biggest is how we, as a profession, tend to define other professionals by one number: their assets under management.

When business development professionals come aboard and start bringing new clients into the fold, don’t let them down with processes that fall short.

Celebrity heirs fighting over the estate is far from uncommon but it is unusual when an ugly court battle starts before the celebrity even dies. That certainly has been the case with the Dennis Hopper estate.

Financial advisors who position themselves well by be being frequently seen in the public eye -- either in print, on TV, on the radio or writing online columns likes this one -- can build the perception that they're professionals who can be trusted.

No, it can’t be. Has the 15-year saga started by Anna Nicole Smith, as she tried to get money from the estate of her deceased husband, really come to an end?