Mdrt Podcast

What language is essential for advisors helping to create a retirement plan for their clients? How can you ensure clients know you are acting in their best interest to protect their assets? In this episode, members of the MDRT Executive Committee share effective techniques they’ve gained from advising countless retirement planning clients. You’ll hear from: MDRT Immediate Past President Gregory B. Gagne, ChFC MDRT Second Vice President Clay Gillespie, CIM, CFP Episode breakdown: 0:26 – Gaining clients whose previous advisors don’t know how to discuss retirement 2:26 – How education and confidence can overcome age differences between advisors and clients 4:30 – Creating peace of mind through established processes 5:37 – Using long-term-care insurance and thoughtful planning to prevent financial disaster 7:29 – Providing honest, direct information without taking the easy way out Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

As a new year settles in, it’s important to stay focused on your plans and aspirations. In this episode, members of the MDRT Executive Committee share how coaches and other MDRT members provide encouragement while preventing them from losing sight of what they want to achieve. You’ll hear from: MDRT President Carol Kheng, ChFC MDRT First Vice President John F. Nichols, CLU, MSM Episode breakdown: 0:30 – How a coach can help you in numerous areas of your professional and personal life 1:55 – The difference that comes from having another person journeying with you 3:21 – Achieving Top of the Table with the help and support of other MDRT members m Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

The more advisors utilize video messaging, social media, and other areas of technology, the more they need to make sure they are maintaining compliance. In this episode, MDRT members share how they have benefited from technology in their practice while prioritizing all necessary regulations. You’ll hear from: Simon D. Lister, Dip PFS Jamie McIntyre, CFP Episode breakdown: 0:33 – Including risk warnings while utilizing the benefits of communicating via video 3:10 – Using technology to help set expectations with clients 4:29 – Knowing that regulators don’t want advisors to lead messaging with products 6:30 – How regulators monitor social media activity 7:05 – The importance of keeping records of everything that’s done 9:31 – How regulation impacts the quantity and quality of advisors Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

At some point, all advisors face the challenging situation of knowing that they aren’t the right person to work with a client. In this episode, MDRT members explain how they recognize the need for this delicate exchange, and how they handle it. You’ll hear from: Alessandro M. Forte, DipPFS, CSP Renee Hanson, CFP, CDFA Episode breakdown: 0:28 – Establishing expectations for client interactions 2:36 – Developing the skill of knowing when to walk away 4:33 – Having the hard conversation with clients about not being a good fit 6:25 – Identifying communication preferences to improve interpersonal dynamics 8:45 – Fostering positive outcomes while indicating that something isn’t working 13:31 – Determining if the advisor or the client will be making the rejection Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

If discomfort arises among employees in your office, how do you address and move forward from the situation? In this episode, MDRT members share how they develop a straightforward, successful approach when tense or complicated situations arise. You’ll hear from: Aaron Kane, AFA, B Bus Adam Thomas Rex, AIF, CFP Episode breakdown: 0:29 – Creating an open-door environment to bring up issues as needed 1:28 – Establishing procedures to get every employee on the same page 3:58 – Addressing problems independently while empowering staff members 5:26 – Understanding the different performance expectations for different people in the office 6:46 – Ensuring that employees understand how any changes will benefit them and the clients Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

Just because you know the importance of seeking balance in and out of work doesn’t mean that it’s easy to accomplish. In this episode, members of the MDRT Executive Committee share how they make a priority of MDRT’s Whole Person concept and adjust if they are struggling to put their intentions into action. You’ll hear from: MDRT President Carol Kheng, ChFC MDRT First Vice President John F. Nichols, CLU, MSM Episode breakdown: 0:32 – Looking at different life components like spokes on a wheel 1:42 – Pursuing a feeling of being centered rather than balanced 3:09 – Determining and maintaining your version of a right-fit morning 5:16 – Handling adversity when your processes aren’t working as well 7:12 – Benefiting by resisting the temptation to compare yourself to others Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

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

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 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

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 recomme

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 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 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

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 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

Even veteran advisors continually learn new communication techniques in pursuit of making clients comfortable and willing to share their feelings. In this episode, MDRT members identify situations in which clients have been especially open (or had difficulty opening up), and what that taught them for conversations moving forward. You’ll hear from: Alessandro M. Forte, DipPFS, CSP Renee Hanson, CFP, CDFA Episode breakdown: 0:31—Starting a podcast as a way of sharing memorable client stories 2:24—Discovering people’s universal interest in talking about problems and successes 5:54—Identifying an opportunity to help women in transition 9:10—Learning how to communicate with clients during an awkward moment 10:49—Seeing the benefits of vulnerability during conversations Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

Even the most successful advisors continue to embrace change and create excitement for the future. In this episode, MDRT members share what they’re innovating and how these ideas will enhance their business. You’ll hear from: Aaron Kane, AFA, B Bus Adam Thomas Rex, AIF, CFP Episode breakdown: 0:27—Developing adjustments for a new office 2:02—Creating marketing around a major milestone 3:12—Establishing a process to generate Google reviews from clients 4:46—Building Zoom rooms and investing in technology Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

Buying a practice requires research, communication, and much, much more. In this episode, MDRT member D. Kyle Atkins, CFP, CLU, and president of Succession Resource Group David Grau Jr. explain essential ways for you to set the course for business acquisition success. Episode breakdown: 0:35–Dedicating the necessary time for each step in the process 2:55—Developing simplicity and know-how 3:18—Establishing both clarity and cultural fit 5:11—Asking questions and listening, just as you would with a client 7:44—Adapting when a seller changes their mind about something Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

How do you turn business growth from a dream into a reality? In this episode, referral coach Bill Cates and MDRT member Tristan Karl Robert Hartey explain how to push through reluctance and establish a time-tested system for expanding your clientele. Episode breakdown: 0:30—Overcoming fears about asking for introductions 2:16—Benefiting from repetition and getting outside your comfort zone 3:30—Identifying your goals and finding your right-fit client 4:17—Developing a process and practicing it enough to be successful 5:53—Learning from the world’s best athletes Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents

How do you understand clients’ needs so that they see you as someone who can help them, rather than someone who is selling to them? In this episode, MDRT members explain how they establish these strong connections that can unlock the effective technique of “unselling.” You’ll hear from: Joseph Tan, ChFC, CLU Abigail Venida Yabot Episode breakdown: 0:27 – Focusing on the client’s magic numbers 2:41 – Recognizing the impact of unselling 4:17 – Serving as the “prudent mom” for clients 7:38 – Learning retirement lessons from a colleague’s experience 11:36 – Becoming a godparent to clients’ children Listen to the monthly series, MDRT Presents: @mdrtpresents