SIMPLY ORGANIZED
Articles
- All
- Business Development
- Business Planning
- Client Service
- Featured
- Human Resources & Staff
- Miscellaneous
- On Boarding
- Practice Management
- Recruiting
- Time Management
How to Capture Media Attention for Your Business, Organization or Cause
Business Development | By Teresa Riccobuono
Gaining media exposure for your event or cause may feel like a daunting task. Although not always easy, it is …
How to Capture Media Attention for Your Business, Organization or Cause Read More »
Personal Master Calendar: A Novel Marketing Idea
Business Development, Time Management | By Teresa Riccobuono
If you are among my regular followers, you know the value of having a master calendar for your business. This …
Personal Master Calendar: A Novel Marketing Idea Read More »
How to Start Your Own Study Group
Miscellaneous | By Teresa Riccobuono
When advisors learn that I facilitate high-performance team meetings, sometimes called study groups, they want to know how to set …
How to Conduct Effective Staff and Team Meetings
Human Resources & Staff | By Teresa Riccobuono
Many of my recent conversations with advisors have been centered on how best to conduct meetings with staff members. Today, …
How to Conduct Effective Staff and Team Meetings Read More »
A Six-Step Plan to Track Prospects
Business Development, Miscellaneous, On Boarding | By Teresa Riccobuono
It is less expensive and time consuming to keep an existing client compared to acquiring a new one. Therefore, much …
Are You a Queen Bee? Do You Have Queen Bee Clients?
Business Development, Client Service, Miscellaneous | By Teresa Riccobuono
In an effort to better serve your clients, you may have read articles or had clients take quizzes to help …
Are You a Queen Bee? Do You Have Queen Bee Clients? Read More »
How to Organize Your “Stuff”
Miscellaneous | By Teresa Riccobuono
When advisors ask me to help them set up systems for their business, I put on my professional organizer hat. …
Successfully Evaluate and Reward Employees
Human Resources & Staff | By Teresa Riccobuono
In my previous article, I discussed the key steps for successfully bringing a new employee into your firm. Let’s now turn …
A Plan for Developing New Team Members
Human Resources & Staff | By Teresa Riccobuono
Starting with a clear vision of your desired outcome and an honest evaluation of where you are will help you …
Developing an Effective Advisor Training Program
Human Resources & Staff | By Teresa Riccobuono
In a previous article, I wrote about the hiring process. Now that you have found a qualified candidate, how do you …
Developing an Effective Advisor Training Program Read More »
What to do When a Client Loses a Spouse
Client Service | By Teresa Riccobuono
Unless you are brand new to the business, you have experienced the death of a client’s spouse or significant other. …
How to Deepen Relationships with Centers of Influence
Business Planning | By Teresa Riccobuono
Building a reliable network of centers of influence (COIs) is one of the surest ways to engage with new prospects …
How to Deepen Relationships with Centers of Influence Read More »
Protecting Your Most Valuable Assets
Miscellaneous | By Teresa Riccobuono
For many advisors, their practice is their largest asset. As with most assets, it is essential to protect your practice. …
Summer: The Best Time to Conduct a Technology Evaluation
Miscellaneous | By Teresa Riccobuono
The idea of evaluating and upgrading technology puts many advisors in a panic. There are so many options, and the …
Summer: The Best Time to Conduct a Technology Evaluation Read More »
How Advisors Should Work with Wholesalers
Business Development, Business Planning, Client Service | By Teresa Riccobuono
In my recent article on investment philosophy, I mentioned using your relationship with wholesalers to benefit your clients. Developing good relationships …
Best Practices for Client Meetings via Webinar
Client Service, Practice Management | By Teresa Riccobuono
Conducting client meetings through a webinar is a great value-added service. It is an upgrade from telephone meetings and a …
Reevaluating Your Investment Philosophy
Client Service, Practice Management | By Teresa Riccobuono
Every advisor, myself included, has an investment philosophy from which all investment recommendations are developed. Advisors will regularly reevaluate their …
A 40-Step Plan to Bring on a New Client
On Boarding | By Teresa Riccobuono
Yes, my new client on-boarding process includes 40 steps. And many of the steps include sub-steps. There’s no need to …
Successful Networking for Introverts
Business Development | By Teresa Riccobuono
Before we know it, the first quarter of 2016 will be behind us. If you are not on track to …
How to Create an Effective Introductory Packet
Business Development | By Teresa Riccobuono
An impactful information packet is an easy and effective way to gain an advantage over your competition. It is especially …
Some Not-So-Obvious Items to Include in Your Year-In-Review Letter
Client Service | By Teresa Riccobuono
Here’s some important information for you to consider including in your client year-end letter: First of all, it’s not too …
Some Not-So-Obvious Items to Include in Your Year-In-Review Letter Read More »
A Checklist to Make Your Office Stand Out
Miscellaneous | By Teresa Riccobuono
In July 2015, Dan Richards shared information on appropriate dress for client and prospect meetings. He stated that “what you wear will …
Year-End Bonus or Holiday Thank You: Which works best for you and your team?
Human Resources & Staff | By Teresa Riccobuono
This time of year I am often asked by advisors, “What should I do about holiday bonuses?” Although this seems …
Year-End Bonus or Holiday Thank You: Which works best for you and your team? Read More »
Business Planning Beyond the Numbers
Business Development, Business Planning, Client Service, Human Resources & Staff | By Teresa Riccobuono
It’s the time of year to develop a 2016 business plan. Many advisors believe the business plan consists solely of …
A Disaster-Preparedness Checklist
Miscellaneous | By Teresa Riccobuono
Whether man-made or an act of nature, all businesses should be prepared for the unexpected. Here in the San Francisco …
The Importance of Knowing Your Ideal Client
Client Service, On Boarding | By Teresa Riccobuono
When I start working with a client, one of the first things they want me to do is help them …
Build Your Business by Being Charitable
Business Development | By Teresa Riccobuono
One of the things I appreciate about working with advisors is your inclination to help others – not just your …
Are You Building a Harley Davidson Practice?
Business Development | By Teresa Riccobuono
Harley Davidson is the only company I know of whose customers permanently tattoo its name on their body. What is …
Are You Considering a Client Advisory Board? Here’s What You Need To Know.
Business Development, Client Service | By Teresa Riccobuono
As part of your 2015 marketing calendar, consider including a client-advisory board. Before we get started, let me clarify the …
Are You Considering a Client Advisory Board? Here’s What You Need To Know. Read More »
How to Deal with Unresponsive Clients
Client Service | By Teresa Riccobuono
We have all experienced the situation in which a client, for whatever reason, becomes unresponsive to our calls and emails. …
How to Develop a Fee Schedule
Client Service, Practice Management | By Teresa Riccobuono
Too many advisors share a reluctance to charge what they are worth. That fear is both a philosophical and a …
How a Menu of Services Generates Revenue
Business Development, Business Planning, Client Service, Practice Management | By Teresa Riccobuono
Imagine this: You are meeting with clients, reviewing the action items for which they were responsible, when they say, “You …
Creating Advisory Firm Processes and Workflows – Tips and Best Practices
Client Service, Featured, Practice Management, Time Management | By Teresa Riccobuono
I hear it all the time. “Running a practice by the seat of my pants is exciting.” “Sometimes I follow …
Creating Advisory Firm Processes and Workflows – Tips and Best Practices Read More »
Financial Advisor Checklists To Enhance The Client Meeting Prep Process
Client Service, Featured, Practice Management | By Teresa Riccobuono
Preparing for client meetings is one of those activities that, if done well, enhances the likelihood of a successful encounter …
Financial Advisor Checklists To Enhance The Client Meeting Prep Process Read More »
How My Firm Hires Great Employees
Featured, Recruiting | By Teresa Riccobuono
Even if I didn’t watch the news, I could tell you the economy is improving. My clients (financial service professionals) …
Manage Your Time More Effectively with a Model Week
Featured, Miscellaneous, Time Management | By Teresa Riccobuono
Have you already given up on your New Year’s resolutions? Lacking the time to fit one more task on your …
Manage Your Time More Effectively with a Model Week Read More »
If Only Clients Came With Instruction Manuals
Client Service | By Teresa Riccobuono
If you never have had a client relationship start off strong and then fizzle out, congratulations. For those of you …
Your Value Proposition: A Precursor to the Elevator Pitch
Business Planning, Client Service | By Teresa Riccobuono
Every business should stand on four legs: values, a mission statement, a vision statement and a value proposition. I discussed …
Your Value Proposition: A Precursor to the Elevator Pitch Read More »
Create Mission and Vision Statements That Drive Your Business
Business Planning | By Teresa Riccobuono
We often hear that advisors should create mission and vision statements for their businesses. I agree, but with one caveat. …
Create Mission and Vision Statements That Drive Your Business Read More »
Step-By-Step Guide To Hiring A Great Client Service Associate
Human Resources & Staff, Recruiting | By Teresa Riccobuono
For those of you who have made a hiring mistake, I don’t have to tell you how painful it is …
Step-By-Step Guide To Hiring A Great Client Service Associate Read More »
Networking Tactics To Develop Relationships With Local Small Business Owners
Business Development | By Teresa Riccobuono
Every good marketing book, article, podcast, or blog will likely mention how beneficial it is to develop a niche, and local …
Networking Tactics To Develop Relationships With Local Small Business Owners Read More »