Pole: There are new market and regulatory forces bearing down on the financial services arena. Our business is to explore new opportunities and find superior solutions for growth-oriented advisors. We have built InVested Consultants as an ever expanding platform of services and solutions for advisors, especially independent ones, who want to stay ahead of the curve. The innovative solutions we are discovering and vetting in the areas of technology, business strategy and niche asset management tools will help position advisors competitively on an ongoing basis, and allow them to focus on expanding their business, while providing sound financial guidance to their clients.
Hortz: How do you find and curate this unique mix of investment and business services for advisors?
Pole: We have always had the mindset and approach in business to find creative ways to integrate business solutions between less-than-obvious, yet complementary entities, to the mutual benefit of all. It’s just the way our brain works. We love to work with clients and strategic partner firms in creating business building alliances.
Hortz: You seem to have developed very strong and effective networking and partnership skills in putting together your unique offering. Can you share with us your networking philosophy and some techniques you use that have worked best for you?
Lamoreaux: We have both worked in and around the financial service industry for over 60 years, collectively. We have spoken with thousands of financial advisors over that time. We have never assumed that we had all of the answers -- there are plenty of folks out there who are smarter than we. The way we network is to actively ask questions, become thoroughly engaged, and listen attentively with an open mind.
Hortz: Any final thoughts or recommendations you have for advisors concerned about rising challenges and rapid change in the industry?
Pole: Details are more critical than ever today, but still highly manageable if you learn to leverage and use available strategic resources. Competent financial advisement is also more crucial than ever before -- we are facing the largest generational transfer of assets in history into an environment of higher taxes, tumultuous markets, greater regulations and global uncertainties. This is not a career for the faint of heart. Be bold and find the right strategic partners!
The Institute for Innovation Development is an educational and business development catalyst for growth-oriented financial advisors and financial services firms determined to lead their businesses in an operating environment of accelerating business and cultural change. We position our members with the necessary ongoing innovation resources and best practices to drive and facilitate their next-generation growth, differentiation and unique community engagement strategies. The institute was launched with the support and foresight of our founding sponsors - Pershing, Voya Financial, Ultimus Fund Solutions, Fidelity, and Charter Financial Publishing (publisher of Financial Advisor & Private Wealth magazines). For more information click here.