DecaMillionaire Decoded

As business owners, we understand that marketing to attract new clients is necessary. But have you ever considered the important role that marketing plays in retaining existing clients? Through effective internal marketing, you can improve customer stickability and prevent clients from exiting through the back door.   In this episode, I dig into the critical role internal marketing plays in prepar...

As business owners, it's often tempting to work with any and everyone. After all, more clients means more money. Right? In service-based businesses, the reality is that taking on every client that walks through your door can lead to major inefficiencies.    In this episode, I discuss the value of niche marketing and how becoming more exclusive could be the key to growing your RIA for the eight-fig...

The end of the year provides business owners with a unique opportunity to evaluate their progress toward their goals and reflect on the accomplishments of their teams. It is also the perfect time for RIAs to work through their annual compliance checklists. As you prepare for the coming year, ask yourself, "What worked this year? What didn't? What actions can we take in the coming year to push the...

Marketing often frustrates us, as financial advisors. We don't always see an immediate return on our investment. Additionally, when hiring a marketing firm, the costs can quickly escalate well beyond what we intended to allocate. Frankly, this "all or nothing" approach and our limited understanding of marketing can leave us feeling a bit disheartened. It doesn't have to be this way! In this episod...

Oftentimes, as business owners, we take a wrong view of marketing. Because it isn't foundational to the operation of our businesses, we view marketing as a luxury. However, if we see it for what it truly is—an investment—we can finally begin to measure the return on our marketing investments.   In this episode, I discuss how you can maximize the ROI for your RIA firm's marketing investment, paving...

Whether you realize it or not, you likely have some form of intellectual property (IP) in your Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm. It could be a system or process that you've developed to help you run more efficiently. Or, perhaps, you have a service offering that sets you apart from the competition. Whatever it may be, your intellectual property is a valuable asset. But is it protected? In...

Owning a business is a risky endeavor. This is especially true in the RIA space which is heavily regulated. From civil actions to punitive actions taken by regulating bodies, litigation can be damaging to your business and reputation. So, what should you do if you find yourself facing litigation during your eight-figure exit?   In this episode, I look at some of the measures you can take to mitiga...

In this episode, I'm discussing risk mitigation. More specifically, I'm going to look at the insurance coverages you need to have as an RIA owner. Now, I know insurance may not be the most fun topic, but it is important and it could significantly impact the value of your business. So, don't tune out!  I'll be covering increases to your required coverages and the core coverages you should have. How...

As a financial advisor, it can be easy to forget that sales and marketing are part of what we do. We understand that we have to attract new clients in order to grow our book of business. However, we may not always realize that we're selling our firm and our services when we engage in an initial "getting to know you" phone call. The truth is, as RIA owners (and business owners in general), we don't...

Sales projections are important to your organization's goal identification and planning. But have you ever considered what your sales projections can tell you about the health of your Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm?  In this episode, I discuss the significance of the data that informs your sales projections. Likewise, I explore how you can use your sales projections to measure your firm'...

In the early stages of your Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm, it made sense to work with anyone who could fog a mirror. But as your firm grows, many of the clients that you served in the beginning may not offer your business the same value they once did. As a result, these clients can chip away at your firm's efficiencies, preventing you from gaining ground on your journey toward the eight...

If you're working toward the eight-figure exit, you can no longer be the top producer in your firm. This means "firing" yourself. But how can you step away if doing so will cause a decline in your sales production? In the previous episode, I gave you some homework. After digging into your firm's data points, did your company align with the industry averages? Were you surprised by what you found? I...

Sales is the lifeblood of every business. In order to grow, you must attract new clients and gain new revenue. As the owner of your RIA, you're likely the top producer in your firm. However, this is anathema to the eight-figure exit.  In this episode, I discuss why you must fire yourself, making way for new top producers to emerge. In doing so, you can decentralize and reduce your company-specific...

Over the past few years, business owners have been through the wringer. From lockdowns to the Great Resignation, simply going to work has presented a much larger challenge than it did in the past. As a result, attracting and retaining great talent has become more important than ever. So how can you achieve this in your RIA? In this episode, I talk about the importance of employee incentive program...

For many of us, compliance can seem like a dirty word. Too often, this necessary aspect of your RIA is seen as "anti-sales" or as being against advisors. However, compliance plays a vital role in protecting you and your clients. So, how can you develop a compliance department that is both effective and efficient? In today's episode, I discuss how you can integrate compliance practices with your da...

Have you ever considered that you could drive greater profitability in your RIA (or any other business) through policies and procedures? Think about it... Your firm's governing documents such as the employee handbook, compliance manual, or company policy are meant to communicate policies and contingencies that can reduce risk and drive efficiency.   In today's episode, I'm going to discuss these i...

The idea of a flat organizational structure has gained steam in recent years. On its surface, it may seem like a good idea. However, without a clear leader, people often become confused about which direction to follow. In this episode, I take a close look at some of the most common types of organizational structures. Join me as I explain why the flat org chart might prevent you from achieving the...

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can provide you with invaluable data to determine the health and direction of your RIA. However, with a seemingly endless number of KPIs to choose from, how can you know which ones to track in your organization? In this episode, I will uncover some of the mystique around KPIs, as well as explore which ones I believe every RIA should be tracking on their way to the...

One of the most challenging aspects of owning any business is building a cohesive and committed team. Different personalities and skill sets have very different needs. On top of this, you must also know which personality types are suited for each role and put people in the correct seats. In this episode, I continue looking at how to build a committed team for your eight-figure exit. I also discuss...

Have you ever considered what goes into building a team committed to working through an eight-figure exit with you? The phrasing of that question is significant. You see, building a team requires a great deal of forethought because it is a tactical movement. Likewise, you want to build a team that will work through an exit and not just to one. But why?   In this episode, I take a deep dive into th...

As you work to prepare your business for the eight-figure exit, change is inevitable. What got you here won't necessarily get you there. This is true whether you own an RIA or an auto repair shop. Because of the disruptive nature of change, you must be prepared to enact proper change management within your team.   In this episode, I discuss why change is necessary for the eight-figure exit, and ho...

Client attrition can be devastating to your goal of achieving the eight-figure exit. We work hard to acquire each client and it can feel deeply personal when they decide to leave. But what causes clients to leave an RIA?   In this episode, I look at the top reasons clients leave their advisors. By understanding why clients leave, you can take proactive measures to ensure that your book of business...

As business owners, we understand the importance of operational efficiency. But did you know your RIA's operational efficiencies could be the difference between making your eight-figure exit and missing the mark? Knowing that the efficiency of your operations has a direct correlation to your firm's valuation is one thing. However, understanding the biggest drivers could position you to take contro...

If you want to make the eight-figure exit, you need to begin planning for it right now. Too many people fail to realize the complexity of proper succession planning and the time required to do it correctly. As a result, many business owners reach their exit, receiving only a fraction of what they could have or worse, nothing at all!   In this episode, I look back at the relay race and what it can...

Leadership is one of those things that can make or break any business. Great leaders inspire others to become the best possible versions of themselves. In turn, this could lead your RIA to become best-in-class. But how do you inspire your leadership team to exhibit the authority, responsibility, and accountability that can permeate your entire organization?   In this episode, I'll talk about what...