1. Does Casino Gambling Beat Crypto Investing?
Las Vegas has 21,000 conferences a year. Yet, the 21,000-member-strong American Economic Association has never held its annual convention in Sin City. It hasn’t been invited. No surprise. Vegas wants to host special people — people who know how to have fun, who love the glitz, the lights, the noise, the attractive staff, the booze, people who can let go, let it all hang out, people who will boogie on down, go crazzzzy, get wild, and people who are eager to part with their money. — Laurence Kotlikoff
2. Bullish Measures Are Getting Really Bullish
When levels of negativity reach very low levels, such historically equates to short- to intermediate-term market bottoms. Such is because excesses get built with everyone on the same side of the trade. At that time, everyone was so bearish it was a bullish measure. As we stated then, “the reflexive trade will be rapid when the shift in sentiment occurs.” — Lance Roberts
3. These Clients May Be Overexposed to Stocks
With the S&P 500 up 20.4% year-to-date and the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) higher by a scorching hot 44.4%, it’s easy for clients to be bullish on stocks. With the bear market of 2022 seemingly now a distant memory, some clients may be demanding more equity exposure or seeking it on their own. — Todd Shriber
4. How to Profit From Taylor Swift’s $1 Billion Tour
Taylor Swift fans are hardcore. Three million people queued in the virtual line to buy tickets for the superstar’s upcoming gigs in Buenos Aires. The concerts are five months away. But “Swifties” are already camping outside the stadium in tents to get front-row seats! What’s an analyst like me doing talking about a pop singer? — Stephen McBride
5. Elevating the Client Experience
2023 markets are proving to be a perfect storm of opportunity for advisors. Product complexity and market volatility are driving clients’ desire for stability and support. Clients are searching for insight & advice on navigating their financial futures, and many need a trusted advisor that provides value at each touchpoint. Anything short of that, and clients start looking to add a new advisor or switch providers altogether. This means there is more pressure than ever before for advisors to retain clients and grow their book of business by focusing on providing truly excellent service. — Michael Roth
6. 5 Mistaken Assumptions That May Limit Your Referrals
We are human… therefore, we have made assumptions about the client acquisition process that guides our actions. Some of these assumptions serve us and some of them don’t. — Bill Cates
7. Stocks Versus Bonds: Allocating For The Next Ten Years
Our recent article, The End of an Era for Stocks, warns that a tremendous thirty-year tailwind for corporate earnings is dying down. Consistent corporate interest and tax rate declines significantly boosted stock prices and valuations. However, with effective corporate interest rates near record lows and tax rates at their lowest levels ever, further reductions are improbable. Barring negative interest rates or reductions in corporate tax rates, earnings growth rates in aggregate may shrink 30-50% over the coming decade. — Michael Lebowitz
8. 4 Pillars of the Ultimate Discovery Meeting
Imagine pulling up your calendar for tomorrow morning. You have a meeting scheduled with a prospective client. Not just any prospective client. This is THE ideal client for your business. The type of client who immediately goes to the top of your “A-List.” The type of client you would clone 50 times if you could. — Brendan Frazier
9. Financial Advisers Problem? Not Doing the One Thing.
Advisers have a few problems these days. The biggest financial adviser problem though is getting prospects to engage with us to begin with. Despite a couple of decades of positioning, developing and improving technical knowledge and qualifications, many financial professionals are struggling to get enough clients to engage in holistic planning. — Tony Vidler
10. What Is the Storm and Why Is It Deadly for Marketers?
The Sea: rogue waves - heaving tumultuous water - howling winds - black menacing clouds - deafening thunder - crackling lightning - violent and frightening. Competition: burgeoning - hungry - desperate. The environment: random - unpredictable - uncertain - anxious - chaotic - hysterical – angry. — Roy Osing
11. How Leaders Use Small Habits for Big Results
Your team won’t become a high-functioning powerhouse after one offsite. You can’t be a trusted, influential leader after one week on the job. There are no leadership hacks or shortcuts that will transform your organization or results. But there is a way to do all these things that’s available to you and every leader: the power of small habits. — David Dye