There’s a conversation I see resurface regularly in advisor discussion forums: How much should we tell our clients about the investment theory behind our strategies? As I publish this, for example, there’s an interesting discussion among the Passive Investment Professionals LinkedIn group about whether it’s a good idea to discuss with clients the details of [...]
Just as you advisors have your ideal clients, I’ve got mine. Having spoken with so many of you during 14 years in the biz, I’ve gotten better at spotting them, too. Whether an advisor has adopted a passively minded investment strategy is an important first move. But there’s a second step that helps turn our [...]
My last couple of blogs emerged after a bout of thinking about the past, present and future of the passively minded advisor industry. I was pleased with the results and, based on the feedback I received, so were many of you. It was particularly exciting to be selected as a “Manager’s Choice” on my favorite [...]
In last month’s posting, I pondered the variations among similarly minded advisors’ business strategies and compensation models. This month, I continue with observations on the ongoing evolution of “passive investing” as we know it. Just as I began to think about this, I discovered that maybe the world really does revolve around me. As if [...]
A new year inspires reflections and prognostications: What does the passive advisor resemble today, and where are we going next? First, what is “passive investing”? If ever there were a contest for descriptors that failed to capture what was truly meant, this one might be the champ. But, alas, for the time being, it remains [...]
Forgive me while I make an exception to regularly scheduled programming in my blog and e-mail advice. Typically, I like to provide entertaining and enlightening communication-enhancing ideas. But this month, I have special news to share. I am thrilled to announce my all-new Wendy J. Cook Communications Subscription Service. While it never hurts to learn [...]
“When a thing has been said and said well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it.” – Anatole France Whether it’s on your blog, in a client letter or during a group presentation, a perennially popular strategy for communicating your own ideas is to quote somebody else who agrees with you. With good reason. [...]
Maybe it was fate, maybe dumb luck. Call it what you will, but it’s true: If it weren’t for some random social networking with a gal named Jill, I wouldn’t be in my current career. And yet it all happened a good half-dozen years before Mark Zuckerberg began contemplating, let alone coding, Facebook. Rewind to [...]
Some connections are no-brainers. Like, passive investing and the Vanguard Diehards/Boglehead forum. Others are less obvious, but no less useful to being the best investment advisor you can to your clients. My friend and colleague Kathy Rowell of Katherine S. Rowell & Associates helps healthcare professionals cleanly capture, manage and communicate complex data. Sound familiar? [...]
In lieu of my usual monthly blog posting and in alliance with Back Office Advisor, I have hosted a webinar: READY TO COMMUNICATE? NOT SO FAST… So, you’d like to improve your corporate communications. What are the essentials for being efficient and effective? Wednesday, August 3 Wendy J. Cook of Wendy J. Cook Communications will [...]
