Are you looking for a way to differentiate yourself as an advisor? Investing in alternative investments inside self directed IRAs may be the answer. Innovative Advisory Group specializes in this type of investment strategy. Our services include: choosing from the 44 custodians and administrators, providing due diligence on these assets, protecting the client from prohibited transactions, and ongoing maintenance requirements. Advisor Assisted Alternatives is a service we’ve been using with our clients and external advisors. It’s set up like an SMA so that you can offer this alternative investment advice to your prospects and clients in their IRA or 401k accounts. To learn more contact Kirk Chisholm at Innovative Advisory Group.  

[Maria's Comment: This week a colleague, Devora L. Lindeman, Esq., a Partner at Greenwald Doherty, whom I met through LinkedIn a few years ago, sent me her newsletter and I enjoyed reading her tips and used the template she attached.  This topic is of interest to Financial Advisors, Planners or Managers who have team members or are thinking about it. AND it's of equal interest to all CEOs, small business owners, and HR professionals, too. Thank you Devora for being my 2nd Blog Guest Author and for providing me with permission to share your tips with my blog subscribers and viewers.  Enjoy this excerpt from Devora's newsletter!]   3 Employer Legal Landmines There are many issues that could

Knowledge is Power: The 19 Questions Your Financial Advisory Team Must Be Able to Easily Answer About Your Firm What's easier to sell: a service you know very little about and have zero regard for, or a service you are excited to share with others because you really think it offers value? The first option describes the used car salesman persona and all the ugly stereotypes that come with it. The latter option is probably how you feel about the financial services you offer (and if it isn't, it may be time to reconsider how you're running or not running your business). That said, you're sure to agree that an informed and passionate team is your

There is a graphic that has helped me in a variety of sistuation. It may help you, too. I take paper, and draw a big light bulb. It's on the page with "rays" in th form of lines coming out of it. I write the subject in the middle of the light bulb, and use the rays to write topics and thoughts. I add rays where I need them and event sub-sets of rays. Then take the ideas and organize them. You can do the same with each new subject you're learning and/or writing about.

Here's a template I created for my clients.  It's not the easiest subject to talk about, but it's a necessity.   First and most importantly, when you know how you'll leave, and when you plan to leave, you'll make better business decisions now (because you're taking the future into consideration, too.)  Plus we read horror stories about an owner who dies suddenly.  No one knows the password to get into their computer.    No one knows how to run the business.   Things fall apart and those left behind suffer.   How would you like to exit from your company?   Fill it in and put your vision in the comments box on this page.  Remember, if you don't plan it, it's going