Financial planning is a serious business, requiring deep relationships and trust to be successful.
Money matters are very personal, and the goals and accomplishments tend to be guarded secrets shared only with a select few.
For many years, I believed that just by striving to be the best advisor I could be would create the kind of deep relationships I was seeking. Boy, was I wrong. I learned some key lessons over the last five years, which could be helpful to anyone looking for better relationships.
Don’t get me wrong. By industry standards, I was very successful the first 18 years in business, and have many long-term clients with whom I have deep, trusting relationships from that time period.
So, what did I discover that had such a profound effect on my business and all the relationships it touched?
In an effort to try something new, I decided to get outside of the office. To that end, I had my staff arrange a bus limo trip to Granite Creek Vineyard, in Prescott Valley. Keep in mind the fact we had never done anything like this before. At 8 a.m., we had the most decked out limo bus pick up a group of clients. My staff and I served donuts and orange juice, and then we were off. We enjoyed an entire day, and arrived back in the Valley just after 5 p.m.
We had no idea what to expect from the trip. It was simply trying something new. Let me tell you this: Relationships I thought were very good became great. Some of these people I had known for years. However, on this adventure, I learned more about them than I ever thought possible.
Because of that first trip into the unknown, we, as a company, are constantly looking for adventures to go on with our clients. The pictures here are from our night at the ballpark in June. We had a blast with our clients watching the D-Backs versus the Cubs, from the Legends Suite, in right field. The food was delicious. Junior Spivey let people try on the 2001 championship ring. People got to take pictures with the World Series trophy.
The one reason I have always loved being a financial planner has been the feeling of being able to have a positive impact on the lives of the families we touch. By stumbling onto getting out of the office and enjoying special times together, we get the added benefit of connecting at levels I did not know were possible. This leads to the kind of trust that kindles incredible relationships.
For more information, call (480) 285-1998. Gold Leaf Advisory is located at 2929 N. Power Road, Suite 101.