Stories from the Trail

First, I want to start by saying how much our firm is truly blessed.

Blessed to be in a profession where good people strive to help clients.

Blessed to be working with people who want to help professionals become better.

Blessed to be inspired and surrounded by a supportive community of lifelong learners.

For two days, our Silver Oak team got to sit, reflect, and appreciate the results of our cumulative efforts with several vibrant and flourishing practices. During that time, we listened to the same frustrations that so many professionals experience in this industry.

1. A branch with a staff that wants to have a smooth process can’t under the current broker dealer environment.
2. A large firm with 5,000 or more reps can’t possibly have the staff to support that many financial professionals.
3. Financial professionals and their staff waste so much time trying to solve problems or close cases.
4. There is no direct contact with the back office.
5. Half the day is wasted.
6. The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing.

Let’s get serious for a minute.

Financial Professionals know that there is a better way to do things, they just don’t know where to find it. There are a set of solutions that are more efficient and affordable. For professionals who are ready to invest in their future, our team at Silver Oak is here to tell you IT CAN BE DONE.

• If you’re seeking functional, efficient technology – that exists. We have it.
• If you’re looking for organic growth via marketing and client messaging – there’s a place for that. In fact, there’s a team here at Silver Oak ready to rally behind your ideas. We support you – and that means we say “Yes!” far more than anything else.
• If you’re making great money, and ready to unleash your growth, but hamstrung by your current BD relationship – we see you. We are here to help you break out of the chains.

Yes, changing firms is just that – “change.” But change, with a prevailing belief that this will free you to pursue solutions that best serve your firm, your employees and your clients.

You are not alone in your frustrations. We know your staff is tired of overcompensating for a broken system that probably used to be good but isn’t any more. They are ready and willing to take that next leap, but to where? That’s where guidance, education and support come together and catapult your growth from one level to the next. It can be done with the right partner, and at the right time.

The Fruits of Our Labor

I recently spent some time talking to financial professionals that joined us this past year. What resonated most? Their revelation that they are in a better place – and this transition was incredible. They transferred their accounts and now they are set to pursue new opportunities. Previously, there wasn’t any time to focus on the horizon, only time to deal with the ‘right now.’ That was really holding them back.

Our partnership fueled their expansion by creating more efficiencies.? With our guidance and resources, they were able to upgrade their technology to include new portfolio management tools. They are pumped! I saw the smile on their faces. Think about this:

1. They have a partner. We zoomed in to discuss a new potential hire. They just wanted our feedback! How to price it and what role they should play.
2. More sales, and less red tape on transactions. Guys that just gave up writing a VA are now looking back at legacy clients.
3. Better and faster. Managing relations is easier at institutional custodians. Takes less time to open accounts, so they have more freedom to attack their leads.
4. Selling technology. They can sell an upgrade to their customers. With portals, vaults, cashiering, and planning solutions, they are now able to offer a better digital experience.
5. The road ahead. Mergers and acquisitions are creating ‘death by a thousand cuts’ for financial professionals who want to deliver the best experience to their clients.

For financial professionals, this is problematic. The cost of doing business is going up with nothing to show for it, and there are only so many hours in the day. I believe that many seasoned professionals know when something isn’t working. It doesn’t sync with the experience they set out to deliver to their clients. In the fallout of a merger, professionals are often told things will ‘smooth over’ if they give it some time.? In reality, those problems rarely resolve. Since the merger, the buyer has gone ahead and purchased another five firms, not looking back to the trail of problems in their wake.

I’ll leave you with this parting story. Firm A has a dedicated staff member to handle marketing. Firm A then spends 3 days working with Firm B (acquiring firm) to get their email letterhead updated. Three different people at Firm B tell them three different requirements. Are. You. Kidding. Me? This is an example of something that should have taken no more than 10 minutes via an email to compliance.

It’s as simple as this: You can’t focus on the future when you are stuck in the weeds. This is why the right partner, in the right capacity, can help you get back on track. You have a vision, and we know how to get you there. If any of this resonated, let’s talk. Our team at Silver Oak knows what moves the needle, and we don’t waste your time. We’re in this together