RESOURCE DiRECTORY - Financial Planning

Publisher’s Letter
Dear Reader,
Ch-ch-ch-Changes!
What feelings come to mind when you think of the word change? We asked this
question to a number of advisors at a recent industry conference. Some responded
that they view change as disruptive and that it causes discomfort and even pain.
Others said that in times of uncertainty, change just increases the fear of the
unknown. Clearly there were a few “bears” in the room! A few other advisors stated
that change brings new opportunities, a chance for rebirth and a fresh start. I like
that approach.
We often refer to dealing with change as “coping with change.” If the only constant
in our world is change, why haven’t we figured out how to better accept change?
The majority of us resist change because we are comfortable and secure in our
world as we know it. But if change is an inevitable reality of our life (and it is), then
we’d better be prepared to respond when we are faced with the unexpected. So
when change comes knocking on your door, welcome, accept and embrace it.
Sometimes change finds us and sometimes we pursue it. Have you been
considering a change recently? Are you looking to improve your business model,
change broker-dealers, or merge your practice? The good news is that you have
help. Transition teams have come a long way to help make the process easier.
And we’re here to help you too. For the past 27 years, Financial Planning has been
ranking the Top 50 Independent Broker-Dealers in our June FP50 issue. For 15
of those years, we have also published a more expanded ranking in our annual
Broker-Dealer Guide, which you may be reading right now in print, online
at www.Financial-Planning.com or perhaps even on your iPad.
It is an exciting time for our industry and the financial planning profession has
a bright future. More and more investors will be seeking your professional advice
to help them realize their financial goals and dreams. And as you will see in the
tables that follow, annual revenue for the Top 5 Broker-Dealers grew 11.7% and of
the Top 50 firms, no less than 60% reported double-digit revenue growth. Is your
firm experiencing double-digit growth? What better time to do a self-assessment
of your business and see if it might be time for a change?
We wish you much continued success for your business and with helping your
clients navigate through their own financial Ch-ch-ch-Changes!
Sincerely,
Tim Whiting
Group Publisher