Tag Archives: First Trust

AI Insights and Breakthroughs — Especially for Advisors! with Kevin Bishopp (Ep. 61)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

AI will not replace humans. It will replace humans who don’t embrace AI.

Ever-curious advisors committed to learning about AI’s latest use cases are more likely to achieve professional contrast and elevate their client experience!

To learn what’s new with AI (especially for advisors), join Duncan MacPherson’s conversation with Kevin Bishopp, Vice President and Performance Coach for the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust. They explain why you shouldn’t fear AI, but rather leverage it for content creation, research, client communications, and much more.

They discuss:

  • The evolution of AI from early machine learning to generative AI
  • Practical applications of AI for financial advisors — with specific examples
  • How to use AI to see through the lens of your clients and discover unmet needs
  • Easy-to-use prompts you can start using right away
  • Recent AI breakthroughs and future potential
  • And more

 

Resources:

Connect With Duncan:

Connect With Kevin:

Promotions:

 

About Our Guest:

Kevin Bishopp is a Vice President and Performance Coach for the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust. His focus is the best practices and mission-critical strategies that propel professionals/firms to be truly unique within the industry. His insights into key metrics, resource allocation, team structure, marketing and client acquisition equip professionals/firms to make high-quality strategic decisions that can generate dynamic results. Prior to joining First Trust, Kevin spent 12 years with Russell Investments, where he held positions as Director of Practice Management, RIA Channel Head and Business Development Director. In those roles, he focused on coaching, content creation, sales management, national account management, and business development. Before joining Russell Investments, Kevin spent 5 years as a wealth manager for The Bishopp Group LLC, a family-owned wealth management practice. In 1994, he started his career in financial services as an associate for Principal Financial Group. Kevin holds an MBA from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and a BA in Finance from Eastern Washington University.

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Timely and Timeless Best Practices with Chris Jeppesen (Ep. 50)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , ,

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of financial advising, get ready to discover timely and timeless strategies that help you achieve professional contrast and create enduring value for clients.

In this 50th-episode special, Duncan MacPherson is back with co-author of The Blue Square Method, Chris Jeppesen, Chief of Advisory Practices at First Trust. Gleaning from their life experiences and the success stories of high-performing advisors, they share valuable best practices to achieve long-term growth.

They discuss:

  • Why more and more advisors are finding personal rejuvenation in their work
  • The upcoming retirement wave in the industry and the opportunities it presents
  • A process-driven approach to exhibiting empathy and personalization 
  • How AI is revolutionizing financial services
  • The power of testimonials in building trust and attracting clients
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Duncan:

Connect With Chris:

Promotions:

About Our Guests:

Chris Jeppesen is the head of advisory practices at First Trust, a firm known not only for its robust investment product line which includes UITs, ETFs, SMAs, and VAs (to name a few) but also for its commitment to the growth of financial advisors. First Trust has dedicated many years to finding (and investing in) creative ways to help financial advisors grow their practices. Chris’ goal over the last 18 years has been to give financial advisors the tools to develop an efficient business model focused on building long-term client trust and loyalty. Chris is also the co-author of The Advisor Playbook and The Blue Square Method.

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Enough Coasting. Now’s the Time To Climb! With Chris Jeppesen (Ep. 33)

Enough Coasting. Now’s the Time To Climb! With Chris Jeppesen (Ep. 33)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , ,

The financial services industry has experienced colossal changes over the last decade. Today, advisors are on a collision course with commoditization like never before!

As a result, coasting is not an option moving forward. It’s either climbing or fading to irrelevance.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Chris Jeppesen, chief of advisory practices at First Trust, on why advisors need to shift their mindset and focus more on relationship and practice management to grow their business.

They discuss:

  • Insights into The Blue Square Method (and how it differs from The Advisor Playbook)
  • How to identify and address early symptoms of loyal fatigue in clients
  • How to effectively engage your team in a profound gap analysis
  • Four ways to be “always on” and fulfill your clients’ unmet needs
  • What elite, forward-looking professionals are doing to achieve scalable growth
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Duncan:

Connect With Chris:

Promotions:

About Our Guest:

Chris Jeppesen is the head of advisory practices at First Trust, a firm known not only for its robust investment product line which includes UITs, ETFs, SMAs, and VAs (to name a few) but also for its commitment to the growth of financial advisors. First Trust has dedicated many years to finding (and investing in) creative ways to help financial advisors grow their practices. Chris’ goal over the last 18 years has been to give financial advisors the tools to develop an efficient business model focused on building long-term client trust and loyalty. Chris is also the co-author of The Advisor Playbook.

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The Art and Science of Practice Management With Kevin Bishopp (Ep. 32)

The Art and Science of Practice Management With Kevin Bishopp (Ep. 32)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , ,

Taking your practice management to the next level, nurturing your organizational culture, and improving client experiences might require switching your mindset from advisor to CEO.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Kevin Bishopp, Vice President and Performance Coach for the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust, about the art and science of practice management — including several actionable ideas for financial advisors.

They discuss:

  • What stops advisors from dissociating from clients who are not a good fit
  • The impact of professional scarcity on advisor branding
  • The difference between client service and client experience (and how to balance them)
  • The HOW and WHY of nurturing a cohesive organizational culture
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Duncan:

Connect With Kevin:

Promotions:

About Our Guest:

Kevin Bishopp is a Vice President and Performance Coach for the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust. His focus is the best practices and mission-critical strategies that propel professionals/firms to be truly unique within the industry. His insights into key metrics, resource allocation, team structure, marketing and client acquisition equip professionals/firms to make high-quality strategic decisions that can generate dynamic results. Prior to joining First Trust, Kevin spent 12 years with Russell Investments, where he held positions as Director of Practice Management, RIA

Channel Head and Business Development Director. In those roles, he focused on coaching, content creation, sales management, national account management, and business development. Before joining Russell Investments, Kevin spent 5 years as a wealth manager for The Bishopp Group LLC, a family-owned wealth management practice. In 1994, he started his career in financial services as an associate for Principal Financial Group. Kevin holds an MBA from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and a BA in Finance from Eastern Washington University.

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Thriving through Market Volatility with Chris Jeppesen (Ep. 24)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , ,

When the markets are soaring high, most advisors might do well. But it is during times of high volatility that elite advisors set themselves apart.

They create a professional contrast and an exceptional experience to meet the current demand of clients and prospects, even during a downturn!

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson joins Chris Jeppesen, chief of advisory practices at First Trust, to discuss strategies for alleviating your clients’ anxiety amidst current market turbulence and the progression and evolution of top financial professionals today.

Chris discusses:

  • How to restore your clients’ confidence in you using the ECA framework (empathy, context, and action)
  • How to maintain relevance as financial services get commoditized
  • The much-needed shift from transactional salesmanship to directional stewardship
  • Sneak peek into the new book “The Blue Square Method” (and how it will benefit fee-for-service professionals)
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Duncan:

Connect With Chris:

Promotions:

About Our Guest:

Chris Jeppesen is the head of advisory practices at First Trust, a firm known not only for its robust investment product line which includes UITs, ETFs, SMAs, and VAs (to name a few) but also for its commitment to the growth of financial advisors. First Trust has dedicated many years to finding (and investing in) creative ways to help financial advisors grow their practices. Chris’ goal over the last 18 years has been to give financial advisors the tools to develop an efficient business model focused on building long-term client trust and loyalty. Chris is also the co-author of The Advisor Playbook.



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Achieve Mastery of Family Dynamics With Jackie Wilke

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, , , , , , , , ,

As aging clients transfer their wealth, advisors often yearn for a lasting relationship with their beneficiaries down the road.

However, getting introductions to clients’ family members can be a challenge!

In this podcast, Duncan speaks with Jackie Wilke, vice president, advisor consultant at First Trust. They unpack strategies to help you attract and retain clients for multiple generations by developing a Multi-Family Office (MFO) client experience.

Duncan and Jackie discuss:

  • How to demonstrate your genuine care for clients without seeming too sales-y
  • The “family phone call” exercise that positions you as a family advisor
  • Tips to help you navigate complex family conversations with clients
  • Content marketing ideas to create significant value for your target audience
  • The importance of building a multi-generational client base 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Jackie Wilke:

About Our Guest:

Jackie Wilke is a speaker, author, consultant, and coach for select partners of First Trust, a firm known not only for its robust investment product line which includes UITs, ETFs, SMAs, and VAs (to name a few) but also for its commitment to the growth of financial advisors. Jackie’s focus is business development and innovation including expertise in helping financial professionals, teams, and the next generation of high-net-worth individuals/households and multi-generational families. She is also the author of Insights & Innovations, a business development blog for financial professionals and enterprises.

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Transitioning to a Multi-Family Office to Accelerate Your Growth With Chris Jeppesen

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, , , , , , ,

Have you ever had one of your best clients leave because they felt they outgrew you?

If yes, you are not alone! In fact, such high-net-worth clients often leave in search of a turnkey, tethered solution.

In this podcast, Duncan speaks with Chris Jeppesen, chief of advisory practices at First Trust. They talk about why multi-family offices (MFOs) are becoming increasingly relevant, and how this holistic wealth management approach helps advisors accelerate their growth (both personally and professionally).

Duncan and Chris discuss:

  • The ideal number of clients you should serve to elevate your client experience
  • Three questions to help you determine if an MFO model is right for you
  • What it means to build a “brand within a brand” — and how it benefits you
  • The pursuit of self-actualization for today’s advisors
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Chris Jeppesen:

About Our Guest:

Chris Jeppesen is the head of advisory practices at First Trust, a firm known not only for its robust investment product line which includes UITs, ETFs, SMAs, and VAs (to name a few) but also for its commitment to the growth of financial advisors. First Trust has dedicated many years to finding (and investing in) creative ways to help financial advisors grow their practices. Chris’ goal over the last 18 years has been to give financial advisors the tools to develop an efficient business model focused on building long-term client trust and loyalty. Chris is also the co-author of The Advisor Playbook.

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