Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa

A New Kind Of Independence - An Interview with James Gold, CEO, and Douglas Kentfield, Head of Wealth Management, Steward Partners

The realization that true independence is not for every advisor has gained a strong foothold in the financial services industry. Top firms are innovating and evolving to offer models which address this, while holding the delicate line between advisor support and advisor autonomy. One such firm is Steward Partners which, as an alternative to the firm's W-2 model, offers an affiliate/1099 model that has gained recognition for uniquely combining the best of the indy and the best of the retail s...

Behind the Scenes with Rich Steinmeier and LPL's new EMPLOYEE MODEL

LPL Financial's launch of an independent employee advisor model has taken the financial services industry by storm. It is being recognized as both a true W-2 model and a business evolution for LPL through its strategic innovations in structured support and compensation. In this episode, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa is joined by Rich Steinmeier, Divisional President - LPL Financial for a conversation that pulls back the curtain and gives information right from the source on:   ...

What got you HERE will not get you THERE....

There is a universal truth that applies to both advisors and entrepreneurs alike - that in order to improve yourself and your business you need to be willing to put in as much work as it takes to continually improve both yourself and your business. These are words that Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa lives by and puts into action for himself daily through specific strategies and techniques which allow him to constantly excel while striving to reach his next goal. In this episode, ...

It's Time To Step Up - Why Advisors Need to Elevate Their Client Communication Game

Communicating with clients successfully is a business fundamental for every financial advisor, but very few advisors get it right - putting them at risk for having existing clients lured away and the funnel of new prospects drying up. In this episode, Stop complaining and get to work is the challenge Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa makes as he outlines the key communication strategies that work to engage new clients and retain existing ones while simultaneously forging the much ne...

The Pitfalls of Zoom Technology On Long-Term Client Relationships

Financial services as an industry has traditionally approached a crisis situation as an opportunity for re-evaluation. That is certainly the case now as many large firms are floating the idea of using virtual technology as a communications efficiency and cost-cutting measure. Not so fast, says Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa who discusses the pitfalls of a tech-only approach with his COO Dale Dempsey. While virtual technology is certainly a tool to use to enhance communication, it...

You Do You - Independence Isn't The Only Option

As financial advisors head back to the office after 3 months of work from home restrictions, many are struggling with the internal question of whether a W-2 position or the prospect of independence is right for them. Somewhere between the idea of independence and actually making the leap lies the truth every advisor must confront - do they have the entrepreneurial mindset and work habits that will make a move to independence successful for them? There is no wrong answer to that question, as ...

The Leadership Series: Business Partners Jonathan Freeman and Brian McCarver, Stonebridge Financial Group

The most notable business partnerships strike a balance between personalities, methodologies, and work styles, resulting in an alignment of goals and vision to achieve ultimate success. In a thoughtful discussion on the first-hand tips and insights that make a practice partnership excel, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa hosts a conversation with the team of Brian McCarver and Jonathan Freeman of Stonebridge Financial Group who divulge their secrets as to the communication, decision-...

The Interview Series: Ben Newman, Mental Conditioning Coach for University of Alabama Football

Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa is joined by Ben Newman, Mental Conditioning Coach for University of Alabama Football, in a hard-hitting conversation that cuts through the clutter and challenges advisors to action through focused and intentional daily rituals and behaviors that counteract self-sabotage, achieve top-tier performance levels, and generate consistent results that matter.

The Interview Series - Joe Lyons, Managing Partner, Mooney Lyons

Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa leads a deep-dive conversation with Mooney Lyons Managing Partner Joe Lyons about the proactive business strategies, specific operational practices, and inspired technology and marketing techniques necessary in financial services today in order to achieve scaleable growth and maximum results for both firms and clients alike.

Master Your Craft - Skills Advisors Need To Win On Today's Playing Field

Drawing on his personal take-aways from the popular ESPN series "The Last Dance", Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa applies those lessons to financial services and gives guidance on mind-set triggers and the competitive communication skills an advisor needs to use now in order to step up their business game and win at the next level.

Plan For The Worst, Hope For The Best - Strategies For Smaller Firms and Their Advisors

The current crisis is having significant impact on the viability of smaller firms - a hard truth which Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa discusses in this episode while offering his informed guidance to both firms and their advisors on how to take control, do your due diligence, and chart the best course for the future.

The Interview Series - Conor Delaney, Founder of The Good Life Companies

Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa leads an insightful and profound discussion with Conor Delaney, Founder of The Good Life Companies, about advisor resilience, client-centric industry strategy, and leadership amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

Which Firms Are The Winners And The Losers Of The Crisis?

How firms manage and work with their advisors during the crisis will determine which ones lead the way after this evolution in financial services. Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa offers his predictions on where to place your bets.

Tech Tips - Using Email for Efficiency

Is your email process friend or foe? Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa and his main man Dale Dempsey discuss their difference in strategies for email management and what process can work for you to improve productivity.

Talk to Me - Are You Communicating Effectively During The COVID-19 Crisis?

It is not the time to field client calls, it's the time to make client calls as Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa explains while offering up strategies you can use now in your communications with your clients and team to insure business success - if not growth - after the COVID-19 crisis has passed.

Proceed With Caution - The Pitfalls of Private Equity

Is Private Equity money tempting you? Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa advises that it is best to think twice, as the pressures of taking advantage of cheap Private Equity money could prove costly to advisors.

Process Over Percentage is What Keeps Your Business Up When Markets Are Down

Have you presented yourself to your clients as an asset manager? You may find yourself on the outside looking in when the market turns.  Process, and your ability to communicate it, is what saves you from losing clients during a down market as Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa details in this episode along with practical guidance on redirecting client conversations away from portfolio percentage and towards long-term strategy.

Did You Do The Math? The Tax Implications of W-2 Vs. 1099 Deals

It’s about what you keep, not what you get. The W-2 vs.1099 impact – which one is best for you? In this episode, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa gets granular and breaks out the white board to analyze the tax implications of both the W-2 and 1099 model and future casts the ten year production payout of each so you can make an informed financial decision for the next step in your advisor career

Making An Impression - The Latest News On The Firms, Strategies And Deals Making An Impact

It's been a notable few weeks in financial services with a number of newsworthy firms going public with information on the deals and strategies which will certainly impact the industry landscape. From Advisor Group completing their merger with Ladenburg Thalmann, to Pershing lowering the requirements for firms to enter their institutional side, and Stewart Partners conducting their annual goals meeting - Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa lends his insider insight and offers informed...

Hot Mic - The Flip Side: The Real 'Why'  Behind The Morgan Stanley Acquisition Of E-Trade

Whenever there is a big merger in financial services, there is the told and untold story behind the reasons why. In this special Hot Mic Episode, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa analyzes the latest buzz surrounding the Morgan Stanley and E-trade merger and cuts through the media noise to offer up his take on the real reasons behind the deal.

The Big Reveal: Unboxing The Experience - Designing Meaningful Follow-up Rituals To Create Business Momentum

Whether you are a firm in the process of recruiting a new advisor or an advisor actively engaging a new client, the impression you create in order to move those relationships forward goes beyond the initial call or meeting. Every touch point you have with your prospect is an opportunity to create engagement and build trust and one of the most proven methods to create tangible outreach is through a thoughtfully crafted follow-up gift that embodies the values and image of your business. In thi...

Knowing What Matters - Clarify Your Process For Client Retention Success

There is one certainty in financial services and that is markets will go up and markets will go down. For firms attempting to balance their business in light of this truth, a tried and true method for stabilizing your client base regardless of market fluctuations is clarifying and articulating your process. In this episode, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa draws on his personal experiences in the advisory trenches and defines the essentials of a successful firm process to serve as ...

The Customer Is King - Empower Your Client Relationships By Hiring a Client Service Associate

Client Service Associates (CSA) are an essential team member of the best, and most profitable, advisory firms. The role of the CSA goes beyond paperwork and, when executed properly, is a vital component to building client rapport and fostering long-term client relationships. In this episode of Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa, the essential elements of managing and leading a successful a CSA are analyzed by Frank and the key strategies for engaging your CSA in fostering business growth are det...

The Next Generation - Training and Mentoring Junior Advisors

Many financial services firms leverage recruiting junior advisors as a growth strategy for their business while struggling to counteract the low success rate these financial advisor newcomers will experience. In this episode, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa discusses the subtleties in managing, mentoring, and training new advisors to the ultimate levels of achievement for the benefit of both the firm and the advisor.

Collaboration Is Key - Utilizing A Mastermind Group To Maximize Your Business

Surrounding yourself with professionals who share your business vision, embrace a philosophy of positivity, and foster inspired action can create immeasurable success in your business and your life. In this episode, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa shares valuable insight into how to assemble and utilize your own Mastermind Group to exponentially compound your business results while transforming your professional, mental, and personal growth.

The Season Of Giving - Gifting Your Business By Defining Your Core Values

Twas the night before Christmas and not a creature was stirring - except Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa and his right-hand man Dale Dempsey recording their latest podcast episode. Listen and learn about core values and the step-by-step process and strategic implementation measures the Elite team used to positively impact their business and its culture.

Year End Review

Jingle All The Way - Separate Yourself From The Competition This Holiday Season

How can holiday greetings and gifts for your clients impact your business? Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa explains how to set yourself apart with your corporate holiday gifts and details the logistics, gift items, and special touches that matter most while Dale Dempsey gets into the spirit of the season by playing Santa's Helper in his Santa hat.

Behind The Wheel - Navigating The Art of The Deal When Making Your Transition

How do you best negotiate moving your practice to a new firm? Frank LaRosa takes this episode of 'The Financial Advisor's Advisor' on the road as he details the nuances in negotiation which insure your move secures both the best price and the best long-term relationship with your new firm partner. Learn more at https://www.eliteconsultingpartners.com/the-financial-advisors-advisor-podcast/ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjHhruwbtu1d3N-KleWR_g #TheFinancialAdvisorsA...

Buyer Beware - Avoiding The Potential Pitfalls Of The Sales Pitch When Choosing Your New Firm Partner

What does looking both ways before you cross the street have to do with planning your transition? Everything, as Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa explains in this episode of 'The Financial Advisor's Advisor' where he shares the methodology by which a financial advisor can filter out the noise, avoid falling prey to shiniest sales pitch, and make their transition based on sound business reasoning as to what makes the best firm partner. Learn more at www.eliteconsultingpartners.com....

Merger Monopoly - The Tale of Ladenburg Thalman and It's Five Broker-Dealers

Is it the same financial services story with different names? Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa analyzes the implications of the equity purchase rumors swirling around Ladenburg Thalman and the potential industry impacts in this episode of the Financial Advisor's Advisor. Learn more at www.eliteconsultingpartners.com. Visit us on YouTube. #EliteConsultingPartners #FrankLaRosa #FinancialAdvisorsAdvisor #RIA #Practitioner #Wirehouse #BrokerDealer #M&A #FinancialServices #Entreprene...

Grow Your Business 10X By Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable!

How do you revolutionize your business using social media? You get comfortable with using Social Media outlets to attract new clients and grow your business as a brand. Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa discusses this and other new age marketing topics while Dale Dempsey practices what they preach by wearing a penguin costume in this episode of 'The Financial Advisor's Advisor'. Visit www.eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts to learn more. Watch this episode on YouTube. #EliteCon...

The Lost Episode

What happens when you forget to press record on your podcast? In this week’s unedited version of ‘The Financial Advisor’s Advisor’, take a Behind-The-Scenes look at Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa breaks down the current and future implications of 0% commissions after Dale Dempsey forgets to turn on their microphones. Visit www.eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts to learn more. #behindthescenes #BTS #EliteConsultingPartners #FrankLaRosa #FinancialAdvisorsAdvisor #Independence #...

Top 5 Do’s and Don’ts of Preparing a Broker-Protocol Spreadsheet

What are the top 5 do’s and dont’s of preparing your broker protocol spreadsheet and why preparing your spreadsheet correctly is essential. Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa discusses the top five do's and don'ts of broker protocol spreadsheet preparation and other important broker protocol considerations for advisors considering a transition in this episode of 'The Financial Advisor's Advisor.' To learn more visit www.eliteconsultingpartners.com

Leading With Lending And The $50 Million Question

What’s the one question you should be asking every wealthy client or prospect that can bring in $50m in new assets? Find out in episode 18 of the Financial Advisor’s Advisor podcast. From increasing a firm's assets and revenue to serving as a client retention tool, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa outlines the ways in which lending can be utilized in the asset gathering mix to contribute to overall firm success. #EliteConsultingPartners #FinancialAdvisorsAdvisors #FrankLaRosa #Fin...

Rolling Out The Red Carpet - The Importance Of The Home Office Visit During The Recruiting Process, Part 2 of a 2-Part Series

This week's episode of "The Financial Advisor's Advisor" offers up part two of a special two-part series on the home office visit and the important role it plays in the recruiting process for both the advisor and the firm. In this episode's discussion, Elite Consulting Partners Founder and CEO Frank LaRosa takes on the topic from the perspective of the firm, providing practical guidance and informed insight on how a firm can maximize the home office visit to insure recruiting the right advis...

Rolling Out The Red Carpet - The Importance Of The Home Office Visit During The Recruiting Process (EP.16)

The home office visit is an important part of the recruiting process for both the advisor and the firm. This week's episode of "The Financial Advisor's Advisor" launches a special two-part series on the topic. Part one discusses the home office visit from the advisor's point of view; part two will cover the firm's point of view. In both parts of the series Elite Consulting Partners Founder and CEO Frank LaRosa analyzes the home office visit and discusses the essential ways to make the most o...

Location, Location, Location - The Relationship Between Real Estate and Business Success (EP.15)

Real estate, in particular office space, has a big business impact from its financial implications on a company's P&L, to its influence on overall operations and the image a firm projects. In this episode of the "Financial Advisor's Advisor", Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa guides financial professionals step-by-step through making the right decisions in regards to real estate, including a discussion on rent versus own and other important factors to consider in order to maximize r...

Independent Mindset - Whether The Choice To Go Independent Is Right For You (EP.14)

There are many reasons why advisors choose to go independent with their practices. From greater autonomy over business operations to branding control and, in most cases, a definitive financial upside - the attractiveness of the independent model is undeniable. Going independent; however, is not a 'one size fits all' solution and many advisors fail to ask themselves the tough questions that let them know if independence is right for them. In this episode of "The Financial Advisor's Advisor", ...

What’s In a Name – How Deciding The Right Name for Your Business or Practice Impacts Growth (EP.13)

The importance of being strategic and forward-thinking about your business is paramount to success. Getting down to fundamentals, there are few decisions a business owner will make more important to setting the stage for growth long-term than choosing their company name. In this episode of "The Financial Advisor's Advisor", Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa breaks down the essentials of a successful business naming process, outlining the five most common mistakes business owners mak...

Hot Mic Episode: The Elephant In The room: Does Merrill Lynch Drop Out of Protocol?

It's a subject being bantered about by many in the financial services industry - will Merrill Lynch leave protocol? The rumors have certainly intensified as Merrill's strategic moves - among them no longer recruiting experienced advisors and focusing on a salaried compensation program - certainly seem to indicate a change in direction. In this special 'Hot Mic' Episode of "The Financial Advisor's Advisor", Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa lends his expertise and insight to the subj...

The Art of Leveling-Up Your Business: How You Prepare Now Determines Your Ability to Grow In The Future (EP.12)

Preparation is the key to most every successful endeavor and this certainly holds true when strategizing for your business and its future. It doesn't matter whether you are in financial services or another industry, understanding where your firm is now and where you want it to go provides the solid foundation upon which you will be able to achieve your long-term business goals. In this Episode of ‘The Financial Advisor's Advisor’ podcast, Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa challenges...

Making A Good First Impression - What Your Website Says About You, Your Firm, And Why It Matters (EP.11)

Online presence, in particular your website, is more important than many advisors give it credit for. In fact, it is the lens through which your peers and clients will view and form opinions about your business and your brand. In the case of firms who are actively recruiting or looking to acquire practices, websites can have an even greater impact, in particular to the bottom line as it is usually the first point of reference a potential firm or advisor partner will use to conduct their rese...

Ignorance is Bliss - The Top Ten Ways Advisors Make Mistakes That Result in Termination (Part 2 of a Two-Part Series) (EP.10)

Compliance for advisors gets trickier and trickier every day. No advisor is a compliance expert and many - unwittingly so - will find themselves in sticky situations which ultimately result in termination. The top priority for the firms when in comes to compliance issues with an advisor is protecting themselves, even when the advisor is unaware that they committed any transgressions. In this episode of the 'Financial Advisor's Advisor', Part 2 of two-part series, Elite Consulting Partners CE...

You're Fired - Strategies and Lessons For The Recently Terminated Advisor (Part 1 of a two-part series) (EP.09)

You may think it will never happen to you, but as more and more advisors are discovering, being terminated by your firm is becoming an unpleasant reality for many. In a time when advisors have become more outspoken about both their practices and their client needs, larger firms are retaliating with termination as a 'keep the status quo' strategy. Alternatively, increased FINRA scrutiny has resulted in firms becoming more vigilant in their business practices and ultimately led to an increase ...

The Core Value Impact: Why advisors need to incorporate Core Values into their practice (EP.08)

Regardless of the size of your advisory practice, defining your core values as an individual, professional, and a business can be a game changer. By understanding your core values, you essentially gift yourself  with a road map that gives structure to your practice, provides the guideposts for how you service your clients, and lends the framework to achieve personal long-term growth.  In this episode of the 'Financial Advisor's Advisor' Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa takes you th...

Breaking The Code - Deciphering the Mythology of Hybrid and RIA Models (EP.07)

RIA and Hybrid are financial services buzz words, but do you truly understand these business models and their benefits? In this episode of the 'Financial Advisor's Advisor' Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa breaks these terms down to fundamentals and evaluates the myths surrounding each. From the faulty logic that going RIA allows you to bypass regultory over-site and grow your business faster to the illusion that an RIA guarantees an advisor more money, Frank break these myths wide...

The Power of Shrinkage: Get comfortable with shrinkage because it can actually help you grow (EP.06)

Shrinkage can be an uncomfortable subject - particularly when it comes to the 'more is better' mentality that prevails in financial services. Many large firms are eager to push their advisors for more, particularly when it comes to more clients. While on the surface this may seem to be a good strategy, in the end the concept is fatally flawed. More clients means more time spent by the advisor, which results in less time to service the clients effectively. In order to grow sometimes it is nec...

It's All About The Net: Payouts Can Be Like An Iceberg And What You See On The Surface Is Not Always What You Get (EP.05)

When you are in negotiations with a potential new firm partner, it is easy to get enamored with the big numbers a firm may present as part of your transition package. While on the surface the number may seem like a dream come true, it's important to peel back the curtain and find out the specifics of what your offer number is comprised of and what that ultimately means for your NET income. In this episode of the 'Financial Advisor's Advisor', Elite Consulting Partners CEO Frank LaRosa does j...

What Does A Mailbox Have To Do With Your Business? It Is All In The Details (EP.04)

As the old adages go 'the devil is in the details' and 'you only get one chance to make a first impression'. Picture your own home and the mailbox outside. It's a small detail of the landscape and yet it's care and condition speak volumes about the care and condition of your home. Now flip that script to the office of your financial services firm. If you are a firm actively recruiting advisors, what do the details of your office space say about you, your company, and its values? Will your of...