Most outcomes in life are impacted by skill (or a lack of it) as well as noise (random chance or luck). What do we mean by this in practice? We mean that a portion of any outcome is likely to relate to the process that was put in place to produce it ... Read more

There are a broad range of business models that are considered "successful" in the financial advice industry at the moment. These range from the two to three person firms with annual revenues of $400,000 to $500,000 and a 15-20 per cent profit ... Read more

So you own a business specialising in financial advice and services. You're busy. Your staff members are busy. The industry is in great shape. Every day, there's always lots to do with clients to see, strategies to write, people to manage, compliance ... Read more

Your business depends on the trusting relationship you and your staff have with your clients. So when do you know your staff are ready to take a hands-on role with your clients and honour that trust? How do you make sure new staff can take a 'prospect' ... Read more

As a practice manager imagine all your conversations with your planners were positive. No criticism, no negativity, no weaknesses. What if you only focused on what was right, not what was wrong? What would our personal and professional development plans ... Read more

Traditionally, financial planning has ignored the client's most basic asset - the family home and associated mortgage. The family home and mortgage debt are the 'elephants in the corner' of the financial plan - a looming, powerful presence ... Read more

Financial planning in its broadest terms is now in the spotlight as it draws interest from a wide range of groups, including consumers, regulators, government, the financial services industry, accountants and most importantly educators. The emergence ... Read more

In 2004 MLC organised a study tour in the US for Australian financial advisers to experience the challenges and opportunities facing financial planning communities in the financial services capital of the world. One of the main themes that emerged during ... Read more

The law expects particular requirements to be met when an adviser is providing personal advice to clients.To summarise, when providing personal advice a financial adviser must follow five basic principles (Section 945A and 945B of the Corporations Act ... Read more

While most practices may not have a written succession plan, many principals would have an idea about how they plan to sell their business. These theories or myths often end up in a disappointing outcome with the reality being very different to the ... Read more