Episodes

Over the next 20 years, the U.S. is going to look much different than it does today. In fact, we’re already seeing more women, people of color, younger people, and LGBTQ people owning a larger share of U.S. and global wealth. Is your advisory firm building diverse teams and clientele? Today, Laura Gregg and David Partain speak to Malcolm Ethridge of CIC Wealth Management about what firms can do to make their services accessible to under-served communities as well as how they can seek diverse tal...

Navigating this health crisis and the financial volatility that goes along with it is like drinking from a fire hose. FlexShares is working hard to deliver a variety of resources for advisors under the banner of Stronger Every Day including 15-minute bite-size podcasts to give you some quick ideas around helping clients – and your business through this uncertain time. In this episode, Laura and David talk about the importance of proactive communication. In this episode, you will learn Why navig...

With markets in disarray, many investors are looking for help from financial advisors. While it may seem counterintuitive, now is the time to boost – rather than cut – your marketing spend and optimize your visibility online. In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Malcolm Ethridge, a financial advisor and executive vice president of CIC Wealth Management. Malcolm explains why is ramping up his marketing activities and how they are different than what he was doing earlier in...

The recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is a stimulus package that offers Americans a bridge to short-term financial survival. In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Susan Czochara and Lee Freitag from Northern Trust Asset Management to walk you through the CARES Act. They discuss the provisions that are aimed at providing relief for retirement investors’ short-term funding needs, plus the options that are available to individuals...

Could you use some tried-and-true advice to help your team adapt to remote work? In this episode, Laura Gregg is joined by Kelli Cruz of Cruz Consulting Group. They discuss how to engage, manage, and inspire your team while working remotely and how to set up your advisory practice for growth that can continue outside of the COVID-19 crisis. In this episode, you will learn: Why some firms have had a smooth transition to remote work Ideas for implementing a digital open-door policy for your team ...

Are your assumptions about high-net-worth (HNW) male and female primary breadwinners hurting your bottom line? In this final episode of the mini-series, Laura Gregg and David Partain of FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds bust advisors’ gender assumptions about executive investors. Together, they urge advisors to reconsider the assumptions that they may be making about their executive and professional clients. In this episode, you will learn: Techniques and considerations for working with couples ...

It’s time to challenge what you thought you knew about the investor behaviors of high-net-worth (HNW) men versus women. In part two of our mini-series, the conversation continues with Laura Gregg and David Partain of FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds as they dig deeper into the unexpected findings from their stereotype-smashing study. Together, they uncover the actions, desires, and perceptions of men and women HNW investors that are true departures from gender stereotypes. In this episode, you w...

What are you doing to be of service not only to your clients but to their friends and family who are looking for direction and certainty? In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain are joined by Susan Danzig, a consultant for financial advisors. Together, they delve into the impact that the current pandemic is having on financial advisors, how to approach prospecting, and what strategies advisors can use to grow their business and still succeed during these uncertain times. In this episode, ...

Despite high-net-worth (HNW) earners being a key market for advisors, little research has been done on the investor behaviors of men versus women in this demographic. Now FlexShares’ study is casting light on the gender differences within this group, and the results call for advisors to change their approach. In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain of FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds talk about the remarkable findings from their study, which reveals that HNW earners don’t fit the mold of ...

In this inaugural episode, we talk about why we launched the Flexible Advisor podcast and the content you can expect to receive. The series will focus on investor and advisor research and industry experts and your financial advisor peers will join us provide their insights as well. We are launching during the Coronavirus crisis so you’ll hear a mix of episodes – some that deal with the current turmoil and others that were recorded in advance of the downturn. We believe all of the episodes will b...

In this special episode, we let you know how we are responding to the COVID-19 situation and how advisors might consider supporting their staff and clients during this difficult time. As we continue to social distance in the coming weeks technology outages within your firm will become apparent. This is the time to begin building a digital roadmap for the future. Tune in to learn steps you can take now to help prepare your firm for navigating through the other side of this pandemic and difficult...