This book is going to challenge you and everything you think you know about succession planning. For independent advisors, succession planning is quickly becoming the cornerstone to a strategic growth strategy designed to perpetuate their business and their income streams beyond their own lifetime, while providing a multi-generational service platform that attracts and rewards younger advisors. This makes succession planning one of the most, if not the most, important practice management tools in this industry today. As an independent financial advisor, now is the time to address the question of what will happen to your practice and your clients after you “exit the building.” In most cases, the answers are right in front of you. Thankfully, Succession Planning for Financial Advisors: Building an Enduring Business has arrived to transform today’s practices into businesses designed to endure and prosper and serve generations of clients. Learn how to create a “Lifestyle Succession Plan” that can provide a lifetime of income and benefits to the founder even as he/she gradually retires on the job Unlock the power of equity management – the best planning and building tool an independent advisor owns Learn how to attract and retain the best of the next generation to help you build a great business and to support your succession plans and care for your clients and their families Determine precisely when to start a formal succession plan and related continuity plan so that your business can work for you when you need it most Understand why succession planning and selling your business are completely different strategies, but how they can complement each other when used correctly 95% of independent financial service professionals are one owner practices. To the positive, these practices are among the most valuable professional service models in America. But almost all advisors are assembling their practices using the wrong tools – tools borrowed from historically successful, but vastly different models including wirehouses, broker-dealers, and even OSJ’s and branch managers. Revenue sharing, commission splitting and other eat-what-you-kill compensation methods dominate the independent sector and virtually ensure that today’s independent practices, if left unchanged, will not survive the end of their founder’s career. It is time to change course and this book provides the map and the details to help you do just that. For independent practice owners and staff members, advisors who want to transition to independence, as well as accountants, attorneys, coaches and others involved in the financial services space, there are invaluable lessons to be learned from Succession Planning for Financial Advisors. Written by the leading succession planning expert in the financial services industry, former securities regulator, M&A specialist, and founder of the nationally recognized consulting and equity management firm, FP Transitions, David Grau Sr., JD, has created an unmatched resource that will have an enduring and resounding impact on an entire industry.
Create Android mobile apps, no programming required! Even with limited programming experience, you can easily learn to create apps for the Android platform with this complete guide to App Inventor for Android. App Inventor for Android is a visual language that relies on simple programming blocks that users can drag and drop to create apps. This handy book gives you a series of fully worked-out apps, complete with their programming blocks, which you can customize for your own use or use as a starting point for creating the next killer app. And it's all without writing a single line of code. Don't miss the book's special section on Apps Inventor Design Patterns, which explains computer terms in simple terms and is an invaluable basic reference. Teaches programmers and non-programmers alike how to use App Inventor for Android to create Android apps Provides a series of fully worked-out apps that you can customize, download, and use on your Android phone or use as a starting point for building the next great app Includes a valuable reference section on App Inventor Design Patterns and general computer science concepts Shows you how to create apps that take advantage of the Android smartphone?s handy features, such as GPS, messaging, contacts, and more With App Inventor for Android and this complete guide, you'll soon be creating apps that incorporate all of the Android smartphone's fun features, such as the accelerometer, GPS, messaging, and more.
Tools for translating recruiting and hiring decisions into financial returns Even in a down economy, U.S. business and government make millions of hiring decisions every year. Every decision carries risk. Every hire is an investment. Ideally, every one pays a return. In today's demanding environment, companies no longer have room to get it wrong. Million-Dollar Hire shows how leading companies have re-invented themselves, beat their competition, and added millions to their bottom lines with re-engineered recruiting and hiring practices. Using practical, real world illustrations, it shows that there are tools to treat every hiring decision with the same focus a business applies in acquiring other high-value assets. Shows how new technologies and social networking tools are being used to spider the Internet and find the best candidates before the competition Explains how different approaches to candidate screening translate to different levels of financial return to a business Reveals how to estimate the financial payoff for every hire and how to avoid legal challenges This is an invaluable tool for CEOs, CFOs, COOs and HR professionals who want to revamp what is often one of the least sophisticated parts of a business-the ways it finds talent.
Winner of the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Quality Improvement -From the Shingo judges: This work has an extremely widespread application as the tools, techniques, and methods described are at a level that achieves the goals of Lean and operational excellence without tying them down to a specific industry or work stream. The book provides practical knowledge for lean champions, managers, and executives driving toward operational excellence enterprise-wide. The story format, and the presentation of this material was excellent, and the avoidance of lean and operational excellence jargon gives the book a wide appeal…it is a pleasure to read. The Sequel to the Influential “Lean” Business Novel Andy & Me The Remedy is a compelling a business fable that shows how Lean quality improvement business practices—traditionally associated with manufacturing–can dramatically improve the service areas of your business-including design, engineering, sales, marketing and all processes in between. Written by Pascal Dennis, a leading Lean consultant, the story follows Tom Pappas and Rachel Armstrong, senior leaders at a desperate automotive company as they try to implement a Lean management system across an entire platform, the Chloe, a breakthrough «green» car. The future of the company is at stake. Can Tom and Rachel, supported by Andy Saito, a retired, reclusive Toyota executive, regain the trust and respect of the customer? Can a venerable but dying company implement Lean practices to every part of their business and learn a new, more effective way of managing? Shows you how to use the Lean quality improvement method to fix not just a manufacturing system, but an entire company, including management, design, marketing, and supply chain Written by Pascal Dennis, author of four books on Lean practices and winner of the coveted Shingo Prize for outstanding research contributing to operational excellence Originally developed by Toyota, the Lean approach to quality improvement has gained a worldwide following and helped turn around enumerable struggling businesses
How can you get to the bottom of workplace behaviors that simply don't work for you or your organization? Don't Bring It to Work explores what happens when patterns originally created to cope with family conflicts are unleashed in the workplace.?This groundbreaking book draws on the success of Sylvia Lafair's PatternAware program Total Leadership Connections. Throughout the book she shows how to break the cycle of pattern repetition and offers the tools that can turn unhealthy family baggage into creative energy that will foster better workplace associations and career success. Lafair identifies the thirteen most common patterns that correspond to characters familiar to anyone who has ever worked in an office: Super Achiever, Rebel, Persecutor, Victim, Rescuer, Clown, Martyr, Splitter, Procrastinator, Drama Queen or King, Pleaser, Denier, and Avoider. To help overcome destructive behavior problems, she maps out the three main steps for becoming aware of patterns and finding the way OUT: Observe your behavior to discern underlying patterns Understand and probe deeper to discover the origins of these patterns Transform your behavior by taking action to change The book includes a wealth of real-life anecdotes and practical, workbook-style exercises that clearly show how anyone can get beyond old, outmoded attempts at conflict resolution and empower themselves to make profound differences both at work and in their personal lives.
“Brains before bullets” – ancient and modern wisdom for “mechanics and motorcycle enthusiasts” Essential reading for fans of the show, this book takes readers deeper into the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, the Teller-Morrow family, and the ethics that surround their lives and activities. Provides fascinating moral insights into Sons of Anarchy, its key characters, plot lines and ideas Investigates compelling philosophical issues centering on loyalty, duty, the ethics of war, authority, religion and whether the ends justify the means Teaches complex philosophical ideas in a way that’s accessible to the general interest reader in order to inspire them to further reading of the great philosophers Authors use their deep knowledge of the show to illuminate themes that are not always apparent even to die-hard fans
Barton Biggs was a Wall Street legend, trusted by investors around the globe. Now, in his last book, Biggs offers savvy insights into the innermost workings of the markets—today and for the years to come. Packed with keen insights, global experiences, and opinionated stances on investing, Diary of a Hedgehog: Biggs’ Final Words on the Markets explores the ongoing downward economic spiral and where it's headed, to help readers keep their money safe and secure. Offering a unique look at the current state of the markets, why they continue to be depressed, and where we can go from here, Diary of a Hedgehog: Biggs’ Final Words on the Markets is the ultimate guide to how investors—and the general public—should be handling their finances. The last book from investment legend Barton Biggs Offers investors and business readers of all levels of experience new insights into the current economic crisis Presents news ideas for readers looking to make the most of their money in the face of ongoing market turbulence Insightful and creative, Diary of a Hedgehog: Biggs’ Final Words on the Markets is the ultimate resource for anyone who wants to understand what's up with the market, where it's headed, and how to respond.
A pragmatic approach to project management Many projects fail to deliver on time or on budget, or even to deliver a workable product that satisfies the customer. While good project management goes a long way towards ensuring success, managers often fail to follow the plans they implement. This unique guide helps you understand and successfully handle project management, once and for all. Covering practical ways to solve problems you'll typically face when managing actual projects, this pragmatic book takes you through a full project management lifecycle. You'll find ample tips, tricks, and best practices–all richly illustrated with real case studies. Find out how to plan for risk, get wayward projects back on track, manage a whole portfolio of projects, and much more. Each topic in the book is mapped to the exam topics of the PMP® Certification Exam, so PMP certification candidates can also use this book for test prep. The book's companion web site offers downloadable forms, templates, and checklists. Explains project management for the real world using a pragmatic approach that includes field-tested techniques, case studies to illustrate concepts, helpful tips and tricks, and downloadable content Guides you to project management success by providing friendly advice, as if you had a friend or project management consultant at your side, discussing issues Explores how to run successful meetings, how to get wayward projects back on track, planning for risk, and how to manage multiple projects Manage your next project with a personal consultant: your own copy of Your Project Management Coach: Best Practices for Managing Projects in the Real World. (PMP is a registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.)
Solid guidance for CIOs on integration of technology into business models Strategic IT Best Practices for IT Managers and Executives is an exciting new book focused on the transition currently taking place in the CIO role, which involves developing a capacity for thinking strategically and effectively engaging peers in the senior executive team. This involves changing both theirs, and often their colleagues', mindsets about technology and their role in the organization. Straightforward and clear, this book fills the need for understanding the learning processes that have shaped the strategic mindsets of technology executives who have successfully made the transition from a technology-focused expert mindset to a strategic orientation that adds value to the business. Defines strategy advocacy as a process through which technology leaders in organizations build on their functional expertise Focuses on the shift in mindset necessary for technology executives to establish a seat at the table in the C suite as a respected strategic colleague Includes stories of high performing CIOs and how they learned successful strategies for getting technology positioned as a strategic driver across the business Written by Art Langer and Lyle Yorks, recognized authorities in the areas of technology management and leadership, Strategic IT Best Practices for IT Managers and Executives includes anecdotes from CIOs at companies including BP, Prudential, Covance, Guardian, Merck, and others.
How do you build a financial advisory business in today’s competitive and often-saturated markets? How can you break through the clutter, and develop strong and lasting client relationships? We believe it can be done by harnessing the power of practice management! The Power of Practice Management shows you the “how,” “why” and “what” of taking your business to the next level, introducing you to best practices and the thinking behind actions of some of the industry’s top-quartile firms. Author Matt Matrisian leads you on a journey filled with intriguing ideas and bottom-line lessons that teach you how to work on your business, not just in it. Whether you’re the head of a large advisory firm, part of a small practice or just starting out, you will discover a roadmap for turning your good business into a better one. The author also addresses: Making business strategy and planning part of your defined game plan; Transforming your firm’s vision and goals to build your business Capitalizing on referral sources and centers of influence Your personal brand as a product of intuitive thinking And much more. The Power of Practice Management teaches you how to channel the strength of your business and connect it to your clients’ experiences. The results unlock the secrets to driving customer loyalty, referral revenue, and business prosperity. In the process, you’ll also enhance your personal brand – allowing you the opportunity for business prosperity.