5 ways to achieve better results through partnerships

When I started in financial services over 28 years ago, most firms hired financial advisers — who were then referred to as “brokers” or “insurance agents”, even “special agents” at Northwestern Mutual — based upon autonomy: The ability to work alone.

I often joke that 20 years ago, this industry was a “game of survivor before Survivor was even a game show.” You were successful if you could hunt.

Fast-forward almost three decades and we've redefined wealth management. There is no real autonomy, even if you work alone. Every adviser is part of a network, no one hunts alone anymore; they hunt in packs. The complex needs of clients, the aging of the adviser, continuity and succession planning, the need to connect with and gain trust from the heirs of your clients … All of these are crucial reasons why advisers need to embrace the pack mentality, and understand the power found in numbers. The fastest way to do this is to bui