July 2011

How to establish critical referral alliances leads off this month’s list of business-building topics you don’t want to miss. We also take a look at how to effectively communicate your brand to clients and prospects. Could your business benefit from tax credits? They exist to help spur small-business growth. It’s something you’ll want to think about. Also, our Audio Feature presents an interesting and informative look at your all important value proposition in the marketplace.

It’s a lot of information, but it’s information that can make a big difference in your practice.

Practice Management

Four steps to successful referral alliances
From Raymond James Practice Intelligence newsletter
2011 research shows that essentially one out of five affluent investors said a recommendation from another professional led them to their current advisor, which doesn’t account for those who used other professionals as a secondary source. So how do you establish and maintain successful referral alliances? Matt Oechsli, leading industry consultant, coach and founder of the Oechsli Institute, offers up four steps to success.

Marketing

When it comes to communicating your brand, don’t ask your audience to multi-task
From Raymond James Marketing Matters blog
Author Martin Lindstrom argues that in a world where texting in meetings, eating while driving and answering e-mails while on the phone are the norm, brand messages are getting lost among the clutter. So how do you make sure yours is heard? It may be a “one-word” solution.

Practice Planning

Tax breaks, credits may spur small-business growth
From Raymond James Small Business Dimensions newsletter
Assistance takes many forms, but some of the more widely available ones are in the form of tax credits spelled out in the Small Business Jobs Act signed into law in September 2010. It was designed to help create up to 500,000 jobs while providing up to $12 billion in tax breaks. Could your business benefit? We list some of those provisions and other tax credits available to small enterprises this year.

Audio Feature

Packaging your process
From Raymond James AudioFile
Your value proposition isn’t just about you, it’s also about your clients – and what you can do to attract and retain their business. In this edition of AudioFile, host Larry Pugliese and Leo Pusateri, international lecturer, coach, author, founder and president of Pusateri Consulting and Training, located in Buffalo, N.Y., discuss how recharging your value proposition and asking for a “relationship time-out” leads to client retention, increased market share and increased revenue.

Raymond James Spotlight

Raymond James tops SmartMoney list
An article from SmartMoney magazine, June 2011
Raymond James has been named the No. 1 full-service brokerage firm by SmartMoney magazine as part of its annual broker survey, beating out six national full-service brokerage firms, including Edward Jones. Says the article, “Raymond James and Edward Jones have been flip-flopping between No. 1 and No. 2 for years. The main reason Raymond James took the top spot this year is because it had much better stock picking in 2010.” Read the full article in the magazine’s June edition.

SmartMoney does not endorse any product or service of Raymond James. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Please note that fees and charges will reduce an investor’s return.

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.”
– Albert Einstein

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