Bill Bachrach: Olympic Inspiration

The following was written by one of our WSOS speakers, Bill Bachrach. I wanted to share his powerful and inspirational message with you.

Stay focused. We'll visit soon.
MJN

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What were the most inspiring moments of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver for you?

Did you watch certain moments and find yourself saying something like, "If he or she can do THAT… what's possible for me?"

I hope so, because that's one of the biggest benefits of watching sports that most of us only watch every four years. There are valuable lessons to be learned. Let's not miss them and, more importantly, apply them to our own lives.

When was the last time you crossed your finish line at the end of the day and screamed with the joy, relief, and satisfaction of knowing you laid it all on the line? Think about Lindsey Vonn after her gold medal downhill run.

Did you watch some of the cross-country skiing or biathlon with amazement as competitor after competitor collapsed as they crossed the finish line wondering what your own life would be like if you pushed your limits just a little farther? I didn't catch his name, but one of the cross country skiers commented about how his sport is the only one where it's normal to puke after practice. That's commitment. I'm not suggesting that you should throw up at the end of good day's work, but maybe you could leave a little more on the "field of play." What do you think?

Who will ever forget 24 year-old figure skater Joanne Rochette whose mother, to whom she was very close, passed away unexpectedly shortly after arriving in Vancouver? Instead of packing it in, just four days later she skated with extra inspiration and won the bronze medal. Could there possibly have been a dry eye in the house or living rooms around the world when she looked to the heavens at the conclusion of her program? It's no wonder she was awarded the Terry Fox award as the athlete who best exemplifies courage and selfless qualities.

My favorite quotes from the games were:

"Before you go to sleep at night ask yourself one question: Did you do every single thing you could today to make sure that you did your best? It's hard to answer 'yes' every single day." - Apolo Ohno; Short-track speed skater

"The more awkward positions that I become comfortable with, the fewer situations I'll be uncomfortable with." - Graham Watanabe; Snowboarder

"I don't like to look at it as competition. It's about me conquering myself… me being able to face my own fears, distractions, and weaknesses and say that I overcame them." - Apolo Ohno; Short-track speed skater

How does this apply to you? What if being a financial advisor was an Olympic Sport?

How good would you have to be to make the team? Where would your client service experience and client acquisition skills have to be in order to compete with the rest of the financial professional "athletes" on the world stage? How good would you and your team have to be to earn a spot on the podium or win the gold medal? These are great questions for you and your team to consider as you continually look for ways to be your best.

Fortunately, being a great financial advisor is not a zero sum game with only one gold medal. And you don't compete against other financial advisors only against your own potential. There is plenty of business for all of the great financial advisors in the world. As the saying goes, "it's only crowded at the bottom."

Take some inspiration from the athletes of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada and use it as propellant to achieve your next level of success.

Remember… anything is possible.

Keep moving forward,
Bill Bachrach, CSP, CPAE (Speaker Hall of Fame)
Chairman & CEO; Bachrach & Associates, Inc.
Author: Values-Based Financial Planning & High Trust Leadership

Best First Line I've Ever Seen!

For a great article to share with your clients, check out this article from Investment News Net:

http://www.investmentnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100224/FREE/100229944/1094/INDaily01

The first line is the most powerful statement I've ever seen in an article. It says how important annuities are inside of every clients portfolio. By having annuities in a portfolio, you can help hedge the risk of clients outliving their assets.

Make it a profitable week and thank you for all your hard work. They may not know it today, but clients need your diligence more than ever.

Take care and contact me if I can do anything else to help.

MJN

Empowering the Country’s Best Advisors to Become Better.
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"
825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 510 ::: Topeka, KS ::: 66612
866.363.9595 ::: matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com

Indexed Annuity Sales Increase in 2009 - Over $234 billion in Annuities Issued!

In a recent study by LIMRA, over $24.9 billion in indexed annuities were issued in 2009, an increase of over 9% from 2008. In the same study, variable annuity sales were also up over the last 6 months of 2009, up enough to erase sales loss from earlier in the year.

A theory known as the "herding effect" can be used here with potential clients by sharing this information with them: in 2009 there was a total $234.9 billion issued in individual annuities!! An insured way of protecting their retirement assets. Share this with your clients in every appointment and they will automatically feel more comfortable with the indexed annuity purchase.

Thank you for the phenomenal month of business in February! If you ever need anything for your business, never hesitate to call.

MJN

Empowering the Country’s Best Advisors to Become Better.
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"
825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 510 ::: Topeka, KS ::: 66612
866.363.9595 ::: matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com

Alarming Article from CNN Money - Bank Failure Rate

This week I ran into an article on CNNMoney.com that talks about how one in every 11 banks is at risk of failing. There are over 700 banks on the FDIC watch list today! That's the highest number since 1993!! The number has been growing since the recession started. As the article states, the list was at only 76 in 2007.

For a complete copy of the article, and also to hear FDIC Chairman Sheila Blair speak on why more banks will fail in 2010 Click Here.

Now is the time to provide your clients with safe and insured assets.
February is proving to be the biggest month of the year - thank you for all the hard work.

MJN

Empowering the Country’s Best Advisors to Become Better.
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"
825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 510 ::: Topeka, KS ::: 66612
866.363.9595 ::: matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com

Good Read - Investors Keep Fooling Themselves

A good article came across my desk yesterday that I wanted to share. The last 3 paragraphs are great, and definitely stress the importance of being an honest advisor.

Investors are looking to get higher than average returns, and in some cases, advisors might be over-promising on their ability to get those returns in the stock markets. The article mentions that some clients hope to make a 22% return each and every year in the stock market!! To get your copy of the article Click Here.

Make it a great week. Remember that your clients need your advice now, more than ever.

MJN

Empowering the Country’s Best Advisors to Become Better.
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"
825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 510 ::: Topeka, KS ::: 66612
866.363.9595 ::: matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com

2010 Tax Summary Now Available!!

The Allianz 2010 Tax Summary is now available!!! Keep up to date with tax standards and rules for this year by clicking Here.

January has started off strong, and we're on pace for a record year! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to Advisors Excel. Let's talk soon on how to increase your business for 2010! Your hard work now guarantees your success this year and beyond.

Stay focused.
MJN

Empowering the Country’s Best Advisors to Become Better.
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"
825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 510 ::: Topeka, KS ::: 66612
866.363.9595 ::: matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com

Retiree Annuities May Be Promoted by Obama Aides

I ran across a great positive annuity article this week in at Businessweek.com. It covers how the government is finding ways to encourage retirees to put their IRA's and 401(k)'s into safe money annuities, especially after significant market losses.

The article also mentioned how only 2% of IRA's and 401(k)'s are transferred into an anniuity. Think about the potential there to grow your business in 2010! For a copy of the article, please click Here.

Thank you for the tremendous start to 2010.

MJN

Empowering the Country’s Best Advisors to Become Better.
Click Here for More on "The Advisor's Advisor"
825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 510 ::: Topeka, KS ::: 66612
866.363.9595 ::: matt.neuman@advisorsexcel.com