Cindy Jenner Cowan

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Transitioning best practices (Part 2)

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By Cindy Jenner Cowan | August 7, 2013

4 min read

Planning and Advice

Exit planning: Building your own retirement plans (Part 1)

When it comes to retirement, advisors are the first to tell their clients how important it is to plan

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | July 31, 2013

4 min read

Planning and Advice

Technology, platforms and competing in today’s marketplace

Clients have become better educated about the principles of investing and the qualities they expect from their advisors, so the need to learn about new tools and processes to meet clients’ demands will only increase in the future. This makes it necessary for advisors to understand which tools and processes are available, and the amount […]

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | December 1, 2008

4 min read

Planning and Advice

Hire and retain talented team members

(August 2008) Regardless of their length of time spent in business, their method of revenue generation or the type of services they offer, advisors generally have too much work to do and too little time. As we discussed in earlier columns, unusually successful advisors typically put two activities — business development and client relationship management […]

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | August 18, 2008

6 min read

Planning and Advice

Surround yourself with talented team members

Regardless of their length of time spent in business, their method of revenue generation or the type of services they offer, advisors generally have too much work to do and too little time. As we discussed in earlier columns, unusually successful advisors typically put two activities — business development and client relationship management — above […]

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | August 15, 2008

5 min read

Planning and Advice

Understand process, and thrive

(June 2008) A thriving services practice does not have the option of running on autopilot but consistent processes are, without doubt, the single biggest contributor to reliable and quality service delivery to clients. Even without superior functionality, the consistent, repeatable and most reliable service will always win — it may not be the best, but […]

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | June 9, 2008

4 min read

Planning and Advice

Autopilot not an option

(March 2008) Many advisors believe their current modus operandi has been the reason for their success and, consequently, they are reluctant to change any part of their practice. Failing to distinguish between the things contributing to your current level of success and the behaviours that limit, or even detract from, moving to the next level, […]

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | March 24, 2008

4 min read

Planning and Advice

Exit Planning: Closing up shop

(December 2007) The process of selling a practice or book of business can be a standard business transaction. But it is not quite cut and dried because a practice in transition is a dynamic environment. The ‘real’ work truly begins once the sale has closed. This is a busy time for both the seller and […]

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | December 17, 2007

5 min read

Planning and Advice

Exit planning: Documenting the deal

(November 2007) Many advisors engaged in the process of buying or selling their book of business tend to focus exclusively on valuation and the final purchase price. In reality, the terms you negotiate and document, along with plans for managing client retention overall, are far more important and far more valuable. Once sellers and buyers […]

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | November 21, 2007

4 min read

Planning and Advice

Exit planning: Bidding and final negotiations

(October 2007) You have invested a tremendous amount of time and effort to build your business and, most likely, you’d prefer to sell it to someone who will continue to make it successful. Having the right mindset, and list of appropriate considerations available while you review offers and negotiate, will help you find the right […]

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | October 16, 2007

5 min read

Planning and Advice

Exit planning: Doing your due diligence

Buying a practice or a book of business isn’t as simple as signing on the dotted line. If you want to make sure you’re getting the right deal, it’s mandatory that you conduct due diligence. But what exactly is due diligence and why does it need to be performed?

By Cindy Jenner Cowan | September 18, 2007

5 min read

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