TRANSITION TALK

The idea of internal succession and transferring ownership to the next generation can be sticky for a lot of advisory owners. The process is daunting and giving up any amount of control can be hard to fathom. For these reasons, top advisors seeking equity and ownership are sometimes met with resistance or flat-out rejection.    

In late April, the Federal Trade Commission voted to finalize their Non-Compete Rule which prohibits the inclusion or enforcement of non-compete clauses in employment agreements in the United States. The rule is currently set to go into effect on September 4, 2024, but is the subject of active litigation which may delay or stop it from going into effect. The FTC’s Non-Compete ban applies to most employer-employee business relationships (with limited exceptions), but how will it affect wealth management and financial services businesses like yours? How will it impact your ability to protect the assets and value of your business if and when team members decide to leave the firm?

In late April, the FTC voted to finalize and promulgate their Non-Compete Rule which prohibits the inclusion or enforcement of non-compete clauses in most employment agreements. Industry experts from FP Transitions and Key Bridge Compliance sat down this week to discuss the details of the Rule, the level of concern business owners in the industry should have, and which other means advisory owners have to protect their business. You can listen to the full discussion here.

Below are essentials that you need to know about the FTC’s Rule.

What is the reason for adding this person to the team? Is it simply a matter of capacity? Or are there some other opportunities you can seize in the process? Recruiting the right person can also address your goals to:

-    Expand your service offerings
-    Diversify your client base
-    Create improved operational efficiencies
-    Secure continuity of client service
-    Prepare for succession of business ownership

Understanding which of these align with your existing business plan will help you to tailor role descriptions and find the very best person. Setting the table for success requires vocalizing the right words, expectations and opportunities to your new hire at the outset. Additionally, this focus will help you to communicate what you can offer to attract your ideal candidate.

The growth and profitability of your business are interconnected. Top-line revenue growth is essential, but it is no good without bottom-line profitability.

Balancing growth and profitability comes down to compensation structure and the equity pathways created for owners of the business. The profits generated through properly structured equity pathways are a catalyst for growth and the means to accomplish long-term strategic objectives including recruiting new talent, internal succession, and acquisition.

In our newest webcast, VP of Research and Analysis Eric Leeper, CFA®, discusses compensation solutions for businesses in varying stages of growth and how these strategies can boost both top-line growth and bottom-line profitability. 

View webcast clip below and click here to watch the full video.

The transfer of ownership to a team of next generation talent allows a business to leverage the individual strengths and fresh energy of a younger generation. As a new advisor, ownership provides stability, equity stake, and voice in the future of the business. As a founder, incorporating this team elevates your business, secures longevity, and sparks a new level of growth. The arrangement creates a win-win opportunity for both the founder and the next generation owners.

In our new Roundtable Talk, Elite Client Consultant, Kem Taylor, and our President and Founder, David Grau Sr., JD, discuss the process of going from next generation advisor to next generation owner and the common questions that come with it. They explore the benefits for both founder and next generation owners as well as the importance of communication between the generations for a successful integration.

Independent financial advisors face an almost overwhelming set of challenges, but with challenges come opportunities. Many of these challenges fall into areas of:

• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Growth & Profitability
• Talent Retention
• Succession Planning

These opportunities and challenges are often interrelated. Tackling one challenge often helps solve another, thereby strengthening your business in other ways. A successful acquisition is supported by a strong enterprise that is capable of handling exponential growth, and building a strong enterprise requires the incorporation of next generation talent. Retaining and nurturing next generation talent is made possible with the proper compensation systems, and maintaining an effective compensation system demands business profitability. Bottom-line profitability increases when it is properly balanced with top-line growth. Finally, to bring it all together, growth is supported by building a strong, sustainable enterprise.

In this new webcast, President and Founder David Grau Sr., JD, discusses the top challenges and opportunities of the profession and how they can be addressed using an end-to-end, integrated strategy.

View webcast clip below and Click here to watch the full video.

In our new Roundtable Talk, Founder and President, David Grau Sr., JD, and Elite Client Consultant, Kem Taylor, CBEC®, explore internal succession and describe how both the succession process and business growth can benefit from multigenerational experiences and knowledge from all owners.

They also discuss other factors that benefit the succession planning process, including:

• Acknowledging the "time" factor – having enough time to plan for, implement, and make adjustments to a gradual, internal transition of ownership
• Helping next generation advisors understand the benefits and responsibilities of ownership 
• Recognizing that each succession path is different 
• Exploring "where you are" and "where you're going" before jumping into the process

Click here to watch the full, unscripted discussion.