Marketing to Your Ideal Client
![Team leader giving a presentation to her team](/sites/default/files/inline-images/cb15-marketingtoyouridealclientsworkbook.jpg)
Growing your business is no easy task—but we can help! Our new practice management workbook is here to instruct you on the crucial methods every advisor needs to know as they seek to grow their practice.
Learn more about determining what your ideal client looks like and the services you offer them that set you apart from the competition. Prioritizing your client relationships not only helps you position yourself to provide your client with the best advice possible, but it will also keep your clients satisfied.
Increase your knowledge and take the steps to propel your business forward with this customizable workbook.
Domarina Oshana Discusses the Ethics of AI in Financial Services
In her piece, Oshana, director of research and operations at the American College Center for Ethics in Financial Services, recounts her recent experience at the twenty-third Annual James A. and Linda R. Mitchell/The American College of Financial Services Forum on Ethical Leadership in Financial Services. She specifically shares the insights she gained relating to AI and its use in the financial services industry.
Oshana goes on to discuss the major ethical implications that all businesses should consider when implementing AI into their strategy, including how to approach criticism of AI, the risks associated, and the importance of effective governance.
Read on to hear what Oshana has to say about this trending topic!
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Military Support Groups
![Troopathon logo banner](/sites/default/files/inline-images/cb15-troopathonmilitarycarepackages.jpg)
In 2004, Troopathon, formerly known as Move America Forward, was founded by Melanie Morgan as a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide emotional and tangible support to active-duty troops as well as offer assistance and resources to military families and veterans in need. Since its founding, Troopathon has sent over 1,000 tons of care packages to troops on the frontline thanks to the unwavering support of thousands of pro-troop civilians, veterans, and military families nationwide.1
The organization hosts an annual Troopathon fundraiser, which is the largest and only nationally televised annual care package telethon. It aims to send as many military care packages as possible to our troops on the front lines.
Troopathon provides numerous opportunities to get involved including donating, volunteering, and spreading awareness.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Generation Z Employment Insights Survey
![Asian women and black man working together](/sites/default/files/inline-images/cb15-thefutureoffinancegenz-insight.jpg)
With months of dedicated research and design, Wright Research Fellow Alisha Cook and director of research Kaylee Ranck, PhD, have developed a strong foundation for understanding the career interests and intricacies of the next and upcoming generation of financial professionals, Generation Z. As the financial services industry evolves, understanding and harnessing the potential of these emerging professionals becomes paramount for the future success of institutions and the clients they serve.
The survey aims to understand the career interests, experiences, and preferences of Gen Z individuals (aged 18-27), who are either interested in or already within their first three years of a career within the financial services industry. It covers a range of critical topics including but not limited to:
Career interests and experiences
Perceptions of the financial services industry
Financial literacy, digital skills and AI adaptiveness
Career advancement goals and aspirations
Consisting of over 40 questions and around 15 minutes in length, the survey dives deep into the minds of Gen Z, capturing the nuances of their career motivations and expectations. Participants' involvement will have no foreseeable risks and responses will remain anonymous, ensuring their safety and confidentiality.
By participating in this survey, Gen Z professionals will provide critical insights that can help shape the future of the financial services industry. These insights will empower institutions to tailor their recruitment and retention strategies more effectively, aligning them with the expectations and needs of young professionals.
We invite all eligible Gen Z individuals to share their perspectives and contribute to this important research. This survey will provide valuable data that can help shape the future of financial services, ensuring that it remains responsive to the next generation of talent. To participate, simply click the link below:
https://theamericancollege.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4IBCrNvFQvXefA
![Gen Z survey QR code](/sites/default/files/inline-images/WomenNewsletter_QR.png)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Women Working in Wealth on the Road for Women's History Month
![InvestmentNews Women Advisor Summit Panel](/sites/default/files/inline-images/cb15-wwiwontheroad-insight.jpeg)
The InvestmentNews Women Advisor Summit provided a unique platform for advisors and their supporters to explore the latest industry trends, practice management strategies, and career development opportunities. The American College of Financial Services, serving as the education partner, was proud to contribute its expertise to this talented group of financial professionals.
Returning from the summit, attendees, including myself, felt inspired and equipped with practical ideas, new tools, and invaluable connections with peers and industry leaders. Some of the key lessons that resonated with me included the following:
- The practice of a financial professional is to become a translator and speak the language of your clients
- Spend the time getting to know your clients during all seasons of life and put in the reps to develop a rapport with clients
- Organic growth aside from M&A takes concentrated effort
At the Wealth Management EDGE conference, discussions centered on the future of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the industry. Representing The College, I had the privilege to discuss how the industry can increase awareness and accessibility for diverse communities. Addressing the obstacles that hinder entry into the financial services industry and ensuring firms retain and invest in diverse talent is crucial.
As the financial services industry continues to evolve, embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment will be key to its sustainability and success. By engaging with passion and committing to DEIB principles, the industry can ensure a bright and equitable future for all professionals and clients. Read more about the discussion here.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Military Resource Group Consortium’s First Quarterly Webinar
![Resource Group Consortium Panel](/sites/default/files/inline-images/cb15-mrgjune2024webinarrecap.jpg)
On June 6, the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs’ Military Resource Group Consortium hosted its first free hour-long webinar featuring panelists from various tribes in the financial services industry. The webinar began with each panelist describing their transition from the military into the industry and highlighting the opportunities and challenges they each experienced. They continued by discussing the educational opportunities they each took advantage of and how it has led to their success in the industry.
Each panelist delved into which hard and soft skills learned in the military they believe are most transferable to the industry. “In the military you learn how rules and regulations work and how to apply and live by them, but you also learn humility which will come when helping clients navigating life,” said Daniel Kopp of Wise Stewardship Financial Planning.
Matt Stephens of Willow Chute Financial also felt that the military provided him with valuable skills that he has transferred to financial services. “You learn how to ask pointed specific questions and network well, which strengthens your influence,” Stephens said.
Christopher Smiley stated his belief that the regimented environment prepared him for success in financial services as well, “In the military you are always used to having a manual that helps you build efficiency; you can build efficiency and discipline into financial practices.”
In total, the webinar had 57 registrants with many scholars from the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs and members from each consortium’s company resource group in attendance.
The consortium will be hosting its next webinar during the 2024 Military Summit.
Ethics In Financial Services Practice Management Insights
Optimizing Your Practice’s Relationship With AI
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With the growth of AI in the workplace, it may be time to consider how you can best implement AI tools to automate busywork and turn your attention to more valuable tasks that directly support your clients. Fortunately, our new practice management workbook is here to assist!
Learn more about common AI topics like the risks associated with AI, how much time you can save, and the best way to get started. We’ll also provide a closer look into more specific topics such as evaluating the prompts you provide to your AI tools and which activities in your workplace are best to delegate to AI.
Increase your knowledge on these trending topics and more as you propel your practice into the modern era of advising with help from our informative practice management workbook.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Military Appreciation Month
![Military dad and his son playing](/sites/default/files/inline-images/cb15-militaryappreciationmonth.jpeg)
In 1999, the United States Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation month to provide citizens the opportunity to publicly honor and recognize the contributions, sacrifices, and services of members of the armed forces, past and present.
According to Military.Com, “the month plays a crucial role in raising awareness and understanding the challenges faced by the military community and provides a platform for education and dialogue about the experiences of service members, veterans, and their families.”
The month highlights several military anniversaries and events including Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Children of Fallen Patriots Day, U.S. Armed Forces Day, and provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on those who gave all on Memorial Day.
May was chosen because of the military’s historic achievements throughout the month including Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which commemorated the end of WWII in Europe in 1945.
There are numerous opportunities for citizens to show their appreciation, including attending events in their local community, purchasing a meal for a service member in uniform, volunteering at a VA hospital or veterans’ shelter, donating to a veterans’ charity, or sending a care package.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Attendance at MilMoneyCon
![Attendees at MilkMoneyCon](/sites/default/files/inline-images/cb15-milmoneycon.jpeg)
From April 25 through April 27, staff from the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs attended MilMoneyCon in Denver, Colorado. For the past three years, the Center has been in attendance as a Bronze Sponsor in support of Advisory Council Member, founder, and CEO of MilMo and MilMoneyCon, Lacey Langford, U.S. Air Force (Vet.), AFC®.
Langford founded MilMoneyCon with a mission to bring service members, veterans, and military spouses together to build and progress their careers, continue their education, and grow their earning power as practicing or rising financial professionals. At the center of this mission is an expression Langford uses as the philosophy behind her powerful mission: “Rising tides lift all ships.” By coming together to solve problems and supporting each other members of the military community not only help themselves, but uplift others within the community.
Throughout the event, the Center had the opportunity of meeting many of its partners and providing attendees with information about The American College of Financial Service’s various designations, the Center’s scholarship program, and initiatives. It also had the privilege of meeting numerous scholarship recipients and learning first-hand the difference these scholarships had made in their careers, to their families, and in their life.
Major General Vautrinot Named 2024 Recipient of Soldier-Citizen Award
![Photo of Major General (Ret.) Suzanne Vautrinot](/sites/default/files/inline-images/cb15-militarysummit2024soldiercitizenrecipient.jpg)
The Center for Military and Veterans Affairs has named the recipient of the 2024 Soldier-Citizen Award, Major General Suzanne Vautrinot, USAF (Ret.). This marks the first time in the award’s 10-year history that a woman has been named as the winner. Major General Vautrinot will receive the award at the Military Summit on September 11.
Military Background
Over her 31 years of service, Major General Vautrinot was critical to the development of cyberspace as an operational domain within the military. She was instrumental in the establishment and early operation of U.S. Cyber Command with responsibility for offensive and defensive cyber activities for the Department of Defense.
Major General Vautrinot also served in numerous staff positions throughout her service, taking up the roles of joint planner and warfighting capabilities analyst on the Joint Staff, Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Director, Air and Space Operations, and Strategic Security at Headquarters Air Force. Major General Vautrinot also served as Special Assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
Civilian Leadership
Major General Vautrinot leads in other aspects of her life as well, serving as the president of Kilovolt Consulting Inc. and a member of the board of directors for Wells Fargo, ECOLAB, CSX, Parsons, Battelle Memorial Institute, and City of Hope. In these roles, she leverages her expertise to advise on cybersecurity matters.
Recognized by all those who know her as an excellent motivator and leader, Major General Vautrinot embodies what it means to be a Soldier-Citizen. Acting as a leader throughout her history with the military and in her civilian activities, Major General Vautrinot has demonstrated strength and skill on her way to numerous honors extolling her capabilities, including National Defense citations, the Symantec Cyber Award, the Women in Aerospace Leadership Award, the Air Force Association Aerospace Citation of Honor, “Women Worth Watching” from Profiles in Diversity Journal, the Presidential Award for Training, Cyberscoop’s Top “Women in Cybersecurity”, and “50 Politicos to Watch.” She was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2017.
Major General Vautrinot will be honored as the Soldier-Citizen Award recipient at the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs’ annual Military Summit on September 11 at the W Hotel and the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.