IOS 5, iCloud, iPhone & iPad x 2, iPatience, iPractice, iPerfect, iTried, iTired, iOptimistic

October 17, 2011 by Simon · Leave a Comment

This is the first selfish blog that I have written about myself or Leading Advisor since the end of August while cutting back blogging to once a week at the beginning of the week and making the blogs about the personal development and practice development issues that financial and invest advisors are facing.

I’m writing this selfish blog as my first blog direct from my new iPad 2 using the onscreen keyboard and acknowledging that after a few days of on and off working with the iPad it’s going to take a little bit of iPatience and iPractice to make iPerfect.

In a few minutes I will cut and paste this blog from the iPad Notes into WordPress and I’ve no clue how that will go because I have to set WordPress up on the iPad … I suppose you will see if I am successful if this blog post arrives.

Even with the genius of Steve Jobs, I still have the old TV generation attitude that I want to push a button as soon as it comes out of the box and have it all work.

This is ludicrous given that I’ve never experienced this from my first 1980 Wang PC days that turned out to be non-IBM compatible after thousands of dollars and weeks of programming to create my own CRM system as there was no CRM software in those days.

But not so fast.

This could have been the case if Laura and I had not purchased our iPads right at the same time that Apple had done the IOS 5 upgrade which included the iCloud.

So first steps were to upgrade our iPhones and new iPads to IOS 5 and iCloud and the whole process went well considering there we’re millions of Apple customers doing the very same thing at the same time.

Happy to say that I didn’t have to pay Microsoft a fee for an operating system upgrade through from Windows 95, 98, NT, XP, Vista and Windows 7.

Getting the IOS 5 and the iCloud for free seemed a bit strange.

My experience seemed rather ironic considering there were millions of BlackBerry customers all doing something else this past week.

All in all, the iPad set up went seamlessly and happy to say that I didn’t have to summon our IT team to set the iPad and things like e-mail accounts which is always the case in a PC world. It has always been buy a computer and call our IT team to help to set up the PC, the e-mail, the data sharing and a whole lot more.

( for the record, I’ve just switched to the wireless keyboard that I bought with the iPad as the onscreen keyboard is too sensitive for my impatient clumsy fingers just at the moment )

My plan for using my iPad is a follows:

On a business note I’ll use it as a Business Organizing Tool so that everything related to creativity and planning is in one place to include things like:

Leading Advisor’s One Page Business Plan
Projects List
Budget Cash Flow & Sales Activity Calculator
Apps like Dragon Dictation, Evernote, Mind Mapping, WritePad etc.

On the Social Media side of things, the iPad fulfills a dream of having a one place tool to easily read, mash up ideas and write articles, blogs, e-newsletters and social media posts from:

Business magazines
Financial advisor and investment advisor publications
Social media groups

My final thought is another reason that I am doing this is for the challenge to embrace change.

“Change before you have to.” – Jack Welch

The only thing left is to create the iTime, the time blocks to make it all real.

So in closing on the; IOS 5, iCloud, iPhone & iPad x 2, iPatience, iPractice, iPerfect, iTried, iTired, iOptimistic … how did it all go?

I couldn’t get WordPress to accept my login and password from the iPad.

So I tried to e-mail this blog to my main computer and the e-mail would not go through from the iPad.

I sent up a free @me.com e-mail that came with the iCloud that would not send e-mail so I deleted it and then my regular e-mail account worked just fine.

So I’m just about to post this blog to WordPress from my main computer.

I just received an e-mail from Liz Urichuk my Virtual Assistant, to let me know that iPad has a WordPress App so I’ll try the App another time as I am going to leave the iPerfectionism for now as I am iTired and feel good that iTried and remain iOptimistic.

Filed under: Vision & Planning
Tagged: Leading Advisor, simon reilly

Here Is A Way To Emotionalize The Decision To Purchase Life Insurance

September 12, 2011 by Simon · Leave a Comment

Filed under: Sales & Marketing
Tagged: financial advisor blog, simon reilly

Dear Vancouver Canucks

June 3, 2011 by Simon · Leave a Comment

Dear Vancouver Canucks,

I’m doing my planning for June for:

• Free Days & Times – Days & Times not working – time off

• Buffer Days & Times – Days & Times invested working “on” the business – planning, speaking, writing

• Focus Days & Times – Days & Time invested working “in” the business – coaching appointments

Based on the following 2011 Stanley Cup Final Playoff Schedule, I see that I have a challenge as I will be away speaking in Calgary and Regina on June 14th and 15th and I will be flying from Calgary to Regina during game 7 if there is a game 7 which is a travesty.

So I am putting in my request now for the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup over the Boston Bruins in 6 games or less.

Go Canucks Go!!!

Filed under: Vision & Planning
Tagged: financial advisor business planning, investment advisor business planning, simon reilly

Getting Couture In The Wilderness Using A Virtual Assistant

May 26, 2011 by Simon · Leave a Comment

I joke that Laura and I live in the wilderness here in Parksville as it is missing some of the amenities like going to the movies which we have to drive 20 minutes south to Nanaimo for.

Parksville has many other blessings that include breathtaking nature at our doorstep, all the cycling, hiking and kayaking that you can handle, a fabulous community of friends and a pace of life and traffic that is like going back in time 30 years.

It’s that time again when I have to update my uniform ( suits ) because one can’t be speaking at NAIFA’s National Conference in Washington, DC in September without the couture … did I just write that?

So with the only fine men’s clothing store going out of business in Nanaimo a few months ago, I have to either go to Vancouver or to Victoria to purchase suits especially when I am north of 6’ 3” and 250 lbs. – meaning off the rack in a department store isn’t going to happen.

If you are like me, time is of the essence and I want to make the most of it and I don’t care for shopping.

To make the suit purchasing easier, Laura had a Virtual Assistant research the fine men’s clothing stores in Victoria and call them with the following questions.

I’m in Victoria this Thursday and Friday presenting workshops for Desjardins Financial and Edward Jones and I’m going to take the time to get one more thing off of my to do list so that I’m ready for the new financial advisor speaking season this September.

Based on my comments IN BOLD, I believe number 6 will be a winner.

Does your store offer higher quality FALL / WINTER business suits for a professional man in his 50s? Yes – about 7 different lines.
Do you have any 48 TALL in the store? No. However, unless you are over 6’3” he does not recommend going to tall. Very often a regular will fit – MY THOUGHTS – THIS COMMENT IS A MAJOR DEAL BREAKER, I’ll LOOK LIKE A GORILLA IN A REGULAR SUIT AS MY ARMS WILL BE HANGING OUT THE BOTTOM AND I’LL BE EXPECTING A FLOOD AT THE SAME TIME.
Can one choose from fabrics so that you can order them and then tailor them? They can do full custom suits from 2 custom lines – both from Canada. The length of time it takes depends on the fabric – stock fabric is within days; if custom fabric – about 2 weeks depending the cut.
What is the price range? Open at $695 – top out $1100, with an average of $800 (after tax) alterations are free of charge and done at the store – turn around is a week to week and a half

Does your store offer higher quality FALL / WINTER business suits for a professional man in his 50s? They do made to measure only. – MY THOUGHTS – GIVEN THE DISTANCE FROM PARKSVILLE, MADE TO MEASURE WILL NOT WORK AS I CAN’T MAKE IT BACK FOR FITTINGS, AN OFF THE RACK SUIT IS BEST WITH ALTERNATIONS.
Do you have any 48 TALL in the store?
Can one choose from fabrics so that you can order them and then tailor them? Yes.
What is the price range? $850 to $1300 plus tax. It will take about 4 to 5 weeks.

Does your store offer higher quality FALL / WINTER business suits for a professional man in his 50s? Yes.
Do you have any 48 TALL in the store? Yes. $1100 and up - MY THOUGHTS – WORTH LOOKING AT.
Can one choose from fabrics so that you can order them and then tailor them? Yes. About 4 weeks.
What is the price range? For a made to measure suit this depends on the cloth – $950 and up. He buys his fabric from Italy and England.

Tried this number repeatedly – always busy. Checked online to make the number is correct and it seems to be correct.
Does your store offer higher quality FALL / WINTER business suits for a professional man in his 50s?
Do you have any 48 TALL in the store?
Can one choose from fabrics so that you can order them and then tailor them?
What is the price range?

Does your store offer higher quality FALL / WINTER business suits for a professional man in his 50s? Yes.
Do you have any 48 TALL in the store? The only thing they have in store currently in that size is a black suit single breasted. In-stock orders (they have them but just need to bring them in) take about 10 days. – MY THOUGHTS – BASED ON #6, MAY NOT BE WORTH MY TIME.
Can one choose from fabrics so that you can order them and then tailor them? They do custom orders. Custom takes 3 to 6 weeks depending on factory and fabric.
What is the price range? $998.00 and up (for in the store, in-stock and custom)

Does your store offer higher quality FALL / WINTER business suits for a professional man in his 50s? Yes.
Do you have any 48 TALL in the store? Yes. Solid navy, strips, 2 charcol, 5 black. Start $795 and up to about $1,000. All Canadian made.
Can one choose from fabrics so that you can order them and then tailor them? Custom – has to pick fabric first. 300 fabrics, 30 or 40 for business. Once the fabric is picked, then you select style. About 10 different styles for business. They have try-on’s in the store and then they make alterations based on the try-on. Suit sale on July 1st to 31st for custom suits with 30% off fabric. He said it works out that you get a custom suit for the price of a rack suit. – MY THOUGHTS – LOOKS LIKE A WINNER.
What is the price range? Depends on fabric more than anything else. About $995 – $1600 full price for the made to measure 2 piece

Does your store offer higher quality FALL / WINTER business suits for a professional man in his 50s? She said yes but am not sure given their price point.
Do you have any 48 TALL in the store? Yes.
Can one choose from fabrics so that you can order them and then tailor them? Alterations only done in store – seamstress on site. No custom.
What is the price range? $310 for jacket $140 for pants. $399 for a suit – MY THOUGHTS – WITH RESPECT, THEIR PRICE POINT IS TOO LOW FOR A DECENT SUIT.

Free One Page Business Plan Webinars June 7 & June 23^rd – Register Now!

Announcing Leading Advisor’s One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinars and the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Webinars!

“If you don’t get the words right, you might build the wrong business and may never get the numbers right.”

The date for the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinars are:

Tuesday, June 7^th at 11:15am EDT
Thursday, June 23^rd at 1:45pm EDT

Who should attend?

Do you have too many scattered ideas?
Do you need to focus on a few?
Do you need to jumpstart your business right now?
Do you have no time or interest in writing a 50 page business plan?
Do you need to determine if you’re focusing on the right things?
Do you need an effective blueprint to keep yourself and team focused?

Then consider a fresh, simple approach to business planning that will enable you to focus on what is important…the One Page Business Plan^(TM) – a powerful tool for building and managing a business. It’s short, it’s concise, and it delivers results quickly and effectively. There can be no question as to where your business is headed when it is in writing, especially when you have the key essentials about growing your business clearly specified on a single page.

Is this another ho-hum course on business planning like the ten others you have attended – no way! I know how to capture the essence of any business in just a few minutes using the innovative key word and short phrase techniques using the One Page Business Plan^(TM).

To Register for the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinars:

Call Laura at 250 248-6012 / 1 877 248-6012 or e-mail Laura at lreilly@leadingadvisor.com and you will receive your GoTo Meeting Webinar Link, Phone Number and Access Code.

Tuesday, June 7^th at 11:15am EDT
Thursday, June 23^rd at 1:45pm EDT

Filed under: Vision & Planning
Tagged: Financial Advisor Speaker, Investment Advisor Speaker, simon reilly

Overload! How Too Much Information is Hazardous

May 24, 2011 by Simon · Leave a Comment

Jonathan B. Spira’s book Overload! How Too Much Information is Hazardous to your Organization caught my eye a few weeks ago.

It’s hard to believe that Duran Duran’s song Too Much Information was published in 1993 at the dawn of the information / internet age.

“Too Much Information”

Destroyed by MTV,
I hate to bite the hand that
Feeds me so much information
The Pressure’s on the screen
To sell you things that you don’t need
It’s too much information for me

Hey TV Child look into my eyes
Here by intervention I want your attention

Promotion Boy in a suit and tie
He wants you to use it
You’re too shot to loose it

Feeling the pinch of constant information overload, back in November of 2010 I coined the phrase Imagifragmentation meaning that too much information is fragmenting my concentration and imagination.

So I am always looking for ways to manage information to create the space for concentration and imagination.

Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.
If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,
this is the best season of your life.

- Wu-Men

Thank goodness that we consumers are being driven to action to buy and consume either an Android Tablet, iPad or PlayBook to help us to eliminate our distractions … challenge is which one do you buy?

Free One Page Business Plan Webinars May 25, June 7 & June 23^rd – Register Now!

Announcing Leading Advisor’s One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinars and the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Webinars!

“If you don’t get the words right, you might build the wrong business and may never get the numbers right.”

The date for the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinars are:

Wednesday, May 25^th at 12:30pm EDT
Tuesday, June 7^th at 11:15am EDT
Thursday, June 23^rd at 1:45pm EDT

Who should attend?

Do you have too many scattered ideas?
Do you need to focus on a few?
Do you need to jumpstart your business right now?
Do you have no time or interest in writing a 50 page business plan?
Do you need to determine if you’re focusing on the right things?
Do you need an effective blueprint to keep yourself and team focused?

To Register for the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinars:

Call Laura at 250 248-6012 / 1 877 248-6012 or e-mail Laura at lreilly@leadingadvisor.com and you will receive your GoTo Meeting Webinar Link, Phone Number and Access Code.

Wednesday, May 25^th at 12:30pm EDT
Tuesday, June 7^th at 11:15am EDT
Thursday, June 23^rd at 1:45pm EDT

Filed under: Clear Your Roadblocks
Tagged: Clear Your Roadblocks, financial advisor blog, simon reilly

NAIFA-Iowa Financial Advisor Speaking Testimonial

May 16, 2011 by Simon · Leave a Comment

I received a wonderful compliment recently from a great colleague and client, Michelle Grassley Clarke, Executive Director for NAIFA IOWA. I just had to share it!

Thank you Michelle!

“In November 2010, NAIFA-Iowa launched a new program to bring MDRT quality speakers to four locations in our state. Simon Reilly of Leading Advisor was one of our speakers. Simon was a joy to work with, and our attendees gave his presentation very high marks. In response to our survey, 95 percent reported taking at least one thing away from the event that they could put to work in their practice immediately and 97 percent felt the program was worth their time away from the office. I personally got so much from his talk that I’ve retained him as my business coach. We’ve been working together for just over four months now, and I’ve already seen a vast improvement in my management company’s productivity and our bottom line.”

Michele Grassley Clarke
Executive Director
NAIFA-Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
mgc @ grassleygroup.com
www.naifaiowa.org

Filed under: Testimonials
Tagged: Financial Advisor Coaching, Financial Advisor Speaking, simon reilly

Book Your Next Holiday Right After Your Current Holiday

May 3, 2011 by Simon · Leave a Comment

It is said that the best way to book a holiday is to book it right after your current holiday and this we have done:

July 25th – July 29th, 2011 – Staycation – Why leave Vancouver Island in the summer?
August 29th – September 2nd, 2011 – Staycation – Why leave Vancouver Island in the summer?
January 20th – January 30th, 2012 – projected dates in the British Virgin Islands

Along with this notion, I’m offering the following question; What must be completed to enable me to take a holiday – July 25th – July 29th, 2011?

Free One Page Business Plan Webinars May 11^th & 25^th – Register Now!

Announcing Leading Advisor’s One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinars and the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Webinars!

“If you don’t get the words right, you might build the wrong business and may never get the numbers right.”

The dates for the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinars are:

Wednesday, May 11^that 11:15am EDT
Wednesday, May 25^th at 12:30pm EDT

Who should attend?

Do you have too many scattered ideas?
Do you need to focus on a few?
Do you need to jumpstart your business right now?
Do you have no time or interest in writing a 50 page business plan?
Do you need to determine if you’re focusing on the right things?
Do you need an effective blueprint to keep yourself and team focused?

To Register for the One Page Business Plan^(TM) Free Webinar:

Call Laura at 250 248-6012 / 1 877 248-6012 or e-mail Laura at lreilly@leadingadvisor.com and you will receive your GoTo Meeting Webinar Link, Phone Number and Access Code.

Wednesday, May 11^that 11:15am EDT
Wednesday, May 25^th at 12:30pm EDT

Filed under: Vision & Planning
Tagged: Clear Your Roadblocks, financial advisor blog, simon reilly