Insights & Perspectives from Barbara Herman

By Barbara Herman - The search for a “better culture” has emerged in recent years as one of the single greatest drivers of advisor movement. Yet the term “culture” itself can evade simple definition. Culture can encompass an organization’s system of values and priorities, and influence every decision. It’s the undercurrent that directs, either subtly or overtly, the choices made and the paths taken.

By Barbara Herman - A firm’s name once meant everything to most advisors—both in terms of defining which firms they would consider joining and how they marketed themselves. Then the financial crisis hit and dramatically altered the perceptions of advisors as well as their clients—and the brand cachet of brokerage firms no longer carried the guarantee of credibility, strength and trust it once did.

By Barbara Herman - It’s human nature to want to protect the status quo— familiarity is reassuring. Comfort level aside, quality advisors still periodically reevaluate where they are. And those who believe they can do substantially better for their clients and teams opt to move elsewhere.

By Barbara Herman - Most people, when facing a life choice, approach the decision-making process by weighing the pros and cons. But the process can often be sidetracked by concerns or objections—that is, distractions that quickly become time wasters. This is especially true when advisors are considering a change. How do they identify the true heart of the matter, so they can be strategic and thoughtful in the due diligence process and avoid getting stuck, focused on a “red herring” – that is, a thought that diverts attention from the real issue or concern