Monday Morning Mojo

With the passing of such a monumental figure as George H.W. Bush, we are called to reflect on the legacy he left behind. Bush exercised prudence in his decision making and worked diligently to improve the lives of every American. He was the epitome of a leader with a servant’s heart. In honor of this legacy, we encourage each of you to reflect on moments where you have put the needs of your clients, friends, or family above your own. By taking pride in the work that you do for others, you are creating a lasting legacy for yourself. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

As consumers, we are often quick to adapt to "good things." We appreciate innovations that add value to our lives, such as those that maximize our time and minimize our effort. But, is too much of a good thing still a good thing?    Listen in as we explore seamless innovations in society today and how to navigate challenges that arise from them.  Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Every day, we each engage in a variety of activities, many of which are essential to conducting our professional lives while others simply are not. Unfortunately, habit and routine can cause non-essential and useless activities to continue; this creates opportunity cost. The tough part is distinguishing what really is essential. As we prepare for the final month of the year, we challenge you to evaluate the activities you do routinely in your professional lives. Listen in as we outline three steps to save you money and recapture your time in the new year.   Resources: John Wooden, legendary basketball player and head coach, https://bit.ly/1q4kJwG Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

What are you thankful for? While this is a question we should ask ourselves throughout the year, this season especially calls us to take a moment to reflect. Although it can be hard to find time in the midst of the holiday season, the rewards of doing so are paramount. Listen in today as Phil answers this question and urges every listener to do the same. By pausing to truly think about ten reasons why you feel blessed this year, your appreciation for the season can only grow. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

We all seek the comfort of familiarity in our work.  Be it the clients we serve, the conversations we have, or the systems we use.  Disrupting the status quo can trigger stress and a lack of confidence in our knowledge or abilities to execute.  One of the largest and most common disruptors today is the shift in technology.  In today’s episode we join Phil as he is thrust into unfamiliar territory while logging his pilot training hours.  His frustration with sudden unexpected change ultimately yields itself to a complete shift in perspective.  One so natural and uncomplicated that it is best described as “simply fly the plane.” Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Relationships are tied to shared experiences, times, events, and encounters that have created narratives in our lives. This same tendency holds true in our professional relationships. Experiences matter; they build a bond between those involved that can develop and strengthen.   Join us today as we discuss the lasting impact of our relationships and shared experiences. In the final two months of the year, as you have opportunities to be a part of year-end celebrations, we challenge you to concentrate more on making memories and enjoying the experiences and focusing less on the details. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

The neighborhood "fix-it-guru" has the ability to improve regular objects to a condition even better than brand new; are you doing the same for your clients? In today's episode, we explore the importance of using your knowledge and talents to ensure that your client's experience is transformed from good to excellent.     

In today’s tense political climate, it can seem impossible to hold calm and productive conversation with people who have contrasting views from you. However, by being open to these discussions, you will likely be surprised by the amount of values you actually have in common. Today we explore the importance of shifting the focus to points of agreement instead of disagreement. Listen in as we outline the steps to mainting an optimistic attitude and the surprising benefits of doing so. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Building systems and processes that go beyond their basic requirements is one way to ensure preparedness and adaptability. However, when your systems go excessively beyond their basic requirements, it can create unnecessary obstacles and complications. Today, we discuss the challenge of maintaining the balance between overengineering your systems and over-complicating them. Once you achieve this balance, you will witness your office working at its greatest level of efficiency.  Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Whether you are passive or aggressive in regard to taking on activities that could lead to a mistake, we all make blunders. It is not in the making of a mistake that defines us. Rather, it’s how we respond to it. There are 5 key steps to a successful recovery of a mistake. Join us as we explore how to acknowledge our error, deal with the adversity following the misstep, and learn how to earn redemption in the eyes of contemporaries and other parties affected as a result of our mistake. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Angela Duckworth: American academic, psychologist and popular science author of Grit (https://amzn.to/2bfMIu1),  Founder and CEO of Character Lab, and Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania

Though there is strength in numbers, it only takes the actions and attitude of one employee to make a lasting impression on a client. As such, it is absolutely vital that each member of your team understands their potential impact on and their responsibilities to clients. Join us as we explore how to substantially improve your firm’s reputation by training each and every employee to make concerted efforts to satisfy your clients. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Like your physical health, a healthy professional career also requires constant attention and evaluation. While it can be uncomfortable to have your strengths and weaknesses scrutinized, it is a key process to ensure that you are performing to the best of your abilities. As you offer advice and consultance to your clients, we encourage you to open yourself up to be advised and coached as well. Listen in today to find out how doing so will allow you to truly reach your maximum potential. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

If you believe that your clients prefer a purely professional relationship, you may want to rethink your understanding. Bringing a level of personality to your relationships can enhance the experience for every party involved. In today’s episode, we explore how moving the conversation from the office to a more personal location can make  the difference in establishing trust and loyalty with your clients. Resources: Michael Oana, Retirement Planning Specialist: http://www.michaeloana.com Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Hearing the phrase “I’ll Take Care Of It” is comforting when you are in a crisis, but it’s the actions following this mantra that bring genuine reassurance. By promptly delivering on the promises you make to your clients, you will lay the foundation for relationships built on trust and confidence. As the last third of the year begins, we challenge you to evaluate the delivery of your company’s services through the eyes of your clients. Listen as we discuss how establishing a pattern of reliability and exceptional service can lead to brand loyalty in your client relationships. Resources: Otis Jones III, Accredited Advisor of Insurance: http://matrixins.com/index.php/about-us/bios/ Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

With the advent of and mounting dependence on social media outlets like Facebook and LinkedIn for connection and communication, it is imperative for professionals to develop interpersonal skills to distinguish themselves. Because our information is so easily accessed and disseminated, the ability to hold genuine, impactful conversation can be the difference between landing that big client or losing them. In today’s episode, we discuss how having meaningful conversation can build trust and confidence in your relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners. Listen in today to learn how to master this critical skill and see your relationships thrive. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Are you guilty of writing off a piece of new information as unimportant or irrelevant simply because you don’t understand it? While it is easy to dismiss challenging tasks or unfamiliar technology, we encourage you to make an effort to understand and overcome these obstacles. In most cases, you will be surprised by how far an open mind can take you. Being introduced to new ideas and technology is an inevitability. It is best to take an optimistic approach to make sure you are maximizing your ability. Tune in as we discuss the opportunities that are lost by a “can’t-do” attitude and outline how a simple shift in perspective can make all the difference in your success. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

While team meetings can sometimes feel monotonous and unnecessary, they can actually be a key factor of a productive workplace when they are planned correctly. By keeping them quick and concise, team meetings vastly improve connectivity and communication between employees. Join us today as we explore the role of purposeful team meetings as a tool for improving communication within the workplace. By following our four-pronged guide, outlined in today’s podcast, you are sure to make the most of your team meetings. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Have you ever cut a corner to get a job done? Have you ever shown disregard for a rule that you thought shouldn’t apply to you? Of course, at one point or another, almost everybody has been guilty of breaking a rule, whether intentional or not. While these transgressions are generally minimal and relatively harmless, the problem arises when a person regularly and intentionally defies the rules. Listen in today as Phil discusses the consequences of abusing the system and brings to light the benefits that we all experience by practicing respect for the rules and one another. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Do you take too narrow of an approach in defining your client? In order to continue serving our clients from generation to generation, it is essential that we transform the definition of “client” from an individual to the entire family unit. Join us as we explore the importance of including the whole family in financial planning. We challenge you to encourage longevity in your client relationships and witness them thrive. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com References: James E. Hughes - Family Wealth: Keeping It in the Family: https://amzn.to/2Ow3RmZ

It is inevitable that undesirable situations will arise, and oftentimes they will be out of your control. However, failing to acknowledge the issue is never the appropriate course of action. By clearly communicating with all parties involved and acknowledging the problem, you can effectively do your part to diffuse the situation at hand. Your transparency will not go unrecognized, and those affected are more likely to appreciate your efforts in maintaining a positive customer experience. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com