Monday Morning Mojo

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

Confirmation bias (n.): “the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one’s existing beliefs.” Because of the constant connectivity we experience today due to technological advancements, confirmation bias is more prevalent than ever. How can you combat this phenomenon to ensure that you learn from perspectives that differ from your own? Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com References: Confirmation bias: https://bit.ly/2pDnMp1 Dylan Marron, “Conversations with People who Hate Me”: https://bit.ly/2vfbVxF

Communication is key to building trust in relationships. Do you know how to properly communicate? Has anyone ever taught you how to properly communicate? Probably not. Today, we aim to pinpoint the most important components of strong communication: respect, tone, speed, and consistency. We will discuss the ways in which to advance one’s communication skills and further develop trust in professional relationships. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com References: Jack Myers Development: https://bit.ly/2KuoaTy Weber & Associates: https://bit.ly/2MJi3XV

The significance of work extends far beyond the paycheck and the financial stability that comes as a result. Working creates an opportunity for us to not only make meaningful contributions to the world but also, elevate our self-esteem. This week, we challenge you to be proactive. Create opportunities for future generations to gain experience in professional work environments. The skills they will learn and the value they will add through these opportunities will undoubtedly create a sense of purpose for them, which will lead to a more fulfilled life. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Let’s think back to when we first started our professional careers. We had a go-getter mentality: taking opportunities, prospecting and seeking unique solutions. However, as time has gone by, we have found ourselves protecting the status we have built rather than searching for new, expansive opportunities. Citing an article by thought leader Patrick Lencioni, Phil emphasizes the importance of shifting from a defensive strategy to playing offense in the workplace. After all, not playing offense is often the riskiest move of all. Resources: Patrick Lencioni on Playing Offense: https://bit.ly/2MsMBgL Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Many successful professionals attribute their long-term success to the passion they feel for the field in which they work. This makes sense, as passionate individuals are likely to feel more energized, more engaged, and more fulfilled than their counterparts. Today, we explore the power of passion and how we should use it to drive our careers. Though it may seem risky at first glance, you might be surprised by the results that follow. References: Travis Howard: https://bit.ly/2JUyl3n Michael Waddell: https://bit.ly/2ytEf6n Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to mojo@cannonfinancial.com

What is the most impactful life lesson have you learned? Where did it originate? Was it a person or experience that taught you this lesson? Throughout our lives, we learn many different lessons and these lessons come from life experiences, interactions with others and even society. Today, Phil shares with us five life lessons that he has learned  from both playing and observing the game of golf. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Phil on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilBuchananCFI Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jphilbuchanan/

You’re probably aware of the power and importance of having networks, both socially and professionally. Are you, however, properly managing and maintaining your networks? On this week’s episode, we discuss the benefits that come from keeping consistent communication with your connections as well as the various methods in which you can do so. Join us as we discuss how and why we should aim to increase the value of our networks. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com References: Estee Jimerson, Head of Asset Management at Envestnet: https://bit.ly/2xnFV0n

What is more important: price or quality? Many intellectuals would argue quality, and Phil agrees. By ensuring top quality service and working quickly and efficiently to fix problems, we can expect higher demand and customer satisfaction. Tune in as we explore the issue of fee compression in today’s wealth management industry, noting how advisors should view it as an opportunity to better serve their clients rather than as a personal loss. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com References: Benjamin Franklin quote: https://bit.ly/2IHXfTd Price & value quote as related to the wealth management industry: https://bit.ly/2IZX3y7