In This Article:

TIME, TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS

How Technology Can Be Your Friend1

Challenges Technology Brings2

Tech and the Worth of Finance3

Factors for True Valuations4

Help Is In The Wings5

TIME, TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS//

THE FUTURE ISN’T COMING. IT’S ALREADY HERE. 90% of all the data that exists on the internet today was generated in the last couple of years. Not even futurists envisioned a world so connected that all the information that ever existed would be available with just a click at any location, no matter how remote. And the speed of technological development is only increasing.

The gadgets and gizmos that were only hinted at in Popular Mechanics magazines of the past, are now staples of our everyday lives. Despite how puzzled we seem to be by what we see happening around us (how does this stuff really work anyway), we are entranced by its ease, power and speed.

But then again it drives us crazy at times. We love the latest technology, but we curse when it crashes. The new tablet is a must-have until glitches start popping up. It’s difficult to remember a time when our phones weren’t the primary source of our contacts, entertainment, scheduling, music, messaging, photos, data, information and, oh right, for talking.

So, in the midst of this love-hate relationship, the world of financial professionals is similarly transforming into a tech-driven industry that promises to leave anyone who refuses to evolve in the dust.

Frightening? Not at all. Technology is your friend and your future. Embracing it is your best and only option. In the following pages we’ll discuss how to make peace with technology (and even grow excited about) a life and career that revolves around it.

Being connected 24/7 is both exciting and often

aggravating. Here are tips.

A WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The clients of tomorrow want you to be comfortable with the digital world.

IT’S THE FUTURE

Knowing the right tool for the right job has always

been a critical factor.

THE WORLD OF FINANCE

Warning: Don’t replace personal contact with digital communications.

IT BRINGS CHALLENGES

You love your smart phone but you’re not so sure about

tech at work. Relax. It’s OK.

IT’S YOUR FRIEND

IN THIS ARTICLE:

TECHNOLOGYAND YOUR WORLD

1

2

3

4

5

TIME, TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS//

1 TECHNOLOGY IS YOUR FRIENDTechnology can mean time-savings. The greatest asset you have as a financial advisor is your time. Virtually every other resource (other than money) is unlimited, but your time each day has a definite beginning and end. Tech tools can radically lengthen your day.

Using any of the myriad of online tools now available, you can quickly research investments, make plans, run reports, communicate with clients, and close transactions. The biggest challenge is simply keeping up with the pace of technological development.

Financial technology—now known as FinTech—is transforming the industry.

Digital “customer intelligence” was recently identified as the most important predictor of future revenue growth and profitability. Regulators are also

developing advanced algorithms to monitor account activity and fiduciary oversight. And marketing is leading the way with its ability to connect with the maximum number of people in the most cost-effective way. The best course of action is to welcome the digital world, and become curious about it.

Digital “customer intelligence” was recently identified as the most important predictor of future revenue growth and profitability.

OUR WORLD IS RAPIDLY CHANGING

570// NEW WEBSITES

CREATED EVERY DAY

175// APPS THAT HAVE BEEN DOWNLOADED

GLOBALLY

BILLION

TIME, TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS//

2 TECHNOLOGY BRINGS CHALLENGESFor all the good (perhaps even great) technology has brought into our lives, there have been some negative side effects too. These should be treated more as warning signs than roadblocks to make sure you are making wise and healthy decisions in both your life and business.

Tech, though, should never replace the personal touch. People still enjoy and often prefer a face-to-face meeting. They want to judge your sincerity in person. Automated response emails are excellent for touching base with your broad clientele, but make sure there is some human touch on a regular basis. Allow technology to aid you in your connections with people, not replace them. Don’t take shortcuts.

On a personal level, be aware that when you are connected 24/7 you run the risk of losing all privacy and the ability to truly step away from the office. Take a breather and go unplugged at some point each day. Enjoy dinner with your family. Check the game updates later.

41%// AMOUNT OF TIME

PHONES ARE CHECKED COMPULSIVELY FOR

NO REASON

// TWEETS SENT EVERY THREE MINUTES

1,000,000

TIME, TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS//

3 TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD OF FINANCEToday, financial professionals have an almost endless array of technological tools at

their disposal. Both third-party providers and broker-dealers offer sophisticated programs and resources that allow you to now reach more people, talk to them more directly, provide more

information, and get quicker decisions (and commissions).

Today’s web-based technological platforms for financial advisors are sophisticated. All in one

place, they simplify daily office activities, deliver advanced research, and fulfill fiduciary responsibilities in ways never before possible.

Believe this: Technology makes your job better, more accurate and easier. It creates marketing and sales opportunities. It resolves record-keeping issues and compliance concerns. And yet, many advisors turn away from progress choosing to settle for “the way things have always been done.” Unfortunately, you cannot afford to be that person. Your clients—and most certainly coming generations—will expect you to know and understand their technological world. If you can’t deliver it, they’ll find someone who will.

Your clients—and most certainly coming

generations—will expect you to know

and understand their technological world.

//

LOGIN

40%// AMERICANS WHO HAVE

NOT GONE TO A BANK IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS

7,000// FINTECH COMPANIES THAT ARE RECENT STARTUPS GLOBALLY

TIME, TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS//

4 TECHNOLOGY IS THE FUTURETechnology never stands still. It’s always evolving and adapting. It expands into areas that once seemed unreachable. What was once a far-fetched concept becomes reality in the following year.

In a 2013 article on what the future might hold, the author wrote of wristwatches that could connect to the Internet, planes that

would feature wi-fi, homes and cars that could power-up remotely, televisions that one day might be 4K, and “flying robots” that house video cameras. Today all are commonplace.

Our tomorrows could soon include meals created from 3D printers using nutrient-rich “inks,” wireless powering

built into walls that could charge all electronic devices constantly, and cellphone batteries that would utilize bio-organic nano-dots that would provide full power in 30 seconds. Expect programs and platforms for the financial industry to also continue to develop as people want more and faster access to both data and funds. What once took 24 hours to accomplish may soon take only seconds.

What once took 24 hours to accomplish

may soon take only seconds.

//

201820102000199019801970

// 72% OF CEOS SAY THE NEXT

3 YRSWILL BE MORE IMPORTANT

THAN THE LAST 50 //

TIME, TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS//

5 CREATING A WORK/LIFE BALANCEA recent survey of the nation’s wealthiest financial advisors identified around a half-dozen features that they considered to be the keys to their success. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, along with items such as organization, education, client-focus and presentation skills, they identified having a work/life

balance as critical. This is what they listed as vitally important:

Take the time—and it usually means being purposeful about this—to develop all of the areas of your life. Invest in relationships. Develop a spiritual life. See life’s moments not as stepping stones but rather as important stops along the path of life. Eat right. Exercise. Make friends. Laugh out loud. Evolve, change, adapt. Be flexible. Develop a perspective that embraces all that life has to

offer and never take anything, other than your health, too seriously or for granted.

And when it comes to technology, don’t fear it…embrace it. Allow yourself to find joy in learning new ways, thinking outside the box. Talk to people in the know. Read about emerging trends and choose to be a front-runner.

The ability—and the desire—to balance your career and real life will ultimately make you a better advisor.

INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS

EAT RIGHT &EXERCISE

ADAPT TO CHANGES

EMBRACETECHNOLOGY

DISCOVER NEW WORLDS

TAKE TIME TO LISTEN, REFLECT, APPRECIATE & ENJOY LIFE

When you choose to affiliate with SagePoint Financial, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds: big-firm resources with a small-firm feel. That’s because, while we are part of Advisor Group, one of the largest networks of independent financial advisory firms in the industry, we’re also

driven to be the most flexible, nimble and collaborative partner for your business.

We focus on the individual goals of each advisor and make sure that your ideas and opinions are always heard and influence our course of action.

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