Advice Transition Program (ATP)Transitioning from Product Sales to a TrustedCFO®

PlanPlus Inc. & the Wealth Enhancement Academy have teamed up to bring you - The Advice Transition Program.

What is the ATP Program?

The Advice Transition Program is a unique practice development program designed specifically for financial advisors. The program is centered on assisting financial advisors integrate client-centric financial advice into their everyday practice. Our aim is to teach financial advisors how to enhance their wealth and the wealth of their clients through understanding, appreciation and full integration of 3 critical components, namely Process, Tools & Technology and Knowledge.

3 Critical Components
Support Sustainable Practices

Most firms and financial advisors recognize what many studies have already proven - that working with clients through objective planning advice engenders trust and with that trust comes more income, more assets under management and higher client satisfaction levels.

Most firms and advisors have discovered how challenging it can be to introduce a new process into their business. The industry abounds with seminars, practice management programs and a multitude of "silver bullet" answers that leave advisors excited for a day or two and then its back to business as usual immediately thereafter.

The Advice Transition Program is unique in that it combines all three critical components into a seamless program that will teach you how to introduce an advice first process into your practice, and train you with the tools and knowledge necessary to make it a success.

What is at the Foundation of Each Component?

Process

The Wealth Enhancement Process® - An Award-Winning
Process Designed to Increase Your Revenues

Pioneered by successful fee and commission planners, The Wealth Enhancement Academy's 8-step process is used daily as the key point of differentiation in a profession that is fast becoming a commodity. The results are truly stunning. This client-centric approach delivers a high level of client satisfaction and rewards you and your firm with increased business.

The Wealth Enhancement Academy's 8-step process also supports CFP®, ISO and best practice standards on advice delivery. If your firm already supports a process, it can usually be integrated with your existing approach.

Knowledge

Foundational learning, case studies, exercises and assignments are all reinforced by the experience of the Wealth Enhancement Academy and the leading textbook on financial planning - Personal Financial Planning by Kwok Ho and Chris Robinson. This invaluable textbook is included with the program.

Tools & Technology

PlanPlus Web Advisor™ - World Class Professional Financial
Planning Solutions

PlanPlus Web Advisor™ integrates investment and financial planning advice in a simple, easy to use manner within your practice. Use powerful tools like the Investment Policy Statement, Initial Assessment and the Personal Financial Strategy documents to position you and your firm as the primary problem solver for your clients.

Integrated action plans ensure that all your clients' needs are addressed, generating maximum opportunity for your business.

The Advice Continuum

Transitioning from Transactional Sales to a Comprehensive Advice Agenda

Regulation and best practices are raising the bar making it important for advisors to make a clear distinction between transactional sales and advice. Thus you need to ask yourself - Is the proposal I'm presenting to my client intended to sell a product, or am I providing objective advice that is in my clients' best interest? One of the greatest obstacles in transitioning to an advice first practice is how your clients perceive you! Often clients are conditioned to ask you about products but not about their financial needs.

The Advice Transition Program is designed to help you successfully transition your practice, your services and your clients to a more comprehensive advice first approach based on objective needs analysis.

How is the Program Laid Out?

The ATP Program is comprised of 5 levels, which are further broken down into 6 to 9 modules per level.

In addition, we provide a custom ATP Web Site for each firm to provide immediate on-demand access to the program content.

Each module starts with Foundational Learning - with icons illustrating if the component covers Process, Tools & Technology or Knowledge acquisition.

The majority of these components take the form of on-demand eLearning with over 30 hours of recorded content that the advisor can review based on their schedule.

Each level also incorporates case studies, which are designed to walk you through each concept. Your learning is further supplemented by individual exercises, which provide you with an opportunity to reinforce what you have learned.

Each module culminates as you apply the learning in real client interactions.

What Does the Program Content Cover?

The ATP Program is designed to walk you step-by-step through the basic levels of advice deliverance and the processes to integrate them into your practice, up to advanced financial planning services.

Level 1 - Modular Needs Analysis: Advice is delivered at a modular level and is related to specific investment or insurance offerings. Initial concepts of engagement and client assessment are incorporated.

Level 2 - Life Goals Needs Analysis: Transitions advisors towards strategic level advice - looking beyond products managed in-house and single goals towards the clients total portfolio and all the clients' financial goals. Transitional concepts such as attaining client trust and confidence for complete disclosure and acceptance as the strategic advisor are covered.

Level 3 - Integrated Financial Planning: Is designed for advisors who wish to provide comprehensive planning services often (but not singularly) associated with higher net worth individuals.

Level 4 - The Critical Path to Your Perfect Practice: Levels 1 2 and 3 have laid the foundation, now Level 4 focuses on the bricks and mortar to build 'Your Perfect Practice'. It sets in motion the actions and processes to solidify advisors definition of services and puts them in a position to provide those services to clients that meet their ideal client profile.

Level 5 - Wealth Enhancement Process Workshop: Brings it all together and completes the paradigm shift towards the final steps to being a TrustedCFO®.

Level 5 is a one-day seminar where a high-level review is provided and where practical exercises are done that will help advisors fine-tune their personal success plan.

In terms of execution, The Wealth Enhancement Academy provides an optional Coaching Program for those who are motivated to continue. Through the coaching program we work with you or your firm over the subsequent 12 months to execute your Success Plan.

How is the Program Delivered?

Although the program has been designed to allow advisors to proceed at their own pace, demands in the real world often make it difficult for advisors to execute. Like the "shoe-maker's son", their time is dedicated to their clients and not necessarily to their practice development.

The Advice Transition Program includes a series of scripted PowerPoint presentations that are typically delivered on a weekly basis via webinars. These sessions achieve three very important objectives:

1. Accountability: holding you the advisor accountable for your part throughout the program;
2. Provides a quick review of content covered in the preceding module, explains value of the content in the next module; and
3. Provides informal group coaching and allows you an opportunity to voice your questions at the end of each session.

Training or wealth management specialists in firms adopting the ATP can participate in the hosting or delivery of these ongoing sessions.

How Long Will It Take to Complete the Entire ATP Program?

The ATP Program typically takes 8 to 9 months to complete; however program completion can vary. Our dedicated team of coaches will be more than willing to work with you and your financial firm to provide you with a suitable schedule.

Need More Information?

To find out more about the Advice Transition Program, contact a representative at the Wealth Enhancement Academy at 905-884-5563 ext.2, or PlanPlus at 705-324-8001.

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