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Episode Summary
In 2012, Shaun Erickson founded Single Point Partners because he wanted to do something different.
As a solo advisor at the time, his primary focus was on building a process with one main focus:
Building it around the client’s agenda (a.k.a. – the things that matter most to the client).
Fast forward to 2023, and Shaun’s focus has shifted.
Now, he’s focused on building a human-first approach into the fabric of an entire firm.
To get an idea of what that means, here are all of the areas in which Single Point Partners has embedded the human side:
- Language on the website
- Employee Handbook
- Philosophy/Culture
- Career Paths
- Advisor Assessments
- Training Programs
- Service Model
- Fee Structure
- Technology Stack
- Meeting Process
- Deliverables
- Client Experience
- Client Communications
- Key Performance Metrics
And, believe it or not, there’s even more.
Whether you’re a solo advisor trying to embrace a human-first approach or a firm owner wondering how to build an entire firm with a human-first approach, you’re in the right place.
Shaun Erickson takes us inside Single Point Partners to share exactly how to build a human-first approach into the fabric of your entire firm.
Things You’ll Learn
- Why you should follow up with someone 3 times
- How to design a hiring process that builds a human-first culture
- How to structure a co-created, dynamic agenda for better meetings
- How they train new advisors to focus on and embrace the human side
- The story behind why he decided to start and build Knudge for advisors
- The question he asks to put a prospect’s mind at ease in the initial conversation
- Why they chose to define ideal clients by beliefs and behaviors (and how to do it)
- The “Pebbles vs Boulders” mindset that improves follow-through and builds trust
- A story of a client meeting where one question completely changed the relationship
- “Working Sessions”: A special meeting to help clients accomplish their action items
- The two things he says drive the success of his firm and help set them apart from the rest
About Shaun Erickson, CFP®
Shaun Erickson founded Single Point Partners, a fee-only financial planning firm in Boston, MA in 2012 and is currently the Chief Planning Officer as he continues to build a team around him as the firm continues to grow and scale. He’s also the co-founder of Knudge, a fintech solution for advisors to help clients actually follow through on their tasks.
He’s also a member of NAPFA, XYPN Planning Network, and lives in Boston with his wife and three kids.
Other Episodes You’ll Like On Building A Human-First Advisory Firm
- Infusing Life Into The Financial Planning Process with Tim Maurer
- An Evidence-Based Approach To Winning Prospects And Influencing Clients with Evan Beach
- The Evolution of the Human Dimension And Helping Clients “Live Big” with Dave Yeske
Resources
Advice That Sticks: How To Give Financial Advice That People Will Follow by Moira Somers
Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you take your relationships and your practice to the next level:
- Human Side of Advice Masterclass: Build a human-first planning process to convert prospects into life-long clients in 10 weeks
- The Ultimate Intro Meeting: Learn how to qualify and convert prospects in 30 minutes without being salesy
- HSOA Community: Exclusive content, courses and conversations to master the human side of advice with like-minded advisors
If you want more information on any of these, let me know here.