In the wake of the 2008 market meltdown, there are a great many investment managers who continue to suffer the loss of clients and assets under management. The most unfair reason is the perception among unhappy investors that a move is necessary given how their accounts have performed; in reality, some of these moves have been based on irrational investor psychology, because while most client accounts did suffer in 2008, not all did as poorly as the broader markets.
 
Many investment managers are frantically trying to recover lost revenue. Some have chosen to merge with other firms that can help with the day-to-day administration and operational needs so that portfolio managers can focus on managing their portfolios.  The question facing these firms, as well as those that continue to go it alone, is whether they have a strategic plan for growing their businesses

 

The key factor in keeping current clients and attracting new business lies in the ability to articulate your value added. In the past you may have had a marketing department or a full-time marketer dealing with these issues, but that too is a luxury that many investment firms can no longer afford. Without a person or strategy driving your marketing infrastructure and new business efforts, it is unlikely that assets under management will grow in today's marketplace.
 
At AK Advisory Partners LLC, we are uniquely qualified to help investment management firms in all aspects of their business, from start-up and training issues to market differentiation strategies, to organizational changes necessitated by the financial crisis. With more than 60 years of combined experience, the Principals of AK Advisory Partners LLC have worked with many investment professionals facing issues that you and your company face today. We can help you excel in today's investment environment.

 
It takes specialized experience to deal with compliance, operations, and the other vital functions necessary to keep a financial services business in good standing with both the governing bodies and clients alike. The good news is that money is in motion; the bad news is that, as previously mentioned, there isn't always a good reason for it. Many investors are simply upset and feel that they need a fresh start. Questions that are being asked by individual investors these days are not the typical questions asked in the past.  They include:
 
* What is your background? Is your regulatory background clean?

* How much experience do you have in running a business?

* Where do you see yourself and your business in five years?

* What is the level of experience among your professionals?

* Is there a legacy plan in place? What if something happens to you?

Individual investors are much more astute and better educated after having gone through the 2008 financial landslide. Likewise, Institutional investors are much more comprehensive in their due diligence efforts due to the mismanagement of funds during 2008. Err on the side of prudence and ask yourself some important questions to see if you are on track for what may be needed to compete in the coming months and years: 
 

* Are you prepared for the inevitable tough questions to be asked by new prospects? Do you use your value proposition and mission statements in your conversations with potential investors?  Have you revisited your branding lately to make sure it is fresh?

 

* Are your investment vehicles attractive in terms of performance post-2008?  Do you offer your clients enough investment choices?

 

* Are your sales and support staff adequately trained in the art of offering advice to clients and prospects? Do you have a formal referral program?

  

* Have you positioned yourself to be the beneficiary of client movement rather than the victim?

 

* Do you have a REBOUND PLAN?

 

* Does our current organization match your growth goals?

 
Now is the time to consider the objective viewpoint that a consultant can provide. Our core competency is helping businesses such as yours successfully address any one or all of the aforementioned issues to assure that your business is run efficiently, strategically and competitively from top to bottom. 
 
We  will be in touch with you soon to schedule a more in-depth call to learn more about your business and to discuss the services that we provide that could benefit your firm going forward.  If there is someone else at your firm who you would rather have us visit with, please forward this information to them.
 
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
 

Best regards,

 

Andy Klausner

Founder and Principal
 
Katie Hayden

Principal