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How To Select Financial Planning Software

To select financial planning software is a big decision and eventually, it can turn out to be more complex than you can imagine it to be. The problem is that there are many options available in front of us and as a result of this; it does become a tough decision to finally select the program that runs in your favor. Although programs such as Quicken and Microsoft Money are quite popular amongst users, yet they are not considered to be the right choice for everyone. Collecting important information on the software of your choice is important before you spend money on purchasing them.  The following instructions will aid all first-time buyers in procuring their financial planning software which they can use with confidence.

1) Firstly, you should start your research in a careful manner wherein which you need to check that it fits your knowledge level very well. There are a number of software programs which are available in this category which starts from the simplest and basic programs that enable you to handle your budget on complex systems and also helps you to balance your checkbook and manage your investment portfolio as well.  In case you are totally ignorant of financial planning software and do not have the required time to know about such systems then it would be a good option to go in for a basic system which is not hard to handle.

2) You need to find out what kind of tools you would require in your financial planning software. In case, you would require handling your checkbook balance, you have to keep track of business expenses separately or you may also need to consider your retirement funds and for this purpose, more sophisticated software is required.

There are also certain software which is also considered better than the common ones for the purpose of budgeting and keeping track of everyday expenses.

3) You can utilize the information offered in qualified sources like the ‘PC Magazine’ which will certainly aid you in purchasing the software. You need to understand the pros and cons of every program and in this aspect, you can check out the access to updates, ease of use and the bugs as well. You can look at the prices offered by different companies and can compare the prices for every software.

4) You should look out for free demos and many of the financial planning software companies do allow users to try out their free trials from their websites, so this will give the user a chance to know if their selection is up to their expectations. Free demos will not be fully operational but they will actually give a good idea to the user regarding what the program will offer to the user.

5) You can also inquire with others on what they generally use as their financial planning software. If you are acquainted to someone who has pretty much the same financial issues as yours, then you can inquire to them about the software which they like and can know about their likes and dislikes.

 

Billy D Ritchie is the Director Of Content for LeadsByFone, LLC, a lead generation company servicing the flooded basement and water damage restoration industry.

When not writing and educating folks about the perils of water damage, he is also a freelance writer, sometime actor, and formerly professional musician.  He also enjoys spending his weekends building and flying model rockets

Visit him online at http://www.waterdamagelocal.com

Sales Planning and Accountability

Are you measuring your results? Sales planning requires management commitment and accountability is a major ingredient in planning. For some folks, planning and New Year’s resolutions took some effort back in December, but by mid-February, they are long forgotten.

Are you measuring your results and being accountable? Did January 2010 sales exceed January 2009 sales? Did actual exceed plan? If yes to both questions, congratulations and maintain the momentum. If you answered no, it’s time to have another planning meeting.

If sales are below last year, what did you do last year that you didn’t do this year? Did you have a blockbuster promotion event? Was there a sales contest? Was there a consumer sweepstakes? Did you lose a customer? Did some sales reps jump ship?

What are you doing that is different than last year? Don’t sit back and say things will be fine, because they won’t. Last year stunk, and 2010 will be the same if you don’t make any corrections to your sales plan. If you don’t change the way you do things, how can this year be any better than last year?

It is up to you (management, owner, CEO, founder) to figure out what is different, why sales are not meeting expectations, and put together some action steps that will quickly reverse the trend.

Action steps should include developing two or three goals for all key customers each quarter. At the end of the year, there should be eight successes for each customer.

Here is where the management commitment comes in; if you want to increase sales then you need to be accountable. Making up the difference to last year’s numbers is a lot easier over 11 months than just a few.

But only if you are measuring your results.

Is your team accountable for missing plan? Are you?
_____

Mike Cooper is a recognized authority on consumer selling as well as the development of effective selling strategies. Mike is Head Chef and Chief Sales Officer, at Sales Kitchen, a sales leadership, coaching and consulting company. He has managed, coached or trained more than 800 sales professionals and earned numerous awards for leadership, sales achievement and for being a difference maker.

http://www.SalesKitchen.com
mike@saleskitchen.com

Facebook For Marketing Your Financial Planning Business – 4 Strategies

Facebook is an internet marketer’s dream, if used properly. This article focuses on financial advisers who may be starting out or who want to expand their online marketing strategies.

If you’re wondering how to become a financial adviser, the info at the end of this article will help you evaluate your business options.

Note: I’ll assume that you already have a free Facebook account. If you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, and don’t have a Facebook account yet, head on over after reading this article and set up your account. It’s free and it’s a no-brainer for any business owner. I’ll also assume that you’ll begin searching for your existing client base on Facebook, and that you’re actively inviting them to be your friends.

Another note: Make sure you check with compliance about your company’s rules for online client interaction. If your compliance department is anything like mind was, they’ve got a book on it.

Let’s get started:

Strategy #1: Start a Facebook group. The advantage of starting a group is credibility. Set up a group that’s relevant to the area of being a financial adviser, that would appeal to clients. Make it a Getting Wealthy Club or an Investing for Great Returns Club.

When you set up the group, clearly state your ‘credo’, which is a statement of purpose for what this group is all about.

Once you start the group, invite your clients to join the group.

Then, visit the group daily, posting your comments, ideas and/or wealth building strategies. You’ll gain credibility and your clients will gain knowledge and a closer connection with you…which means more money. Financial planning success is built on relationships.

Strategy #2: Comment daily on your own feed with your meaningful thoughts. That means to go daily to your own Facebook page and post a meaningful thought for the day-one that will appeal to your clients.

As a financial adviser, you want to stay top of mind to your clients.

This is a great way to interact with them, without selling something or seeming pushy.

Important Note: Do not post what cereal you’re having for breakfast or any of the other minutiae of life you’ll find on Facebook. That’s not effective marketing. You want to make your posts meaningful to your clients.

Strategy #3: Keep your clients on a separate list on Facebook and respond meaningfully to selected posts. Creating a list is easy, and it means that only those who are on the list will see the feeds for that list. You don’t want to mix your friends.

This is very important!

Keep your clients separate from your friends/family! Business is business and play is play. Keep this boundary in place. Then, when your clients post things that are going on in their lives, take note. Comment when you feel inclined too. Otherwise, keep the info in mind, for instance, a kid’s graduation, or a client who’s preparing for a marathon.

People share all kinds of personal info on Facebook with their friends, and you can use that info to create deeper bonds, because you care.

Strategy #4: Search for people in your niche market and invite them to be your friends. Facebook folks don’t seem to mind who invites them to be friends, it seems that most people on Facebook are open. There are some who are picky about friends, but they are by far the minority.

Facebook is one big party, so invite people who are in your target market to join your party. That way, they’re being exposed to your skill and expertise as a financial advisor on a daily basis. Sooner or later, they’ll connect with you personally.

Hint: you can find people in your niche market by the droves by searching the existing groups on Facebook.

So there you have it, 4 Facebook marketing strategies that are easy, and the best part is, you can begin today!

I wish Facebook had been an option in the days when I was getting started as a financial adviser. It wasn’t. But today, you can use this powerful medium to market yourself effectively, for free, and add to your client base, while solidifying existing relationships.

Good fortune to you!

Valerie Love is a Wealth & Prosperity Coach who teaches the art and science of wealthy living, personally and in business. If you’re looking for a unique and powerful way to add an additional four figures of revenue to your monthly income, visit: http://www.WealthCreationInternational.com or connect with Valerie via e-mail at: valerielove@liveyourdestinytoday.com.

Planning Your Transfer Easily With Moving Quotes

Remarkably positive transferring estimations can relief you plan a transfer that is relaxed and strain free. Irrespective of anyplace you want to transfer to or the quantity of material you havetransferring in common sustainsno diminutiveoverhead. As per the proverb goes, a penny saved is penny earned. You can get a worthychance to appraise the charges of different services and several moving companies in your region. Track the facts below to catch what some of the benefits of the present and even how to get estimates for your next transfer.

The grounds decision can be vast as they authorize you to notice both the worth and the amenities that you will acquire. When the free moving quotations are beingprovidedby the various companies you can choose which company is right for you and you go onto work with it. One must every time measured the value of the service as much emphasis on costs. Do not be petrified to select a reliable company, because it certainly offers improved services than its competitors. At all times consider different types of support conditions and the insurance that the company propose, consequentlyyou will be able to acquire an outlook of whatever will ensue in the transfer. Do not worry if the extra money is required to safeguard your assets.

A call is the easiest way to get free moving quotations. Almost all moving companies will provide the best appraisal of your move. Today, you can also dig online quotes easily to compare different quotations. Always ask the company to estimates in your house, in order to obtain the most accurate estimate.

Firstly sees all the bids from moving companies in your home. The method is simple and always free. The chief point to consider is the least time you can take to go over the appointment.

That phase is absolutely worth the money you can save over going with the particular agent from start. Before appointing someone to take your possessions away every time make a detailed search. Of course, it may look like a great decision, but time is definitely value it.

Sam Miller writes about moving quotes. Moving quotes are necessary while planning a move to a new city. Plan your move by finding the best quotes and select the best professional moving company. Visit websitemoving-quotes.net for details.

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RPM Acquires Citadel Floor Coatings Business
For more information, contact Barry M. Slifstein, vice president – investor relations and planning, at 330-273-5090 or bslifstein@rpminc.com. … These uncertainties and factors include (a) global markets and general economic conditions, including …
Read more on SYS-CON Media (press release)

Capital Guardian, LLC Adds Compass Capital Corporation
Compass has a collaborative practice with specialties in high net worth wealth and financial planning, executive benefits, retirement planning, pre and post-divorce planning, business owners, medical professionals and corporate executives. "Capital …
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10 Steps To Planning A Memorable Hen Party

Have you been given the honour of planning a hen party? If so, this 10 point guide is here to help you create a memorable event.

1. Think about what the hen likes and what she doesn’t. While you may want to organise a few surprises, it is still important that she has a good time, so don’t feel you can’t ask her for input.

2. Consider who will be coming along and what will be to their tastes. For instance, if the hen’s mum is coming, she may have different expectations to that of her daughter’s friends.

3. Discuss ideas with other guests and decide on an outlined plan for the day and/or evening.

4. If you’re going on a night out as part of the hen do, you need to choose a town or city that you can go to. This may be your local town or it may be a city your friend has always wanted to visit.

5. Once you’ve decided on a location, you need to start scoping out venues. You may want to stay in one place for all or most of the evening. Alternatively, you may want to visit a few different places.

6. If you want something specific from the evening, such as a bar that serves cocktails, make sure you check that the venues you’re looking at can provide it.

7. If you want food, get menus for the bars and restaurants you’re considering and make sure it fits into your respective budgets and is to your liking.

8. Once you’re happy with your choice, get in touch with your list of invitees and tell them your plan for the evening. Get rough numbers of who is planning on coming along.

9. Contact the venues and check availability for the date you have in mind. Provide rough numbers to secure the booking or pay whatever deposit is required.

10. Let all the invitees know what the plan is and ask them for payment as soon as possible. It can be costly if they don’t pay up on time, so be prepared to chase them.

If you’re organising a hen party, make sure you find the perfect hen party venue for you and your friends.

Why not visit Revolution-Bars.co.uk to get some hen party ideas and make a booking, so that your best friend gets the perfect hen do event.

Planning Young is the Key to Financial Salvation

There is only one secret how to save on long term care insurance (LTCI) and that is by planning early. Even if you exert effort in going around to ask the experts in hopes of getting a different answer, you will be disappointed because there really is only one solution and that is by purchasing your policy at a young age.

Young does not necessarily mean 30 years old, although statistics reveal that there are individuals close to or a little over this age who have already secured their LTCI policies. Most of these early planners say they have witnessed how their parents lost everything that they’ve worked so hard to acquire to the long term care (LTC) expenses of their grandparents.

Afraid that they might find themselves in the same situation someday, they took the initiative to buy an LTCI policy while they are still young and working despite being told that they will have to deal with longer premium payment.

Purchasing a policy is less complicated to a person who is decades away from retiring. All he needs is an LTCI specialist to help him understand what goes into a policy because aside from being young, he is a newbie clueless about how his choices today will affect the cost of his coverage tomorrow.

With an LTCI specialist to guide him as he weighs his policy’s maximum daily benefit, coverage period, and rate of inflation protection among others, it won’t take long for a 30 or 40-year-old to finalize his LTC plan.

How to Save On Long Term Care Insurance

Some people will argue that it’s all right to buy an LTCI policy at a later age for as long as they are willing to cut back the variables of some components in their policy.

For instance, instead of a maximum benefit amount of $ 300,000 the individual should settle for $ 175,000 or, perhaps, instead of a five-year benefit period why not three years? These are just some ways to cut back one’s annual premium and they are actually happening already.

However, why would anyone want something half-baked as this when they can easily and simply get an ideal coverage at a price that they can afford if they only start their LTC plan before experiencing changes to their health?

You’ve probably heard a gazillion times that “prevention is better than cure” so why not think of an LTCI policy as the manner in which to prevent an illness while illness here is best represented by financial losses. Cure, on the other hand, depicts your assets which can easily evaporate to the high cost of care.

It’s true that cutting back some variables of his LTCI policy shall allow an individual to save on his annual premium, but going down that road could also result in irreparable financial damages.

LTC costs are expected to rise fourfold in less than 20 years so with this information in mind, people should understand that deciding on a low coverage amount can be risky.

How to save on long term care insurance has remained to be an immortal question in the industry but the answer to this depends on a person’s outlook in life. If he wants to preserve whatever he has today for his sake and his family’s, he will plan his LTC as soon as possible.

Shopping for long term care quote is easy with us. Visit our website now for a guaranteed free quote plus a list of long term care insurance costs.

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Bristol Rovers Football Club's pre-tax losses double in a year
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Hank Aaron Stadium's needs 'exceed million,' but city budget problems could
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County will continue to meet challenges in 2014: Mayor
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5 best money strategies for those 65 and up
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LIBRARY CORNER: Visit William Jeanes Memorial Library for fun, education
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