Does Your Team Need a General Manager?
By Lee Stoerzinger, CFP®
It’s no secret our lives are busier than ever before. The average American family is in a constant state of juggling work, raising children, taking care of elders, maintaining homes and managing the events that make up our days. With the added challenge of putting together a financial plan that includes saving for the future, tax planning, investing, health care, estate planning, insurance, employer benefits and more, life can be downright overwhelming.
To look at it from a historical perspective, our lives today present a fairly large shift from how people used to live. Just one generation ago, life was much simpler and more structured. We used to have pensions and reliance on Social Security was a given. We were invested in our communities and the people around us. The world was “smaller”and it was easier to manage everything on our own.
But as technology advanced, the world opened up. We became more of a service economy focused on the individual consumer. We shifted our focus from a society of “defined outcome” to “opportunistic outcome.” We gained infinite benefits and opportunities but lost some of our connections and safety nets. Complexities increased while our support system decreased. Enter financial planning as it exists today.
Today’s Financial Advisor
To explain how we see the role of the financial advisor in today’s world, think of a baseball team where you are the coach. You are the head of your family. You have your players, train them, encourage teamwork, plan for games - you are the leader. But it’s hard to do everything, there simply isn’t enough time.
You need a General Manager who does all the work behind the scenes such as operations, contracts and strategy. That’s what financial advisors do – we serve as your financial General Manager, in a sense. We offer solutions that help your “team” take the field each day as effortlessly as possible.
As General Manager, we do much more than just manage your money. We look at the whole picture and how it fits together – insurance, taxes, health care, legacy planning, and more. Some of the things we do are fairly quiet, but they can have a very large impact on the game. Our ultimate goal is to simplify things, so you can continue to be a great coach and your team can thrive.
As the world continues to change, no one knows exactly what the next phase of our societal evolution will bring. But we do feel confident the need for the solutions we offer (comprehensive wealth management) will not disappear. If you find yourself in a position where having a financial GM sounds beneficial, we encourage you to reach out to us or another professional in our industry. The value we bring can help make your team more successful now and in the long run.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.
