Elementality for Financial Advisors | Elements of Financial Planning System™

Building something that is relevant and valuable to clients take a period of inconsistency that can oftentimes feels chaotic. Today, Jordan advocates for inconsistency in a “pre-scale” phase of developing effective services for clients—an effect.

Jordan describes how to get started building a stand-alone coaching service for clients that may not be a good fit for traditional financial planning services. Jordan explores why these questions must be answered before you build anything: What is your motivation for this program? Why would someone need this service over your core financial planning service? What is the clients' core job to be done? How will you know if your program is successful for you and for the client?

Carl Richards shares his innovative approach to getting client referrals, moving away from traditional uncomfortable methods to a more authentic strategy that focuses on genuine conversations over coffee. Through real examples and success stories, Carl demonstrates how asking clients for business development advice can lead to unexpected opportunities and valuable relationships.

Jordan explores "The Four Conversations" by Blair Enns, focusing on the qualifying and value conversations in the sales process. He talks about transforming sales from presentations to meaningful dialogues, examining how to qualify prospects and understand what truly constitutes value for clients.

Jordan explores the power of prototyping in financial planning, drawing inspiration from James Dyson's journey of creating the perfect vacuum cleaner. Jordan breaks down his prototyping process to help financial advisors become more comfortable with testing and iterating new ideas before scaling them.

Jordan explains how advisors can implement a quarterly service calendar to proactively monitor client financial health through address 4 key questions about retirement readiness, asset mix, income usage, and risk management. advisors can create an efficient system of verifying, analyzing, and reporting on their clients' financial progress.

Jordan explains how financial advisors can implement a monthly service calendar to proactively monitor and communicate with clients about their financial health. ⁠The episode breaks down a three-step process - verify, assess, and report - that advisors can use to efficiently review and provide feedback on specific financial elements like savings rate and liquidity, typically taking no more than 4-5 hours per month for a client base of 100-150 people.

Jordan explores why financial professionals need to intentionally position themselves to avoid being mentally categorized alongside other financial specialists. Learn how to differentiate yourself through clear contrasts and category ownership, transforming from a commodity into a true decision-making partner who delivers cohesive, designed experiences for clients.

Reese Harper and Abby Morton break down how to help young professionals just starting their financial journey. Through the case study of a young working professional they discuss practical strategies for building wealth, from establishing emergency savings to growing income potential. The conversation offers valuable insights for both advisors working with early-career clients and young professionals seeking to establish a strong financial foundation.

Jordan explores the concept of "solving for chaos" in financial advisory services. Drawing from his experience at Dentist Advisors, Jordan discusses how identifying and addressing financial chaos through organized, intentional processes can transform client relationships and deliver meaningful value.

Jordan dives into the fourth and final component of client perceived value: price. He explores why pricing isn't usually the real problem when clients object to costs, but rather a symptom of not effectively communicating value. Through personal experiences at Elements and as a financial advisor, Jordan demonstrates how understanding and confidently solving core client problems leads to natural price justification. This episode completes a four-part series examining the essential components of client perceived value: understanding the problem, providing the right solution, establishing trust, and justifying price.

Jordan discusses the third component of client-perceived value: people. In addition to building trust and confidence with prospects, a financial advisors objective is to generate certainty that you and your firm will apply your services to solve their problems. Jordan also discusses the importance of positioning you and your firm in the minds of prospects compared to other financial professionals.

Jordan explores how to help prospects understand how a financial advisor's service can solve their core job to be done, rather than just treating symptoms. In this episode you'll learn the importance of sequencing your service description after problem diagnosis, how to effectively position yourself in the minds of your prospects, and how to achieve service clarity through the three-ten framework.

Jordan explores the first of four components of customer perceived value: identifying and isolating the core problem⁠. Through relatable examples and personal experiences, Jordan discusses why understanding the fundamental problem, rather than just addressing symptoms, is crucial for clients to see the true value in financial services⁠.

In this episode, Jordan discusses the importance of orienting prospects to their financial situation. Specifically, he walks through the three questions he seeks to answer for prospects that help guide the conversation and address the things that prospects most commonly think about as it relates to their finances.

In this episode Jordan reorients advisors to consider data gathering as an inherently valuable process for prospects. He dives into 4 tips to make a first-time data gathering less intimidating and more approachable for clients. These tips include: Encouraging prospects to be less precise in the information they add Sending a short video explaining the process The “trojan horse” of data gathering Requiring less from people.

Jordan shares insights from his recent presentation at a dental conference where he introduced a unique approach to financial consulting inspired by Patrick Lencioni's book "Getting Naked". Rather than leading with firm credentials and services, Jordan demonstrates how starting with clarity about clients' current financial health and actively listening to their concerns creates more meaningful connections. The episode highlights how this consultative approach, combined with practical tools for assessing financial health, helped dentists better understand their current financial situation, even those who already had financial advisors.

Jordan discusses the crucial balance between offering enough features to meet client needs while avoiding the trap of overcomplicating services, using an insightful analysis of the relationship between added features and perceived client value.

Jordan discusses key insights from the book "Demand Side Sales 101" by Bob Moesta, which challenges three common sales myths and introduces a fresh perspective on selling financial advice. The book emphasizes that sales aren't random but rather caused by specific struggling moments in clients' lives, and that people buy for their own reasons rather than being convinced by salespeople. Jordan illustrates how understanding these principles can transform how financial advisors approach and connect with potential clients.

In this episode, Jordan interviews Brandon Galici who shares his unique approach to using Smart Asset for lead generation, focusing on clients with assets under $100,000 to maximize potential opportunities. He discusses his systematic follow-up strategy, which includes a seven-day email sequence and automated marketing campaigns, creating multiple touchpoints with potential clients before personal contact. Through a detailed case study, Brandon demonstrates how this approach helped transform a client's initial investment inquiry into a comprehensive financial planning relationship, addressing deeper financial needs beyond the presenting problem.

Jordan challenges the assumption that human advisors must always be the first point of contact, and discuss how AI and tech tools could provide a less scary entry point for people hesitant to discuss their finances⁠.

Jordan explores the relationship between theory and experience through the lens of a quote he shared on LinkedIn recently. He makes a case for why both elements are essential - theory provides the framework for learning from experience, while testing theories through action leads to true wisdom. Drawing from his reading of "Demand-Side Sales 101" and the Jobs to be Done framework, Jordan encourages listeners to approach theories with curiosity and be willing to test new ideas, regardless of their source.

Jordan shares a sneak peek of an exciting new show called The Elements of Money, where CEO Reese Harper and Abby Morton simplify real-world financial questions using the Elements framework.  Listen in as they discuss the ins and outs of building an emergency fund, distinguishing between short-term savings accounts and long-term investments, and how to figure out exactly how much liquid cash you need.  Whether you're new to Elements or a long-time user, this client-focused demo reveals how the methodology “acts in the wild” and helps everyday people gain clarity around their finances.  

Jordan continues his conversation with Abby Morton about developing a financial coaching offering that effectively engages participants—especially in an employer-sponsored context. They delve into the challenges of capturing and sustaining employee interest, even when initial enthusiasm is high.  Jordan and Abby explore a framework that includes uncovering and articulating the true pain points clients experience. By helping clients name and understand their financial anxieties, advisors can foster trust, encourage action, and bring meaningful value at scale. Tune in to learn how focusing on the underlying financial “pain” can enhance your coaching approach and drive better engagement.

Jordan Haines explores how comprehensive financial planning can sometimes distract from the core value proposition that clients truly seek.  Drawing from his recent prospecting experiences, Jordan discusses the importance of focusing on clients' acute financial concerns rather than overwhelming them with a broad array of services.

Jordan shares how simply helping prospects understand their financial situation can create those powerful "aha" moments.   Jordan dives into why orientation might just be your new secret sauce, offering a fresh value proposition that cuts through the noise. Tune in to discover how explaining over advising can transform your practice and foster deeper client relationships.

Carl Richards and Reese Harper talk about the opportunity advisors have to simplify their services and concentrate on the core value of human interaction.  They discuss how the traditional comprehensive financial planning model may not meet the needs of most people and how reimagining the delivery of financial advice can help advisors reach a broader market and make a greater impact. If you're interested in learning how to serve more clients by honing in on what truly matters, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode Jordan explores whether every client truly needs a full-fledged financial plan or if advisors are simply wielding a hammer that makes every problem look like a nail.  He shares insights into how he identified Elements' core value proposition from interviews with top advisors who identified the Elements Scorecard as their most valuable tool. Advisors should ask themselves and their clients two critical questions: What is the most valuable thing you do, and why is it valuable?  Tune in to discover how focusing on what clients genuinely need can transform your practice and client relationships.

Jordan Haines and Abby Morton dive into the emerging field of financial coaching as a standalone service. Abby shares a compelling story of how a simple one-hour coaching session transformed her friend's financial outlook without the need for ongoing planning or comprehensive wealth management.  Together, they explore the differences between financial coaching and traditional financial advising, discussing how coaching focuses on immediate client needs like cash flow management, debt reduction, and financial health, without delving into investments or insurance.  They address the industry's need to define financial coaching clearly and consider how it can be integrated into existing practices or offered as a separate service. If you're a financial advisor looking to expand your services, reach a broader audience, and provide value in new ways, this episode offers valuable insights into the potential of financial coaching.

Jordan discusses why adding too many "value-adds" to your financial advisory services might actually be hurting your clients and your business.  Drawing from his experience working at a hot dog shop famous for its special sauce and simple menu, Jordan illustrates the power of a focused core value proposition. During this episode you'll learn: The importance of identifying what truly makes your services unique Why your clients need to understand that value How to reliably and consistently deliver that value.  Before you jump into offering additional features or services, Jordan challenges you to consider whether these value-adds support or distract from your core offering. Tune in to learn how simplifying your services can enhance client satisfaction and make your business more referable.  

Jordan Haines shares his experiences from the recent XYPN Live conference, where he joined Reese Harper and Carl Richards to lead a four-hour session on accelerating the pace of financial advice. Jordan reflects on how the traditional financial planning process—often taking up to 10 hours per client—may not meet the needs of modern consumers seeking quicker, more accessible advice. He explores innovative ways advisors can expand their services beyond the conventional model, such as offering simplified coaching programs or financial wellness initiatives for employers. Jordan invites listeners to think differently about serving clients and to share their ideas on delivering valuable advice more efficiently. Tune in to discover how you can help more people by reimagining your approach to financial planning.

What if you could cut your client meeting prep time in half and double the number of people you serve without feeling overwhelmed? In this episode of Elementality, Jordan Haynes shares a transformative conversation between Reese Harper and Carl Richards. They dive into the costly and time-consuming nature of traditional financial planning and unveil how Elements simplifies data gathering and analysis. Learn how to deliver personalized advice efficiently, scale your impact, and make financial planning accessible to more people. If you're ready to give advice really fast and revolutionize your practice, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode of Elementality, Jordan Haines, financial vitals expert at Elements, dives into his favorite part of the financial planning process—data gathering! Discover how simplifying your data collection and focusing on what's "good enough" can supercharge your 30-minute consultations with clients and prospects. Jordan shares practical tips to make the data-gathering process less intimidating for clients, so you can both get the most out of every high-impact meeting. Tune in to learn how a streamlined approach can transform your client interactions and make financial planning feel effortless.

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, discusses the difference between foundational finance and fancy finance, emphasizing the importance of having financial conversations at scale. He introduces the 'Four Foundations of Finance': saving enough, spending with clarity, managing debt wisely, and maintaining enough liquidity. Using personal anecdotes and practical advice, Jordan explains how focusing on these core principles can help financial advisors provide valuable service to the majority of their clients. Tune in to learn how to effectively engage clients and ensure their financial well-being through foundational financial principles.  

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP® continues his thoughts on the 30-minute financial consultation. Building on last week's discussion, Jordan outlines the three essential phases of the consultation: uncovering client information, orienting clients to their financial situation, and providing a clear direction for improvement. He explores the application of this template through synchronous interactions, such as prospecting and client check-ins, and asynchronous interactions like email and video assessments. Learn practical strategies to deliver significant value in a short timeframe and discover ways to scale these financial conversations effectively.

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP® outlines a three-phase approach to structure the perfect 30-min consultation. He emphasizes important preparatory steps, such as understanding qualitative, quantitative, and contextual information about clients. Jordan also parallels effective financial consultations with best practices from the medical field, underscoring the importance of validated information and mutual understanding. The episode concludes with practical advice on being directional rather than prescriptive, ensuring that clients leave with actionable steps.

In this episode of Elementality, Abby Morton sits down with Katie Braden, a video marketing expert for financial advisors, to discuss the transformative power of video marketing in the financial industry. Katie shares her unique journey from photography to financial planning and how she now helps advisors leverage video to connect with clients and grow their businesses. This episode dives into practical tips on getting started with video, overcoming the fear of being on camera, and using AI tools to enhance marketing efforts. Tune in to learn how video can set you apart in a crowded market and help you build genuine connections with your target audience.

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, reveals 6 secrets to create amazing client deliverables, and how the best deliverables can be used to prospect new clients. Ranging from making data gathering easier for clients to enabling more “A-HA!” moments, killer client deliverables can be a game changer in your business.

In this episode hosts Jordan Hanes and Reese Harper discuss the core mission behind Elements and the inspiration for creating the technology that powers it.  They explore four significant problems affecting a majority of Americans, including the growing liquidity crisis, the pervasive fear and anxiety surrounding money, the lack of wealth-building models for people in their accumulation years, and the inadequacy of current financial technology. The conversation highlights the importance of building liquidity, overcoming fear-driven financial decisions, providing tailored advice early in one's career, and leveraging client-centric technology.

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, uncovers the financial topics that actually matter to the next generation of wealth builders. Calling these the “foundations of finance” he explores the diet and exercise equivalent of personal finance. These topics include: Save enough Spend with clarity Manage debt wisely Maintain adequate liquidity  

Hosts Jordan Haines and Reese Harper discuss insights from their recent webinar, examining how comparing oneself to peers can drive financial behavior change. Learn about the limitations of probability of success metrics and explore effective strategies for motivating clients by using comparative data. This episode offers valuable perspectives for financial advisors aiming to enhance client engagement and support better financial outcomes. 01:28 Probability of Success vs. Social Comparison 04:28 The Role of Social Comparison in Financial Advice 10:21 Using Data to Motivate Behavioral Change 13:58 Challenges and Solutions for Younger Generations 19:23 Concluding Thoughts and Next Steps

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, explores the natural human tendency to compare ourselves to other people and how advisors can lean into that tendency to produce positive outcomes for their clients. He identifies things an advisor can focus on to help clients compare themselves to something that is productive and will produce positive results. 

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, is joined by Adam Frederico, a personal finance outsider and EOS Implementer. Adam runs and operates a landscaping business and has become an expert in all things EOS (Entrepreneur Operating System). During this discussion Jordan and Adam talk about how financial advisors can get their business out of their head and implement a system to turbocharge their business. They also discuss how advisors could use EOS as a tool to help their clients get things done.  

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, outlines how financial advisors often miss the opportunity to articulate real value to people by just focusing on the future benefits of financial planning. Benefits liek increased net worth, higher probability of success, and future peace of mind are often hard for people to internalize. Instead, financial advisors should focus on how financial planning and advice will benefit people today. This leads to increased client satisfaction and success. Brett Maikowski, CFP® LinkedIn Post

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, invites Ashley Quamme, founder and Fractional Financial Behavior Officer at Beyond The Plan, to talk about the most important emotional jobs that advisors need to be aware of when serving clients. In a world where personal finances and emotions are so intertwined, Jordan and Ashley explore some important considerations including: Making sure your curious enough to identify when an emotional thread may need to be pulled. Why advisor may not need to be the person that navigates the emotional side of money, but why advisors should have someone available to navigate that job And the importance of advisors doing their own work with a behavioral specialist so they can be aware of their own emotional reactions to money  

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, discusses the importance of being curious with clients even in the most functional of interactions. It's often while discussing financial data, presenting the financial plan, or even just chatting with a client that an emotional response will be triggered. But if you're not looking for it, you may miss an opportunity to change a client's life.

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, and Josh Humada, founder of Boundless Wealth, discuss the value of focusing on core financial behaviors with clients rather than over-optimizing each person we work with. They explore the question “what if we could build a successful financial advice business by only delivering on these core habits and behaviors?” If you're an advisor thinking about how you can scale your advice, deliver the value your clients actually want, or want to scale your personal time then this episode is for you

Host of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP®, discusses two things every financial advisor should do with a client before they engage in financial planning with them: Step 1: Ensure the client is sufficiently oriented to their financial situation Step 2: Ensure the client has the foundational financial behaviors in place Jordan explores why every advisor should have specific steps in their process to account for these things and tactical way an advisors can assess whether these things have been done for a client.

In this episode of Elementality Jordan Haines talks with Brandon Galici, founder of Galici Financial, about the standalone value of orienting people to their financial situation. In particular, they explore real-life examples of when orienting someone to their financial situation may be the very thing that they want from a financial advisor, and not all the additional things many advisors provide. If you're interested in how you can deliver on the things your clients actually care about, then this episode is for you

To register for the workshop go here: https://getelements.com/resources/webinar/how-to-choose-the-right-marketing-strategy/ In this episode of Elementality Abby Morton, CFP®, Director of Advisor Success at Elements, and Jeff Morgan, our head of marketing get ready for our upcoming Marketing Strategy Workshop and explore how advisors can lay the foundation for a successful marketing strategy.  They discuss four questions that every advisor needs to answer: Why am I in business? Who am I serving? What is my audience's unique pain? How will I solve that problem?

In this episode of Elementality, Jordan Haines, CFP® chats with Taylor Westergard, CFP®, AFC®, founder and financial coach at Evolving Money - a financial coaching firm focused on helping people understand their cashflow and be more intentional with their spending. They discuss the difference between a financial coach and a financial advisor, specifically when financial coaching may be more approrpriate than financial planning. They also discuss how advisors can introduce other services to introduce value sooner in a client's journey If you're wondering if financial coaching is right for your practice, then this episode is for you!