The sales profession is a risky one. High job volatility, a lack of corporate loyalty, incentive compensation structures, or even an overconcentration of equity in a single firm, all make this profession quite unique, from a financial planning standpoint.
Not all investment strategies are created equal, so it should come as no surprise that the financial industry is rife with differing opinions. However, research and science have shown that, over time, the Evidence-based (EB) approach is superior to both the typical passive and active approaches.
No one can deny that there is a direct relationship between the amount of risk we are willing to take with our investments and the returns we can expect to receive. Stocks, bonds, and real estate are all investments that have the ability to provide a nice source of income, but in order to see that reward, we must expose our principal to a certain amount of market risk.
With so many individuals in the industry claiming to be “financial advisors,” it can be difficult to differentiate between those who will truly provide objective advice and those who are more concerned with bolstering their own bottom line. Fortunately, understanding how your advisor is compensated will reveal a great deal about their client approach and the way they provide services.
When it comes to choosing an individual to manage your money, your chief concern will likely be trust. Who can I trust to help me make the best choices with my assets? How can I be sure that I’ll be offered the best advice for my unique situation and not handed a one-size-fits-all “financial plan?”
An individual’s mindset, or established set of beliefs and attitudes, can reveal multitudes about their behavior, including how they approach problem-solving, overcome challenges, and prioritize different aspects of their lives. Mindset can also illuminate areas of strength and weakness.
Finding a healthy work-life balance is a hot topic in today’s fast-paced society, but finding it in the sales world is no easy task. When targets and new business acquisitions are on the line, it can be difficult to step back and hit the “pause” button, even for a short while.
When the market suffers a significant downturn and economists warn of an impending recession, investors across the globe start to panic. They want answers and reassurance. They want a voice in the storm to tell them how and why they will be OK.
Are you a sales professional (or a retired sales professional) who is unsure if your current investment portfolio is on track to get you where you want to go? Not sure if your investment selection and allocations are aimed at your final destination? When it comes to financial planning, the outcome of you and your advisor’s decisions can be life-changing.
For many, it can be a challenge to keep their emotions in check when it comes to investing. Staying steady as you watch the holdings you’ve invested in rise and fall can take some serious self-restraint. This is particularly challenging for competitive Sales Professionals who are typically focused on the short-term and wired to win.
Winning and losing—two sides of the same coin. Heads you win, tails you lose. But when it comes to investing, the behavioral economics "Prospect Theory" indicates that losses are twice as painful as gains are enjoyable. That is, loss is felt twice as hard as gains are. But how is this experience unique for sales pros?
Saving and investing for the future can be a bit more complex for high-income sales professionals than for the average working professional. Sales professionals are tasked with aligning their savings goals with a potentially fluctuating cash flow and also working their non-cash compensation options into the mix.
Having a sound tax planning strategy is essential for high-income earning sales professionals looking to minimize their liability, maximize their investable assets, and optimize their long-term financial plan.