Welcome to our News Round-Up! Here, we’ll share with you interesting news in interesting ways, giving you a snapshot of a few of the important stories you may have missed recently. Stay with us as this regular blog series continues to evolve. And feel free to share any thoughts or feedback in the comments section below.
June 14, 2014
Quote of the week:
“GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL.”
- The Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) World Cup began this past Thursday and home team Brazil is heavily favored to win. Tune in on Monday to watch team USA take on Ghana. And remember, it’s these guys. Not these guys.
On your Practice:
- I’ll be back (in your best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice). Said the human advisor to the robo-advisor. According to the author of this recent Investment News article, robo-advisors will not completely overtake human advisors and may actually help them grow. And unlike many-a-movie featuring the former Governor of California, the recent wave of concern may have something to do with pop cultures’ “obsession with the idea of technology replacing its creators.” Let’s hope the world doesn’t come to that.
- That time when …. You learned a lesson from Willie Nelson. Or really any of the country crooners getting down in a Nashville “honky tonk” since they became popular in the late 1800’s. Seriously. According to wealthmanagment.com, there is much to be learned from those on stage in these iconic country-western concert halls trying to make it big. For them, it’s all about the performance. Check out these Four Lessons Honky Tonks Can Teach You About Presentations.
On Technology:
- You better shop around. Smokey said it, but let’s be honest—the process for finding and integrating new technology in your practice can be daunting if not downright overwhelming. Luckily, Investment News broke down the 9 best practices to implementing new technology …. and we second that emotion with our own list for how to Implement New Technology in 10 Easy Steps. Unfortunately, neither list will recommend that you to stop in the name of love.
On the Industry:
- The tortoise or the hare. Slow adoption of technology will leave many financial service providers in the dust as fast-moving Millennials continue to establish themselves as a force, according to Tech Tool’s publisher Joel Bruckenstein, who got together with other gurus on emerging trends at Pershing’s Insite 2014 Conference. And though it might come as a surprise, boomers aren’t exactly wagging their finger at these young whippersnappers and all their fancy gizmos. According to the speakers, “65% of Americans age 50-64 use social media.” The moral of the story? Slow and steady might win the race but if you don’t show up to the starting line, you can’t compete. Read the full story from Financial Planning magazine here.
On the Economy:
- Recession is when a neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. Said Harry Truman now 51 years before the end of the Great Recession in 2009. With 9 million jobs now regained, check out How the Recession Reshaped the Economy, in 255 Charts. And you may want to share this one—it’s a very powerful visual.
- Taxi!! Transportation innovator, Uber, has raised $1.2 billion in funding from a group of mutual fund managers and venture investors, paving the road for the luxury black car company to continue to take over the world after only four years in business. At this pace, hailing an actual taxi will be just about as easy as renting your favorite flick on VHS at Blockbuster.
On the Weekend:
- You gotta know how hold em, you gotta know how to fold em. If ever a day to salute the flag, it’s today, on what is officially known as the birthday of the America Flag. The idea behind Flag Day is believed to date back to 1885, when a school teacher had his students observe the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes (Flag Resolution 1777) on June 14. Share the celebration of this important symbol of our country’s freedom and have a little Fun with Flags, Dr. Sheldon Cooper-style.
