Welcome to “The Summit,” the official First Ascent blog.
If you’re looking for ways to build your practice, investment insights, or advice on how to communicate more effectively with clients and potential clients, then you’ve come to the right place.
How We Gain a Performance Advantage No Matter What the Markets Do – Part II
In my last blog post I talked about the importance of controlling fees and expenses in a portfolio. In this post I will tell you how we do it at First Ascent and give you an example of the huge benefits that clients could receive through this process. The Fix is Straightforward Here’s how we … Read More
The “Brilliance” of Simplicity
At First Ascent, we like to say our portfolios are “elegantly simple.” Our Global Explorer portfolios are designed to provide the low-cost access to broad global securities markets, with the inclusion of several high conviction, unique strategies for increased diversification, alpha potential, and/or downside protection. We don’t add positions to our portfolios just for complexity’s … Read More
Why “Under Promise, Over Deliver” Can Hurt Your Business – And What to Do Instead
Our First Ascent offices are in a hip space right in the heart of Denver. The building is called INDUSTRY because developers converted an old, industrial warehouse into creative office space. This image captures what’s on the wall across from our First Ascent area: “Under Promise Over Deliver.” On the surface, the old business adage … Read More
Last month, I revealed that one secret to making a good video for your practice is writing a script. I also made the point that writing a script has a bonus benefit of distilling your message and making it sharper. This month, I’d like to share a little more about how that happens. It all … Read More
How We Gain a Performance Advantage No Matter What the Markets Do – Part I
Obvious and Boring Everyone wants to gain a performance advantage by placing bets based on smart-factors, data-driven algorithms or macro-calls that purport to predict the future. It’s certainly fun and intellectually stimulating to do this and you feel so smart when your bets pay off. We think there are more productive, albeit boring, ways to … Read More
My Head is Spinning – How Does This Make Any Sense?
On the eve of the enactment of the DOL Fiduciary rule, I find myself scratching my head at the reactions of some leading financial services firms. Several of the largest brokerage firms have begun responding to the DOL Fiduciary Rule in mind-boggling ways. Some firms banned commissions in retirement accounts, and then some back-tracked. Others … Read More
Two Practical Ways to Integrate Behavioral Finance in Your Practice
Every advisor would like to snap their fingers and have their clients behave like more rational, patient investors. While the idea that clients are prone to bad investing behavior is not new, one of the primary challenges for financial advisors – and one of the greatest values they provide – is practically applying behavioral finance … Read More
The Easy Way or the Better Way
The secret to making a good video for your practice. So, you’re thinking about making a video for your practice. Well, good news. You’re on the right track. Video is one of the best ways to boost conversions and improve client engagement. But all videos are not created equal. In fact, a poorly done video … Read More
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