Philosophy for Investment Managers

“The fundamental things apply as time goes by.”―Sam the pianist in Casablanca The CIO of one of our client companies recently asked the following question: “Do we have to include an investment philosophy exhibit in our book?” “Yes,” I told her,...

The Seven Deadly Sins of Investment Marketing

I sometimes wonder whether our work with investment managers will lose its impact as our strategies for building assets become more widely known. How can we get results if all investment companies start implementing our advice on a consistent basis? Will the Alpha...

Q&A Success Strategies

Investment firms spend a lot of time, money and energy on their new business and client presentations. But business is mainly won or lost—and client confidence reinforced or compromised—during the Q&A after (or during) the formal presentation. To assess if you and...

Why Do Investment Managers Sound Alike?

You are giving a new business presentation, and it seems to be going well. But suddenly a key decision-maker leans forward and asks, with sharp skepticism: That’s all well and good. But tell us, please, what makes your firm any different from the other firms...

The Soul of Wit Revisited

Brevity will always be “the soul of wit” (Hamlet). In the modern world, brevity also has become a scarce and highly valued form of courtesy. In final presentations, or in client and consultant meetings, representatives of investment management firms...

Bedside Manners for Client Service Professionals

The following excerpt from Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking is reprinted with permission from the author, Malcolm Gladwell. Mr. Gladwell’s exploration of why doctors are or are not sued for malpractice offers invaluable lessons for investment...