Priority One
Key Tasks Take Precedence
No matter who you are in the organization, there are only six key tasks that have to happen to move your practice forward. Can you name them? Which of these are in your job description and model week? Those are your KEYS to success.
Yes, Box needs to be organized, but that is not a key task; it is a way to be more efficient. Don’t get lost in this kind of activity–it will not get you there. When we are coaching, we typically end the conversation by refocusing on the few key things that need to happen to move things forward.
I’d like to know that every person in every practice we deal with is clear on the key things that are must-dos. I have spoken with folks from time to time who are lost in the weeds and need someone to spotlight what is really critical to success and what is simply nice to get done.
Getting a strong handle on your priorities is particularly necessary when a lot is getting thrown at us. Even if you have a current, written job description, there are just a few tasks on that job description that are your KEYS. If you are brilliant at those and adequate at everything else, you’ll go a long way in your career.
Let’s check and see if any of these are on your list:
Generating Leads
Scheduling Appointments
Meeting with Prospective Clients to Discuss Engagement
Case Analysis
Presenting Solutions
Client Service
That’s it. You can break it down and put it back together, but those are the things that must happen. Some require a license, some don’t. You can slice and dice these tasks several ways within your team, but they all have to happen.
I think every single person on the team can generate leads. It’s a key activity and, if the mindset is that we can help people, it should just be part of your culture to introduce people to the practice. But even if that is not your KEY, you might find that being amazing at scheduling appointments or providing client service that is like a Ritz-Carlton experience is your key.
Think about what your key tasks are and look over your to-do list today. Are there any of these activities on your list? Highlight them, figuratively or literally. Then, complete them with excellence.
If it’s client service, make the experience enjoyable for the people you are with. If it’s lead generation, kick it up a notch. If it’s a case analysis, dig deeper to find the opportunity.
Sometimes we need to take things off our to-do list to get the most important things right. So, if you find you are spending a lot of time on a nice to-do projects that they are taking over priority one, let’s rethink it.
One of the reasons we do project planning is to do things in the right order at the right speed. Don’t try to do everything all at once; you’ll lose your focus.
As for me, I am seeing lead generation as priority one in my world. Gaining market share is the key I’m handing out.
Our team is building more opportunities for you to engage prospects remotely because of the kind of environment we are finding ourselves in.
But what about you?
What’s priority one for you today? I’d love to hear it. Email me.
About the Author
Bernie DeLaRosa, CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®, CLU®, APMA®, CASL®, BFA™
Managing Business Consultant
- Mergers/Acquisitions/Practice Sales
- Legal Agreement Definition
- Advisor Leadership Skills
- Initial Practice Assessment