If you have been in our industry for even a week, you no doubt have heard the adage “the best lead is a referral”. After many years of coaching and consulting with hundreds of advisors and practices of every different size, makeup, and description, we would beg to differ. A referral is not the best lead, but in fact an introduction is.

Before you start to think that we are splitting hairs on the difference between a referral and an introduction, let us ask you a question. Has this ever happened to you? You have one of your very best clients say something along the lines of:
“Hey, I have a good friend that I want to send over to you, do you have a business card I can give him? His name is Matt and I've told him how amazing you are and how much I like working with you, and I told him to give you a call. You should be hearing from him anytime.”
And then two or three, or even four, months goes by, and you never heard from Matt. So, you call your good client and say “Hey I never heard from your friend, anything I can do there? Anything I need to know?” I'll ask again, has this ever happened to you? When we ask that question of advisors that we are actively consulting and coaching with, they start to laugh out loud before I can even finish the question because it has happened so frequently. The client obviously meant well; they asked for your card, said nice things about you, but in a large majority of those situations it never seems to go any farther. What do you make of that?
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In this episode of The Rare Advisor, Aaron Grady and Allan Oehrlein dive deep into two essential tools for modern advisory practices: the service matrix and the stewardship framework. Discover why moving from a reactive to a proactive service model is critical for consistency, scalability, and client advocacy. Learn how these frameworks help advisors deliver predictable, high-touch experiences, segment clients effectively, and create professional contrast that sets your firm apart. If you want to elevate your client experience and build loyalty that lasts, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.
As 2025 comes to a close, the S&P 500 is up nearly 18% for the year—but what does that mean for your portfolio? In this December Trending Report, Kevin Roskam breaks down the year’s market performance, the role of trending strategies, and why diversification by time and philosophy matters more than ever. Learn how unemotional, disciplined investing helps you navigate volatility and stay focused on long-term success.
Direct Indexing Enables Advisors to Provide Advanced Tax Management Strategies for High-Net-Worth Clients