How Chipotle, Pinkberry, and others win big by doing just a few things well
The dirty little secret about simple: It’s actually hard to do. That’s why most people make complex stuff. Simple requires deep thought, discipline, and patience – things that many companies lack. That leaves room for you. Do something simpler than your competitors and you’ll win over a lot of people. There are only three major items on Chipotle’s menu: burritos, tacos, and salads. In Chipotle’s Secret Salsa, Founder and CEO Steve Ells sums up its business model in a single sentence: “Focus on

Is Your 401k Working For You
Is your 401k working for or against you?You might think I’m talking about your 401k investment choices, and while that is important and needs to be aligned with your goals, what I’m talking about here are the fees that 401k providers charge companies and their employees. Check out this brief CNN video for an example of what I’m talking about: The mention of 3% fees in 401k plans is the rule more than it is the exception.  This is sad but true. If you don’t know the fees associated with your 401k, find out about them.  They could be creating some major detours on the road to retirement.

Digital Word Of Mouth In Financial Services
Check out this video, sponsored by fabeetle, featuring Brett Hurt, Founder & CEO of Bazaarvoice. Brett discusses how digital word of mouth can positively impact the financial services industry in the future. Please post your thoughts and reactions below in the comments section.

Client Fee Audit Results
I just did a “fee audit” for a client that has a couple of accounts with other advisors.  During such a fee audit, I take a thorough look at all the fees the clients are paying for their investments.  This includes explicit advisor fees as well as the better hidden internal costs of mutual funds, etc. Their LPL “SAM” account has them paying a total of 2.41% per year in fees (advisor fees + weighted average mutual fund fee) and their variable annuities are charging fees of 2.55% per year before cost of benefit riders which could add another 1-3% per year. In an average year where the market returns 10%, they’re paying appro

Behavioral Biases And Investment Implications
From Dimensional Fund Advisors, republished here with their permission: Research indicates that humans are not naturally wired for prudent, long-term investing. Scott Bosworth, Vice President and Regional Director, describes common forms of behavioral bias and discusses how these biases influence investment decision making. He also explains how knowledge and discipline can help investors control their instincts for a better investment outcome. Please click the image below to launch the video which lasts approximately 24 minutes: