From the Editor

It’s a Tried and True Formula

Susan M. Cappa, Editorial Coordinator Coming into the end of the year, it was time to plan an Editorial Calendar for 2021. As a fairly new editor for the IARFC publication, I am constantly looking for ways to improve the Register. Perhaps there should be more research or facts and figures in the publication, or articles geared toward market trends etc. My thoughts were brought up to my editorial committee and the Board of Trustees at their recent meeting.

I was reminded that while looking for improvement is positive, the Register had always been a magazine geared toward consultants in the field, working their practices on a daily basis. Our articles trend towards more simplified, practical ways to improve - relative concepts, tried and true methods, and easily enacted procedures. The authors write from experience and share what has worked or bombed. In short, it is a more pragmatic application, so...don’t mess with the formula. If academic research and statistics are of more interest, we have the Journal of Personal Finance that present papers on financial research and statistics.

After thinking about it, I more fully understood the intention and will continue to promote the empirical mission of the Register. Where we all concurred is that we need to have different consultants write. So, I will be doubling my efforts to engage other for their opinions and commentary.

Getting back to the 2021 Editorial Calendar, the first issue of 2021 is dedicated to promoting the MRFC Credential. My goal is to have an entire issue written by MRFCs explaining their reasons for taking the exam and becoming an MRFC. If you want to get your opinions in print but feel you lack the writing skills, I would be happy to help through personal interviews.

Signing off for 2020, thanks to all your contributions for our readers. We will continue to offer the practice oriented articles you enjoy reading. Additionally, we highlight news of the Association and how we are expanding our services and improving operations at the Home Office. Have a great Holiday Season. Let’s cheer in 2021, embrace change, and regroup!

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Issue

Volume 22, No 1 February

Volume 22, No 2 May

Volume 22, No 3 August

Volume 22, No 4 November

Theme

BE THE DIFFERENCE™ (MRFCs only)

Niche Markets

When Opportunity Knocks

Importance of Education

2021 Editorial Calendar

Possible Topics to be Covered

Why is the MRFC Credential Different What will the MRFC mean to you in 5 Years MRFC - Stand Out from the Crowd MRFC Exam - Refreshing Your Skills MRFC Paves Way to More Respected Practice The M Stands for Master Upping Your Status

Broad and Shallow vs. Narrow and Deep Does Niche Marketing Lead to Organic Growth? An if you Niche Market Goes Through Significant Change (Covid)? Does Focusing on a Niche Market Narrow Your Practice? Becoming an Expert in a Niche Market Specializing and Marketing Yourself When Did You Discover You Were in a Niche Market

New Client Acquisition Getting That Much Sought After Promotion Blogging for Lead Generation Building a Comprehensive Practice Virtual Networking and Growing Your Business The Importance of Making a Good First Impression High Quality Referrals - the Strategy to Earning Them

Keeping up with Industry Rules and Regulations How Does Underwriting Work? Offering Financial Literacy Classes to my Clients Social Media and Identity Theft Compliance and Marketing Is the Next Generation Financially Responsible Advertise in the Continuing Education - a “Must in Keeping Current”

Issue

Volume 21, No 1, February

Volume 21, No 2, May

Volume 21, No 3, August Copy Deadline

November 1

February 1

May 1 Advertise in the Register, published by the IARFC since 1999 and circulated around the world.

Susan M. Cappa P: (513) 424-1589 F: (513) 345-9479 advertise@iarfc.org

Member Benefit

From the IARFC COO

Charlotte Isbell, IARFC COO coordinates the team and runs the internal operations of the Association. She also works on the accounting, assisting the Ethics Committee, and is the Staff Liaison for the MRFC Certification Program. Charlotte enjoys talking with members and prospects about products and services available through the IARFC and has many years of experience and knowledge to share. deal in his mind, we are still figuring out the

It did not take long for the “New Normal” to become just “Normal”. My last report about the home office in May addressed the disruptions of COVID and speculated on the future. Since then, the office has opened back up and we are figuring out our schedules determined to make the best of the situation.

Like most other businesses, we are keeping tabs on temperatures and illnesses. We are a small office so it is not a huge worry, but we Code of Ethics. What seems to be a simple

still tend to mask up when a group of us get together.

Like most other offices, we have employees who are struggling with keeping their kids home from school while bringing in the paycheck. We are grateful that our Chair and CEO, Steve Bailey is family focused and has supported setting up an office/school situation. The IARFC Team Members have been adapting to the situation graciously and we all enjoy seeing the kids in the office, knowing they are being supervised. At rare times we have to shut our own office doors to keep out mild disturbances, but mostly we go on business as usual. It’s working and quickly becoming just another day at the IARFC. I, like most, am looking to put 2020 behind

As for the Team individuals, I try to keep a balance of health and efficiency. There are a few members with potential health issues that can be of concern. Allowing them to work from home at certain times and minimize interactions takes some planning, but since our experience in being shut down remotely for almost three months, we are used to and brought a new definition for me regarding scheduling, but we are fortunate for the flexibility that keeps us all working. So... IARFC business has not stopped nor even slowed down a bit. Like all leaders of companies, our Chair and CEO is out strategizing and enacting programs to improve the Association. That is his forte and he is continually initiating projects that have to be detailed out. While his thoughts are a done what, when, where, and how. That fills our days with minutiae in getting these programs ready.

As you will read in this issue, the latest project involves an Ethics Exam related to the IARFC concept on paper turns out to be hours and hours of first planning, then developing the exam, then figuring out how to distribute it involving our Ethics Committee, Membership Services Team, Web Developer, IT person, and now Marketing Department to bring this to the membership. The Board of Trustees and US Board were involved too by taking the exam first before it hits the members. All in all, the concept of improving our Ethics requirements is a solid concept. It can only enhance the consultant’s reputation with clients and prospects.

set up for transitioning back and forth. It has us and hope that next year relieves some of the stress that everyone is dealing with in one way or another. Meanwhile, Steve is working on a very robust One Year Plan that will require more attention. I am grateful for the experienced and helpful Team that I work with and have confidence we will meet each challenge one task at a time.

As always, any questions or comments are welcome. We seek to improve the Association on every level. I wish everyone great health and safety for the upcoming year.