Shawn O’Brien

Understanding clients and helping clients understand

The role of a financial advisor is simple. Our primary responsibility is to help clients identify where they are now and where they need to go. Along the way we also help clients separate their emotions and make decisions using a sound intellectual framework. So why does our community continue to worry about client reactions to short-term underperformance?

By Shawn O'Brien |June 19, 2013

3 min read

Planning and Advice

Fallout (and marketing) advice for advisors

The RSP season has ended and much of the rush has subsided. Looking at March and beyond, it is time to start deciding what’s next. There is no doubt the past six months have been difficult. Gyrating markets and client worry take an emotional toll. With a client base leaning on you for direction and […]

By Shawn O'Brien |March 25, 2009

4 min read

Planning and Advice

Restoring trust and confidence

I am starting to feel reluctant about using the words “trust” and “confidence” because our industry bandies these words around often and carelessly. We realize that these two words represent the essence of our business, yet we seldom step back and examine their true meaning. I’d like to take this opportunity to revisit the fundamentals […]

By Shawn O'Brien |January 22, 2009

6 min read