What is going on as of November 2021, as we draw 2021 to a close? In considering a couple of ethical issues I was planning to discuss, I happened to be viewing our Fall/Winter paper publication of Advisor Today, which states that our NAIFA leadership has signed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) pledges. It quickly occurred to me how important this decision was. In taking this step forward, our CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE, joined almost 2,000 CEOs in becoming a member of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Coalition, signing a pledge to collaborate in supporting a more inclusive environment.

E4 Insurance Services invites you to join our Building Relationships Every Week (BREW) on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 1 pm eastern.

In this week's session, Chris Pezalla, Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary at Newcleus, will discuss LINQS+, a proprietary non-qualified retirement plan with guaranteed lifetime benefits for the participants and expense savings for the plan sponsor.

The importance of NAIFA members takes on a particular poignancy this time of year. When we consider many of the things Americans are most thankful for – their families, health, financial wellbeing – it is gratifying to know that we at NAIFA serve a community of insurance and financial professionals who safeguard all these things.

NAIFA's Limited and Extended Care Planning Center (LECP) Impact Week, November 1-5, was a unique virtual event including a one-hour session covering a different type of topic each day by speakers who are industry experts and industry leaders. On Thursday, November 4, the topic was “Technology Shark Tank: Taking the Robot Out of the Advisor/Agent.” You’ve got questions and these presenters have answers! How do I take the busy “robotic” tasks out of my practice to make it more profitable? How do I stay in contact with current clients while seeking new clients? Which technology fits my practice and budget? At what point do I invest in my practice so that I can expand my outreach and professionalism? This “shark tank” style session offers four rapid-fire presentations!

Poor Thanksgiving is the middle child of the holidays. From Halloween on, all the focus is on the winter holidays.

That’s a shame. Not just because so many people love Thanksgiving, but also because it’s a great opportunity to connect with your clients and sphere of influence.

Frank Seneco has been a member of NAIFA since 1990 and today works with affluent clients addressing a variety of financial concerns from creating family dynasties to eliminating taxes on their investment portfolios. His office is based in Connecticut; however, he assists clients from around the world, helping them reach their financial goals.

Loyal member Robin Landers, CLU^®, has been a member of NAIFA since 1984 and is based in Florida. She grew up in the business—her parents owned a brokerage agency—and vowed to never work in the insurance field. With a degree in advertising, and some challenging circumstances, she ultimately ended up joining her family in their insurance business. After working with her family for a few years, she received an offer to double her salary and returned to the TPA that had employed her as a sixteen-year-old file clerk. Years later, when her parents were ready to retire, she and a partner opened Landers-Stein & Associates, the next generation of that original agency’s legacy.

Having participated in the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), NAIFA Past President Paul Dougherty discovered that leadership is something found within oneself, and it takes strong discipline to be successful at it. In an article in the Fall/Winter issue of Advisor Today, Dougherty discusses how LILI helped shape his ideas of success and strong leadership and how the program can benefit anyone in the insurance and financial services field.

NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE, was a featured speaker at NAIFA-Central Florida's November Luncheon Meeting in Orlando. Mayeux gave an update on the state of NAIFA Nation and highlighted NAIFA's membership campaign: Taxation Needs Representation.

How do successful NAIFA members stay energized and finish Q4 strong? Advisor Today asked the experts: Christine A. Cox-West, LUTCF, Partner, The Fortis Agency; John Nilmeier, CFP, CLU, Financial Advisor, Nilmeier Financial and Insurance Services; Joseph C. Chalom, CLU, RICP, LUTCF, LACP, Financial Advisor, Retirement Council, Inc.; Bellaria Jimenez, MBA, CFP, CLU, CDFA, ChFC, President and General Agent, MassMutual Tri State; and Thomas Palmeri, LUTFC, Financial Representative, Forest Hills Financial Group.