Asset-Map is more than just technology - it is a process. Since its initial development, Asset-Map has been transforming the way financial professionals interact with prospects/clients by allowing them to take a simplified but intelligent approach to providing relevant guidance to their clientele.
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This article, and its corresponding PDF, can be used as an introductory guide, a training tool, or a resource for determining how to interact with households using the components of the Asset-Map Platform.
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​ 1. Positioning 2. Profiling 3. Uncovering 4. Presenting 5. Strategies 6. Reviews

The positioning step is often a household member’s first introduction to a professional’s process showing the straightforward approach of Asset-Map Platform Reports.
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During this step, the financial professional explains to the household that Asset-Map is a process used with clients that will streamline the experience working with the professional going forward and assist in continuously clarifying their current financial situation and progress.
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It is recommended that the financial professional present a demographically similar example Asset-Map Comprehensive Sample, pointing out key insights about the condition of the sample household for relational value.
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👉 Focus Area(s): Positioning
Relevant download: Sample Asset-Maps
Print and hand out a sample to introduce the one-page visual of a current financial situation. 

*Tip: Samples are also offered to you for free in your Asset-Map Platform by searching your Household Index.  Just type "sample" in the "Find Household" search field.

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*Tip: You can also create your own Samples to cater to your business needs using the Household Wizard.

The profiling step is characterized by fact finding and creating a visual catalog of the current financial holdings/details (Asset-Map Report). However, this process slightly varies based on whether the client is labeled prospective or existing.
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For a prospective client, it is recommended that the financial professional use Discovery online fact-finder for the client/prospect to create their own Asset-Map and Household in your book of business.

For an existing client, a partially completed Asset-Map should be used to conduct a more thorough examination of the household’s financial instruments and current situation. Start an Asset-Map manually, use a stencil to add additional discussion tiles, and share it with your client asking for updates.

👉 Focus Area(s): Fact-finding
Relevant links: Discovery online interview - prospects make their own Asset-Maps!
​Create your own Fact Finders - Download and print a fact finder to hand to the prospective client with a pen.  Ask them to fill it out.
​*Tip: You can also create your own Fact Finder Stencils using the Household Wizard.

During the uncovering process it is recommended that the financial professional use Asset-Map Signals™.

Alternatively, the Financial Fire Drills (6Ls) (the six events that commonly change the course of a household's financial well-being) is a best practice sheet to ask revealing questions that elicit the client’s financial priorities. This step underscores the significance and the relevance of the financial professional’s guidance.

The Uncovering step commonly marks the conclusion of the first meeting. Schedule the next meeting and enter the gathered information into Asset-Map Platform in order to generate the household Asset-Map and/or Target-Maps with supporting reports. 

👉 Focus Area(s): Asking Questions
Relevant downloads: Asking the right questions and Financial Fire Drills (6 Ls) discussion sheet.
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During this step, it is recommended that the financial professional ensure that each meeting participant has a paper copy and a pen - even if the meeting involves digital display of the reports (e.g. web-meetings, tablet, project, or big screen).
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Generally, the financial professional reviews the Asset-Map at the beginning of every meeting for accuracy and or missing relevant information, and then proceeds to point out the potential issues with the household’s current financial structure and condition. 

Gaps, complications, missing information, lack of insurance coverage, prior decisions and holdings should be discussed for clarity, suitability and appropriateness. Often the collection of financial instruments accumulated by households are haphazard or antiquated relative to their newly expressed goals.

 👉 Focus Area(s): Presenting
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Having pointed out the Asset-Map shortfalls, the financial professional suggests potential products, solutions and strategies that may put the household members in a better financial position.
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Discussion of the Target-Map funding often results in a gap in capital available to self-fund a specific financial event (given certain assumptions). The financial professional should use this time to address each Target-Map individually in an appropriate order (usually simplest or expressed priority first), in order to quickly get to the relevant concerns of a household.
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Target-Maps will express visually, auditory and mathematically the conclusion of the cost in present value capital or ongoing inflated savings over time to meet the expected expenses. These capital shortfalls should coordinate with appropriate options professionals present to households in order to move them closer to achieving their desired funding levels.
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👉 Focus Area(s): Implementing Opportunities for a Better Outcome
Relevant link: video - Building Powerful Two-page, Goal-funding Presentations in Asset-Map

The household review step is a refresh of Steps 2 and 3 in an attempt to stay current on the household financial condition, reveal missing financial instruments, and revisit un-addressed financial goals/priorities.
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Every review meeting with the client household starts with a review of the Asset-Map Report. Sending a most-recent version beforehand is an accepted best practice to get information prior to the review meeting. Sending periodically ensures that there is a reach-out to the client about their personal situation and has been shown to be highly valued by most households.
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During the Review Meeting, it is recommended that the financial professional ask questions such as the ones found on the “Are We Asking the Right Questions?” best practice sheet. Where appropriate, professionals should create Target-Maps of clearly under-addressed financial priorities prior to the review meeting in order to create a compelling and clear gap that can be discussed for options. Most households want to know that their financial professional is looking out for gaps before they ask about them.
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👉 Focus Area(s): Review Meetings
Relevant link: video - Presenting Financial Plans is Over - It's Time for Interactive Engagement
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Tags: meeting, conversation, prospecting, prospect, sell, sales, process, questions, experience, review, strategy, strategies, uncover, position, profile, presenting, 6, six, experience, sample, samples, fact finder

5/2022