If you google “client advisory board + financial advisor,” you’ll end up with more than 3 million results from a host of sources you’re probably familiar with: Michael Kitces, Financial Advisor magazine, sponsor companies, and others. Many of these results speak to the power of an advisory board in giving strategic insight on how you can better position your services and grow your firm.

There are times in life when we could all use a little extra help to reach our goals. Let’s take a common struggle for many: weight loss. Who doesn’t have those 5 or 10 pesky pounds that simply won’t go away? Barring medical issues, however, it is often hard to shed the weight—no matter how hard we try. For many, turning to a weight-loss coach or consultant is the right solution.

As a first-generation Scot, I grew up hearing the phrase "to be at sixes and sevens." My mother would say it when I seemed unsure what path to take. The remedy? Review my priorities and determine the appropriate next step.

What’s the true meaning of teamwork in the workplace? For many advisors I speak with, it often comes in the form of willingness to cede control, to share, to listen, and to give team members the time and place to express their thoughts about the business. But a number of advisors are choosing to take this notion a step further by offering staff an ownership stake in their financial services firm. In fact, this can be one of the most effective ways to promote retention, engagement, and succession—and ensure the long-term success of your firm.

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase client experience? You may think of events designed to entertain and wow your clients, or perhaps you picture regular meetings, check-in calls, and the appearance of your office space. Whatever your thoughts, if you’re like most advisors I talk to, the client experience is designed to have specific results: retention and referrals.