Topics

Below are some examples of topics for trainings provided by TrainWorks. Other topics not listed here may also be available. In addition, client- or industry-specific courses may often be developed, depending on the subject, the nature of the engagement and time restraints. Individual training on a variety of subjects is also available. Additional preparation fees will typically apply.

Time is suggested for each, but any topic can be customized at the sponsor's request.

Wealth Management Courses

Whether you work with wealthy clients or you plan on being a wealthy client, these courses will help you to succeed at either. Developing effective strategies to create, grow, protect and distribute wealth requires the coordination of many financial disciplines including investments, retirement planning and estate planning. These courses incorporate a mix of lecture and instructor-lead discussions that will use real-life examples to highlight various planning strategies. Participants in these courses not only gain knowledge about important wealth management issues, but they learn how to comfortably talk with their clients about these sensitive and confidential issues. Participants leave these courses with a higher level of confidence, whether working with their own financial planning matters or serving as advisers to their clients.

Wealth Management: Practical Financial Planning

This course focuses on specific, practical ways to build wealth. It is designed for participants who have had limited to no exposure to financial planning concepts and may need a variety of additional information to assist clients, family members or themselves in making informed and well-conceived financial decisions. Through a combination of both lecture and case studies, the course helps participants address not only how investors should choose an appropriate asset allocation, but also how they should select other financial products such as health and life insurance. In addition, because retirement plans are so vital to the overall wealth of most Americans, the class will examine the different types of plans, including Roth 401(k)s and defined benefit plans, and explore which plans offer the greatest benefits. There is also a brief review of other topics important to most Americans, including the proper way to establish and withdraw assets from 529 Plans, as well as issues associated with Medicare and Social Security. Finally, the course will examine how the nation's wealthiest families invest their own money and how emotional issues impact investor decisions. It's often those very emotions that lead Americans to making their single biggest "investment" mistake: buying a house.

Suggested Time: 2 to 6 hours
Wealth Management: Asset Protection & Estate Planning

Whether taxpayers have tens of millions of dollars or a net worth that is a mere fraction of that, they share many common goals: protecting their assets from a variety of creditors, maintaining control of family spending habits and reducing taxes. This course is designed to help participants, and their clients, protect assets from creditors and eliminate, or reduce, their taxes at death. Topics include a discussion of the current transfer tax (estate and gift) structure and how those tax considerations will often influence a client's decision-making process, how failing to understand powers of attorney can lead to significant lending mistakes, and how to use a variety of asset-protection vehicles to insulate property from potential creditors, regardless of a taxpayer's wealth. In addition, the course explains various charitable-giving techniques and how taxpayers should structure those gifts depending on their charitable goals, wealth and income needs.

Suggested Time: 2 to 4 hours
Ethical Decisions in Business: Are They Only a Matter of Degree?

Although some recent scandals may seem like isolated events, managers and employees in virtually every industry and at virtually every level will encounter many of those same dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas are simply not confined to the nation's largest companies and educational institutions nor do they always involve multi-million dollar outcomes. On the contrary, many Americans, even the ones who are the most critical of corporate executives accused of taking company money, will often make similar decisions in both their personal and professional lives. While the financial impact may be smaller, the underlying decisions are ultimately the same. In this course, both theoretical principles and real-life examples are used to identify ethical situations that all Americans encounter—both individually and in their careers. In addition to examples, the course will also examine some of the reasons that psychologists think form the basis of differing ethical standards among both individuals and businesses, as well as several court decisions that reflect ethical lapses by industry leaders, and the attorneys, accountants and financial consultants who advise them.

Suggested Time: 2 Hours (with 10-min. break), or a Keynote Address of 30 minutes - 1 hour
Relationship Sales & Service

Sometimes we all forget that marketing and selling services, especially to affluent clients, are contact sports. Yet, research consistently shows that, regardless of the industry, most clients leave their service providers because of communication issues—not fees, products or company location. In this interactive presentation, participants will learn the importance of contacting clients, what clients and customers are really thinking, and how to use that knowledge to increase customer satisfaction and customer sales. This course is designed for employees in the financial service industry-private bankers, investment advisers, customer service personnel and lenders—who may see prospects regularly but who may have a limited understanding of the opportunities those encounters present.

Suggested Time: 2 - 6 Hours, Depending on Prior Experience
Customized Topics and Individual Training

Other topics not listed here may also be available. In addition, client- or industry-specific courses may often be developed, depending on the subject, the nature of the engagement and time restraints. Individual training on a variety of subjects is also available. Additional preparation fees will typically apply.