Empowering excellence

Navigating new horizons with the Business Market Entry program

Just a year after launch by the Business Resource Center and the FR Learning and Development teams, the Business Market Entry (BME) program has become a tested path for financial professionals ready to tap the advanced planning market. The structured, 16-week journey is designed to equip participants with just the right practical skills and guidance to expand their reach.

The Business Market Entry program offers a proven path for the advanced planning market
“Guardian’s BME Program was a stimulating and comprehensive program. The experience equipped me with the knowledge necessary to speak with business owners in a way that projects confidence and experience. The program empowered me with a new skill set which has allowed me to demonstrate value in a way that is organized, effective and appreciated by my current and prospective business owner clients.”

‍Taylor Robinson, Financial Advisor

What makes the Business Market Entry program so effective

The Business Market Entry program isn’t just another training course – it’s a comprehensive, activity-driven program. Throughout the course, participants assemble a robust toolbox of skills and knowledge they can quickly apply to their prospecting and sales efforts. The curriculum is rich and varied, ranging from business organization basics to more complex aspects of qualified and non-qualified plans, business continuation, exit planning, and more.

Weekly virtual sessions fuse learning
and interaction

The Business Market Entry curriculum is an engaging blend of eLearning modules, live webinars spotlighting successful producers and agency leaders, Business Resource Center consultants, and activities to drive productivity and build skills for success. Each session, a manageable 75 minutes, ensures that learning and best practices are paired with practical application. Session structure starts with a review of past material, moves into expert presentations, then transitions into breakout sessions for real-time practice and role-play, and closes with a lively debrief and report-out, all with active and inclusive participation practices.

The ideal Business Market Entry candidate

The Business Market Entry program is curated for financial professionals who have a solid two to four years of sales experience (either at Guardian or elsewhere), comfortable success in their primary market and who have achieved MPR in the last two years.

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Business Market Entry: your launchpad for business market success

With the combination of tailored skill-building, real-world application activities, and proven impact, the Business Market Entry program is more than just a training course, it’s a gateway to untapped market potential for participants ready to engage.

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Business Market Entry in action

Numbers speak volumes — and the stats associated with the business market and the BME program are compelling. Based on Guardian’s internal reporting through Q3 2023, BME participants showed greater growth in life premium, commissionable credits, and GDC than comparable non-participants. Measuring from the year before the program began, the results are as follows:

Life Premium
TCC
GDC
BME Participants
17%
21%    
37%
Comparable Non-Participants
-9%
-4%
3%
Empowering excellence

Delivering special solutions for global citizens

Imagine the Suarezes, a (fictional) high-net-worth family, with roots in Madrid, a thriving business in London, real estate in New York, and a child studying in Tokyo. Their global life brings unparalleled experiences, but also unique financial challenges and complex tax implications. Enter Guardian’s Global Citizens, expanded services for people like the Suarezes, tailored to address their special needs.

With Global Citizens, we’re not just providing insurance, we’re offering financial protection to those who live without borders — helping them navigate the complexities of international wealth.

“The Global Citizens Program has been a crucial part of my business and the growth of it. I am now able to really help my foreign national clients receive the same opportunities as if they were an American citizen. Hence, this program amplifies my reach to help my community and many others that seek opportunities in the US to feel a sense of security that their home country does not provide them.”

‍Nickola Novakovic, Vice President & Wealth Management Advisor, WestPac Wealth Partners
 “In September I had an opportunity to submit two business-owner cases under the Global Citizens Program. The support and guidance I received from the BRC, along with the white glove concierge by the Head of Foreign National program, is something I want to share with the rest of my Guardian family. They helped me prepare the cases for the underwriting to be smooth and fast. I have to say this was one of the best case management experiences I had during my nine-year career with Guardian”

Nemanja Selezan, Financial Advisor, WestPac Wealth Partners

Understanding the Guardian Global Citizen Program  

At its core, the Global Citizen program offers US life insurance as a versatile financial tool for international high-net-worth clients. What sets it apart is white glove concierge service, ensuring clients are informed, catered to, and equipped to make the best financial decisions, no matter where they reside.

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Guardian: Where global understanding meets financial experience

It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about understanding the story and the people behind them. Guardian, a company founded by immigrants, and home to a diverse team, inherently understands the needs of global citizens. The Global Citizens program team brings this experience and empathy together, with white glove services including dedicated underwriters, translation services, complimentary trust reviews and more, backed by one of the world’s largest life insurance companies.

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Why is Global Citizens essential for international high-net-worth individuals?

A typical US resident enjoys an estate tax exemption of $13,610,000 while in contrast, non-US residents are granted just a $60,000 exemption*. The disparate tax burden for our international clients is significant – and the Global Citizens program offers a welcome counterbalance. The death benefit from US-denominated life insurance is exempt from US federal estate taxes for non-US citizens. Moreover, it offers:

  • Tax protection: Covering any potential estate taxes associated with US holdings.
  • Diversification: Broadening financial horizons while adding a layer of security.
  • Stability: Providing a source of funds in one of the most stable currencies in the world.

Getting started with the Global Citizens Program

Potential clients for the program should reside outside of the US but have a qualifying connection to the US, which could be any of the following four circumstances:

  • Have $250,000 in a US chartered bank for at least
    six months,
  • Own residential or commercial property in the US,
  • Own an interest in or equity in a US-domiciled business, or
  • Have immediate family members who are US citizens.

Additionally, they should be from one of the targeted countries listed on the Business Resource Center (BRC) microsite.  For these clients, the Global Citizens program can help you provide powerful, individualized solutions for your clients.

*2024 Tax Exemption Figures

Empowering excellence

The powerhouse pairing of LBS and PAS

In the architecture of financial well-being, cash flow management is the foundation. Although simple, it is the most important resource we have for building wealth — and a meaningful opportunity for Guardian financial professionals to help clients maximize their potential. Throughout 2023, we’ve strengthened the synergy between Park Avenue Securities (PAS) — Guardian’s broker-dealer and Registered Investment Advisor — and Guardian’s proprietary financial organization platform, The Living Balance Sheet® (LBS), to give financial professionals a powerful tool to help clients optimize their cash flow management. To spread the word, we took it on the road, with five learning events for financial professionals, and received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Harnessing cash flow: intentional choices today for a more protected tomorrow

Cash flow management is the lifeline that can either build wealth over time, or slowly deplete it. For many people using a traditional checking account, most of their income is channeled to consumption, making saving and investing a secondary consideration. A simple change to the structure of accounts can help — directing income to a wealth-building account ensures a deliberate focus on savings and investments.

How PAS and LBS come together to
‘automate’ wealth-building for clients

LBS has always helped clients take control of their financial future by aiding organization and providing clarity around protection, enhanced asset strategies, debt reduction and, critically, cash flow management. The intuitive LBS app allows clients to identify free cash flow that can be channeled toward long-term savings and investment strategies.

Pairing the LBS platform with PAS Wealth-Building Accounts (WBAs) creates a powerful tool to help clients with cash management. With a WBA, clients can allocate a portion of their income for automatic savings or investment, protecting it from being used for consumption (essentially hitting the “easy button” on helping to build wealth).

While any bank account can be used as a WBA, PAS now offers Corestone® as a wealth-building option. Adding Corestone as the WBA offers clients benefits such as:

  • Account and household waivers give clients more ways to have their annual Corestone account fee waived
  • No annual brokerage account fee
  • Budgeting transparency for income strategies
  • Simplified, holistic view of investment and
    banking accounts
  • Expedited ability to transfer funds between investment and banking accounts
  • Ability to quickly open a Corestone account as the wealth-building account
  • Competitive rates
  • New capabilities and refreshed training narratives to move clients to action are coming soon

Additionally, cash in a Corestone account is FDIC-insured up to $2.5 million ($5 million for joint accounts), and with tiered interest crediting, households are rewarded for maintaining higher cash balances.

Image of the stage of the Cash Flow Management event held at The Javits Center.
Cash Flow Management Event, The Javits Center

Creating buzz: a road show of cash
flow management events

To help our financial professionals understand the power of the LBS and PAS combination, Guardian held a five-city tour, which we kicked off in August at New York City’s Javits Center. Throughout the tour, we received positive and excited feedback from presenters and attendees alike.

Here’s what attendees said:

 “It makes it really simple to see how successful advisors who have been doing it a long time are using a really simple strategy to help build wealth with their clients.”

Graham Pollan, Ashford Advisors
 “They [Guardian] are building and creating new tools that we can bring to market to help us better serve our clients.”
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Kenyon Lang, Strategies for Wealth
 “With advancements in [The] Living Balance Sheet ... you can see the ability to customize everything and how seamlessly everything integrates.”  

Nick Domino, Strategies for Wealth
Pictured left to right: Neal Brincefield, Caitlin Pemble, Meg Vecchi, Marianne Caswell, Elie Engler, Greer Mendel, Micheal Ferik, Andrew McMahon, Leyla Lesina

What’s next? It keeps getting better

 For both LBSand PAS, the quest to improve the client experience is never complete. We are continually building a better experience and have several exciting enhancements coming soon:

•     The ability to categorize wealth-building transactions in LBS

•     Updated data visuals for LBS wealth-building reports

•     A new LBS dashboard to highlight subscriber opportunities across all domains

•     A condensed PAS WBA opening experience

•     Simplified Regulation Best Interest notes

As we continue to explore new ways to work with clients to build financial well-being, Guardian is committed to providing innovative partnerships, tools, and platforms for our financial professionals.

The Living Balance Sheet® (LBS) and the LBS logo are service marks of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. © Copyright 2005-2023 Guardian
Building communities

Bridging diverse futures through community and representation

Guardian is dedicated to building bridges – among our own communities and within the broader industry. Some of the ways we demonstrate this commitment include embracing varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, and providing opportunities through Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Field Community Groups. We also actively participate in diverse industry events. Read on to learn about our newest field group, how people of all backgrounds are welcome, and how we’re amplifying representation at important events.

I&D Field Networking Groups: Growth & Impact

The Power of Diverse Communities 

Financial professionals can face a myriad of challenges, sometimes unique to their background. Finding a community that understands, empathizes, and supports can make a world of difference. By bringing together people from different backgrounds and experiences, a community can help breakdown barriers and create a more inclusive environment for everyone.  This year, we launched a new group, bringing the total number to five.

Introducing the Asian Alliance Network Group

‍The newest addition to the fold is the Asian Alliance Network (AAN), inaugurated in January, 2023. Let’s hear directly from Executive Sponsors on the group’s impact

Executive Sponsor Q&A

Bina Patel
AAN Executive Sponsor, Financial Professional
Wealth Advisory Group

Guardian:  How will the group positively benefit both the participants and the wider business? 
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‍Bina: “The AAN group is an invaluable resource. With a current Asian American population of over 24 million, and with over 600,000 businesses owned and operated by people of Asian descent, this group makes a significant contribution to the global economy and highlights the important role that Asian entrepreneurs play in shaping the business landscape.  There has never been a better time to tap into this growing community. Asian Americans are a vital economic force in our society. However, many individuals and families, particularly those who have recently immigrated to the United States, still need assistance. The AAN group can provide much-needed support and resources to help these families thrive and succeed.”

Nancy Du
AAN Executive Sponsor, Financial Professional
Ashford Advisors

Guardian:  How has your participation in and sponsorship of AAN impacted you individually?   
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‍Nancy: “I am very grateful for the AAN group and the incredible benefits it has brought to my professional life. The bi-monthly group calls have allowed me to connect with fellow group members from across the country.  I followed up with a few that I met through this group. Our subsequent emails and Zoom discussions have provided invaluable insights into overcoming challenges and improving my business based on shared experiences. This group has not only fostered a sense of belonging but has also equipped me with the support and knowledge I need to excel in the Asian market.”

Russell Auyeung
AAN Executive Sponsor,
Managing Director, Pacific Advisors

Guardian:  As a sponsor, what role do you see yourself playing in nurturing and guiding the growth of the group? 
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‍Russell: “Creating a positive experience is always on the forefront of any sponsor of a group. But as a new group I think it is always best to listen to its community and ask what the participants are seeking when they join. Then, as any good sponsor, try to facilitate calls and provide resources on those sought-after topics. Ultimately creating a menu of knowledge and resources to the entire group.”

Connect, Contribute, Collaborate: All Are Welcome

I&D Field Community Groups, while centered on specific ethnicities and genders, are open and welcoming to everyone, no matter your background. Being an ally in an I&D group has many benefits, both for the ally and the community they are supporting. Some of the key benefits include personal growth and learning through exposure to new perspectives and experiences, building stronger relationships, gaining access to networking opportunities, and promoting positive changes.
Most groups meet bi-monthly, except the LGBTQ+ Allies group which gathers quarterly. Discussions feature organic, field-driven content led by financial professionals. Home office business partners join occasionally to complement the insights.

Join a group today to get involved, make connections, and play a part in shaping our diverse community. Get in touch to learn more:

Asian Alliance Network (AAN)
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Nancy Du, Financial Professional
Ashford Advisors
nancydu@ashfordadvisors.net
‍
Russell Auyeung, Managing Director
Pacific Advisors
russell.auyeung@pacificadvisors.com  
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Bina Patel, Financial Professional
Wealth Advisory Group
bina_patel@wagllc.com
Black FR Network (BFrN)

Travis Ames, Financial Professional
Enoch Financial Group
travis.ames@enochfg.com
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Juan Thorn, Financial Professional
Pacific Advisors
juan_thorn@pacificadvisors.com
Hispanic Networking Group (HNG)

Luisa Bravo, Financial Professional
LM Bravo and Associates
LBravo@lmbravo.com
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Edwin Ayala, Chief Development Officer
Strategies for Wealth
EAyala@strategiesforwealth.com
LGBTQ+ Allies

Karen Jessey, Financial Professional
Strategic Wealth Partners
Karen.Jessey@mystrategicwealth.com

Hiram Arnaud,  Financial Professional
Strategies for Wealth
hiram_arnaud@strategiesforwealth.com
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Patrick Dickson, General Agent
Rethink Wealth
Pdickson@rethinkwealth.com
Women’s Empowerment Community (WEC)

Annette Hammortree, Financial Professional
Hammortree Financial Service
ahammortree@hammortreefinancial.com

Danielle Swann, General Agent
Lifetime Financial Group
danielle_swann@lfgco.com

Representation Matters: Amplifying diverse voices across the industry

Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP)

At the 2023 Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP), an impressive 38% (15 out of 39) of Guardian attendees were black women financial professionals– our strongest showing of representation yet.

Nearly a thousand Black professionals from the financial services industry gathered for a conference focused on professional development, networking opportunities, continuing education, and open discussions on strategies for Reclaiming Black Wealth. A key message from one of the main stage speakers emphasized the importance of empowering the Black community beyond mere buying power. The focus should be on nurturing, building, and reclaiming the wealth that has always been inherent within the Black community.

Desiree Day and Paul McDonald from the Business Resource Center (BRC) facilitated a workshop on “Black Generational Wealth Transfer: How the timing of current legislation and standing on the shoulders of giants who have come before, positions us to effectively pass down wealth."

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Investment News Women Advisor Summit 2023

The conference has hosted thousands of women across the country, providing a platform for them to invest in their businesses, brands, and personal growth while collaborating and networking with like-minded peers.

For the past four years, Guardian has proudly served as a Premier sponsor of this empowering event. This year, we are thrilled that Annette Hammortree, CLTC, RICP®, Owner & CEO of Hammortree Financial Services, and Emily Zeigler, CFP®, Director of Advanced Planning at C&A Financial Group grace the main stage and inspire attendees at the Chicago and New York City events respectively.  

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Women’s Empowerment Summit 2023

For seventeen years, this summit has provided a dedicated space for our female financial professionals to connect, share best practices, and elevate their careers to new heights. This gathering fosters a vibrant community of women who not only learn from each other's expertise but also form a supportive network.

Experienced financial professionals generously share their knowledge, creating a nurturing environment where women can thrive and give back. Embracing the inherent nature of women to empower others, the summit incorporates a charitable component.This year, attendees assembled hygiene kits for Project HOME Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to alleviating homelessness in the Philadelphia area.

Building communities

Talent Introduction Program Top Honor Awards

Inspiring more to join our worthwhile industry while supporting families and charitable organizations in their local communities.

Every year, Guardian recognizes five financial professionals who have led the way in attracting new talent to Guardian through the Talent Introduction Program (TIP) Top Honor Awards. These inspiring leaders have built trust in their community and motivated individuals to join the ranks of other financial professionals in Guardian agencies. In addition to the bonuses all referrers receive, Guardian rewards Top Honor winners with donations ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to the charity of their choice.

The Top Honor award is open to all Leaders Club qualifiers and reflects both the quantity and the quality of new recruits, taking into consideration their productivity and retention.  

Learn about our Top Honor Award winners, how they inspire new financial professionals, and the work of the charitable organizations they chose.  

Mark B. Murphy

Forest Hills Financial Group

Mark joined Guardian in 1985 straight after graduating from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He never looked back, and this decision made him “rich in terms of knowledge and the ability to make a difference in the world.” He credits Guardian and Indiana University for shaping his life.

Mark doesn’t believe in competition but believes in making a difference in the lives of the people he serves. He wants it to be great for our clients first, his team second, Guardian third, and for him fourth. His goal is to change the lives of 100 million people.

He can’t do it alone – that’s why it is important for him to recruit new talent that can collectively make a difference. For Mark, “there’s nothing you can’t do with a little bit of hard work, determination, and dedication.” While motivation is important, success is more about “discipline and falling in love with the mundane and just getting up every day trying to make a difference in the lives of the people we touch."

Mark is a prolific writer and speaker. His latest book, The Ultimate Investment: A Roadmap to Grow Your Business and Build Multigenerational Wealth, has been ranked the #1 bestseller on Amazon. Mark's podcast, The Hero of The Hour, has earned a spot in the U.S. Top 40, securing its place in the highly competitive categories ofBusiness and Entrepreneurship. To top it off, Mark has been named #1 in New Jersey and #3 in the nation on the 2023 Forbes America's Top Financial Security Professionals List.

Charity of choice: $10,000 donated to Hoosiers for Good (IN)

Hoosiers For Good partners with charitable organizations with student athletes from Indiana University to use their influence and leadership to help Indiana communities thrive. For Mark it’s a great way to support his “happy place” — Indiana University and the community.

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“There’s nothing you can’t do with a little bit of hard work, determination, and dedication.” 

Lovepreet Ghotra

Forest Hills Financial Group

Lovepreet studied computer science in India before moving to the US and pursuing an MBA in Finance at Baruch College. He worked in finance, started his own company after the 2007-2009 recession, and became a licensed insurance agent. A former colleague brought him to his Guardian agency four years ago.

Lovepreet is strongly connected to his community and is driven by the desire to help find solutions that will benefit its members in the future. He appreciates that this requires a strong knowledge of the products and solutions being offered.  

His first-hand life experiences — seeing friends and family members lose someone who was the main source of income to the family — motivated him to make a difference. It is important for him to help families and community members who do not have much financial knowledge, “I'm trying to help my clients protect their families, protect the future of their kids.”  

Expanding the network of financial professionals is key to helping more families and community members. That’s why Lovepreet encourages potential candidates to learn more about the industry, obtain the appropriate licenses, and join Guardian.

Charity of choice: $5,000 donated to Orlando Food NotBombs (FL)

Orlando Food Not Bombs is part of a collective of local volunteer groups who serve free meals to people in need. This is important to Lovepreet, “There are so many people who are not getting a chance to have a proper source of funding to feed themselves and their families. This is a great cause for me.”  

 

“I'm trying to help my clients protect their families, protect the future of their kids.”

Eric Bouskila

National Financial Network

Eric’s journey began in Israel, where he served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in an elite paratrooper unit. After completing his military service, he pursued a higher education and earned an engineering degree. Following that, he delved into entrepreneurship, kickstarting successful home security companies in both Canada and Florida.

His entrepreneurial journey continued as he entered the real estate realm in Florida, ultimately culminating with the pursuit of a finance degree. These ventures provided him with invaluable experience before he eventually joined the Guardian team. It was during his entrepreneurial phase that he recognized the myriad benefits of whole life insurance policies, particularly for individuals facing circumstances akin to his own.

Eric’s unique method for developing his practice revolves around forging solid and long-lasting partnerships with every one of his agents, seamlessly integrating them into his business, which serves as an attraction for new talents. His preference leans towards candidates with backgrounds in finance, law, and taxation, as he believes in comprehending finance at the highest level. After all, they are responsible for selling transactions that rely entirely on how to structure the financing. Understanding taxation is also a vital asset, enabling them to carry meaningful conversations with estate planning attorneys, CPAs, and bankers.

“When you achieve success, it naturally entices others to become part of the partnership," notes Eric. With his resounding success, Eric’s business has expanded across numerous continents, with a substantial focus on Latin America.  

Charity of choice: $5,000 donated to A Child’s Smile (NY)

A Child’s Smile is dedicated to bringing joy and support to children battling cancer. By reflecting on his own upbringing with limited financial resources, Eric’s heart goes out to these children, acknowledging the immense challenges they face. He finds it truly heart-wrenching to witness their struggles and is committed to making a positive impact in their lives.  

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“When you achieve success, it naturally entices others to become part of the partnership"

Bryan Schod

Lifetime Financial Growth

Bryan started a Guardian as an intern in Morgantown office in 2019. He is now a Managing Associate and runs the West Virginia region including Morgantown, Charleston, and Pittsburgh. In his early years, he devoted a lot of time and long hours to learning the business. He does not consider himself an “insurance guy or an investment guy,” but rather a resource to help people with all aspects of their finances. He built his credentials over the years and is now at a point where people seek him out, which is rewarding.  

He likes studying how people think and how they make decisions, “I could have two individuals who need the exact same things from a financial perspective. But if one of them is an engineer, and the other is a teacher, the way I present the information and talk with them is going to be vastly different.”

For Bryan, one of the most exciting parts of the job is to grow with someone you know, whether they're 22 and right out of school or 65 and facing retirement. His advice to new financial professionals who may be new to a commission-based profession is to focus on doing the right thing for your clients – when you help people do better the rewards will follow.  

Charity of choice: $2,500 for Habitat for Humanity (VI)

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home in their communities. “They're helping underprivileged and lower income people have housing and furniture and be able to live. The people running the organization in Morgantown are quality people.”

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“I could have two individuals who need the exact same things from a financial perspective...but the way I present the information and talk with them is going to be vastly different.” 

Marcus "Craig" Williams

North Texas

Craig had many rich lives before joining Guardian in 2022. He went to med school, worked at a bank, was a fireman for 10 years, and worked as an Emergency Room technician. Ten years ago, he was approached by a friend who encouraged him to become a financial professional. He went for an interview and was pleasantly surprised that it was not about selling insurance, but it was financial planning.

That really struck a nerve because his parents didn't have access to financial strategy solutions and his father is still working, well into his seventies. He continued to work with a former company for seven and a half years before joining a Guardian agency. “You can learn about financial strategy, which is going to benefit you and your family.”

Craig likes to help clients have a mind shift on some traditional strategy approaches. He sees a lot of inefficient financial planning strategies that have not really worked for people. He likes to offer a different way of thinking that is more efficient, which is going to help deliver better retirement income, and a better legacy. As for recruiting new financial professionals, for Craig “the biggest part is me just sharing my story. Hey, this career 100% changed my life.”

Charity of Choice: $2,500 donated to Christian Homes & Family Services (TX)

Christian Homes mission is to change lives and build Christian families through maternity, foster care, and adoption services. “I knew that was going to be worthwhile. If it helps save one life, it was worth it.”

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Congratulations to all those recognized for your dedication to your clients, local communities, and your success in bringing more dedicated professionals to the field.

 “You can learn about financial strategy, which is going to benefit you and your family. The biggest part is me just sharing my story. Hey, this career 100% changed my life.” 

Tech-powered success

Guardian’s integrated platforms and tools are making marketing simple, easy, and effective for financial professionals. 

‍Guardian is continually dedicated to providing new digital capabilities that deliver seamless, intuitive experiences not just for customers and policyholders, but for our financial professionals as well.  A powerful example of this commitment to delivering the best in business-critical tools is the range of Guardian’s marketing tools. Today, with tool integration and workflow advancements, marketing is easier than ever, and everything you need is accessible through the Producer Workspace.  

Read on to learn about some of the powerful Guardian tools financial professionals can use to build business: Marketing Suite, SmartOffice and MicroInsights.

Game Changer: How Kelley Hughes amplified her outreach with Marketing Suite

Marketing can be a daunting task for financial professionals. Without the right tools or know-how, preparing content and outreach can be time-consuming and difficult to execute effectively.  With MarketingSuite, you have the power of a full-service marketing firm at your fingertips — a single platform serves social, website, email, and event marketing needs:
Social media:  Automated scheduling, campaigns, and content curator.
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Personal landing page: Build an online brand with a one-page website.
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Email:  Custom email campaigns and newsletters.
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System integrations: Proof point Social Patrol, advertising compliance, and SmartOffice.
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Events Builder:  Host virtual and in-person events with RSVP management tools and cross channel promotion.
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Automated campaigns: Prebuilt campaigns to drive client and prospect engagement.
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Client list builder:  Build opportunity lists within your existing book of business to help drive activity and engagement.
Learn how Kelley Hughes is harnessing the transformative power of Marketing Suite to create powerful connections with prospective clients, while saving time and money.

Case study in success

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How Kelley uses
Marketing Suite:

Outreach efforts:  from seminar invitations to new blog announcements
Automated emails: for reminders and practice announcements
Marketing funnel: to plan and schedule prospect meetings
Social media content planning and customization: easily plans, customizes curated content and submits for approval a month ahead
Professional graphics: using the integration with Canva, Kelley creates professional-looking social media posts

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Cost efficiencies
and time savings

No need for additional staff: Kelley estimates that Marketing Suite’s comprehensive tool set has saved her thousands of dollars by eliminating the need to hire marketing staff for specific tasks.
Automated features: Kelley minimizes time spent on marketing emails by using Marketing Suite’s automated email tool to streamline outreach and minimize time spent on repetitive tasks.

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Increased engagement

Deepening connections: Kelley’s followers have noticed and appreciated her marketing efforts, stating that it truly captures their attention.

Marketing Suite, developed by Guardian’s Marketing and Agency Distribution teams, is available to all financial professionals at no cost, as a benefit to their contract. With more than 2,000 users and counting, there is no doubt it’s been a boon to community partners. If you’re not using it yet, what are you waiting for? 
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SmartOffice: The heartbeat of the financial professional’s business

Over 2,600 financial representatives, GAs, and staff rely on SmartOffice, Guardian’s client relationship management (CRM) system, every day. Serving as a technological hub, SmartOffice streamlines the organization and management of daily interactions between financial professionals, their team members, and clients.  

SmartOffice’s suite of robust features and mobile accessibility can help you plan, manage, and execute business activities. It’s a tool that can help you keep your practice organized and focused, as well as keep you on track to proactively manage your relationships and keep your commitments. SmartOffice also integrates all the major tools used by Guardian financial professionals, includingThe Living Balance Sheet (LBS), Microsoft Outlook, and NetX360, streamlining your work.

SmartOffice is not just a tool, it’s the backbone of daily operations, putting client information front and center.

Top 5 reasons 2.6K users can’t live without SmartOffice

1. Streamlined client management: Smart Office centralizes client information, making it easier for financial professionals to use practice tools and reduce data entry.
2. Data-driven insights: Integrated analytics (MicroInsights) provide insights into client demographics and product holdings, empowering financial professionals with data-driven opportunities and decision-making capabilities.
3. Enhanced workflows and efficiency: The Kanban view provides increased visibility into workflow management and task tracking, enabling financial professionals to focus on core roles and leading to increased productivity and cost savings.
4. Holistic view: Provides a 360-degree view of client interactions in one place.
5. Security and compliance: Protects sensitive financial data with robust security features to ensure you stay in compliance.

MicroInsights: Analyzing your data to serve up new sales opportunities  

Available within SmartOffice, in the producer workspace, MicroInsights is a collection of data from multiple systems to identify client records that are eligible for different sales opportunities.

Using this data, Guardian serves up information on a complete list of current cross offer opportunities available to your clients. For SmartOffice users, MicroInsights offers a differentiating turbocharge to sales activities.
“Discover hidden opportunities in plain sight with Smart Office's MicroInsights feature, unveiling actionable insights and cross-offering potential within your client base.”

Neal Patel
Disability Income Specialist,
Consolidated Planning
To the field: Thanks for all you do!
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For internal and producer use only. Not for use with or distribution to the general public.
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Pub8927 (01/24) 2023-149372 (Exp. 01/25)   |   New York, NY