CLM Ventura & Associates

FAQ

Why use a recruiter at all? Can’t I do better negotiating a change on my own?

Few , if any , recruiters work the way we do. Choosing the right one can make all the difference in your execution. The art of successful recruiting is a collaboration of experience, insight and negotiation skill. Oftentimes , financial professionals believe that their connections will afford them a great transitional experience , and yet they are often disappointed when the execution falls short. Knowing where your practice best fits, where your skill sets are best complimented, and where clients belong is best addressed with a global perspective of your choices. In addition, the art of the economic transitions ( aka “the deals) requires skill and competitive insight. At CLM Ventura & Associates , we are acutely focused at all times on delivering outstanding consultation in the form of relative comparison and negotiation. In today’s complex financial services world, Identifying prospective firms that fit your vision, coordinating meetings, communicating your needs, and ultimately, negotiating with prospective firms while you are busy with your practice is best left to experts like Christopher Miller and his team.

Most importantly, any fee earned by CLM Ventura in this process is never charged to you and yet the difference in your outcome can often be multiples of the fee firms pay Miller for his placement of you.

Wouldn’t I be able to apply the fee that the prospective firm pays you to my own economic incentive if I did not use you as a recruiter?

Typically not. Almost every firm builds in costs for recruiting as part of their transitional pro forma modeling. Most of these firms are looking for an internal rate of return , minimally in the 11%-12% range. As a former senior executive at a major firm it was my experience that the fee that would otherwise go to an external recruiter , when a recruiter was not consulted, would be forfeited or gratuitously granted to an existing FA . Those economics are rarely , if ever , passed on to the recruited FA. As a result , the lack of professional consultation through recruiters like CLM Ventura can not only result in poor execution , but also amount to no further economic benefit to you in the form of the recruiting fee. It is my experience to tell FA’s who are transitioning that using a professional like myself is akin to a benefit – in other words, “ use it or lose it.”

There are lots of recruiters out there. What makes CLM Ventura any better than others?

In a word, experience. Lee Trevino, the professional golfer, once said, “ I’ll hire a teacher only when I find one that can beat me.” With an acute eye on that statement , Miller and team are focused on leveraging that experience into differentiating execution on your behalf. Our associates are highly trained and execute with a history of success. That experience is leveraged in many ways including consultation and confidential discussions at the highest levels of firms on your behalf. Our reputation as a no nonsense talent purveyor and team leadership as a multi year former senior executive in the industry opens many doors during the process.

When is the best time to make a change?

Change is relative. Your needs are typically different than others so timing on change varies. At CLM Ventura we believe that timing on a move is less important than the appropriate fit. Your potential move requires scheduling that we can help to outline for you. That said, once due diligence and exploration begins , it is important to maintain continuity with your current practice since your economic transition is typically based on your trailing 12 month revenue stream.

Do you deal with large teams as well as sole practitioner FA’s?

Yes. Our specialty is dealing with large specialized complex teams often misunderstood by others, but many of our clients are sole practitioners. CLM Ventura has the knowledge to decipher your needs. Identifying a recruiter that truly understands your business model is a critical component when choosing a recruiter. CLM Ventura has experience in virtually every business model in existence through its associates’ current and prior careers in the industry. Whether you have a model that is a sole proprietorship, a large team, a small team, a complex dynamic team or a formative strategic alliance joint venture , we can help. Today’s business models are more complex than ever before. Having consultants who have the experience and the exposure to multiple business lines is important because speaking your language, frankly, saves you time and energy better spent elsewhere during the transition exploration phase.

Do you provide insight into other models outside of the B/D model , such as RIA’s , banks and hybrids?

Yes. Our expertise includes strategic domestic wealth management models, corporate service businesses, private wealth management practices, independent models, RIA’s, banking models, retirement planning models, discretionary trading models, international wealth management models, and many more. Our experience runs deep. Our commitment to identifying the ideal collaborative partner for you is both unique and efficient given our prior experience with these models.

Christopher Miller
CEO/ Managing Partner
CLM Ventura, LLC
Financial Services Wall Street Recruiting

icon-location2 Windhaven Dr
The Woodlands, Tx 77381
cm199178@hotmail.com

icon-phone2Cell : 281 684 8699

icon-phone2Office: 281 362 5904