Be careful with the team thing... 

It works best if you have a disadvantage that you have no control over, like being very young.  You make the calls and set the appointments... then the senior member does the meeting and closes the deal.  There are lots of versions, but new business is usually split 50-50.  The bottom line is USUALLY that an experienced guy wants to grow but doesn't want to prospect.  Unfortunately, it seems pretty common that the new guy doesn't cut it, so what was 50-50 becomes 100 to the senior guy.

Unless somebody offers you a "sweet" deal, it seems that people that come in with no disadvantages are better off going solo, but there are tons of variations (like if the senior guy gives you a cut of his existing book) that might still make joining a team a good idea.

It's a difficult decision to make and, if it goes sour, and can get ugly.

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[quote=BigFirepower]

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[quote=BigFirepower]

[quote=newguy44]

My suggestion is this: Make sure you are being hired onto a team. Three weeks ago 120 people were fired by MSSB. The company changed the criteria mid stream and let EVERYONE go from three training classes unless they were on a team. Thank you for brining in a $4 million in new assets in 12 months. Bye now. Be careful what you wish for, and make sure you will be on a team. When I interviewed the BM said teams are the future. I asked if I would be a part of a team. Nope. You will be on your own.

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Wow, that bears repeating to folks... I've done this for 19 yrs, and I have never seen a climate worse for starting off new. Working for a team, or successful indy, or going in as a licensed SA is the only possible way to go.

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Your posts smell of someone who never prospected..

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So right you are. I had a 100m+ book just handed to me one day. Man, that was just awesome, so easy. And when I started my own firm, 30 days after the bottom of 2009, It all just fell in my lap all over again. No, I wouldn't know the least thing about prospecting, as I'm only inclined to use hapless rookies to prospect for me, then boot them to the curb when it suits me. You got me!

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Then why say it is impossible to make it unless you join a team?? Tons of advisors are making it right now and not on a team.

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Tons of advisors are "making it"? REALLY? I KNOW otherwise....

Granted, you're right, my broad brush stroke of "only possible way" is probably not accurate either. 

Anyone either dedicated enough, hard working enough, too stupid to quit, or just plain lucky can make it any old time, regardless of rates, market, whatever. Certainly describes me beating my head against the wall for many years.  And it would be poor form for me, or anyone else come on here and give any discouraging words to folks like you trying to make it happen. I'll watch that....

[quote=BigFirepower]

[quote=newguy44]

My suggestion is this: Make sure you are being hired onto a team. Three weeks ago 120 people were fired by MSSB. The company changed the criteria mid stream and let EVERYONE go from three training classes unless they were on a team. Thank you for brining in a $4 million in new assets in 12 months. Bye now. Be careful what you wish for, and make sure you will be on a team. When I interviewed the BM said teams are the future. I asked if I would be a part of a team. Nope. You will be on your own.

[/quote]

Wow, that bears repeating to folks... I've done this for 19 yrs, and I have never seen a climate worse for starting off new. Working for a team, or successful indy, or going in as a licensed SA is the only possible way to go.

[/quote] I would agree up until you said the part about the licensed SA. Been one a couple of times and was shown the door when the stuff hit the fan. Said they couldn't afford me anymore...