that's right bb i be still at it

[quote=noggin]

Okay Spiff....

Break down technology charges on a line item basis.  - I agree.  I'd like to see this done maybe once a year.  I don't need to see it every month.

On Annuities explain the difference between what jones collects in commission dollars and what they pay the advisor on.  - I think that would be a good thing to see too.  We hear about haircuts all the time.  I do a lot of annuity biz and I'd like to see this info.    

On Mutual Funds the same thing.  - I think this one is already out there.  I also believe it's pretty much industry standards as far as commissions go.  

Break down the profit that the fixed income desk makes.....  - You need to learn how to read the 10-k and 10-q.  That info is listed there.  Broken down by product type.   

What the GP and LP and SLP returns are reported quarterly......  - You can find LP returns on Jonesnet all the way back to 1979.  I'm not sure about SLP.  I haven't tried.  If you really want to know the nitty gritty, you can search for the firm financial pdfs on Jonesnet.  Balance sheet, Income Statement, Partner Profit Summary, etc.  It's there.  Not hidden.  Available for internal use only, but out there for the Jones general public's viewing pleasure.  You can do the math yourself and figure out the profit differences between the three partnership levels.   

They need to raise expectations at Jones so it wouldn't be so embarassing to work there..$180k after 5 years... are you kidding me...?

$180K is the MINIMUM expectation.  Standard at 5 years is $325K.  Huge difference.   

As someone involved in this process, here is the fundamental issue:  Slacking.  The numbers of FA's at EDJ that coast and do not work even close to a 40 hour week is estimated at 60%!  That number is based on an internal survey and when I say not even close, I mean less than 30 hours consistently!  Think about those implications, people had to answer this survey and they still admitted to working three days a week!

As for this "being dropped", it has been mentioned for the past year at every regional, from what I hear.  

Remo - The problem here is running your own business....

Which is FINE if you RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!  You DON'T if you work for someone else!  If you want to be a slacker, go independent!  

It gets tiresome for about 20% of the people to carry the load and have their bonus suffer, their BOA NOT get a raise and the support they get from the home office be effected!  SO, the choice is for the bottom to either pick it up or pack it up OR for the TOP to go get paid!  Let me know a)which segment you are and b)which choice you think EDJ should choose!!

As a recent former Edward Jones financial advisor, I can say that the new performance standards were something that was planned way in advance. A former general partner came to our regional meeting in October 2009 (after chewing out the group about its sales numbers being down, BTW) that the performance standards would be raised.

Edward Jones needs to be honest and tell the truth about it -- it's a forced attrition plan. When Jim Meddle, er, Weddle is telling in his detached voice that he envisions 10 percent of the sales force will be trimmed, the tone for the past two years has been aimed at Segment 3 and Segment 4 financial advisors -- the group that has gross production rolling four-month average ranges from $15,000/mo. (the lowest average to make it into Segment 3) to $39,999/mo. (the highest average before going into Segment 5). It doesn't take much of an assumption to conclude that an even higher percentage of the new FAs and Segment 1 and Segment 2 FAs attrition will not make it.

Despite its "brutal facts" report coming out a few months ago, I believe Edward Jones already has made its five-year plan -- namely, trim its sales force by a large percentage over the next three years and shut down offices. Contrary to the image its pitching to the unassuming public, I don't see the firm wanting to open more offices but actually consolidating its offices via forcing a lot of financial advisors to leave. For that matter, it wouldn't surprise me if the firm as a "nuclear button" plan of putting itself on the auction block in the near future.