Agree with Ice on his thoughts. It is not only about work but life. No need to put a personal spin or comment other than…Lead , Follow or get the Hell Out of the Way.

  Staying focused on all the injustices and unfair things in life and work consumes too much of your time that can be better spent on more postive things.

Ice-

  I get the feeling you are working your dad's book. Probably never had to hunt to eat.   I wonder if you have ever been through a down market that lasted years and held clients hands day in and day out. I have.   I wonder if you have ever had the experience of going to a clients memorial service and being asked to speak in front of hundreds about your relationship with that client. I have.   I wonder if you have ever had the experience of clients not only referring you to everyone they know, but inviting you to memorable family events because they think of you as family. I have.....numerous times.   I wonder if you have ever had the experience helping people who are in need of help. I have served on countless boards in my community over the last 20years.   I wonder if you have had the experience of raising kids to be quality human beings. I have 3 wonderful daughters. Ages 19,16,5.   I wonder if you have had the experience of finding the right partner in life. I have been married to the same women for 24 years.   Am I bitter? Hell no. I just get really tired of pompus assholes like you who think they know what's right and have an attitude. The people who vent on this board about Jones and their experience enjoy their life, and they work hard and they implement the changes needed (like leaving EDJ).   And we are leaders by example. Assuming you get kicked in the teeth at some time in your life, hopefully you will remember this little diatribe. Longevity matters in life and business.   Thanks for motivating me today.

Another great post foot.

  Ice and Norway, I don't think me, foot, or 99% of the other ex-Jonesers are "focused" on Jones and being bitter. We live our lives and from time to time post on this board.  We have common gripes about Jones, so we enjoy sharing them, kind of like old war stories.  They don't define us, but it is good to talk about them once in a while.    If you have such a problem with it, why don't you close your browser, or go to another post that suits your taste.

Ice-

  I am not a polygamist....just a bad speller.   I appreciate your accomplishments....if they are real. But that doesn't make you a seasoned financial advisor. That's really the gist of my message.

Perhaps Ice did hit a sore point with some people....It was a very simple statement ....or perhaps bitter???

Geez , the launching of personal attacks is a little over the top don't you think? My view of the original statement was the sense of ENTITLEMENT nothing more , nothing less. If each time you are required to list your complete life's resume of successes and failures no would would ever open a discussion.   A final note , I guess that today civilty is something that only goes one way?

[quote=B24]LRT-

Seriously, it is NO different at any other firm.  But at the wirehouses, they call it joining a team.  The difference between joining a team and starting from scratch at a wire is the equivalent difference of getting a GK/getting an existing office vs. starting new/new at Jones.  I guess the one difference would be that at the wirehouses, they don't perch you up there with all those silly awards and everything just because you joined a team.    As much as it burns, I just don't see how you can blame the firms for this.  You have to go in without the blinders on.  They tell you it's gonna be tough.  They're not kidding.[/quote]   I can't provide any evidence, but I have to imagine that newbies who join a team at a wirehouse are more likely to make it than those who do GKs at Jones.   My regional leader is a top producer and is in the process of doing a fifth Goodknight. Unfortunately, the previous four failed and are no longer in the business.   I don't know exactly how wirehouse teams work, but it seems to me there is a high degree of stability with an established team and an opportunity to work hard and climb the ladder--possibly without so much constant emphasis on selling.    When I first started, I feel I could have opened several more accounts if I could have brought the prospects into a team environment with a seasoned vet to close the deal. Unfortunately at Jones, involving a seasoned vet means losing the client and the commissions.   

Ron 14:

I would agree. A GK is not joining a team. A GK is getting a pile of inactive accounts who probably will not produce much.  In some cases getting a GK tricks the new FA into doing less prospecting and it ends up detracting from the building of his own client base.

  That sounds like a personal motivation issue to me, not something Jones has done.  But you are correct.  In my opinion, getting a GK or existing office (depending on the size) really just puts you ahead to year 2 or 3.  So you avoid the situation of failing out in 6 months, but you could become MORE likely to fail out in 3 years due to lack of effort.   However, the same can be said at a wirehouse on a team.  If you decide to not put in the effort, I highly doubt the team is going to keep you.  Now, from a 30,000 foot view, it can be said that having that team (essentially your "bosses") motivates you and keeps you from becoming complacent.  But if that's what you need to make it, then working at Jones or being independant might not be for you (No, I'm not comparing the two, just the relative "solitude" in many cases).