Financial Services Keynote Speaker
Most financial services audiences have heard plenty about markets, products, and technology. Fewer have been shown how to start the conversation clients keep putting off: what happens to their money, and their family, when they are gone. Tom Deans has delivered more than 2,000 speaking engagements across 29 countries, and that conversation is the focus of his work with advisors, insurers, and industry associations.
A Keynote That Gives Advisors Something to Do on Monday
Tom starts with an uncomfortable fact. He says about 15 million Canadian adults and 137 million American adults don't have a legal will. Even a will that exists can be out of date, or a surprise to the family it affects.
For advisors, that gap is a way in. Tom's advisor training shows how to use the subject of wills to start better conversations with prospects and build trust with existing clients. It moves a meeting away from account balances and toward the people and goals behind them.
Why Financial Services Audiences Book This Talk
- A better client conversation. Asking about a will opens a discussion about family, goals, and worries that a portfolio review rarely reaches.
- A reason to reach out. Almost every client has an estate question, which gives advisors a useful topic for prospects and existing relationships.
- More context for your services. Insurance, gifting, and estate strategies make more sense once a family has talked through what it wants to happen.
- Relationships beyond one client. Estate work can bring advisors closer to the wider family, which can lead to referrals and future clients.
- Content that won't expire. A talk about family and money stays useful long after the next market move.
What Tom Covers in a Financial Services Keynote
- Why clients put off estate planning, and how fear of death shapes the conversation
- How to use wills as part of client discovery
- How to guide families toward a giving strategy that fits them
- The questions successful families ask, from Tom's book Willing Wisdom
- Why a family's success across generations is tied to an advisor's own success
- Why advisors who help clients plan should get their own succession plans in order
Who Books Tom
Tom's client list includes RBC Dominion Securities, TD Private Wealth, Raymond James, Mackenzie Financial, Franklin Templeton, Sun Life, Manulife, Northwestern Mutual, MassMutual, Nationwide, the Financial Planning Association, Advocis, and the Million Dollar Round Table.
Mackenzie Financial said Tom leaves audiences “questioning everything you thought you knew about succession planning.”
Available Formats
- One-hour keynote: “Understanding Your Client's Fear of Death,” with time for questions, for advisor conferences and industry events
- Two-hour training seminar: “Understanding Your Client's Fear of Death 2.0,” which teaches the Willing Wisdom seven-step discovery process
- Client events: talks for advisors who want to bring clients and families into the conversation
- Online webinars: a virtual option for teams spread across different locations
Hear Tom's Approach
- Turning the Page with Chris Reynolds of IPC Wealth, on succession planning and family meetings
- Fintech Impact with Jason Pereira, on using an estate planning checklist with clients
- Conversations on Wealth with Sarah Widmeyer of Richardson Wealth, on wills and family involvement
Planning an evening for one firm's clients? See Tom's wealth management keynote.
Watch Tom Speak
A strong financial services keynote gives the audience something to use with clients right away. Tom's talks focus on estate conversations and family communication, so advisors leave with better questions to ask and a clear reason to call.
No. Tom's keynotes focus on wills, family communication, and wealth transfer, not market forecasts or specific products.
Tom speaks at advisor conferences, industry conventions, regional meetings, and client events. Common formats are a one-hour keynote with questions or a two-hour training seminar for advisors.
Tom doesn't charge a traditional speaking fee. Event organizers buy copies of his books instead, and bulk discounts start at five copies of the same title. Use the form on this page to share your date and audience.