The Business of Life Paperback – November 9, 2010

Michael Kay has not only done something many financial advisors have only thought about, or only talk about, he has also told the rest of the world how to do it, too. If you are not already persuaded that advising should embrace more than purely financial questions, then the early chapters of The Business of Life will help focus you on why this makes sense. And if you are already persuaded, then the middle and later chapters will tell you pretty much step by step how you can revise your own practice to emulate some, if not all, of what Kay has done.He also presents two sample cases, and follows them through the process: one couple that tunes in right away and is highly cooperative, and the other couple which stumbles and sometimes fails. This is smart and very helpful. We learn how the process should work under ideal circumstances but also in difficult ones.Although I was already sold on the overall concept, Kay has taught me a lot about how this kind of advisory work should be conducted in real life, and I am grateful for the lessons.

Micheal's voice of compassion is reflected in his writing, as he tells his story, and shares his experiences in helping his clients. Michael has many gifts, one of which is helping people crystallize their vision, and breaking it down into small, achievable steps. He's helped me for many years do just that.He is now passing that gift on to us by sharing his experience, systems and style in his book.As advisors, we all know that there are many processes and systems out there that offer ways to improve our business, our life, and the lives of our clients. The bigger challenge is to take what we learn, and bring it back into our business and our life, and implement it sucessfully. Michael gives you a solid foundation to do just that.Helping people become accountable for their financial life is one thing, but helping them learn that their personal life and their financial life are intertwined is another. Michael does that beautifully for his clients.For advisors, who want to stop selling, and start advising, read Michael's book.

I recommend five books for any financial planner who wants to take their practice into the 21st century. Michael Kay's book is on that short list. My advice to you is not only to buy The Business of Life, but read it and then put Michael's advice into practice! You will enhance your quality of life, add sustainability and profitability to your practice, and endear yourself to your clients for life.The other books on my short list for financial life planners that I recommend you also read are (full disclosure, one of them I co-authored): Financial Planning: The Next Step: A Practical Approach to Merging Your Clients' Money with Their Lives The New Financial Advisor: Strategies for Successful Family Wealth Management Lighting the Torch: The Kinder Method(TM) of Life Planning Facilitating Financial Health: Tools for Financial Planners, Coaches, and Therapists

As I've started the first Financial Life Planning business in Sweden I've tried very hard to build a valuable proposition for our clients, and an effective planning business.In my search for inspiration i happened to stumble across Michael, and reading his book has had an enormous impact both on me personally as well as on my business and service offer.Michael's storytelling and way of sharing his experiences from the field of Financial Planning offers you a shortcut to running a really effective and profitable business that attracts good clients.I recommend this book if you're searching for a really inspiring experience written by someone that communicates advice that makes a difference!Thank's for your fantastic book, Michael!!!I hope you'll find the time to publish more of your experiences.

Michael definitely wrote this book speaking from the heart. As financial planners, our job is to help clients focus on life - beyond numbers. In order to live a meaningful life, we must examine our own life's purpose. Furthermore, we must have a process our clients can embrace with excitement. Michael shares a timeless approach and process. "The Business of Life" will forever be a part of my life's journey.

This book really spoke to me and I can't wait to read it again, since I raced through it the first time because it was so good. I have been practicing holistic financial planning, but struggled with incorporating goal setting without it seeming hokey or contrived. "The Business of Life" outlined a very helpful structure, with practical applications that seem natural. I'm looking forward to implementing what I've learned. I'm grateful for Michael's generosity in sharing his ideas to make our profession more meaningful for clients and practitioners.

With great humor and insight, Michael Kay illuminates the process of doing for our businesses what Financial Life Planners do for clients: Clarifying a vision for a remarkable life and then translating it into reality through bite-sized actions. I especially enjoyed this book because it addresses both the theory and the practical, meeting by meeting application of life planning principles in our client interactions and in our outlook as practitioners.

I recently had the pleasure to attend the Money Quotient training session in New Jersey that Michael Kay was a part of right after reading this book. It was an honor to meet Michael and be exposed to his passion and knowledge of Financial Life Planning. His commitment, expertise and experiences are something I have benefited from and encourage others to read this book and take advantage of what he has to offer. It has empowered and inspired me transform to my practice and life. I am truly grateful for Michael Kay and his book!