Welcome to Conditionomics, a unique financial coaching program designed for use with individuals and couples.  Conditionomics is founded on the belief that our personal, professional and financial lives are interdependent, and that wealth is only relevant to the extent that it helps us achieve our personal and professional goals.  One of its key objectives is to help clients identify and implement strategies that will protect their financial life against the factors that could erode, diminish or destroy it, namely The 7 Wealth Destroyers:

• Death
• Health Crisis
• Longevity
• Lawsuits
• Inflation 
• Taxes
• Market Volatility

With the use of specially designed systems and tools, Conditionomics leads clients on a journey of discovery and growth. A journey that prepares them to overcome the obstacles to financial success and achieve more of the things they value in life sooner. In the words of clients and industry leaders, Conditionomics:

“. . . leads to a sound, results-oriented financial plan for successful couples”

“. . . addresses the most important aspect of clients’ plans – the driving force behind their goals”

“. . . empowers couples to communicate better, grow closer and have more of the things they value sooner without sacrificing future security”

“. . . is a lifeline for great thinking, decision-making and action”

Conditionomics recognizes that most people, despite their success, have not experienced the financial results they expected. Largely because of the rules that govern their financial outcomes and the advice of those who apply them. What they don’t realize is that most so-called “rules of thumb” financial advice doesn’t apply to them. In fact, for those in the top 15% of their peer group – following such advice is often financially harmful. A truth that, unfortunately most people learn too late, and at a cost far greater than the money, the missed opportunity for a greater quality of life.

In today’s financial world, there are three major things that prevent us from realizing our wealth potential:

1. Our Approach

2. Our Economic System

3. Market Information

There are also various misleading conclusions people make as to what they should do to achieve wealth. Several potentially misleading conclusions are:

1.  You should always maximize your qualified plan contributions

2.  You should accelerate the payoff of your mortgage

3.  It is better to buy term insurance and invest the difference, than to buy whole life insurance

In fact, to accurately evaluate these conclusions, one must take into account a multitude of variables, including the person’s:

• income and tax bracket (present & future)
• total assets and liabilities
• number of dependents and their needs
• employer provided benefits
• age and time horizon
• personal health
• goals and objectives

For more information on how Conditionomics can help you enhance the role of money in your life contact us at 866.921.0701 or info@conditionomics.com.

four consumer trends that are redefining the role that financial advisors play in their clients’ lives: life expectancy, divorce, consumer confidence and the new “consumer economy.”

The first trend to talk about is life expectancy, or more specific, the fact that people are living much longer than expected.  You may be surprised to learn that many of you have a high probability of living to be 100 years old.  While this may seem inconceivable at first, when you consider that statistically: more people in this country are now turning 65 than 40; between the year 2000 and 2030 the nation’s population age 65 and older will more than double; one of the fastest growing segments of the population today is people over 85 years of age; and today there are more than 100,000 people in this country over 100 years of age, then living to be 100 becomes much more believable.  The progress being made in the medical technology industry combined with lifestyle changes is making it not only possible, but highly probable that we will live much longer than we expect.

This trend is causing consumers to be overwhelmed and frightened by the possibility that they will outlive their money.  A fear that is justified when you consider that people who retire at age 65 may live nearly as many years retired as they did earning income.  How will this be possible and what should we as financial advisors be doing about it?

The second trend is the growing number of people who are divorced in this country.  According to recent reports, the percentage of the population that is divorced is up from 6% in 1980 to 10% in 2002 – a 67% increase.  Plus another 2% of the population is married but separated.  And these statistics don’t include those unhappy married couples who are staying together out of convenience.

I ask you: “Is it reasonable to assume that so many people are marrying the wrong person?”  I don’t think so!  And if you agree, then the more important question is: “Why is this happening, and what can be done to change it?”  After all there is nothing that will foul up a financial plan or an advisors relationship with a client faster than a divorce.

The third trend is the fact that consumer confidence in the financial services industry has reached a critical low.  In 1999 Peter Drucker published an essay entitled “Financial Services: Innovate or Die.”  Even during the bull market of the 1990s it was apparent to Drucker that “financial product and service providers must change or be rendered unprofitable and replaced.”  Despite the warnings, the financial services industry has failed to respond adequately and is now suffering the ultimate consequences:
- a lack of consumer confidence, evidenced by
- the proliferation of law suits, and
- intolerable legal compliance requirements 

There is no question that consumers are filled with fear, uncertainty and doubt when it comes to their financial future.  Many have lost confidence in the market, the government and their financial advisors.  And as a result, the financial services industry is now one of the most targeted industries by tort attorneys.  As Drucker said, the financial services industry must innovate or die, the question is how.

The fourth and final trend is that our society is rapidly evolving into an “experience economy.”  When I ask financial advisors what industry they are in they quickly answer “The Financial Services Industry.”  And when I ask them what differentiates them from other advisors they say their service.  The Harvard Business School Press recently published a book entitled The Experience Economy by Pine and Gilmore, in which they stated that our economy has evolved from a product and service economy, to an “experience economy.”  In other words, consumers now view products and services more as commodities, and the “consumer experience” as the differentiators.  The phenomenal success of Starbucks is just one example.  I recently learned that Starbucks sells more music CDs than any other company in the world.  Why, because they make music a part of the consumer experience.  And consumers choose to go there not simply to buy their products, but to enjoy and capture the experience that is uniquely Starbucks.  I doubt if many consumers would say that about a visit to their financial advisor.

So, if it is true that:
- consumers are living much longer than expected;
- that couples are growing apart at an unreasonable rate;
- that consumer confidence is critically low; and
- that our economy is evolving from a service into an experience economy; 

Then to thrive in the new economy financial advisors must create a new client experience that:
- helps couples grow together, not apart;
- increases their confidence in their financial future; and
- expands their view of possibilities, and ultimately the quality of their lives. 

To answer this call for change, I created Conditionomics. 

So where did the term Conditionomics come from?  I am sure that most of you never heard of the term Conditionomics before today. Despite our efforts and good intentions; my wife and I were “not conditioned” or prepared to be financially successful.  I later concluded that if this could happen to us then it must be happening to many others and became impassioned with the idea of helping others avoid our mistakes.  So I decided to enter the financial services industry to develop a process that would help couples “get in condition and stay in condition to effectively create and apply wealth in their lives.”  With this in mind, I coined the expression “Economic Conditioning” which I later trademarked as “Conditionomics.”

For more information on the Conditionomics and the role it can play in helping you bridge the gap in communicating better with your advisor, contact us at 866.921.0701 or info@conditionomics.com.

Obstacle #1
Their approach: Most people make financial decisions as a reaction to some event or perceived need. For example couples get married and buy insurance; they have children and get a will; or receive a bonus and invest in the market. In each case the decisions are reactive and transactional; resulting in a collection of fragmented solutions with little or no thought given to how one decision might adversely affect the outcome of another.

Obstacle #2
Our economic system: We live in the greatest economic system in the world. It is called capitalism and is based on free enterprise and open competition. However, this leaves clients vulnerable to sales people who are competing versus collaborating to assure that the client’s best interest is always served.

Obstacle #3
Market information: Or better stated “market misinformation.” As I learned from personal experience, most information presented in books, magazines and talk shows, describes how specific products work empirically and on a stand-alone basis, versus how they work collectively and uniquely for specific individuals and their families. In fact, the only way to determine if a specific strategy or product is in a client’s best interest is to take into consideration a host of variables including the client’s:

- income and tax bracket (present and future);
- total assets and liabilities;
- number of dependents and their needs;
- employer provided benefits;
- age and time horizon;
- health;
- and most important - their goals and objective.

All which vary from client to client and therefore require different solutions.

Unless these obstacles are overcome the financial outcome is at best inefficient and at worst financial failure. In other words, consumers are not prepared or conditioned to be financially successful and it is the job of financial advisors to help them get, and stay, in condition.

But before advisors can do this they must first know the client’s unique purpose for wealth. This is why we created the Conditionomics Goals Driver. To help couples communicate better not only with themselves, but also with their financial advisor. We call it having the most important conversation you’ve never had - since you’ve been married. For more information on the goals driver, visit our Web site products page or contact us at 866.921.0701 or info@conditionomics.com.

Michael Campbell, creator of ConditionomicsTM (coined from the words Economic Conditioning), and founder of The Conditionomics Coach, LLC. has been called an “Industry Transformer” for several years now by some of the top Financial Service Leaders in the country. This August The Conditionomics Coach is pleased to announce the launch of a product line designed specifically for consumers to utilize.

Most people are surprised to learn that we have a high probability of living to be 100 years old today. Statistically, more people in this country are now turning 65 than 40 and one of the fastest growing segments of the population is people over 85 years old. By the year 2030, the number of people 65 years and older will more than double!

This trend is causing consumers to be concerned and frightened by the possibility of OUTLIVING their money. A fear that is justified when you consider that those who retire at age 65 may live nearly as many years retired as they did earning income. How will this be possible and what should financial advisors be doing about it? In addition the divorced population has increased from 6% in 1980 to 10% in 2002. That’s a 67% jump in 22 years. Of course, that does not include the 2% of the population who are married but legally separated, and unhappy married couples who are staying together out of convenience. Is it reasonable to assume that many people are marrying the wrong person? We don’t think so. But why is divorce so prevalent and what can be done to change it?

Unlike any other time in history, the financial services industry and its clients are facing extraordinary challenges that call out for change. Conditionomics new Consumer Products Division and useful tools such as our Goals Driver Workbook - Enables couples to come together and have the most important conversation they’ve probably NEVER had since they’ve been married. Conditionomics shows Mr. & Mrs. John Doe how to create and implement strategies to GROW and PROTECT their unique goals and determine not only the things that give them confidence, but also what causes them uncertainty and doubt.

Conventional wisdom’s failure to work in our society is the foundation for the principles of Conditionomics. Couples who apply the conventional approach begin to slowly (and unknowingly) grow apart. And before advisors can condition their clients they must first understand the client’s unique purpose for wealth.

For consumers, Conditionomics raises the bar when it comes to increasing your confidence level. Financial decisions are based on your own goals and believability factors, not your  financial advisor’s.

For advisors, Conditionomics empowers you with everything you need to create a one-of-a-kind client experience that endears couples to communicate with each other and their coach.

Michael Campbell is available as a guest speaker/presenter on the various financial topics and can be reached at macwealth@aol.com.