H. Robert Bradley, CIMA®, CFP®

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Partner, Certified Financial Planner™ Practitioner
Certified Investment Management Analyst® Professional

What does an ideal client look like for you—and who is not a good fit?

I predominantly work with professionals and business owners over 50 with net worth ranging from $2 – $20 million. My hope is to add an additional associate soon so we can accept more new relationships.

Look, everyone is a fit for good advice. I will often do pro bono consultations for kids or grandchildren of clients I can’t work with myself – and really enjoy that, by the way! I also have referred clients I don’t have the capacity for to other advisors at the firm. In my view, without neglecting the clients that got you where you are today, there is only so much capacity for new “ideal clients” given the time, care and detail each one deserves.

How do you typically create measurable value for a client in the first 90 days?

In short: peace of mind and clarity of action. The expanded answer, though, is that within 90-days we work with clients to co-create several specific deliverables that make those two things happen. First a comprehensive financial audit that includes discovery of goals, analysis of the investment portfolio and tolerance/capacity to experience investment volatility, as well as a detailed look at their cash flow analysis, tax situation, the existing estate plans and their full balance sheet… That sentence was a mouthful. Said another way, there are six key deliverables I mentioned there which allow confidence, clarity and peace of mind to burgeon for our client. When we engage with a client, those first three months tend to be intensive with anywhere between 4 and 6 calls or meetings to ensure that we can deliver on our promises and set a strong foundation for their planning.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Without question, the relationships and the people – both within our Rochester-based team and with clients. Sara Bodine is our dedicated Client Service Manager who has worked with me and our clients for many of the last 20 years. She cares about the quality and detail of everything we do, which gives me confidence at work each day. Tim Pennino, CFA joined us when I became a part of Chicago Partners 3 years ago and brings serious analytical skill yet with the heart of a friend in how he treats people. Tim, I would also say, is one of the most unflappable professionals I’ve worked with. Given that financial markets and life can be volatile, I think that’s an underrated skill. I’m blessed to have team members that I enjoy working with and care about both as people and professionals.

What leadership traits have served you well?

I’ll share just one that matters most to me: dropping the ego. When I joined Chicago Partners, I became a relatively small fish in a firm that just recently surpassed $8 billion in assets. When I was part of running my own firm, I felt I had to always be out front, calling the shots and making hard decisions at a firm level. Unintentionally, I think that nurtured a self-focus that was corrosive to former business partners and other relationships. I’ve learned a lot from those days when “it all depended on me”… or at least so I thought. Being part of a broader, national team has allowed me to enjoy the quality of the relationships I have with clients, family, and friends much more. I’ve axed the workaholic habits I formed over my first 20 years in this business when I felt they were necessary to thrive or prove something. It took me longer than I would have liked, but I believe that has made me a much more compassionate, approachable and effective leader.

What is one quote or phrase you refer to when you need inspiration?

My Dad was a coach and a huge influence on my life, so I can’t do better than closing with a quote that reminds me of him from the great Coach John Wooden:

“Be true to yourself. Make each day your masterpiece. Help others. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible. Make friendship a fine art. Build a shelter against a rainy day. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.”