Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 07, 2014
The Money Management Institute (MMI), the national association representing the $3.4 trillion managed investment solutions and wealth management industry, and Wheelhouse Analytics, a leading provider of innovative technology solutions to the investment management industry, today announced the launch of a new online learning platform that will provide broad-based training on managed solutions to the employees of financial services firms engaged in this fast-growing market segment. The program was developed in response to requests from MMI member firms for a scalable, cost-effective way to deliver enhanced employee education on all facets of the managed accounts business and is an extension of the highly successful, one-day workshops that MMI has been offering to employees of member firms since 2009.
Phase one of the platform launch includes seven modules – developed by industry leaders and subject matter experts – designed to provide a well-rounded, fast-paced overview of managed solutions. The initial modules include an introduction to the investment advisory industry, the evolution and growth of managed products, investing basics, the sales process and client interview, Baby Boomer investing, the technology supporting managed solutions, and a close-up look at Unified Managed Accounts. The innovative, online platform allows students to cover the material – which is comprised of case studies, interactive quizzes, glossaries of key terms, and optional tests – at their own pace. It also provides administrative tools that allow management personnel to monitor and track employee progress.
“The eLearning Initiative is an example of MMI’s commitment to help member firms to ‘Connect, Know, and Grow’ and advance the future of investment advisory solutions,” said Marc Brookman, Managing Director and Associate Director of the Morgan Stanley Consulting Group, who is Co-Chair of MMI’s Educational Outreach Committee. “By marshalling industry resources and expertise to enhance the training of managed solutions employees, we can collectively better serve the growing number of financial advisors who employ advisory solutions and – most importantly – the clients who rely on them to achieve their investment goals and provide financial security for their families.” Commenting on the scalability of the online learning platform, Mr. Brookman added, “In the past five years, we have been able to train over 600 employees via our face-to-face workshops. The eLearning Initiative will allow us to reach thousands of employees in a much more efficient and cost-effective manner.”
“I have spent my entire career in managed solutions and have been involved with MMI for many years,” added Jim Seuffert, Senior Partner at Wheelhouse Analytics. “After helping to develop the curriculum for MMI’s training workshops and participating in them as an instructor, I have seen first-hand how valuable this type of education can be. Wheelhouse is proud to partner with MMI and apply our e-learning expertise and technology to this important initiative which fills a current void in the financial services marketplace and will benefit the entire industry.”
The eLearning Initiative is being rolled out to MMI member firms this month. Among its first students will be the incoming class of interns from the Gateway to Leadership program, a partnership between MMI and UNCF that places students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in summer internships with MMI member firms. “Completing the eLearning modules will not only give the students a tremendous head start on their summer learning experience, it will also make them more attractive to potential employers when they graduate and seek full-time employment in the financial services industry,” noted Christopher L. Davis, President of MMI. “We believe that this program will be a valuable resource both for those employees already in our industry and – potentially down the road – for others, like the Gateway students, who are looking to embark on a career in financial services.”
About the Money Management Institute (MMI): Since 1997, MMI has been the leading voice for the global financial services organizations that provide advice and professionally managed solutions to individual and institutional investors. Through industry advocacy, educational initiatives, regulatory affairs, data reporting, and professional networking, MMI supports and advances the growth of advisory solutions. MMI members’ advice-driven investment solutions serve an evolving worldwide financial landscape and their organizations are committed to the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility and ethical conduct and to creating the most successful outcomes for investors at every level of assets. For more information, visit http://www.MMInst.org.
About Wheelhouse Analytics: Founded in 2010 by industry experts with more than 100 years of combined experience, Wheelhouse’s mission is to serve the investment management industry through innovative technology solutions. For more information, visit http://www.wheelhouseanalytics.com.