(On one of the MFS conference calls – but not on the other two, because of time constraints – I mentioned this technique as part of the arsenal of practice management ideas that can be taken down off the shelf and used in any major market decline. It can be a letter to your prospects, an advertisement and/or even a sign in your window. I used it for years, and in fact I think it was in an early edition of this newsletter, but I can't quickly find where. It generated a lot of questions and comment on the conference call, so I reprint it here, in the hope that you may find it useful.)

When the markets turn as volatile and confusing as they have over the past year, even the most patient investors may come to question the wisdom of the investment plan that they've been following.

At (name of your firm), we've seen a lot of difficult markets come and go. And we can certainly empathize with people who find the current environment troublesome and disturbing. We'd like to help, if we can, and to that end, here's what we offer:

A cup of coffee, and a second opinion.

By appointment, you're welcome to come in and sit with us for a while. We'll ask you to outline your financial goals – what your investment portfolio is intended to do for you. Then we'll review the portfolio for and with you.

If we think your investments continue to be well-suited to your long-term goals – in spite of the current market turmoil – we'll gladly tell you so, and send you on your way. If, on the other hand, we think some of your investments no longer fit with your goals, we'll explain why, in plain English. And, if you like, we'll recommend some alternatives.

Either way, the coffee is on us.