By: Kent Clark
For over two decades, Robert J. Smith has revolutionized the world of financial services by employing groundbreaking persuasion techniques. Smith, an MBA and Ph.D. holder, scaled the peak of his industry, becoming the #1 ranked financial services producer worldwide for several leading companies within six months of discovering the highly praised book, “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini, Ph.D.
Smith applied Cialdini’s art of persuasion at Mutual of New York (MONY), AXA Financial, and The Equitable and shared it with peers at John Hancock and New York Life. Prior to discovering Influence, Smith earned another extraordinary achievement. He is the fastest advisor in John Hancock’s history to earn the coveted Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) professional designations. He completed the program in a record 13 months, far ahead of the standard 48-month period and also below the allowed 72 months for program completion.
Continuing his meteoric rise, Smith also made significant contributions to the New York Life team that celebrated its 50th Consecutive year of Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Leadership. As Smith navigated the complexity of these financial landscapes with ease and confidence, it became apparent that Cialdini’s strategies of influence and persuasion were playing an instrumental role.
Recognizing the power of these techniques, Smith decided to further deepen his involvement and understanding of influence by teaming up with Dr. Cialdini as a Founding Member of The Cialdini Institute. This partnership provides his clients access to the Ethical Influence Practitioner (EIP) certification program along with Smith’s exclusive implementation strategies. Smith deftly guides his consulting clients, serving as a conduit to techniques that could help them increase their sales and improve leadership capacity through these time-tested and evidence-based methods.
The cornerstone of the Cialdini Certified Practitioner program rests on seven pillars proven to guide human behavior:
- Reciprocity
- Scarcity
- Authority
- Consistency
- Liking
- Social Proof
- Unity
Warren Buffett, renowned business tycoon and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has described ‘Influence’ as “one of the best business books of all time.” This sentiment attests to the relevance and practicality of the principles underscored in Dr. Cialdini’s work. These principles, as disseminated by Dr. Smith, have significantly increased sales, inspired teams, and provided a robust strategy for overcoming adversity.
Today, Smith spearheads Smith Profits, a global consulting firm under the umbrella of Robert J. Smith Productions Company. His rich experience, coupled with unrelenting ambition, drives his mission to assist financial advisory firms to elevate their sales production. Nonetheless, his approach has expanded beyond financial firms as he extends his expertise to other professionals and businesses seeking to benefit from strategic influence.
Mulled over two decades, the impact Robert J. Smith has within the sphere of financial services using Dr. Cialdini’s influence tactics continues to be a profound testament to the transformative power of strategic persuasion. As we look forward to an exciting future where ethical influence shapes businesses and leadership strategies, we also acknowledge the indelible footprints of pioneering professionals like Smith, who identified the power of influence early on, engaged it, and shared it for the betterment of many.
All who desire to understand more about Smith’s approach and his various initiatives or to tap further into his wealth of knowledge are invited to explore his social media platforms and engaging online resources. These platforms provide a window into his treasured insights, exceptional strategies, and an in-depth exploration of his uniquely impactful strategies. As Smith continues to forge ahead, his fascinating career remains an inspiration to many and a timeless case study in the strategic use of ethical influence.
Dr. Cialdini’s remarkable work in influence is far from over. Neither is Dr. Smith’s. In his tireless pursuit of ushering financial advisors, businesses, and professionals towards more effective persuasion tactics, the lasting legacy of Robert J. Smith remains the masterful harnessing of powerful strategies for strategic influence, leading self and others toward unparalleled success.
Published by: Aly Cinco
