Many of us at Bell are long-time Seinfeld fans, so Matt’s reference to double-dipping in the lead article holds special meaning for us. We tend to laugh harder and louder at every old episode we see again and remind each other about in the lunch room.
But in my case, when it comes to double dipping, I have an even older personal association with the term: the double dip ice cream cone. In my family, it was a way of maximizing possibilities, not just maximizing volume. With our revamped newsletter, state-of-the-art interactive website (still bellinvest.com), new offers, and combinations of offers, we are double dipping all over the place.
Don’t even try to take it in all at once. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the new website about to go live any day now, so stay tuned. You will find everything you are looking for and lots of things you weren’t. Here is a brief orientation to the changes in look, feel, and design that you are beginning to observe in this issue of The Opening Bell.
The Logo. After countless meetings and focused discussion among ourselves and with our marketing and communications consultants, we decided to keep our name and the cursive “B”. At a time when many investment firms and other businesses are moving away from the names of their founders to other more conceptual names, we have settled on it again and for the foreseeable future. The consensus was that the “B” in Bell still fits, and that it has become a meaningful symbol in itself – symbolic of performance and service, personal attention, and personal responsibility. In the new logo, though, you will notice that the “B” is bursting out of its box. The symbol within the box, and behind the “B” is a bare tree, symbolic of life, potential, and growth, all of which contain the properties of momentum.
The Tagline: Momentum for Life. Perhaps the most exciting moment in the entire year-long process arrived when the entire staff, assembled around the conference room table, got it at the same time. We began to see that how the questions underlying our proprietary momentum-based investment strategy also apply to our approach to financial planning and to career and life coaching. It was that ah-ha moment that turned our former tagline, Let’s Talk About Performance, into Momentum for Life. It’s not just about your money, it’s about your life. Looking honestly at what’s working and what’s not working, and by following what is and avoiding what’s not, you can build positive momentum for life. When you need help to get from A to B, ask us for help.
The Colors. We didn’t want to or need to reinvent the wheel. We have always resonated with our colors, the colors of our office – deep red, green, blue and gold. But by focusing on and enriching the red and gold, and pairing it with the bright white of the paper, we have refreshed the look, just as we have refreshed ourselves and our business.
Images of Momentum. Each section and page of the new website contains, at the top of the page, a different image of momentum found in life and in nature. Examples, such as the water drop image at the top of the front page of this newsletter, that actually could, under certain circumstances, lead to the formation of a creek or raging river. Others include a photograph of wind mills, which produce power and energy, stepping stones, symbolizing steps into the future, and a photograph of a glider flying with ease through the air. Once you begin to understand the concept of momentum, you begin to notice images of momentum everywhere. We became fascinated with and had fun exploring and selecting these images. The point is to begin to understand the power of building positive momentum that can begin with a single spark or drop of water or step in the right direction!
Evolution. We haven’t changed so much as we have gradually evolved over time, and we are managing that evolution as best we can. We have paid close attention to what was working and what was not, and have worked hard to build positive momentum for the future of the business. We are ending the year with a lot of hard work now behind us and find ourselves in great shape to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Bell Investment Advisors in 2011! Come along with us.
Workshops. The following workshops are forming for the New Year: Making a Good Life Happen, and How to Manage the Evolution of Your Career. Each will take place on a Saturday at Bell Investment Advisors offices in Oakland. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me on my direct line, 510-763-5671.
Our dear Bonnie Bonetti-Bell was the force behind our Career/Life Coaching services, until her passing in 2019. As a principal of our firm, Bonnie had an innate talent for seeing the best in people. Moreover, she helped others see the best in themselves. Bonnie is fondly remembered and deeply missed.