Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

As you hit the beaches, roads and even your own backyard hammocks this summer, scoop up a copy or two of the latest and greatest books in the benefits biz for the year. EBA has assembled a list of the professional must-reads for summer 2013 so you can still feel productive while sipping that happy hour Mai Tai.

More than 70% of sales leads are lost because contact isn't made quickly enough, according to one study. But Brandon Stuerke, president of Advisors Edge Marketing, a specialist in marketing strategy and automation for financial advisers and other professionals, points out there are other ways to lose out on sales opportunities. Stuerke, a former financial adviser, shares four ways professionals commonly lose sales leads and how to fix them. [images: Thinkstock]

Building your own business, even with a team of experts behind you, requires tough decisions regarding resources, clients and employees. But most of all it requires leadership. Shirl Penney launched Dynasty Financial Partners more than two years ago and here are some of his tips on continuing to build a business. Penney blogs for Financial Planning, a SourceMedia publication.

Learn how to turn a referral into a quality introduction with five critical things you should do, according to Bill Cates. Bill Cates is this author of several books including Get More Referrals Now! Cates blogs for Financial Planning, a SourceMedia publication.

Whether running a small business or a giant corporation, leaders — and even trained MBAs — are making major mistakes when it comes to their management styles, says corporate turnaround executive Kathleen Brush, author of The Power of One. Brush provides the top seven mistakes managers make. [Images: Thinkstock]

Over-the-counter medicines are part of most Americans’ routine health care. But what does usage of OTC medications really look like, and what impact does it have on health? In fall 2012, Edelman PR conducted a nationwide survey on this topic — and some of the findings from the 31,000 respondents may surprise you. [Images: Thinkstock]

Merging your practice can be a difficult process. Advisers who have been through the deal process offered their recommendations for others considering a deal during a panel at TD Ameritrade Institutional’s annual adviser conference in San Diego. [Story by Rachel F. Elson, Financial Planning] [Images: Thinkstock]

While your retirement education plan might look good on paper, it could likely use a little work in order to hit the right notes with employees. Aaron Friedman, national practice leader at The Principal Financial Group, provides best practices to create an engaging approach.

The 2013 benefits landscape will find employers, human resources professionals and benefits brokers challenged once again to provide competitive benefits packages that attract and retain employees. In an effort to manage benefits costs, deal with PPACA provisions, and offer benefits for a diverse workforce with varying needs, a solid voluntary benefits strategy is certain to be included. Elizabeth Halkos, Purchasing Power’s chief marketing officer, shared her predictions for voluntary benefits for the coming year. [Images: Thinkstock]

2012 was a year full of news affecting this industry. Here are some quotes that stood out to EBA editors.