Our View of "Best Practices" We believe that a multi-disciplinary team of advisors is better-equiped to find optimal solutions to challenges our clients face in a constantly changing global economy than a single advisor evaluating options through a one-dimensional lens, that of his or her own profession of origin. Early in the development of our capacity to help clients build high-performing advisory teams, we learned that it is critically important for us to build good working relationships with every client's long-standing advisors. We work hard to do that. For example, one of the first steps we take after accepting new engagements on behalf of clients who share our belief in the multi-disciplinary approach is to identify and meet personally with the other trusted advisors. This is the beginning of a long-term process of team building, which we take on as part of our professional responsibility. In addition, we have spent decades cultivating working relationships with a diverse network of independent business and financial advisors, which allows our clients to fill any gaps discovered within their inner circle and draw on their expertise, should they choose to do so. These talented professionals include other financial services professionals, such as attorneys with specialized skill sets that complement our own, accountants, investment advisors, insurance professionals, commercial bankers, trust officers, business valuation experts, fringe benefit and retirement specialists, business brokers, investment bankers and real estate professionals, as well as professionals trained in the management and behavioral sciences.