Client etiquette is your manner of professional conduct. It exemplifies the image and expectations clients have when doing business with you. Whether you are a top executive or a new hire in the office, clients will be observing and assessing you. They are watching every and all aspect of their experience. Good or bad, they are formulating opinions and judgments about what they see. If you want to elevate your client experience, it begins with the right practices for client etiquette.
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It’s that glorious event. A time when your team comes together to discuss your firm’s strategies for the coming year – the annual strategic plan. Opportunities and challenges are discussed. The virtual whiteboard and yellow pads are a bounty of ideas. It’s a celebration of motivation.
And then you look up…and it’s June.
For some firms, that beautiful strategic plan you created has not been looked at for months. We go to the common drive to print it off and say, “How are we doing?” The problem is there may be a missing component in your strategic plan.
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Financial advisors are always trying to set themselves apart in this crowded marketplace. One of the ways they attempt to do this is through a strong value proposition. A value proposition is a statement that articulates in clear terms the value you and your firm provide. It is one of the most powerful elements of your brand. The big question is: Is your value proposition valuable?
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Communicating your value for Fee-Only advisers has become a competitive undertaking. It is complicated by fee pressures, access to affluent clients and an ever-evolving service model. Advisers try to set themselves apart from others, but in many cases, the message is missing the mark.
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In the ongoing battle of growth vs. culture which side will win? First, let’s look at the problem. Many companies are watching their bottom line and seeing a pattern. Some are in growth mode; others are seeing stagnant productivity, revenues or clients. Whatever stage you are in, one circumstance facing everyone is the continual changes to client buying patterns and perceptions. Figuring your way through these challenges will determine which side wins in the growth vs. culture battle.
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Social media content and marketing is key. The challenge is finding time and good ideas for compliance-approved material. Below are 10 easy ways to keep your social media content pipeline full. These 10 featured strategies will help you avoid going weeks or months at a time without posting any updates.
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Strategic alliances can give you the opportunity to expand into new markets, access resources, or share referrals to clients. A well-structured alliance may help you grow faster by leveraging each other’s capabilities. Without proper due diligence; however, a strategic alliance could have the opposite effect. It is critical to consider the do’s and don’ts of strategic alliances prior to engaging in any relationship.
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Reprinted with permission from the April 2, 2019 issue of ThinkAdvisor. © 2019 ALM Media Properties, LLC. Further duplication without permission is prohibited. All rights reserved.
Let’s talk about the power of multi-advisor practices in the wealth management industry — also referred to as “ensemble practices,” based on the work of Philip Palaveev. You can chart the course and issues many practices encounter to a lesson learned from the legendary classic rock bands and artists of our time.
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There are many personal branding tools you will use throughout your career and your professional bio is one of the most important. Your professional bio delivers a relevant story about you and how your experience benefits prospective clients. While a resume can be dry and straightforward, a professional bio ties your achievements to the outcomes you bring clients. The art of writing a must-read professional bio is simple, make it meaningful to the clients you want to serve.
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Planning for sustainable growth is a balancing act, whether you are in your early years or expanding the business. Your growth may not always follow a certain pattern, which means you may have periodic years of growth. It also means you may have years of stagnancy if you do not systematically prepare for the twists and turns that affect sustainable growth.
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