What good is a great looking portal if a client calls you and says:

“I love how my new reports and portal look, but the data looks different. Not only is the data incorrect, I don’t understand what it means.”

You’ve probably heard them many times. One-liners about how easy managing technology is, or could be, if only you: Designate someone as the firm “techie” Outsource all of your technology needs Agree that (pick a tech) is the backbone of …

There are many benefits to an in-person client meeting such as the ways we can tell if a client understands our presentation. Client feedback and comments determine if we are on the right track. We can see a nod in agreement, a tilt of the head indicating confusion, or a blank stare that may show boredom or lack of understanding. A client can stop us in the middle of a discussion to ask questions or clarify a point...

That and other questions will be helpful while addressing your firm’s infrastructure, in light of the robo-advisors onset.

Opinions on robo-advisors range from fear of competition to not impacting an advisor’s business. Regardless of where you are on the opinion spectrum, you should take this time to review areas of the robo-advisor’s success and compare them to your business model and infrastructure. Don’t dismiss their arrival and success as a fad...

Of course it’s all about the clients. That’s why you have your own advisory firm – to better serve your clients. Now imagine a couple of scenarios that have happened or could happen to you.