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October 30, 2018 at 01:27 PM
Attracting more clients to grow the business is a constant challenge for RIA firms, and it was the subject of a lively discussion at Schwab Impact 2018.
“Being a fiduciary and independent won’t be enough” for firms to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market, according to Salim Ramji, head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory business, who introduced the panel of three successful entrepreneurial CEOs who work with RIA firms: Eric Clarke of Orion Advisor Services, Joe Duran of United Capital Financial Partners and Shirl Penney of Dynasty Financial Partners.
All three offered their analysis and prescriptions for how RIA firms can grow organically and from mergers and acquisitions, often piggybacking on the suggestions of each other.
Here are some of their recommendations and the key factors they said advisors should keep in mind.
1. Enhance the Client Experience
“There’s nothing more important for the survivability of your business than client experience,” Duran said.
A client’s digital experience is key, according to Penney. “If you’re not on your client’s phone — and they are on their phones six or seven hours a day — you run risk of becoming irrelevant for high-net-worth clients.”
A favorable client experience can also translate into referrals, which is the No. 1 way advisors grow their business, said Clarke, who favors an open architecture. “Your brand depends on what your clients think.”
“Consumers want to feel important. Make they feel important. That way you retain your fee,” said Duran.
“There are two things clients care about,” said Penney, “experience and the competency of your advice.”
2. Embrace Technology
“Technology is the great equalizer,” said Clarke. The right technology can help advisory firms not only differentiate the client experience but also increase return on investment.
With the right technology put in place and staff managed appropriately, technology can free up time for advisors to focus on the services that their clients care about and help the firm to grow, said Penney.
But technology must must integrate seamlessly with service delivery, like the way Amazon and Netflix operate, so consumers know what they’re getting, said Duran. “The consumer has to be at the center.” He suggested that firms check the growth of revenue per employee. To check if they’re investing enough in technology.
