Advisors Highlight Best Practices of 2020 at Virtual Event

For many, the lack of travel and commutes have offered them more flexibility, giving them time to get back to basics — to zero in and focus on not only what’s important to them, but to now also have the freedom to pursue it. 

The Way Forward

So with continued uncertainty on when things will return to “normalcy,” study groups and panels focused on how to continue adapting and thriving in our “new normal.” 

Liz Stiles, director of practice management coaching, sat down with top advisors Ilona Box and Danielle Blunt to share best practices — from client communication, to client retention and business development, to team management:

• Consider sending out surveys to clients based on the changing environment. What do they prefer in terms of how often they want to hear from you? Input their preferences into CRM to help you create new client workflows. The more digitized you can get, the less you have to worry about whether you missed any touch base opportunities with your clients.
• For traditionally social teams that are very event-driven, translate your events to a virtual landscape via regularly occurring virtual events or happy hours. Many feel the pandemic has given them a glimpse into social isolation, so this is a great strategy for keeping your clients and teams feeling connected on a social level.
• Adapt to what your clients want/need. Consider weekly or bi-weekly webinars and solicit feedback from registrants. This is not only a way to share your expertise with clients and keep them informed, but it’s also a tool that can be used with prospective clients. Though it may take several months to convert cold leads to clients, it’s been a valuable business development opportunity in this ongoing environment.
• Be sure to request registration prior to each webinar to help you track attendance and engagement with different content. No doubt, your teams have been integral to your practice over the past several months, so do not forget about their needs! 
• Focus on processes and working with your team to adjust, but take time to recognize them and build in tasks or stretch goals that will keep them engaged, fulfilled, and truly invested in the success — and future — of your practice.

A Unique Event

In addition to our study groups and panels, I was so humbled to listen to our tremendous speakers this year. 

Dr. Dambisa Moyo discussed what will define the post-pandemic world economy and our keynote speaker Diana Nyad, who is an incredible example of resilience and inspiration for “finding a way.” 

At 64, in her fifth and final attempt, Diana fulfilled her lifelong dream of completing the 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida in a 53-hour journey.

As with every Women’s Symposium, advisors benefited from networking and sharing best practices, albeit virtually this year. 

But different this year was the sense of collective experience, true camaraderie, and overwhelming support from hundreds of women across three countries, during a year when many of us seem to have needed it the most. 

And for that, I’m thankful for what turned out to be a truly unique and memorable 26th Women’s Symposium.

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Renée Baker is Head of Advisor Inclusion Networks at Raymond James, which includes the Women Financial Advisors Network, Pride Financial Advisors Network, and Black Financial Advisors Network.