Category: Grow Your Business

Madison Eubanks

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Sep 24, 2024

Whether your firm embraces or resists it, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay in the wealth management industry.  Since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, use cases for AI in day to day processes have taken off, with nearly three quarters (73%) of US companies using AI in some aspect of their business.  Recently, Vanilla hosted a panel of three AI thought leaders to discuss how AI is being incorporated in the wealth management and financial technology spaces: Amjad Hussain, CTO, Vanilla; Parker Ence, Cofounder and CEO, Jump; and Greg Matusky, Founder and CEO, Gregory FCA Public Relations.  Here,...

Madison Eubanks

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Jun 05, 2024

For wealth management firms that want to offer their clients complete, holistic financial advice, estate planning services are an absolute must. The snag is that most firms have far more advisors than planners, and resources don’t allow central planning teams to work closely with every single client.  Because estate planning is an important part of the client experience, planners need to find ways to scale the practice to the advisor level. This doesn’t mean advisors need to become the final authority on all things related to estate planning, but rather that they need to know enough to open the door...

Simona Ondrejkova, CFP

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Mar 26, 2024

For busy attorneys, finding ways to boost efficiency can elevate client service and free up more hours in your day—and leaning on carefully chosen tools may help you achieve that. With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its practical uses in improving efficiency across so many industries, you may be wondering how—if at all—you might use it in your law practice.  From removing tedious administrative tasks to speeding up case analysis and research, the latest AI technologies present many opportunities to help solo practitioners and large law firms maximize productivity while improving client outcomes. The use of AI in...

Simona Ondrejkova, CFP

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Mar 21, 2024

As a legal professional, incorporating specialized software for lawyers into your practice can help you save countless hours and improve productivity, all while providing better service to your clients. Finding the right legal industry software can free you from routine tasks so you can spend more time on the most essential work that only you can do. Plus, many software solutions can take some of the weight off the shoulders of your assistants and paralegals, improving efficiency and productivity in your firm. Software for law firms comes in many categories.  To help you gain a better idea of how legal...

Simona Ondrejkova, CFP

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Feb 16, 2024

If you’re an advisor looking to deliver the highest level of client service without adding more work to your plate, the right technology stack - whether it’s  financial planning software, investment management software, or estate planning software - can be an invaluable asset to your practice.  From projecting retirement outcomes, to helping clients visualize the impact of different investment choices on their goals, to supporting clients in achieving their legacy goals, there is software out there that can fill nearly any gap. But where do you start when it comes to finding the best software for your practice? To save...

Daniel Brockley

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Jan 09, 2024

Ask most financial advisors how they get their best clients, and nine times out of ten, they’ll answer: referrals. Referrals are the lifeblood of new business for financial advisors, because what an advisor does requires an immense amount of trust from clients. Referrals from a friend or colleague are a shortcut to that trust. But referrals don’t have to be from other clients. Referrals from industry professionals in complementary occupations – so called “centers of influence” – can not only yield new business, but a higher level of service for your clients by integrating complementary services for a more holistic...

Daniel Brockley

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Nov 21, 2023

The first conversations financial advisors have with clients and prospects are more than just exchanges of information. They are pivotal moments that set the stage for a lasting and fruitful relationship.  These discussions–which can sometimes span multiple initial conversations depending on the client’s financial and family complexity–go beyond numbers and portfolios. They are a chance to understand the values, goals, and family dynamics that motivate them. These conversations enable you to develop a report, which is vital if you’re to be trusted with sensitive financial and family information. And they provide an important opportunity to gain crucial information that will...

Simona Ondrejkova, CFP

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Oct 31, 2023

How can advisors deepen client relationships, attract and retain more clients, and grow their revenues all at once? By integrating holistic financial planning into their practice. Holistic financial planning isn't just about staying competitive in a world filled with roboadvisors and AI. It's a client-centered approach that goes beyond optimizing investment portfolios. It's about stepping into the role of a Total Wealth Advisor who prioritizes holistic advice over selling products and truly helps clients achieve their life's most cherished goals and dreams. Although there’s a lot of talk about goals-based planning in the industry, it can be hard to know...

Simona Ondrejkova, CFP

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Oct 26, 2023

Great client-advisor relationships don’t just happen by accident. They’re cultivated over time and founded upon a mutual sense of trust and understanding. This starts with communication that helps clients feel safe to openly share their financial goals and challenges without fear of judgment.  In an increasingly globalized world, advisors have clients who often come from many different backgrounds, belief systems, and cultures. Perhaps some of your clients emigrated to the US from other countries or grew up with immigrant parents. As a result, their beliefs and attitudes around the topics of finance and estate planning might be completely different from...