Digital tools transform the way we serve our clients

Financial advising requires the highest quality of analytics to determine the best outcomes for our clients. Whether it’s helping with tax planning or finding the right insurance policy or managing investments, our goal is to work efficiently and provide solutions that leave our clients feeling confident. We must have the right tools to help clients explore their options so they can achieve their desired results.

The digitalization of financial planning tools marks a new era of easy access and dependable financial insights. As digital transformation propels the world forward, financial advisors must adapt to dynamic technological trends that continue to enhance the industry.

Finance in the digital age

Advisors must be vigilant in enhancing their digital capabilities — such as artificial intelligence and machine learning — to refine their financial ecosystems. Embedding technology into a practice as a support system instead of a replacement ensures advisors’ capabilities to strengthen clients’ trust. In a 2022 MDRT study, 75% of American clients said it would be important for advisors to use cybersecurity tools but only 35% said their advisors use such tools. Advisors can reshape the narrative by highlighting how digital innovations aid financial services while reassuring clients that financial advisors are still a necessity.

Between building trust with clients, providing high-quality results and growing your client base, it can be difficult to maintain a balance. Digital tools can address these concerns by improving communication and streamlining processes. For example, advisors must monitor all client information regarding investment accounts, documents, etc., while staying up to date with any client changes and communications. This is often managed through piles of paperwork or multiple spreadsheets that take time to develop. Customer relationship management software is an example of a digital tool that tracks and stores client data, preferences and activity to streamline work. In essence, CRM technology eliminates many administrative chores, allowing advisors to focus on enhancing client experiences.

Integrating digital tools

Finding digital tools is easy, but determining their usefulness is more difficult. A reliable strategy for discovering new growth opportunities is to seek perspectives from other advisors and to leverage networks such as MDRT. This approach led me to find Holistiplan, a comprehensive tax planning software program that offers a series of benefits that saved time and allowed my quality of work to improve. For example, it provides an instant scenario analysis to demonstrate the value of a Roth IRA conversion, all within a comprehensive view. If the analysis isn’t as in-depth as you need it to be, there’s a team of people behind the scenes that can provide deeper insights, see if more information is needed or determine whether the client qualifies for the conversion.

Our clients are not just a priority; they are the heart and soul of our business. Investing in digital tools reduces time spent on tedious administrative work and repositions your focus toward other areas, such as honing personal skills and crafting innovative strategies. When used correctly, this will help gain and retain clientele for continued business growth.

The future of financial advising is intertwined with the relentless development of digital progress. By capitalizing on the transformative power of digital tools, advisors can reach new levels of efficiency, efficacy and client satisfaction. In this new world, advisors must be bold enough to acquire and adopt these capabilities to make their work easier and provide more value to our clients. 

Terri E. Krueger is an independent financial advisor and seven-year MDRT member with three Court of the Table qualifications. She opened her own practice, Krueger Advisors, in Syracuse, N.Y., in 2018 and has been in the industry since 2007. She may be contacted at terri.krueger@innfeedback.com.