Technology Saves The Day When You’re Forced To Work From Home

By Susan Rupe

Technology enables advisors to keep their practices humming and continue serving their clients in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, said an advisor from Tennessee who described what he is doing now that social distancing has required him to work from home.

John Richardson, financial planner with Boundbrook Advisors in Franklin, Tenn., talked about his experience during a town hall meeting held Thursday for members of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Richardson said he previously had conducted about 25% of his client meetings remotely. But he said after moving his office into his home last week, “my calendar is full of back-to-back Zoom meetings.”

He also purchased a webinar platform to give his clients an experience. He is offering clients a daily online webinar series, “How To Make The Most Of A Challenging Season.” With the help of his practice’s partners, each session addresses a different financial topic, including annuities, estate panning and tax planning.

In addition to using Zoom to communicate with clients, Richardson said he uses it for his daily team meetings. At each meeting, team members answer three questions: 1) What did you do yesterday? 2) What are you doing today? 3) What obstacles are in your way?

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @INNsusan.