3 ways to be more efficient

Do you feel overwhelmed when looking at your to-do list? You’re not alone.

Being a financial advisor seems to get harder every year due to growing compliance demands and the need to keep up with market news. So what can you do?

Read: Get ready for CRM II

First, list all of your daily activities under four categories: tasks only you can do (and don’t try to hold on to tasks you like, but could delegate), tasks that are repetitive, tasks you can delegate, and those that are a waste of time.

Here’s an example:

–

Creating a chart like this will help you determine what tasks you can easily pass off and eliminate. In my experience, the three listed below can be automated.

Read:

• Man or machine?
• 12 steps for integrating automation

1. Setting appointments

Clients can book appointments themselves if you use tools such as TimeTrade. These digital platforms let people see your schedule so they can choose meeting, phone call and interview times that work for both you and them. That way, there’s no need to communicate back and forth, and you won’t drain your support staff. Some services are free and some cost money.

2. Collecting client data

Basic information forms can be templated and sent to clients by another team member. By automating the data collection process, you’ll be more prepared for meetings and clients will see you’re organized and efficient.

Read: 7 virtues of time management

3. Reading emails

Only read high-priority emails. You can do this by having someone on your team read all of your emails first and flag any that are important. That staff member can also reply to any that don’t require your attention. We’re interrupted often (every 11 minutes on average) by emails, so this will help you focus more on crucial tasks. It also helps if you set aside certain times of the day that you’ll dedicate to reading emails.

Edit your email disclaimer to inform people that staff read your emails. You can also instruct your assistants not to open emails from family or friends.

Revisit your to-do list each month to see if there are more tasks you can automate, delegate, and relegate. Then you’ll be able to spend more time with clients and on important tasks.

Read:

What services do clients value most?

3 reasons you need an assistant