@Marcella Toronto A free demo is such an important step in selecting the right financial planning software. Here are a few options you might consider: - eMoney and MoneyGuidePro: Both are popular among advisors for comprehensive retirement and investment planning. - RightCapital: This software is strong in cash flow and tax planning, with a reputation for being intuitive. They often offer free trials or demos. - Asset-Map: If you're looking for a more visual, client-friendly approach, this is a great choice, and they provide demo access as well. - ProjectionLab: This tool offers a modern, visual approach to financial planning and is particularly user-friendly. They provide a demo on their website to explore its features. I recommend reaching out to the providers directly to schedule a demo and see which one aligns best with your needs. Note: When choosing software, think about how it aligns with your firm’s specific needs and whether it integrates with your existing tools.

@Kelly Allan Great question! Choosing the right client scheduling software can make a big impact on your efficiency and client relationships. Here’s what I’ve observed from working with firms in this space: Popular Tools: Solutions like Calendly and ScheduleOnce are common, but for financial advisors using CRMs like Redtail or Wealthbox, integration can be tricky. These tools often rely on third-party connectors like Zapier or Retriever for Tailwag, which sometimes lead to reliability issues or extra manual steps. A Purpose-Built Option: LeadCenter’s BookMyTime.AI offers a direct two-way sync with Redtail CRM—eliminating the need for third-party connectors. It also provides features like customizable public calendar links, automated email and text reminders, detailed appointment activity tracking and reporting, and even Zoom integration for virtual meetings. Quick Tip: Whatever tool you choose, prioritize platforms with native integrations and reliable automation to save time and minimize errors.

@Kelly Allan I’ve seen Smarsh, Global Relay, Greenboard, MessageWatcher, and MirrorWeb all used for email archiving in financial advisory firms, and each has unique strengths depending on a firm’s needs: - Smarsh: Known for its user-friendly interface, Smarsh works well for teams that need a straightforward, scalable solution. It’s often favored by smaller firms looking for cost-effective options with solid compliance features. - Global Relay: This platform is popular with firms that need to archive not only email but also social media and instant messaging, as it integrates well with multiple platforms. Many also appreciate Global Relay’s robust customer support for handling complex compliance needs. - Greenboard: Greenboard’s intuitive setup is a plus for firms that need reliable archiving without extensive customization. It’s a good choice for teams looking for simplicity and quick deployment. - MessageWatcher: Often chosen by smaller firms, MessageWatcher covers email along with basic monitoring for social media and texts, which can be beneficial if your firm is expanding communication channels. - MirrorWeb: Particularly strong for firms with strict regulatory requirements, MirrorWeb provides comprehensive archiving across email, websites, and social media, which is ideal for firms managing a wide range of content types. Ultimately, it often comes down to compliance needs, ease of integration, and budget. Each platform has strengths that align with different priorities, so exploring a few based on what matters most to your firm can be worthwhile.

@Teresa Burch That’s a fantastic question and an exciting challenge to be facing—congratulations on the growth! Moving from $1.5B to $2B+ in AUM definitely requires careful planning, and it's great you're considering not just staffing but the operational infrastructure needed to support that scale. From experience and discussions with firms in a similar growth phase, here are some key areas you may want to focus on: 1. Operational Scalability As AUM increases, so does the operational workload. Scaling smoothly means ensuring your internal processes—client onboarding, portfolio rebalancing, reporting, compliance—are efficient. Consider workflow automation where possible to free up your team from manual tasks. You’ll need systems that reduce touchpoints but maintain accuracy and compliance, especially when handling a larger volume of clients. 2. Technology Infrastructure Evaluate your tech stack to ensure it can handle the increased volume of accounts and transactions. Will your current systems for CRM, portfolio management, reporting, and client portals scale with your firm? You may need to integrate or upgrade systems to prevent bottlenecks. For example, systems that automate performance reporting, billing, and compliance tracking can save your team significant time and improve accuracy as you scale. 3. Client Segmentation & Service Models At this size, segmenting your client base is crucial. You might need to adjust your service models to differentiate between high-touch clients (high-net-worth) and those who can be handled through more automated services. Consider creating tiered service models to offer a more tailored experience, especially if you’re bringing in clients with varying levels of assets. This could also be a good time to reassess your fee structure and ensure it’s aligned with the services you provide at different AUM levels. 4. Compliance & Risk Management With more assets under management, regulatory requirements and compliance demands will increase as well. Ensure that your compliance processes, document management, and audit trails can scale. A tool to manage documentation, client agreements, and compliance workflows will become more critical to avoid any gaps in compliance. Additionally, with more clients, your cybersecurity protocols should be reviewed to ensure the protection of sensitive data at scale.

@Nick Stablein That’s a common challenge as firms scale up, especially when transitioning from independent to team-based advisory models. There are definitely ways to improve email visibility and access control without sacrificing privacy. In many firms, what works well is separating personal and business emails into distinct accounts, so advisors can maintain privacy while still allowing support staff to manage client-related communications. For example: 1. Dedicated Client Communication Email: Many teams create a separate email address just for client interactions (e.g., client@yourfirm.com). This allows the support advisor to monitor all relevant client emails without seeing the personal or HR-related emails of the senior advisor. The senior advisor can then maintain a private account for internal communications. 2. Shared Inboxes with Email Segmentation: Some firms set up shared inboxes using a platform like Outlook or Gmail that allows segmentation or labeling. You can set up rules to automatically tag or forward emails related to clients, making it easier for the support advisor to respond to client-related inquiries without digging through the senior advisor's inbox. 3. CRM Email Integration: If you're using a CRM, many allow you to log client emails automatically within the CRM while keeping personal or sensitive emails out of sight. LeadCenter, for instance, can automatically sync and log emails related to specific client contacts, so only client-related communications are stored and accessible by team members involved in that client's lifecycle. This way, you don’t need to worry about exposing personal or sensitive information. 4. Role-Based Email Permissions: Some platforms allow you to assign different permissions based on role. For example, a support advisor might have access only to specific folders or threads within the senior advisor's inbox, ensuring they can respond to clients while keeping personal or HR-related messages private.