In last week’s post on the real return on client engagement I suggested that the concept of client engagement is little more than a platitude – unless we can define it, measure it and understand what drives it.
It seems to have hit a chord.
In that post I shared our definition of engagement as well as the data that demonstrates the tangible return on focusing on engagement.
While the data is clear on the real return on engagement, it’s not terribly helpful if we don’t understand the activities that will drive engagement.
This is where the disconnect begins.
Everyone has their own idea about how to engage with clients and more than a few will tell you it’s exactly what they are doing today. And while that sounds like a happy coincidence, it’s hard to argue if they are right or not, without evidence.
We believe, however, that if you can define and measure engagement, you can also understand the drivers of engagement. Those drivers are hidden in the data.
So what exactly does the data tell us? Based on our analysis we have identified the core characteristics of an Engaged client relationship.
A caution before you review these drivers. It’s easy to work through a mental checklist in your own head that reinforces that you do these things already. I know you want to do these things and may believe you do them now.
But ask yourself if you are tangibly demonstrating each driver. Can you point to specific activities that demonstrate these qualities to clients, in a way that is clear and consistent? If it's too vague, the benefit may be lost.
Engaged clients are more likely to say they have a deeper personal relationship with their advisor, one that goes beyond investments.
Engagement Lesson #1: The quality of the advice drives satisfaction. However, putting that advice in the context of your clients’ lives drives engagement. And their lives are about more than money.
Engaged clients are more likely to say their advisor has a deep understanding of their life goals and is proactive in understanding how those goals and needs have changed.
Engagement Lesson #2:
Tangibly demonstrate how you understand and respond to client needs over time.
Engaged clients are more likely to say they feel more engaged during reviews and that their partners feel the same. However, there is a persistent gap with partner engagement.
Engagement Lesson #3: Focus your reviews on the things that are most important for clients and don’t assume that those are the same things that are on your agenda. There are times when what clients need to hear and what you want to share are different. The former is all that matters. And remember that the only way to truly engage partners who seem otherwise disengaged is by changing the agenda, not by explaining why the existing agenda should be more interesting or important.
There is a reason that we focus our work on helping advisors gather direct input from clients. The data makes it clear that driving engagement starts with a deep understanding of client needs, concerns, challenges and aspirations. And more often that not, it’s about helping them understand these things about themselves.
So we aren’t surprised by the last driver in the least. Engaged clients are more likely to say their advisor has invited them to provide feedback using a formal survey/poll.
Engagement Lesson #4: Design a client experience – from the conversations you have during reviews to the communications your share to the scope of service you provide – that reflects what your clients have told you is most important.
Driving engagement isn’t necessarily about doing new things, but about examining if and how what you are doing today reflects what is most important to your clients.
As you look at your client experience today, ask an important question. Am I missing opportunities to demonstrate leadership? Ultimately, your ability to tangibly demonstrate leadership through the client experience is the hallmark of engagement.
All of the work we do at Absolute Engagement is premised on the idea that clients will highlight the path to engagement if we only ask the right questions. And that’s exactly what we’ve been doing with our ongoing investor research, as well as the work we do to help advisory firms capture and use this data from their own clients.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie
P.S. If you're interested in learning more about how Absolute Engagement can help you reveal and respond to the true needs of your prosects and clients, click here to learn more or book a time to discuss your goals. We help you actively integrate the voice of your prospects and clients to drive personalized engagement, at scale.