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Those Zoom meetings and other forms of virtual collaboration and connection that became so ubiquitous during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic may be fading as many employers enforce return-to-office mandates, but these tools remain as relevant as ever to advisors.
That’s particularly true when considering recent studies suggesting prospects are increasingly open to working with advisors located in regions that are not near their places of residences. Plus, there’s the time efficiency factor, which is applicable to both advisors and clients. Sometimes, it just makes more sense to do a Zoom meeting.
Don’t let the combination of more efficient and not being in person imply that professional decorum can be reduced. Think about that issue this way: there’s almost an entire corner of the internet devoted to Zoom spoofs and virtual meetings gone awry. Most are funny, everyday life type of things. Some border on “R-rated” or worse. Funny or not, these are things cannot allow to happen in virtual meetings with clients.
Or in simple terms, ditch the snazzy holiday-themed Zoom background and realize that your clients don’t want to hear your dogs barking or your babies crying. More tips to follow.
Nuts & Bolts of Solid Virtual Meetings
A virtual meeting is akin to an in person get together in that there are right and wrong ways of execution. Environment is a big part of that. As noted above, clients don’t want to hear noise. Your kids and pets are cute to you and rightfully so, but they shouldn’t be making cameos in virtual meetings with clients. Then there’s the technology factor. Test it BEFORE the meeting to avoid hiccups during the meeting or issues that delay the start.
“Before the meeting, make sure your internet connection, video conferencing software, and any other necessary tools are functioning properly. Conduct a test run with a colleague to identify any potential issues and address them beforehand,” according to Nationwide.
Next up and this is obviously pre-meeting stuff, too, is the agenda. Make it clear, make it concise and stick to it. Otherwise the time efficiencies afforded by virtual communication go out the window.
“Having a well-defined agenda helps keep the meeting focused and ensures that all critical points are covered. Share the agenda with your clients in advance so they know what to expect and can prepare any questions or concerns they may have,” adds Nationwide.
Soft Skills Matter in Virtual Settings
Soft skills are important regardless of setting, but in a virtual meeting, these are avenues for advisors to not only standout, but make clients feel valued. Think maintenance of eye contact, doing less talking and more listening and taking steps to increase interactivity.
Those easy, effective ways for acing virtual meetings and they’re relevant because this form of client interaction is likely to increase over time.
“As technology continues to evolve, remote meetings will likely play an even greater role in the financial industry—so it’s in your best interest to stay informed! AI and automation, as well as virtual or augmented reality will likely continue to be players in the digital space, so keep your eye on these technologies and how they may affect your business. Remember, preparation and adaptability are key to navigating remote meetings with clients,” concludes Nationwide.
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