Adapting Your Firm for COVID-19

Continue providing great advice for new and existing clients during these uncertain times

Businesses across the country are feeling the impact of COVID-19, and the advice industry is no different.

With uncertainty rising, many consumers are looking for answers on how to manage their finances at this time. And without the option to meet clients in-person, firms will have to adapt to new ways of operating.

But with the right strategies in place, you can still continue to offer great value to your clients during these trying times.

 

Offer Value to Prospective Clients

While new business has been impacted, there is still demand for advice from new clients.

So make it known that you are very much open for business by including a message on your website. Clients will not be sure which businesses are open at this time, so making your availability clear is paramount.

Use your Unbiased profile to inform prospects of your ongoing services. Update it through your account to include this message, and select the remote advice methods to present these options to new clients.

Your message should state how you are currently operating, and display the benefits of remote advice. Whether it’s via phone or email, show you can be flexible to their needs. And if clients require face-to-face interaction, inform them that services such as Skype can provide this.

You can also offer minor advice to those who may not have considered advice before, and may not be in the position to pay for it right now.

Encourage prospects to leave their details, and you can send them broad answers to their key questions. This will offer them great reassurance, display your value, and provide you with a bank of prospective client information to nurture and eventually convert when the time is right.

 

 

Reassure Your Existing Clients

Be sure to also update your existing client base on any operational changes and provide them with the best possible reassurance.

Consumers have expressed a need to know whether you’re still open, how you’re operating, and how you can provide your services. A simple FAQs will work well to answer their main concerns.

This reassurance should also extend to changes in the wider markets. Professionals have reported consumers displaying desires to make rash decisions. The markets will pick up again, and confirming to them that you’ve got their finances under control is imperative.

Even if you may be repeating yourself at times, due to the uncertain nature of this environment it’s vital to send out these communications routinely. Show that you’re remaining present, and what you’ve said before still stands.

You can also offer them weekly updates on key changes you’ve seen in the markets, displaying your continued value and awareness of the changing situation.

By implementing the right strategies, you can effectively mitigate the impact to your business, display the vital services you provide to your clients, and position yourself strongly for when the situation improves.

Unbiased will continue to listen to your feedback during these difficult times, and continue to offer advice and support to help you and your business.

About the author
Oliver Broadhurst
Oliver Broadhurst
Oliver has been writing professionally in the financial services space for over five years, focusing on topics ranging from customer experience to industry regulation. He’s consulted with organisations such as UK Finance and the FCA to produce business articles, industry reports, and white papers, while providing insight as a member of panels including The Opening Banking Implementation Entity’s Consumer Group.

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