Client strategies

A former pro of an early financial planning tool learns how much has changed — and how little — as she keeps up with exponential tech advances.

Succession planning is easy to talk about. It’s much harder for planners to actually plan for.

As products and advice change, there’s one clear winner.

We must control our own bad behavior before we can become coaches for our clients, says contributor Allan Roth.

With more focusing on specific client niches, it makes sense to go where the money is.

With more focusing on specific client niches, it makes sense to go where the money is.

Since 2011, inflows into these funds have soared. Here's what they're about.

Section 1031 of the IRS Code may seem arcane, but using it can be highly beneficial to certain clients.

Some of the industry’s top advisers use satisfaction surveys to keep and grow their bases.

Consider customer referrals, a strong media presence and philanthropy.

Consider customer referrals, a strong media presence and philanthropy.

They handle the trading, rebalancing and overall management of portfolios — freeing advisers to face their clients. But not everyone wins, as Michael Kitces writes.

Full-service planning allows for a bigger impact, but a niche approach may mean more objectivity.

Asking outright can be tricky and uncomfortable; use these market strategies instead.

Asking outright can be tricky and uncomfortable; use these market strategies instead.

These prospective clients may have fewer assets but lots of dreams, so make time for them.

These prospective clients may have fewer assets but lots of dreams, so make time for them.

Forget mass mailings; instead, try the personal touch.

Forget mass mailings; instead, try the personal touch.

Which firms showed “meaningful progress” in improving client experience? And which one slipped?