Seven Steps to Managing Client Anxiety in Volatile Markets
Jun 8, 2022
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Learn the seven steps to managing client anxiety in volatile markets. Understand the importance of trust in the financial advisor-client relationship. Discover how the brain functions as a prediction machine and the power of storytelling in financial decision-making. Explore the challenge of crafting a compelling story in capital markets. Learn how to deliver information effectively and build trust with clients.
Trust is the foundation of financial advisor-client relationships, and advisors should prioritize building trust through consistent goodwill and professional competency over time.
Financial advisors can make their capital markets perspectives more engaging and relatable by utilizing storytelling techniques and visuals, appealing to clients' emotions and enhancing their understanding of market events.
Deep dives
Understanding the Importance of Trust in Financial Advisor-Client Relationships
Financial advisors need to prioritize building and maintaining trust with their clients. Trust is the foundation of all guidance provided by financial advisors, and it is crucial for clients to feel a consistent experience of goodwill and professional competency over time. Advisors should structure their conversations with clients around the intention of building trust and consider the behavioral aspects of their clients. By addressing key questions such as 'Are you paying attention?' 'Do you see what I see?' 'Do you know what to do about it?' and 'Do you know more than I do?', advisors have the opportunity to engender trust and instill confidence in their clients.
The Power of Storytelling and Visuals in Capital Markets Conversations
Storytelling is a powerful form of communication that resonates with humans, and financial advisors should leverage storytelling techniques to make their capital markets perspectives more engaging and relatable. By structuring the conversation as a story with a beginning, middle, and end, advisors can capture their clients' attention and create a narrative that connects current market events to past experiences and future implications. Additionally, the use of visuals can enhance the communication by appealing to the brain's preference for visual information. Selecting visuals that effectively illustrate important dynamics and mechanisms in the markets can make the conversation more compelling and memorable.
Seven Steps for Crafting a Compelling Capital Markets Perspective
To effectively communicate a capital markets perspective, financial advisors should follow seven key principles. First, it is crucial to define the desired outcome of the meeting and tailor the conversation accordingly. Next, advisors need to focus on the most critical market issues that are likely to capture the client's attention. Using a structured approach with a series of questions can help guide the conversation and provide clarity to the client. Advisors should also make use of visuals that convey complex ideas and mechanisms in a visually appealing way. By revealing historical perspectives and past reactions to market situations, advisors can provide more context and education to their clients. Finally, advisors should address what is likely to happen next and link it to potential actions or recommendations, depending on the desired outcome of the conversation.
The Benefits of Following a Structured Approach in Capital Markets Conversations
By following a structured approach in capital markets conversations, financial advisors can effectively deliver insights to their clients and avoid potential pitfalls. The seven-step process allows for a logical flow of information, starting from the current situation and providing historical context. By answering key questions, advisors can address client concerns and build trust by demonstrating their expertise and knowledge. Additionally, following a structured approach helps clients absorb the information more easily and facilitates a clearer understanding of the advisor's recommendations. By allocating time and effort to constructing a well-organized capital markets perspective, advisors can create a meaningful and impactful conversation that strengthens their relationship with clients.
Market headlines in 2022 have been dominated by inflation, tightening monetary policy, ongoing volatility and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. To get ahead of client concerns, financial advisors need to develop creative ways to turn difficult conversations into opportunities to build confidence. A clear and concise presentation on the capital markets can help solidify and restore lost credibility—and trust. Hear from Ken Haman, Managing Director, and Scott Tatum, CIMA, CFP, Director, as they discuss seven steps to organize a compelling capital-markets narrative.
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