In response to the pandemic, most of the businesses worldwide moved from the ‘work from office’ mode to ‘work from home’. Digitalization picked up a faster pace in the times of COVID-19. Digital tools have made it possible for businesses to serve their clients from anywhere in a time-efficient manner. They also help establish stronger ties with clients in this rapidly changing world.
As phygital appears to be the future, Cafemutual spoke to Viral Bhatt of Money Mantra and Vishal Dhawan of Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors to comprehend some of the digital tools that can be of help to the MFDs.
For scheduling meetings quickly
At times, scheduling an appointment may involve an exchange of chain e-mails or phone calls. However, using calendly can eliminate such multiple to and fros. Calendly aids in scheduling appointments quickly. As Viral rightly says, embedding it on your website or e-mail signature makes it easier for the clients to reach out to you.
For conducting meetings efficiently
In the digital world, where transactions are closed by way of a few clicks - face to face meeting is now replaced by an audio-visual experience. Such meetings reduce the instances of miscommunications and help in establishing better relationships. Pointing out their importance, Vishal says that in the current times, a Zoom account has become a necessity.
Other tools that can be used include Skype and Google Hangouts.
For taking notes competently
Jotting down the minutes to a discussion has multiple benefits - from keeping an absent team member informed to having the ability to resolve possible disagreements in the future. Nimbus Note helps in taking down notes and can also aid in streamlining tasks. Further, it also makes sharing the transcript of a meeting easier by way of a link.
There also exists Evernote, another tool that can offer similar functionalities.
For staying connected
With the advent of social media staying connected has never been this easy. Vishal recommends being present on at least one social media platform for engaging with clients. He further explains that sharing self-created and crisper content creates effective communication. To do this, Viral recommends the use of Canva and Invedio for creating striking visuals and videos. Further, using chatbots like collect.chat can take care of repetitive and/or common client queries.
For gathering client feedback
Asking for feedback makes clients feel important and involved. It also helps businesses to establish closer bonds and take timely measures for improving the existing strategies. Viral has tactfully leveraged Google Forms for gathering annual feedbacks from his existing clients. This helps in evaluating and revising the scope of work on a need basis.
There are a large number of digital tools available in the market. While some of the features may be freely accessible, others may come at a premium. Opting for a free or a premium version depends on the ambit of activities intended to be undertaken.
