Techs may be seen by some as a necessary evil, but they’ve come a long way.

Let’s face it, running lean is a way of life for most financial planners and time saving techniques have become an invaluable asset. Having the best software can be the best way to free up valuable time better spent on customer interaction and doing what you do best.

So, what should you be looking for..?

1. Adviser’s CRMs

While XPlan may be the go-to tool for many planners, sometimes good things come to an end.

So is there an alternative?

Newcomers to the field are certainly drawing some attention with the likes of Adviser Logic, Midwinter and PractiFi gaining their fair share of the spotlight.

But do they offer what you need and more?

You’d be forgiven for thinking the best of all worlds can be assured, given that Midwinter and Practifi are now tech partners. This type of integration can be extremely beneficial for advisers wanting a class act in business management software. But is the melding of two great minds all things to all people?

Some may take the “it’s too big for my purposes” line and choose to stick with smaller, tried and trusted tech, while others celebrate the partnership, holding hopes for the resolution of all past CRM issues.

The comparable AdviserLogic has some accolades behind it in 2017 including best ease of use, and best value for money. It stands to reason that Adviser Logic founders were also financial planners.

Typically, the best bang for your buck should be high on the list. Frugal or functional? It all comes down to features. Paraplanner users cannot be forgotten, nor can any essential SOA capabilities, cyber security and risk management new players may offer.

Rest assured, when XPLAN closes the door behind it, another one opens.

Ultimately, it’s the time saving qualities of any new CRMs that will leave their mark.

2. Skype

Apart from the cost saving exercise that makes us all smile, the benefit to other staff and to customers for this tech is its inherent time saving abilities.

An oldie, yes, but this type of technology is there to be used. While it may be overlooked as being simpler, assumed type of technology, it deserves a mention on this list for being exactly that.

For those of you with an inherent sense of humour, there are other benefits.

There’s nothing quite like seeing terror in the eyes of your fellow Skyper that you can only get from (virtual) face to face interaction.

Just saying.

3. Hellosign

Streamlining processes, ughhh. Arguably, the most overused, and potentially nauseating two words in business today, but we all have to think about it at some point.

Hellosign does its part by offering the chance to get what you need, sooner rather than later.

A simple signature request sent online and securely, saves you and your office staff hours.

If nothing else, the person relegated to getting documents signed will be rid, once and for all, of all those murderous thoughts while waiting for delayed signatures from those with a seeming allergen to the almighty pen.

It may seem like a small thing, but tech such as this is the beginning of any business time-saving intelligence plan.

4. Calendly

Emails have made life easier in some ways, but many are slave to a barrage of meeting and event messaging, with the potential for a constant and frustrating, and back and forth.

Calendly offer the user the ability to schedule meetings though your existing formats. Integrating seamlessly with Google, Outlook, MS Office, and apps such as Mailchimp, Zapier Salesforce and more.

This handy tech saves everyone time.

5. Caddie

Software that understands the growing emphasis for continued development planners now face, will be favored among professionals who need to get their CPD under control.

Caddie rewards advisers for all the articles, podcasts, videos and more consumed without having to cram it all in at the end of the financial year, or when your CPD year ends.

Problem solved.

6. Typeform

You too can turn data collection into an art form.

The correct Q&A response to clients is essential to freeing up your time.

This software makes it simple to do.

Not only that, but the capabilities to create customer satisfaction surveys will add to your willingness to embrace this particular application.

7. Zapier

Do you like the timesaving benefits of all your SaaS technologies talking to each other? The thing about this tech is that it joins all the dots for you. Calendly appointments can be immediate updated in your CRM.

What’s more interesting is that Zapier can take a new Typeform and update it in your CRM.

By making sharing easier, Zapier takes the tedious, triple-handling tasks from your hands.

Time saving tech is certainly winning the hearts of financial professionals. Software companies themselves continue to grow, seeing unprecedented growth in Australia.

The best tech serves a purpose common to us all. Making financial systems easier to use, being multipurpose and ultimately cost effective frees up planners for bigger things.

Has a tech changed your life?  Want to add more to the list?

Share your thoughts on the applications that have made your life a breeze (or at least help you sleep better at night) in the comments below. 

For a 30 day free trial of Caddie, contact us at hello@thinkcaddie.com