One of the most challenging issues for a solo practitioner of a wealth management firm is managing the numerous tasks that must be completed on a regular basis. In a small company, the responsibility for defining, delegating and completing each task rests squarely on the shoulders of one or two individuals. Given the limited number of hours in the workday and the number of tasks that must be addressed, effective time management becomes extremely important. In this post, we'll look at some of the inherent challenges faced by small firms and discuss a framework by which you may be able to manage this process.
In a small, independent wealth management firm with one practitioner and an assistant, there are a number of items which demand attention. For example, you must manage client accounts; prepare and update financial plans; respond to client service requests; process the paperwork for new accounts, transfers, etc. You must also maintain your website; create and manage the marketing plan for your company; conduct investment due diligence; maintain the company's books; research and learn how to best utilize the software to which your company has subscribed; stay abreast of the U.S. and global economy and a host of other tasks.
Having a good assistant can be tremendously helpful. What's my point? Organization is the key to managing a business. With this as a backdrop, here are a few steps that can help.
Step 1: Create a list of the categories each task will fall under (Ex: Client Service, Investment Mgmt., Financial Planning, Marketing, Compliance, Bookkeeping, etc.
Step 2: Make a list of every task that must be completed (ex: review portfolios-internal, review portfolios-with client, conduct investment due diligence, update financial plans, etc.)
Step 3: Place each task in its appropriate category from Step 1
Step 4: Determine the frequency and duration of each task
Step 5: Prioritize each task within its respective category (not necessary for all tasks)
