Financial advisers turn to video calling to enhance the client experience
Voice chat software such as Skype allows financial advisers to add more value to the service they offer to A and B clients, according to Zurich Financial Services.
While the take-up of such technology has been slow due to a lack of knowledge, Zurich national manager, sales strategies and research life risk Marc Fabris said Internet voice and video calls can enrich the advice experience with high-value clients at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional client meetings or communication.
"While it makes sense to use Skype for regional customers, we take the view that if you're seeing someone a significant number of times through the year, some of those contacts could get replaced by a phone call or a video call," Fabris said.
Looking forward, the real benefits of web-based communication will come when applications allow an adviser to communicate with a client while simultaneously helping a client to complete a fact find or other related form, he said.
He said, however, that it was important for a financial adviser to survey their client base in order to determine what means of communication works best for the business.
"We're at a point where there are bits and pieces of software that will come together in more centralised portals which will make it much better for everyone for efficiency," Fabris added.
"I think we're pretty close to having better technology options in the next 6 to 12 months."
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