Talking to clients about fees
"Clients really only care about two things: the services that advisers provide and the fees they charge and once they've been provided with these inputs, they will make their own determination as to whether those services hold value," according to US psychologist Dr Jim Grubman.
Grubman, who has been referenced in new research released by State Street's SPDR University, says that given these client attitudes, advisers should hold their fee discussions accordingly.
"Rather than expecting clients to compensate you for the big-picture benefits of helping them reach their goals and lead more secure financial lives, you need to begin your fee discussions by listing the specific line item services you provide and establishing what those services are worth," he said.
Grubman said this approach created "the essential service/fee balance that enables clients to define your value for themselves".
"In fact, viewing the fee discussion from your clients' perspective can help you to more effectively communicate your fees," he said.
"When I ask advisers what they mean by value, they invariably start to list the services they
provide: help with retirement planning, integration of multiple accounts, or management of taxes," he said. "What they don't realise is they can more effectively communicate the value of an advisory relationship by just listing those specific services at the outset of the fee discussion."
Grubman said that talking about the "value I provide" muddled a fee conversations.
"Advisers should discuss the services they deliver, the money they save clients, and the risks they help them avoid," he said.
AUTHOR
Mike Taylor
Recommended for you
New York-based firm CC Capital has bumped up its offer to stay ahead of rival bidder Bain Capital.
In a tight race against Morgans, AMP Financial Planning has won back its position as the largest individual licensee in Australia, according to Wealth Data.
Learning to delegate authority and relinquish a hands-on approach is a critical step towards building a self-sustaining financial advice practice, says Assured Support.
Private wealth management company Stellan Capital has appointed a new chief executive, who brings over three decades of experience in the global financial services industry.
