Practical Perspectives, a leading consulting and research firm, examines how advisors engage with websites and digital capabilities from key sources such as product providers and distributors. This new 104-page report builds on prior research begun in 2014 to consider the activities advisors perform using web and digital support, the characteristics defining the most useful support, and the changes advisors desire to increase the value they derive from web-based assistance. The report is based on proprietary research completed in December 2018 with over 650 advisors including those affiliated with RIAs, independent broker dealers, and wirehouse firms.
Key Topic Areas
Advisors Engagement with Web and Digital Support
· How dependent are advisors on asset managers and insurance providers for web and digital support?
· What sources do advisors rely on most for web and digital support?
· What activities do advisors perform through web and digital support from product providers?
· How has advisor use of web and digital support changed in the past 12 months?
· How widespread is advisor use of product provider mobile applications?
· How do actions advisors take through computers and desktop access compare to actions performed through mobile devices?
· Which specific product providers do advisors consider best-in-class for web and digital support?
· What factors drive advisors to use product provider websites and digital support?
Enhancing Web and Digital Support for Advisors
· How satisfied are advisors with websites and digital support from product providers?
· How much impact do advisors associate with web-based and digital support in managing key aspects of their practice?
· What are the characteristics of websites and digital support that advisors consider most useful and less useful?
· What are the key barriers to advisors engaging with product provider websites and digital support?
· What changes do advisors desire to improve the usefulness of product provider web and digital support?
· How do websites and digital support from product providers compare to best-in-class capabilities from outside the industry?
Segments
· How do advisors across key distribution channels differ in their usage and perceptions of web and digital support?
· Which types of advisors are frequent users of web and digital support from asset managers and insurers and how do their behaviors and needs vary compared to other advisors?
To Order the Report
The study is available in PDF format for the subscription price of $5,250. To order the complete 104- page, 78 exhibit report or for more information, please contact:
Howard Schneider, 978-590-7290 or email howard.schneider@practicalperspectives.com
Introduction and Methodology
Investment managers, insurance firms, broker dealers, custodians, and other service firms invest significant resources in creating digital experiences to serve the needs of financial advisors. Product providers and distributors offers advisors in-depth information and tools to help educate advisors and enable them to operate efficiently in a 24/7 environment. Support continues to grow as firms expand tools and content available in multiple formats, especially through mobile devices. Our goal in this new report is to offer a fresh data driven analysis that examines product provider web and digital support from the singular perspective of financial advisors reflecting their needs, behaviors, and experiences. This in-depth report combines distinct research insights with practical, consulting oriented interpretation. It builds on prior research conducted periodically since 2014, allowing us to offer perspective on advisors’ current attitudes and behaviors as well how their needs and experiences have evolved. The report is written to provide relevant and actionable information for key constituents including asset managers, annuity providers, broker dealers, distribution platforms, and other firms interested in crafting and delivering more effective digital and web support for advisors.
“Web and Digital Support to Financial Advisors – 2019” examines the product provider and distributor websites and digital support that advisors rely on and the capabilities and functionality they desire. The analysis looks in detail at specific actions performed by advisors, including the sources of web and digital support they typically turn to, the activities they are most likely to perform, the characteristics defining the most useful provider support, and changes to improve the impact of advisors’ digital experience. Distinctions between support accessed via computers are compared to advisor activities through mobile devices. The report breaks out data and findings for the entire sample and for key segments – Full Service broker dealer, Independent broker dealer, and fee-based RIA. Findings are also broken out for advisors who are frequent users of web-based support from asset managers and insurance providers, respectively.
Among the key questions addressed in this report are:
· Which sources of web and digital support do advisors use most frequently?
· How dependent are advisors on support from key sources including asset managers and insurers?
· How do advisors typically access product provider digital support and how is this changing given mobile devices?
· How widespread is advisor use of digital applications from key sources?
· What functions do advisors perform through product provider digital and web support?
· Which activities do advisors perform when accessing support through mobile devices rather than via computers or desktop terminals?
· Which factors distinguish digital support and websites advisors find most and least useful?
· What are the key barriers or challenges for advisors in using digital capabilities from product providers?
· What changes can increase the likelihood advisors will benefit from the digital and web support product providers offer?
· What factors drive advisors to specific digital capabilities they use most often?
· Which specific providers offer digital support and websites that advisors perceive as best-in-class?
· How have advisors use of digital support changed in the past year and what key trends emerge over time?
· How does support from product providers compare to best-in-class digital experiences advisors may use outside of the financial services industry?
This report is based on input from a randomly selected cross-section of advisors across key channels. In December 2018, advisors were asked to participate in a proprietary online survey regarding product provider websites and digital support. More than 650 advisors provided responses that form the basis for this report. Advisors did not receive any compensation for participation in the survey.
Table of Contents
Section I: Executive Summary
Section II: Introduction and Methodology
Section III: Advisors Engagement with Web and Digital Support from Product Providers
A. To what extent do advisors rely on various sources including asset managers and insurance providers for digital and web support?
B. How dependent are advisors on websites or digital support from asset managers or insurance providers when conducting key activities within their practice?
C. What means do advisors use to access digital and web support from product providers?
D. How much time do advisors spend on digital and web support from product providers?
E. How engaged are advisors with using smartphone or mobile applications from key sources?
F. To what extent do advisors focus their use of digital and web support on key product providers?
G. To what extent do advisors rely on product provider websites and digital support that are restricted or specifically designed for advisors?
H. What activities do advisors perform through digital and web support available from product providers?
I. How do activities advisors perform through computer or desktop tools compare to actions done using mobile devices?
J. What factors or communications tactics drive advisors to use product provider digital and web support?
K. How has advisor use of digital and web support from product providers changed in the past 12 months?
L. Which specific product providers do advisors consider best-in-class for digital and web support?
Section IV: Enhancing Web and Digital Support for Advisors
A. How satisfied are advisors with digital and web support from product providers?
B. How much impact on advisor practices comes from digital and web support available through key sources including asset managers and insurers?
C. How does digital and web support from product providers compare to best-in-class sources outside the financial services industry?
D. What key barriers or challenges do advisors encounter in using digital and web support from product providers?
E. What are the characteristics of the most useful digital and web support from product providers?
F. What are the characteristics of product provider digital and web support that advisors find less useful?
G. What changes do advisors desire to improve the usefulness of product provider digital and web support?
H. In advisors own words, what are the most important changes product providers can make to improve the usefulness of digital and web support?
Section V: Profile of Survey Respondents
Section VI: Implications and Outlook
List of Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Frequency of Advisor Engagement with Key Sources of Digital and Web Support
Exhibit 2: Advisor Use of Digital and Web Support from Key Sources by Channel
Exhibit 3: Frequent Use of Digital and Web Support from Key Sources by Channel
Exhibit 4: Advisors Dependence on Digital and Web Support from Product Providers
Exhibit 5: High Dependence on Digital and Web Support from Product Providers by Channel
Exhibit 6: Dependence on Digital and Web Support from Product Providers – Advisors High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 7: Dependence on Digital and Web Support from Product Providers – Advisors High Users of Insurer Support
Exhibit 8: Frequency of Use of Different Means to Access Digital and Web Support
Exhibit 9: Use of Different Means to Access Digital and Web Support by Channel
Exhibit 10: Daily Use of Different Means to Access Digital and Web Support by Channel
Exhibit 11: Use and Frequency of Different Means to Access Digital and Web Support by High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 12: Use and Frequency of Different Means to Access Digital and Web Support by High Users of Insurer Support
Exhibit 13: Primary Way Advisors Access Digital and Web Support
Exhibit 14: Primary Way Advisors Access Digital and Web Support by Channel
Exhibit 15: Primary Way Advisors Access Digital and Web Support – High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 16: Primary Way Advisors Access Digital and Web Support – High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 17: Time Spent Each Week Using Digital and Web Support from Product Providers
Exhibit 18: Time Spent Each Week Using Digital and Web Support from Product Providers by Channel
Exhibit 19: Time Spent Each Week Using Digital and Web Support from Product Providers – High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 20: Time Spent Each Week Using Digital and Web Support from Product Providers – High Users of Insurer Support
Exhibit 21: Extent Advisors Use Mobile Applications from Key Sources
Exhibit 22: Frequent/Occasional Use of Mobile Applications from Key Sources by Channel
Exhibit 23: Extent Advisors Use Mobile Applications from Key Sources – High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 24: Extent Advisors Use Mobile Applications from Key Sources – High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 25: Extent Advisors Focus Web and Digital Support on Key Product Providers
Exhibit 26: Extent Advisors Focus Web and Digital Support on Key Product Providers by Channel
Exhibit 27: Extent Advisors Focus Web and Digital Support on Key Product Providers – High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 28: Extent Advisors Focus Web and Digital Support on Key Product Providers – High Users of Insurer Support
Exhibit 29: Use of Product Provider Websites and Digital Support Designed for Advisors
Exhibit 30: Frequent Use of Product Provider Websites and Digital Support Designed for Advisors by Channel
Exhibit 31: Use of Product Provider Websites and Digital Support Designed for Advisors – High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 32: Use of Product Provider Websites and Digital Support Designed for Advisors – High Users of Insurer Support
Exhibit 33: Activities Advisors Perform Through Product Provider Digital and Web Support
Exhibit 34: Activities Advisors Perform Through Product Provider Digital and Web Support by Channel
Exhibit 35: Activities Advisors Perform Through Product Provider Digital and Web Support – High Users of Asset Manager Support vs. High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 36: Activities Advisors Performed in Past 90 Days Via Product Provider Digital and Web Support Using Computers
Exhibit 37: Activities Advisors Performed in Past 90 Days Via Product Provider Digital and Web Support Using Mobile Devices
Exhibit 38: Activities Advisors Performed in Past 90 Days Via Provider Digital and Web Support Using Computers by Channel
Exhibit 39: Activities Advisors Performed in Past 90 Days Via Product Provider Digital and Web Support Using Mobile Devices by Channel
Exhibit 40: Activities Advisors Performed in Past 90 Days Through Product Provider Digital and Web Support Using Computers - High Users of Asset Manager Support vs. High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 41: Activities Advisors Performed in Past 90 Days Through Product Provider Digital and Web Support Using Mobile Devices - High Users of Asset Manager Support vs. High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 42: Communications Outreach or Factors Driving Advisor Use of Product Provider Digital and Web Support
Exhibit 43: Communications Outreach or Factors Driving Advisor Use of Provider Digital and Web Support by Channel
Exhibit 44: Communications Outreach or Factors Driving Advisor Use of Product Provider Digital and Web Support – High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 45: Communications Outreach or Factors Driving Advisor Use of Product Provider Digital and Web Support – High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 46: Change in Advisor Engagement with Product Provider Digital and Web Support in Past 12 Months
Exhibit 47: Change in Advisor Engagement with Product Provider Digital and Web Support in Past 12 Months by Channel
Exhibit 48: Change in Advisor Engagement with Product Provider Digital and Web Support in Past 12 Months – High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 49: Change in Advisor Engagement with Product Provider Digital and Web Support in Past 12 Months – High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 50: Providers with Websites and Digital Support Advisors Rate Best-in-Class
Exhibit 51: Providers with Websites and Digital Support Advisors Rate Best-in-Class by Channel
Exhibit 52: Providers with Websites and Digital Support Advisors Rate Best-in-Class – High Users of Provider Support
Exhibit 53: Overall Satisfaction with Provider Digital Support and Websites
Exhibit 54: Overall Satisfaction with Provider Digital Support and Websites by Channel
Exhibit 55: Overall Satisfaction with Provider Digital Support and Websites - High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 56: Overall Satisfaction with Provider Digital Support and Websites – High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 57: Impact of Product Providers Digital and Web Support on Advisors Practices
Exhibit 58: Significant Impact of Product Providers Digital and Web Support on Advisors Practices by Channel
Exhibit 59: Impact of Product Providers Digital and Web Support on Advisors Practices - High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 60: Impact of Product Providers Digital and Web Support on Advisors Practices – High Users of Insurer Support
Exhibit 61: How Product Providers Digital and Web Support Compares to Best-in-Class Sources
Exhibit 62: How Product Providers Digital and Web Support Compares to Best-in-Class Sources by Channel
Exhibit 63: How Product Providers Digital and Web Support Compares to Best-in-Class Sources - High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 64: How Product Providers Digital and Web Support Compares to Best-in-Class Sources – High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 65: Challenges to Using Product Provider Digital Support and Websites
Exhibit 66: Challenges to Using Product Provider Digital Support and Websites by Channel
Exhibit 67: Challenges to Using Product Provider Digital Support and Websites - High Users of Asset Manager Support
Exhibit 68: Challenges to Using Product Provider Digital Support and Websites – High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 69: Characteristics of Most Useful Product Provider Digital and Web Support
Exhibit 70: Characteristics of Most Useful Product Provider Digital and Web Support by Channel
Exhibit 71: Characteristics of Most Useful Product Provider Digital and Web Support – High Users of Asset Manager Support vs. High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 72: Characteristics of Less Useful Product Provider Digital and Web Support
Exhibit 73: Characteristics of Less Useful Product Provider Digital and Web Support by Channel
Exhibit 74: Characteristics of Less Useful Product Provider Digital and Web Support – High Users of Asset Manager Support vs. High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 75: Enhancements Desired to Increase the Usefulness of Product Provider Digital and Web Support
Exhibit 76: Enhancements Desired to Increase the Usefulness of Product Provider Digital and Web Support by Channel
Exhibit 77: Enhancements Desired to Increase the Usefulness of Product Provider Digital and Web Support – High Users of Asset Manager Support vs. High Users of Insurance Provider Support
Exhibit 78: Profile of Respondents by Key Characteristics