Richard Dunkerley

Zurich yesterday announced the launch of a communications mix simulator, designed to enable financial advisers to assess the effectiveness of their client communication strategy.

Designed in partnership with the Beddoes Institute, the net reach simulator is an interactive iPad app which calculates the effectiveness of a communications mix based on the generational profile of an adviser’s client base.

Based on research conducted with over 500 advice clients as part of the AFA Adviser of the Year judging process, the app enables advisers to quantify the efficacy of specific communication channels with different client generations, measured against criteria including reach and the impact on a client’s likelihood to refer and relationship strength.

Mr. Richard Dunkerley, Head of Marketing for Zurich’s Life & Investments business, said the power of the simulator lay in its simplicity of use and the variety of ways it could be applied to an adviser’s business.

“As well as quantifying the effectiveness of their current communications mix, the app also allows those advisers wishing to shift the profile of their client base, for example from Baby Boomers to Gen Y, to adjust their communications mix accordingly,” said Mr. Dunkerley.

“By simulating the impact on reach and relationship strength of adding a new channel, for example printed newsletters, the app allows advisers to make more informed decisions about whether the investment in that channel is warranted,” said Mr. Dunkerley.

AFA Adviser of the Year Jenny Brown has been involved in the beta testing of the simulator, and has already seen the value in putting her own practice under the microscope.

Ms Brown said “The simulator has broad applications across our business but has proved particularly valuable in tailoring a communications strategy for a new group of clients recently acquired from another business.

“It has also shown us which channels work best for events or campaigns with specific client segments, helping us maximise impact and minimise wastage”, Ms Brown said.

The release of the app coincides with the launch of Zurich’s Trax2Success roadshow, a national series of events showcasing practice management and business improvement insights from leading financial advisers and industry experts.

“As one of the last truly independent insurers in the market and a longstanding champion of advisers, we are committed to helping advisers create value for their customers, and this latest innovation is just another example of how we bring that commitment to life”, said Mr. Dunkerley.

The iPad version of the simulator is available exclusively from Zurich BDMs, with a desktop version available from the AFA.

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Screenshot from the new BT Wrap App.

BT has released a new iPad app – BT Wrap Snapshot – to give advisers mobile access to popular client reports.

BT Financial Group’s head of platforms Kelly Power said the BT Wrap Snapshot was twelve months in the making and a companion tool to the BT Wrap DeskTop.

“Advisers want new ways to demonstrate more value to their clients and to eliminate paperwork. BT Wrap Snapshot has been designed to meet these needs,” Ms Power said.

“The release of BT Wrap Snapshot is part of our continued focus on making it easier for advisers to help their clients,” Ms Power added.

The app will give advisers access to the three most popular reports: portfolio valuation, asset allocation and cash statement.

BT Wrap Snapshot eliminates the need to print multiple reports for client reviews and provides easy to interpret, intuitive reporting at advisers’ fingertips.

The app can be personalised with individual practices and dealer group logos and is complimentary for registered Wrap DeskTop advisers.

Advisers who have trialled the new app have said this will be an important tool to use in the client review process. One of the best features is the ability to easily show clients their entire portfolio position and then be able to explore this in more detail on the spot.

The main features of BT Wrap Snapshot app are:
· 3 reports: Performance, Asset Allocation and Cash Statement
· 3 levels of information: Portfolio Value, Sector Investments and Asset Allocation
· The ability to personalise with individual company or dealer group branding
· Access to up to 5 years worth of data
· Note taking functionality
· Ability to send secure email
· Ability to view information over different time periods

BT Wrap Snapshot is now available in the iPad app store library.

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New Rubik iPad App released

Rubik Financial Limited, the ASX-listed global provider of financial technology and software, today announced the launch of its iPad app, COIN Rapid, which allows financial planners to access client details and portfolio information on-the-road directly from COIN Software.

Rubik Managing Director Wealth, Wayne Wilson, said COIN Rapid had been developed in response to market demand.

“The iPad app is fully integrated with COIN Software and allows users to access their clients’ key data and portfolio information,” Mr Wilson said.

“COIN Rapid delivers the key client information that is available on COIN Software direct to the users’ iPad, allowing users to access client information at any time, and any place.

“Along with the functionality to search through the client base and to quickly view basic information for each client, the Client Dashboard functionality allows an in-depth view of client information.

“Drilling down into each area allows users to view their clients’ essential data, such as key details, key relationships, insurance arrangements, goals and objectives and estate planning information,” Mr Wilson said.

Key features of COIN Rapid include:

• Real time access to key client details and portfolio information in COIN software
• The functionality to update the personal details of existing clients
• The ability to create new client groups, and
• The capability to view and create file notes for clients

COIN Rapid will be made available to all Rubik institutional clients that have COIN version 4.1 or later. It will be available for the ex-Visor clients when they upgrade to COIN 4.2.

The launch of COIN Rapid follows the announcement earlier this month that Rubik had completed its acquisition of Provisio Technologies. The acquisition of Provisio expands on Rubik’s current advice offerings, COIN and Visor Desktop financial planning software, and reinforces its important role in the growing wealth market.

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The app is an expanded, monthly version of van Eyk’s long-running client newsletter, featuring the best in investment research news and views from our research and asset consulting teams.

For the first time the newsletter has also branched out to include the views of key figures in the wealth management and advice industries as well as those of individual financial planners.

The app also links to exclusive content for subscribers to van Eyk’s iRate ratings and research platform.

van Eyk chief executive Mark Thomas said the app was the culmination of many hours of planning and development and reflected van Eyk’s commitment to adding greater value for its clients and providing them with the most technologically advanced tools.

“The iPad opens up a wonderful opportunity for us to communicate our ideas and the depth of our research more fully and in more engaging ways,’’ Thomas said.

In the first issue, Head of Research John O’Brien looks at why investors should keep faith in equities, Portfolio Manager Otto Rieth asks “Is Qantas cheap enough?” and Head of Asset Consulting Jonathan Ramsay looks at the benefits of dynamic asset allocation.

The van Eyk View is available now for clients and industry professionals on the iTunes app store. Search for “van Eyk” or follow the link. 

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-van-eyk-view/id476210180

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