For financial advisors, the message is loud and clear: invest in technology now or risk being left behind. But there is more to investing in technology than just writing a check.

According to Stuart DePina, President, Envestnet | Tamarac, to extract the most value out of your technology investment, significant planning is required. Implementing technology can be difficult if there’s poor planning, few resources, and no leadership behind the initiative. That’s why RIA firms should spend time developing a plan that supports their investment.

The plan should steps to identify and develop talent – people who can embrace technology and play a key role in the transition. Overall, RIA firms should look for employees who have the interest and enthusiasm for adopting new technology and can infuse that excitement throughout their organization.

True technology champions should embody:

• Agility – They thrive on disruption. Technology will bring about change, so it’s important to be nimble and flexible.
• Collaboration – They are eager to break down silos and fixed roles, and are committed to developing a team structure that operates seamlessly with new technology.
• Communication – They are open to working with stakeholders across the organization, not just leadership.
• Learning – They are innately curious and want to learn the full scope of what technology can offer their firm.
• Client Service – They are passionate about leveraging technology to improve the client experience and boost engagement.
• Commitment – Envestnet | Tamarac looked at the top performing (top 10 percent) of RIA clients using Advisor Xi^®, Tamarac’s portfolio and client management software, and found that successful firms have a project lead that oversees implementation, and provides education and training to staff. This individual remains a primary point of contact throughout the transition period and beyond, and is committed to staying up to speed on the software and supporting colleagues as they leverage the new solution.

TAMARAC TRAINING AND SUPPORT

The Envestnet | Tamarac onboarding process includes Tamarac University, a three-day classroom program, where new clients hear from both Envestnet | Tamarac consultants and industry peers. The University allows firms to become oriented with the Envestnet | Tamarac platform. This education includes exposure to best practices.

DePina emphasizes, however, that completion of the University program is not the end of the training journey, rather it is the beginning of a process. “Implementing our platform is an evolution,” he says. As users become proficient in some aspects of the platform, they continue to learn about more advanced features, which adds additional value. “It is often a multi-year journey”, DePina says.

More recently, Envestnet | Tamarac is taking much of their educational content and moving it online, which makes it easier for users to continue to improve their skills. They are implementing virtual classrooms as well. In addition, the firm hosts a series of user groups across the nation. The content is advisor driven, but Envestnet | Tamarac provides logistical support. More recently, the firm is launching a virtual users group for those who cannot attend the live events.

Looking forward to 2018, DePina says that the firm will leverage data science to help firms improve performance. The plan is to leverage insights from the data to further improve operational efficiencies at advisory firms.

DePina says that firms deriving the most value from the Tamarac platform have some common characteristics:

• They reengage with Envestnet | Tamarac consultants early and often.
• They engage with industry peers who have been through the process.
• They have a senior person at the firm, typically a COO, who oversees the implementation.

For more information, visit: http://www.tamaracinc.com.