The RIA industry is facing a shortage of talent as older advisors retire and college graduates are drawn to technology-related fields over finance.
You’ve heard it before and know it well.
To attract and retain employees, RIAs must position themselves as an attractive employer. However, many advisors focus more on acquiring new clients and neglect to prioritize the process of onboarding the new employees servicing the new clients.
Benefits of a Well-Executed Onboarding Process
As an RIA leader, you know that onboarding and integrating a new team member is a crucial step in building a successful and productive team.
A well-executed onboarding process can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved retention, and a smoother transition for the new employee. On the other hand, a poorly executed process can lead to confusion, frustration, and ultimately, a negative impact on your team’s overall performance.
Once a new team member joins an RIA, they will soon be responsible for handling sensitive financial information and providing valuable guidance to clients. It is crucial that they are properly integrated into the team and have the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their role.
Onboarding Starts Before Day One
When it comes time to onboard a new team member, advisors should begin the process well before their first day on the job. The best way to ensure that they have an easy transition is to start by setting clear expectations and providing them with all of the necessary information prior to day one.
Provide a detailed description of their role and responsibilities, explain the company’s policies and procedures, outline any compliance rules that must be followed, give them access to essential tools and resources, discuss any benefits or perks offered, and provide contact information for key members of the organization who can help answer questions before the job starts.
Integrate New Team Members into The Existing Culture
The onboarding process should also focus on helping new employees integrate into the existing culture. Acknowledge their arrival and introduce them to other team members.
Especially with most RIAs consisting of 10-30 team members, creating a good team dynamic is critical. Encourage everyone to interact with the new hire and make them feel welcome in the office.
Help them get acquainted with their colleagues by organizing team-building activities, attending networking events, or simply having a nice lunch together. Set up regular meetings or check-ins with a mentor who can provide additional guidance and support as needed.
Pairing a new employee with a mentor or buddy can help them get up to speed faster and feel more supported as they navigate their new role. This person should be someone the new hire can go to with questions and concerns, and who can help them navigate their new role and responsibilities.
Create Clear Goals & Provide Feedback
The onboarding process should also include setting clear goals for success and providing feedback on a regular basis. It is important that advisors set attainable yet challenging goals during the onboarding process so that they can measure progress throughout the integration period.
Provide regular feedback on the employee’s performance and address any issues that arise. This will not only help them understand their role better, but also make them feel valued and appreciated for their contributions to the team.
Onboarding a new RIA team member is a crucial step in building a successful and productive team. By taking the time to onboard employees properly, advisors can ensure that they are fully integrated into the organization, have all of the necessary information and resources to succeed in their role, and ultimately become an invaluable asset to the firm. Additionally, it can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved retention rates, and improved overall performance.
By following these steps you can create an effective onboarding process that helps new hires transition smoothly into your organization. With a well-executed process, you can ultimately ensure that your RIA team is productive, successful and ready to serve clients at the highest level.
By following these tips, you can effectively onboard and integrate a new RIA team member, setting them up for success and helping them feel supported and valued as they join your team.
For more information on how to properly onboard new RIA member, reach out to us.
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