Goshka Folda, President & CEO, Investor Economics, and Global Head of Research, Strategic Insight, chatted with us at the 2018 Mindpath CETFA ETF Conference to discuss her research firm’s findings of what it will take for advisors to remain the advisor of choice, to be irreplaceable, in the future, as the nature of the investment business evolves, as a result of the convergence of AI, Fintech, and the proliferation of ETFs.

Skip to: 01:52 …now as approaching 2020, this massive generation is approaching retirement, so the major question is… advisors have to ask themselves, they’ve been the advisor of choice for the wealth accumulation phase; will they be the advisor of choice for the retirement phase?

On an increasing basis, advisors are facing mounting pressure as investors/consumers scrutinize costs and fees, demand more transparency, more ‘contemporary’ accessibility to the information regarding their accounts, and a higher level of guidance, beyond investment options.

Skip to: 03:03 What is it that advisors can do to get ready for the coming change in investor attitudes?

The commoditization of investment funds is shifting value in the financial ecosystem from the institutions to advisors, and advisors need to recognize that its more important than ever to fine tune their ‘value narrative,’ to define their value.

Skip to: 03:54 Are you, as an advisor, cognizant that your clients are increasingly keen to connect with you 24/7, have a moblie solution, they want for you to be more accessible, more contemporary…

Skip to: 04:19 Increasingly, the science of portfolio management is also beginning to benefit from very modern technology. We’re just at the beginning of the phase where …

“There’s never been a better time to be a great advisor,” says Folda.

What makes you indispensable and irreplaceable to your clients? What do your clients need you for?

We discuss ideas advisors may implement to get in front of the curve of the industry’s evolution, to free themselves to do more of the high value work that will make them indispensable and irreplaceable to their existing and future clients.