Virtual Presentations in a Virtual World

The circumstances in which retirement plan professionals—like everyone—have found themselves spell opportunity to develop new ways of working with and serving clients. An Aug. 6 webcast offered practical ideas on how to capitalize on that opportunity and serve clients virtually—and in the process, literally.

 

“We have to shift to this new reality—if we haven’t already,” remarked Phil Kim, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CRES, Founding Member and Managing Director of Signature Wealth Concepts, in “Virtual Presentations in a Virtual World.” Kim made his presentation for the NTSA.

 

The new environment in which retirement plan professionals work now requires a paradigm shift, said Kim, citing the rise of virtual meetings and use of platforms such as

 

Zoom to supplant road trips as just two examples of the new way of doing business.

 

 

Kim argued that one should devote time to thought and reflection before embarking on virtual means of doing business and serving clients. “Think about the organizations for which you work. Approach them and communicate an appropriate message to them,” he said. Kim also said that a key preliminary step is to identify the decisionmaker at an organization. That is “key to what you’re proposing,” he argued.

 

In addition, Kim suggested organizations may not have retirement plans on their radar screen. “They are not thinking about retirement planning,” he said, suggesting that one ask oneself how measures such as the CARES Act affect staff and what they do.

 

But while organizations may not have retirement planning immediately in their line of sight, that is not the case for some of their employees, Kim suggested. “A lot of teachers are about retiring early or leaving; in particular, they don’t understand their benefits packages,” he observed, suggesting that in conversation with an organization that one “communicate that you can help with that.”

 

And Kim urged attendees to consider their own experiences when planning them for others. “Think about the webinars you’ve participated in and watched. What worked? What didn’t?,” he suggested.

 

 

Kim offered ideas on scheduling a virtual presentation with a client. For instance, he said, one could consider “piggybacking” with online faculty meetings if the district allows it. He also suggesting working with and through teachers’ unions in scheduling presentations. And he indicated that time is of the essence, remarking that “Scheduling such presentations should happen sooner rather than later.” And he reminded attendees that virtual calendars are now in widespread use.

 

 

There are many technical factors to consider when planning and conducting virtual presentations, and Kim suggested food for thought regarding what to consider and how to approach them.

 

Image quality. Ask yourself:

 

Sound. Ask yourself:

Internet connectivity. Ask yourself how strong it is. If it’s choppy, don’t broadcast from that location.

 

Be prepared. Kim suggested:

 

 

Kim argued that one should rehearse a presentation. And he suggested that one overcommunicate to organizations for which one is doing presentations regarding what will be needed to make the presentation.