As an advisor, your hard work has a direct effect on your business. You reap tangible results in the form of increased revenue, which can be a strong personal motivator. But what about your staff? They may not experience job satisfaction in quite the same way. How, then, do you inspire them—particularly if they’ve become disengaged from their jobs?

You’ve probably heard the chatter in the media around alternative work arrangements, with many of these shifts due to advances in technology. In our industry, many advisors have considered implementing a work-from-home policy or have been approached by employees interested in working remotely. So, the big question is: Should you let your employees work from home? Of course, as with any human resources question, there is much to consider before taking action.

In today’s digital world, videoconferencing can be a valuable addition to your firm’s service model. It can help meet the needs of tech-savvy next-gen clients and manage your intense schedule of client-facing activities. Plus, you can connect directly with your clients when either of you is on the road. The question is, "Should you videoconference with your clients?"

Your staff represents your company to everyone you do business with. To be sure, they're one of your most important assets. And like any important asset—your car, your physical health, and your finances—it's important to conduct regular checkups to ensure that everything is on track.

In a post last week, my colleague discussed the importance of having an employee performance management program. One key element of that program, conducting performance reviews on a regular basis, gives you the opportunity to develop good staff and to reinforce good behavior. On the flip side, it also allows you to catch poor performance and take action to correct it before it develops further.

Focus groups are widely used in many industries, especially for new product development and introduction. In highly structured situations, focus groups are videotaped and then viewed by interested parties after the event. That way, facial reactions and other nonverbal responses can be studied. In the financial services industry, such a structured experience isn't likely, but the example serves to illustrate the importance of promoting objectivity.