Technology can be frustrating. But advisors know it’s best to look for solutions, not problems, and some of the best technology can provide intelligent ways to solve problems or make tasks simpler. Maybe you’re familiar with some of these tools, and maybe you aren’t. But these testimonials may make you wonder why you’re not using them.

Michael Heckert, a four-year MDRT member from Lexington, Kentucky, USA:

Our firm started using reMarkable for our notes. It’s a tablet that lets us handwrite notes like on paper, but we can email the notes directly to the staff, so nothing gets lost in a written journal. Using the digital notepad has really transformed our process of how we take notes. We can put PDFs directly on it, and we have a notes template that we can send directly to our customer relationship management software. That gives staff a shortcut between trying to have to type up an email with notes to send by saving a step. We’ve discovered in the last two years that it also cleans up penmanship 60%, though for a couple advisors in the office, it does not work for their handwriting. And because you can save your notes as PDFs, you can click on your calendar, find out when the meeting was and open the notes page for that day. The templates you can download are very useful, and there are lots of options. Our firm is using a template we can use during client meetings as well. It’s all wireless, and there’s a desktop app so you can use it as a whiteboard and turn on the screen-share option.

Sofia Dumansky, MBA, LUTCF, an 11-year MDRT member from Windsor, Connecticut, USA:

When I was trying to work from home, I found that I was unable to focus as well as I did when I was working in the office. So, I began using a time-tracking tool called Toggl. Whether I’m making a call, in a client meeting, doing admin work, etc., I’m able to quickly see where and how I spend my time as well as how many hours I’ve worked. For me, it was eye-opening. My revelation was that I was spending 90% of my time on admin stuff. Knowing that allowed me to switch my priorities to where my time is best spent and delegate the rest. It’s a great tool, and best of all, it’s free.

Robert Cullen, FSCP, MBA, a 12-year MDRT member from King City, California, USA:

I interviewed an advisor in Silicon Valley and asked her what technology worked best for her. She answered it was her Voice Over Internet Protocol phone system. She can go in and see how many calls her staff people are making. The calls are recorded so she can listen later and do some coaching. They all know she has the ability to listen, and she can pull them into her office and use the recording as a coaching opportunity. Maybe there’s a call where the advisor says, “I had a tough call, and I think I blew it.” They can listen to it and use that as a coaching opportunity as well.

Brian F. Keane, LUTCF, an 11-year MDRT member from Manchester, New Hampshire, USA:

When we went remote, everything was email communication. Even if I thought I wrote an email in a really nice way, how someone reads it could be interpreted differently. I tend to be short and to the point in emails, which sometimes comes across as being rude or that I don’t care. So, I downloaded Grammarly and paid for the upgraded version. Now I get a smiley face when what I write is interpreted nicely or a frowny face if I come across as rude. It helps me improve word choices and gives me options. It’s $12 per month, and I use it all day long to improve how I communicate with people. The program started implementing the word “lovely” in my emails to make it sound nicer. It’s become part of my vernacular, and it’s really something that Grammarly changed for me.