The Efficient Advisor: Tactical Business Advice for Financial Planners

Libby Greiwe
  • 4.9 (132)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Ever wish you knew an Advisor who built a 7-figure practice--while only working 3 days a week--that was willing to share her systems, processes, and business hacks with you? Meet the Efficient Advisor Podcast host Libby Greiwe. Her specialty? Breaking down the functions of a financial planning practice into actionable step-by-step processes designed to get you results and get you out of overwhelm. Expert interviews, done-for-you templates, and easy to implement solutions… all tied together by her MISSION to create ease in your business. She promises to deliver actionable step-by-step solutions you can implement right away to save time, money, and frustration. The goal--to lead you from overwhelm to efficiency. She started her own financial planning business in 2004. And, over the years she scaled into a 7-figure single-advisor firm while working only 25-hours a week so she could be super involved while raising her kiddos and loving on her hubby. She knows what it takes to build a 100% referral-only practice and to not have to GRIND out the hours to be successful. She ran her own planning business for 16 years culminating in a sale to an enterprise firm in 2019. Now, she’s simply just obsessed with helping other amazing advisors do the same thing. So if you’re an advisor who’s got the hang of planning and is now looking to grow to that first 500k of take-home pay… you are in the right place! 

  1. 1h ago

    380: CEO DAY - Your Q2 Business Review Agenda

    As advisors, we spend a lot of time working in the business—but not nearly enough time working on the business.  In this episode, Libby pulls back the curtain on the exact quarterly CEO Day framework she recently led for her Systems to Scale alumni community. With Q2 coming to a close, she shares how to create the space for strategic thinking, avoid turning your CEO time into a glorified catch-up day, and walk away with a clear plan for the next 90 days. Whether you're a solo advisor or leading a growing team, this episode will help you become more intentional, proactive, and focused as you head into the next quarter. In this episode, you'll learn: How to structure a quarterly CEO Day that actually leads to action instead of becoming another day spent answering emails and putting out fires.The five key business categories every advisor should review each quarter, including people, finances, processes, client experience, and technology.Why brain dumps and structured reflection exercises help uncover opportunities, bottlenecks, and priorities that are easy to miss during day-to-day operations.A practical framework for identifying your next three quarterly goals and turning them into actionable plans that actually get completed.Libby shares the same process she used in her own advisory firm and now teaches inside her coaching programs. If you've ever wondered what it really means to "work on the business," this episode gives you a step-by-step roadmap for creating the time, clarity, and focus needed to move your firm forward. As you wrap up the quarter, consider blocking time on your calendar for your own CEO Day—you may be surprised by how much progress can come from simply creating the space to think strategically. Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE!  Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE! Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!    Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE! Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE! Successful businesses don’t get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

    41 min

  2. 4d ago

    379: The Client Experience Mistake That Undermines Your Thoughtfulness

    If you've ever struggled to come up with meaningful gifts, memorable client experiences, or even remember the little details that matter most to your clients, this episode is for you. In this Efficient Friday episode, Libby dives into the power of building a Client Intel Process—a simple but powerful system for gathering, storing, and using personal information to deepen relationships and create remarkable client experiences.  More importantly, she shares the common mistakes advisors make when collecting client intel and how to avoid turning something thoughtful into something transactional. Based on conversations from a live Q&A with advisors inside The First 100 Days course, this episode will help you create more authentic connections with clients while using process to support—not replace—the human element of your practice. In this episode, you'll learn: Why asking clients to fill out a questionnaire about their preferences can actually diminish the impact of future gifts and gesturesHow to gather meaningful client intel naturally through conversations, observation, and the practice of "double-clicking"Creative ways to use personal information to surprise, delight, and strengthen client relationships throughout the yearHow to build a simple process for capturing and accessing client intel so no important details get lost over timeThe best client experiences aren't built on expensive gifts or elaborate gestures. They're built on making people feel seen, known, and valued. By creating a thoughtful Client Intel Process, advisors can use systems and processes to deepen human connection, strengthen trust, and create experiences clients remember long after the financial planning conversation ends. Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE!  Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE! Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!    Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE! Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE! Successful businesses don’t get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

    21 min

  3. Jun 16

    378: The 100+ Hour Time Hack For Investment Management

    What if you could get back 100 to 200+ hours a year without sacrificing the quality of your investment management? In this episode, Libby sits down with Darol Ryan, Managing Partner of Main Management, to discuss one of the biggest hidden time drains in many advisory firms: portfolio management. From researching investments and preparing for review meetings to managing custom portfolios and rebalancing accounts, advisors often spend countless hours on work that may no longer be the highest and best use of their time. Together, they explore how custom model portfolios can help advisors create scale, increase consistency, and free up valuable time to focus on clients, planning, growth, and life outside the office. In this episode, you'll learn: How advisors are saving 100–200+ hours per year by moving from individually managed portfolios to scalable model-based investment managementWhy custom portfolio management often becomes the bottleneck that prevents firms from growing beyond certain asset and client thresholdsHow custom advisor models are built and tailored to fit your investment philosophy, client base, and unique planning needsWhy the future value of financial advisors lies in relationships, behavioral coaching, tax planning, and financial advice—not spending weekends researching investmentsIf you've ever found yourself spending nights, weekends, or entire weeks preparing portfolio reviews, researching investments, or managing dozens of portfolio variations, this conversation will challenge you to rethink where your time is best spent. As technology and AI continue to reshape the industry, the advisors who thrive will be the ones who create efficient systems behind the scenes so they can spend more time doing what clients truly value most. Book a call to have custom portfolios build for your business HERE!  Email Darol Ryan directly here: Ryan@mainmgt.com Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE!  Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE! Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!    Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE! Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE! Successful businesses don’t get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

    38 min

  4. Jun 12

    377: The CEO Day Mistake Most Advisors Make

    As the end of the quarter approaches and the halfway point of the year comes into focus, many advisors are planning CEO Days to step back and think strategically about their businesses. But before you jump into goal-setting, planning, and big-picture thinking, there’s one important step that can dramatically improve the quality of your strategic work. In this episode, Libby shares why an Admin Day—or at least a few dedicated admin hours—should come before every CEO Day and how clearing mental clutter creates the space for better decisions, deeper thinking, and more productive strategy sessions. In this episode, you'll learn: Why an Admin Day is the prerequisite to an effective CEO DayHow physical and digital clutter impacts your ability to think strategicallyWhy working through lingering tasks often uncovers the biggest opportunities for improvement in your businessA simple process for clearing the runway so you can maximize your CEO timeStrategic thinking requires space, focus, and clarity—and those things are hard to access when your brain is juggling unfinished tasks and mental to-do lists. Before your next CEO Day, give yourself permission to spend some time clearing the decks first. You may be surprised how much more productive, insightful, and valuable your strategic planning becomes when you remove the noise and create room to think like a CEO. Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE!  Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE! Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!    Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE! Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE! Successful businesses don’t get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

    10 min

  5. Jun 9

    376: The 4 Numbers That Reveal If Your Practice Is Actually Getting More Efficient *FREE DOWNLOAD** (Replay)

    Efficiency is one of the most common goals financial advisors share, but very few can actually define what it means—or measure it. In this episode, Libby challenges the traditional metrics advisors often use to gauge success and introduces four simple KPIs that provide a much clearer picture of productivity, efficiency, and scalability. If you've ever wondered whether you're truly building a business that gives you more freedom, more impact, and better results without simply working longer hours, this episode will help you start tracking what really matters. In this episode, you'll learn: How to calculate your revenue per hour and why it's a more meaningful metric than revenue growth aloneThe client-facing ratio that reveals where your biggest opportunities for efficiency are hidingA simple framework for evaluating the impact of your value-add activities and client experience initiativesWhy tracking referrals can uncover the health of your client experience, service model, and planning processWhether you're a solo advisor or leading a growing team, these four KPIs can help you shift from working harder to working smarter. By focusing on the metrics you can actually influence, you'll gain clearer insight into where your time is going, what's creating the most value for clients, and how to build a more scalable practice. Be sure to download the free KPI tracker mentioned in the episode and start measuring your progress. Grab your Free KPI Download HERE!  Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE!  Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE! Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!    Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE! Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE! Successful businesses don’t get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

    35 min

  6. Jun 5

    375: The 3 Ritz-Carlton Client Experience Secrets Every Advisor Should Steal

    If you've been listening to the podcast lately, you know we've been talking a lot about client experience, onboarding, and the first 100 days. And this week, I’m coming to you from the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago, where I’m speaking at a conference and taking notes on one of the most recognized customer experience brands in the world. As I’ve watched the little details and thoughtful touches that make the Ritz-Carlton experience so memorable, I couldn’t help but think about how easily many of those same principles can be applied inside an advisory firm. In this episode, I’m breaking down three specific Ritz-Carlton practices that advisors can use to create more memorable, consistent, and remarkable client experiences. In this episode, you'll learn: How the Ritz-Carlton’s famous $2,000 Rule empowers employees to solve problems, create memorable moments, and deliver exceptional service without waiting for management approvalWhy capturing client preferences and personal details is only half the battle—and how to actually use that information to strengthen relationships and deepen client loyaltyHow daily service meetings at the Ritz create consistency across the organization and how advisors can incorporate client experience discussions into their own team meetingsThe three foundational pillars of a remarkable client experience: empowering your team, collecting meaningful client intelligence, and creating processes that ensure consistence.The best client experiences don’t happen by accident. The Ritz-Carlton has built a reputation for excellence by intentionally empowering employees, documenting client preferences, and creating systems that reinforce exceptional service every day. The good news is that you don’t need a luxury hotel budget to apply these principles. Small, thoughtful actions backed by strong processes can help your clients feel seen, known, and valued—and that’s what creates loyalty, referrals, and lasting relationships. Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE!  Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE! Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!    Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE! Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE! Successful businesses don’t get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

    12 min

  7. Jun 2

    374: Alternatives Don’t Have to Be Complicated: A Streamlined Way to Offer Private Investing

    In this episode, Libby sits down with Summer Webb from American Estate & Trust to unpack what alternatives actually are, why more advisors are exploring them, and how firms can offer these types of investments in a more streamlined and compliant way. Whether you're completely new to alternatives or already managing some private investments for clients, this conversation helps demystify the process and explores what it can look like to bring more sophisticated solutions into your practice without losing efficiency. In this episode, you will learn: What “alternative investments” actually include — from private equity and real estate to crypto, precious metals, and private creditWhy more everyday clients (not just ultra-high-net-worth investors) are asking advisors about alternativesHow advisors can potentially retain more wallet share by staying involved in private investment conversations instead of sending clients elsewhereWhat it looks like operationally and compliantly to offer alternatives through a specialized custodial partner without adding unnecessary complexity to your businessIf you’ve ever felt curious about alternatives but assumed they were too complicated, too niche, or only for massive family offices, this episode offers a really interesting behind-the-scenes look at how the landscape is changing. Libby and Summer explore the balance between sophistication and simplicity, and how advisors can continue evolving their businesses while still maintaining the efficiency and client experience they’ve worked so hard to build. Learn more about AET here!  Download this fascinating fact sheet on Alternatives here! Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE!  Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE! Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!    Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE! Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE! Successful businesses don’t get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

    49 min

  8. May 29

    373: The Onboarding Client Experience Hack I Stole from Domino’s Pizza

    When onboarding feels chaotic behind the scenes, clients feel it too. In this episode, Libby breaks down one of the simplest yet most powerful systems she ever implemented to reduce client anxiety, improve communication, and create a more professional onboarding experience: the weekly client update email, also known as the “Domino’s Pizza Tracker” for your practice. Drawing from real-world lessons and a major onboarding mishap, she shares how proactive communication can completely transform how clients experience those critical first 30 days. You’ll hear practical ways to keep clients informed without overwhelming them, how to create more accountability inside your team, and why consistency matters so much when building trust during large money movements and account transitions. If your onboarding process sometimes feels messy, reactive, or stressful, this episode will help you create a system that feels smoother for everyone involved. In this episode you’ll learn: Why proactive weekly communication dramatically reduces client anxiety during onboardingHow to structure a simple “Domino’s Pizza Tracker” email your clients will loveThe internal systems and workflows that keep onboarding organized and prevent things from falling through the cracksBest practices for timing, consistency, delegation, and setting expectations during the first 30 days of the client experienceThis episode is packed with simple but highly effective ideas that can immediately elevate your onboarding experience without adding a ton of extra work. If you want clients to feel informed, confident, and cared for from day one, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE!  Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE! Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!    Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE! Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE! Successful businesses don’t get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

    23 min
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Ever wish you knew an Advisor who built a 7-figure practice--while only working 3 days a week--that was willing to share her systems, processes, and business hacks with you? Meet the Efficient Advisor Podcast host Libby Greiwe. Her specialty? Breaking down the functions of a financial planning practice into actionable step-by-step processes designed to get you results and get you out of overwhelm. Expert interviews, done-for-you templates, and easy to implement solutions… all tied together by her MISSION to create ease in your business. She promises to deliver actionable step-by-step solutions you can implement right away to save time, money, and frustration. The goal--to lead you from overwhelm to efficiency. She started her own financial planning business in 2004. And, over the years she scaled into a 7-figure single-advisor firm while working only 25-hours a week so she could be super involved while raising her kiddos and loving on her hubby. She knows what it takes to build a 100% referral-only practice and to not have to GRIND out the hours to be successful. She ran her own planning business for 16 years culminating in a sale to an enterprise firm in 2019. Now, she’s simply just obsessed with helping other amazing advisors do the same thing. So if you’re an advisor who’s got the hang of planning and is now looking to grow to that first 500k of take-home pay… you are in the right place! 

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