Financial Advisors have access to a variety of channels to find potential prospects. But with growing competition and limited time to focus on marketing, many Advisors are unsure which channels will deliver the best results for their business.
That’s why RFG Advisory created the Advisor Growth Study Club. It offers the Advisors who partner with RFG a regular opportunity to discuss their growth strategies, share insights about specific channels, and learn from their peers’ success. Each monthly session, hosted by Chief Behavioral Officer Brendan Frazier, features a different guest speaker exploring their most impactful growth channel.
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A client review meeting offers a moment of clarity: a chance for your client to pause, reflect, realign, and dream forward. But even the most well-crafted client review template can sometimes fall into “routine” territory.
Client meetings hold the potential to do more than update; they can uplift. By asking deeper questions, aligning with what matters most, and creating space for reflection, Advisors can transform routine check-ins into powerful moments of connection and possibility.
Let’s explore how Meghaan Lurtz, this month’s Advisor Growth Study Club guest speaker, leverages a “Flourish framework” for values-based conversations—and how it can help guide your client review meetings from “we’re on track” to “we’re inspired.”
Because when your meetings reflect the full picture of your clients’ lives—not just their portfolios—you can deepen trust, build loyalty, and create space for intentional growth.
Building a Better Client Review Template With the Flourish Framework
The Flourish framework invites you to see each client relationship as a linear, three-part journey moving from Fix to Fine to Flourish.
- Most client relationships begin in the “Fix” phase: There’s a need, an urgent problem, or a big transition, and you step in to help solve it. You bring clarity, calm, and a path forward, building trust along the way.
- Once things are running smoothly, clients often shift into the “Fine” phase: The plan works, reviews are steady, and everything feels fine. And while that’s a good place to be, it’s also where engagement can start to fade.
- That’s your cue to guide them into the “Flourish” phase. You can create space for bigger conversations around values, goals, meaning, and possibilities here. Your goal here is to help clients think beyond maintenance and toward momentum.
By recognizing where each client is in their journey (Fix, Fine, or Flourish), you can tailor your support to their specific needs and mindset during your annual client review.
5 Ways to Make Your Annual Client Review More Meaningful
1. Reconnect (Before They Drift)
Even long-term relationships need intentional reconnection. Over time, it’s easy for conversations to become routine, even with your best clients.
Clients evolve—their goals, values, and definition of success shift, often without them saying so. Clients may feel unseen if your conversations don’t reflect that change. Advisors often share stories of loyal clients leaving unexpectedly, not because of performance, but because they felt disconnected. Proactive, values-based conversations help prevent that.
2. Teach Clients When to Call (It’s Not Just for Problems)
Many clients only reach out when something’s gone wrong. But you know that the most impactful planning often happens before big decisions are made. Consider helping your clients understand when to call you by creating a “Client Expectations” document outlining key moments to check in: before major purchases, job changes, or even when something doesn’t feel right.
Structure creates clarity. And clarity creates trust.
3. Add Pre-Meeting Prompts to Your Annual Client Review Template
Before your meeting, send a quick email with a few thoughtful reflection questions. These can be simple:
- What’s feeling most important to you right now?
- What are you most excited about this year?
- Is anything shifting in your goals or values?
These prompts invite your clients to think bigger and let them know this meeting isn’t just about performance. During the meeting, keep the focus on what energizes them, what they care about, and where they’re headed next. Then, close with a brief recap, ask for feedback, and outline next steps that reflect their financial and personal goals.
4. Use the PERMA Framework to Go Deeper During Annual Reviews
The PERMA framework offers five simple entry points to more meaningful conversations:
- Positive Emotion: What brings you joy or gratitude right now?
- Engagement: Where are you feeling most energized?
- Relationships: Who do you want to be present for?
- Meaning: What gives your life purpose?
- Accomplishment: What goals feel most rewarding?
You don’t have to ask them all at once—just weave them in over time. These aren’t performance metrics; they’re well-being markers, and they can help you design a financial life that truly supports the life your client wants to live.
5. Name the Meeting Something Different
Sometimes, a simple change in language can shift the entire experience. Instead of calling it a “review,” try “vision meeting” or “gratitude session.” When you give your meetings a name that reflects intention, clients show up with a different mindset, and you send a powerful message about what the conversation is really about.
Elevate Your Annual Client Review Template—and the Experience That Comes With It
Your annual client review template is more than a meeting guide; it reflects your commitment to connection, clarity, and care. By weaving in values-based questions, intentional structure, and a touch of inspiration, you can turn even the most routine reviews into moments your clients look forward to.
Ready to Build a Business That Reflects Your Values?
At RFG Advisory, we believe Advisors deserve more than a back-office and a platform. You deserve a partner who empowers you to lead with purpose, deepen client relationships, and grow a business you’re proud of.
From behavioral finance insights to hands-on support designed to help you deliver an exceptional client experience, RFG is here to help you thrive. If you’re ready to elevate your client meetings, brand, and impact, let’s talk about what independence can look like.