How WAM has Adapted to this Crisis: Protecting Ourselves to Maintain Service to You
Chrissy Rhamy, Administrative Assistant | Yoshi Brownlee, Team Administrator & Marketing Specialist | May 14, 2020
Daily life changed globally and permanently due to the COVID-19 virus, and at Weatherly we have adapted to the dynamic landscape in multiple ways. While our team has been mostly working remote since mid-March, we are still running business as usual and are implementing a variety of tools to make Weatherly a safer and more socially responsible workplace.
During this uncertain time, we know that communication is paramount which is why we have increased our email blast frequency to twice a month to capture ongoing strategy changes, as well as market updates. If you are not already included on our email list and would like to be, please sign up for our mailing list by filling out this contact form.
Like many businesses, we transitioned to calls and virtual meetings in March for the safety of our clients and team. While in-person meetings are not a possibility at this time, WAM has utilized GoToMeeting for video conferencing for a number of years. This tool not only allows us to communicate more effectively while in different locations, we also have the added benefit of using the screen sharing and presentation capabilities. Our advisors can walk through your client reports with you by page, access your custodian’s website, or demonstrate how to get onto your secure Weatherly portal. This is especially useful during tax time, when you or your CPA upload tax documents for your advisor to analyze. Whatever the task, our advisors can virtually be right by your side to accomplish it. If you are interested in setting up a quarterly review, or secure portal training session via GoToMeeting, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. We would be happy to help you get set up.
Working remotely has given us the opportunity to tap into the depth of Microsoft’s productivity software offerings. Microsoft’s secure remote access and communication tools have been crucial for our team internally. Through the security and usability of Teams, SharePoint and other communication software, our team has been able to stay on the same page while also providing service in a timely manner. Another tool that has made remote work possible is the secure utilization of DocuSign. We have been diligent in using DocuSign whenever possible for its environmental and convenience benefits, but it has now become essential in allowing business to continue seamlessly while also remaining distant.
One thing that hasn’t changed throughout this transition to remote work is Weatherly’s commitment to protecting your data. Cybersecurity has and always will be a main priority of our business. Our client and team communications remain secure with the use of the Weatherly portal, DocuSign and apps that encrypt and password protect physical documents. We have increased our use of apps like GeniusScan to allow for secure scanning and sharing of internal records. As more innovative technologies emerge, we are continuously evaluating which tools offer our clients the most optimized experience.
In preparation for our team’s gradual return to the Weatherly office, we are focusing on safety first by implementing more extensive safety measures. We have added hands-free soap and hand-sanitizer dispensers and increased frequency and depth of our cleaning program. We are also in the process of installing tempered glass barriers between workspaces to create more physical boundaries once we can work in the office together safely. While we are not resuming in person meetings at present, we hope these changes will make you feel more comfortable coming into our office when it is safe to do so.
Under normal circumstances, our team prides itself on our boutique atmosphere and face-to-face communication style. The quarantine has provided us with a unique opportunity to discover new ways to connect with each other and our clients. To maintain our spirit of team collaboration, we participate in daily team video calls to touch base on day-to-day activities as well as ongoing projects and progress on larger firm strategy initiatives. Now more than ever, the importance of staying connected is critical.
As we navigate this new “normal,” we work hard to remind each other that while times are uncertain, we can be confident in our ability to adapt and remember to have a laugh or two as we grow in this new environment. While nothing can take the place of sitting right across from a coworker and catching up, we work to bring our workplace culture into our remote environment through weekly team-building activities, exchanging songs we are listening to and sharing recipes tried over the course of the stay at home order. We are excited to share our team cookbook and quarantine playlist with you. We hope this inspires you and your family to find creative new ways to stay connected while staying at home. Check out the links below for our collaborative playlist and cookbook!
Read our Weatherly Cookbook here
Listen to our WAM Quarantine Playlist here
While the crisis is ongoing and our interactions may look a bit different these days, the team at Weatherly remains committed to providing an elevated client service experience for you and your family. We look forward to seeing you in the office again soon but for now please stay healthy and stay safe.
** The information provided should not be interpreted as a recommendation, no aspects of your individual financial situation were considered. Always consult a financial professional before implementing any strategies derived from the information above.