RIA Playbook: Break Free from the "Swivel Chair Effect"

Picture this: You’re prepping for a client meeting—switching between several systems at once to locate client details, account balances, and performance data. One platform is for contact info, another for portfolio data, and yet another for compliance documentation, and so on.

Does this sound familiar? It’s called the Swivel Chair Effect—and it’s a ubiquitous pain point across the RIA ecosystem.

The Swivel Chair Effect creates a constant drain on productivity and professional satisfaction. It eats up precious time and causes data inconsistencies and dreaded errors. Beyond the hassle of toggling between screens, swivel chair forces RIAs to invent inefficient workarounds—like manually compiling data into spreadsheets or relying on disconnected point solutions that don’t integrate or update automatically.

The Ripple Effect of Inefficiency 

Swivel chair inefficiency damages client relationships and stops growth in its tracks. Fragmented tech stacks often require firms to increase headcount just to maintain workflows that an integrated system could streamline.

Unfortunately, the problem is pervasive. According to our 2025 Connected Wealth Report:

• 74% of advisors cite a lack of technology integration as a major pain point
• 65% struggle with outdated tools that hinder day-to-day operations
• 67% of advisors with subpar tech say they’ve lost clients because of it

Clients expect fast, accurate answers and a seamless digital experience. Disconnected systems make that almost impossible. To meet evolving client expectations, advisors need tools that offer real-time, comprehensive views of client data—without the constant screen-hopping.

Reimagine the Way You Work 

There’s a more efficient way to approach technology—one that prioritizes integration, automation, and ease of use. At Advisor360°, we’re focused on solutions built specifically for RIAs, designed to offer the right capabilities without unnecessary complexity.

Here’s what sets our approach apart:

• Unified Client View
  Say goodbye to screen-hopping. Advisor360° consolidates CRM, financial planning, portfolio management, document storage and more into a single platform—giving you a holistic, real-time view of each client household from one login.
• Automation That Works for You
  Routine tasks like meeting prep, compliance tracking, and note-taking are automated with smart workflows that learn your behavior over time—saving steps and surfacing relevant insights before you even ask.
• Flexible, Seamless Integrations
  Keep the tools you trust. Advisor360° integrates with popular platforms like eMoney, MoneyGuidePro, and RightCapital to build a cohesive, connected experience—no redundant data entry or manual syncing required.
• Compliance Built In
  Stay ahead of regulatory requirements with embedded alerts, tracking, and audit trails. SEC and Reg BI compliance becomes part of your daily workflow—not a separate process to manage.
• Scalable, Role-Based Experience
  Whether you're a solo advisor or a growing team, our platform adapts to your needs. Role-based dashboards and permissions ensure everyone—from admins to lead advisors—sees exactly what they need, when they need it.
• Security and Mobility
  Work confidently from anywhere with enterprise-grade security and mobile-friendly access. All your client data stays protected while you stay productive on the go.

Stop Spinning—Start Growing  

I’m willing to bet that you’d like to have more time to focus on what really matters to your practice: your clients. If the above points resonate with you, I invite you to schedule a fast and easy Advisor360° demo and see for yourself how it works. Better yet, let’s connect – send me a message on LinkedIn and I’d be happy to chat about how Advisor360° could improve your practice.  

JP Nahmias is Vice President of Product Management at Advisor360°.