Podcast
The Efficient Advisor: Tactical Business Advice for Financial Planners
Hosted by Libby Greiwe · EN
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!
78episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
393: The Business Advice I Think We've Been Getting Wrong
Yesterday00:18:21Summary readyI changed my mind on a very common piece of business advice. It's one of the most common messages we hear as entrepreneurs: build a business that runs without you. But what if we've been chasing the wrong goal? In this episode, Libby shares a mindset shift that completely changed the way she thinks about systems, delegation, and business ownership. Drawing on a recent personal experience and an unexpected epiphany, she explores why freedom and absence are not the same thing—and why building a business that allows you to spend more time doing the work you love is a much healthier and more sustainable goal.In this episode, you'll learn:Why "build a business that runs without you" may not be the right goal for most financial advisors—and what to strive for instead.The difference between freedom and absence, and how shifting your perspective can reduce burnout and increase fulfillment.A simple "Freedom Audit" exercise to identify which responsibilities energize you and which ones are holding you back.How to use systems and delegation to protect your energy, operate in your zone of genius, and create a business that supports the life you want.If you've ever felt like your business still depends too much on you, this episode offers a refreshing perspective. Rather than trying to remove yourself from your business entirely, you'll learn how to intentionally design your role so you can spend more time doing the work that only you can do—and that you genuinely enjoy. It's a practical mindset shift that can help you build a business that serves you, instead of one that simply demands more from you.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary392: How to Make Your Systems Stick When Things Get Busy
1w ago00:23:46Summary readyYou built the process... so why aren't you (or your team) following it? This episode is all about the difference between creating great processes and actually getting your team to follow them. While most advisors spend time documenting workflows, the real challenge is building habits that stick when business gets busy. Libby shares practical strategies for turning systems into your firm's default way of operating, helping advisors reduce mistakes, create consistency, and build a business that can truly scale without relying on constant oversight.In this episode, you'll learn:Why implementation is a completely different skill than process design, and why even great systems fail without consistent execution.Simple ways to help your team build new habits, including creating "pause points," making SOPs easy to access, and eliminating exceptions.How to create a culture that rewards following the process instead of celebrating lucky shortcuts that eventually create more work.Practical leadership strategies for auditing your systems, encouraging team feedback, and building lasting process adoption through repetition and accountability.If you've ever built a process only to watch your team slowly drift back to the old way of doing things, this episode will give you a practical framework for making change stick. Small, consistent improvements—paired with intentional implementation—can transform the way your business operates, creating a smoother experience for both your team and your clients while helping your firm scale with confidence.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary391: Diagnose Your Firm in 20 Minutes - The 4 Systems I Always Check in a Backend Audit
1w ago00:23:39Summary readyIf you only had 20 minutes to diagnose why your advisory firm feels chaotic, where would you look first? In this episode, Libby walks you through the same rapid-fire audit she uses to identify the biggest operational bottlenecks inside an advisory practice. Instead of focusing on working harder or becoming more disciplined, you'll learn how to quickly pinpoint the systems that are creating unnecessary stress, consuming your time, and keeping you stuck as the bottleneck in your business. By the end of this episode, you'll have a simple framework you can use to perform your own 20-minute operational audit and identify exactly where to focus next.In this episode, you'll learn:The four core systems Libby evaluates first to quickly identify operational bottlenecks inside an advisory practice.How to perform your own 20-minute business audit to uncover where your firm is losing the most time and creating unnecessary stress.The common warning signs that your onboarding, service model, service requests, or internal projects need attention.How to identify the one process improvement that will create the biggest impact instead of trying to fix everything at once.Building a more efficient business doesn't require reinventing your entire practice overnight. It starts with identifying the one system that's creating the biggest drag on your time, energy, and client experience. Take 20 minutes, complete the audit, and commit to improving just one process this quarter. Small, intentional improvements compound into a business that gives you more capacity, more consistency, and ultimately more freedom.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary390: Behind the Scenes of Systems to Scale (And How to Know If It's Right for You)
2w ago00:34:52Summary readyIf you've ever wondered whether Systems to Scale Group Coaching is the right next step for your business, this episode is for you. Libby pulls back the curtain on exactly who the program is designed for, who should wait, and why so many successful advisors eventually realize they don't have a revenue problem—they have a capacity problem. You'll hear the philosophy behind the program, what transformation advisors can expect over the 10-month coaching experience, and answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about how the program works, what the commitment looks like, and what you can expect if you decide to join.In this episode, you'll learn:Why the biggest bottleneck in a growing advisory firm is often the advisor themselves, and how documented systems create more capacity without sacrificing client experience.The three core beliefs that shape the Systems to Scale coaching program and why incremental process improvements outperform trying to overhaul your business all at once.What actually happens during the 10-month group coaching program, including how the live coaching, small accountability pods, templates, office hours, and implementation support work together to help you build lasting systems.Who the program is the best fit for, who should wait before joining, and how to determine whether now is the right time to focus on building the operational foundation for your business.If you've built a successful practice but still feel like everything depends on you, this episode will help you determine whether it's time to stop being the bottleneck and start building a business that can consistently deliver an exceptional client experience without relying on your memory. Whether you decide to join the program now or sometime in the future, you'll walk away with a clearer understanding of what it takes to transition from busy advisor to true CEO.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary389: The CEO Exercise That Shows You Exactly What Process to Improve Next *FREE DOWNLOAD*
2w ago00:26:11Summary readyIf you've ever looked around your business and thought, "I know I need better systems, but I have no idea where to start," this episode is for you. In today's conversation, Libby shares one of the most impactful exercises from a recent CEO Day with her alumni community—an exercise that gives advisors immediate clarity on where to focus next. Instead of chasing every new idea, you'll learn how to identify the one or two processes that will create the biggest impact in your business over the next 90 days.In this episode, you'll learn:How to assess the eight core processes every advisory firm needs to build a scalable business.A simple five-level framework to evaluate the maturity of each process, from "winging it" to delivering an exceptional client experience.Why incremental improvements consistently outperform trying to overhaul your entire business at once.How to use the Process Assessment Wheel to prioritize the next system or workflow that will create the greatest momentum in your firm.Building a business that runs more efficiently doesn't happen by tackling everything at once. It happens by making intentional improvements one process at a time. This exercise will help you gain clarity, focus your energy where it matters most, and create meaningful progress without feeling overwhelmed. Be sure to download the accompanying worksheet and use it during your next CEO Day to measure your progress and plan your next steps.DOWNLOAD THE ASSESSMENT HERE! Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary388: The One Exercise That Shows You Exactly Who Should Be Doing What
3w ago00:37:33Summary readyOne of the biggest mistakes I see growing advisory firms make is waiting too long to define roles and responsibilities. When your team is small, it's easy for everyone to pitch in wherever needed. But as your firm grows, those blurry lines quickly turn into confusion, duplicated work, bottlenecks, and frustration.In this episode, I share one of the exercises we teach inside our Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program that helps advisors create clear job roles before they become a problem. You'll learn why well-defined roles aren't about creating bureaucracy—they're about giving your team clarity, creating better accountability, making delegation easier, and building a business that's ready to scale. Whether you have one employee or ten, this framework will help you stop building jobs around people and start building a business that can grow intentionally.In this episode, you'll learn:Why every advisory firm needs clearly defined roles and job descriptions long before you think you do.How to identify the core functions of your business and organize responsibilities so everyone knows exactly what they own.The difference between building a role around a person versus hiring the right person for a well-defined role—and why that distinction changes everything as you scale.How creating an organizational chart and role structure today makes delegation, hiring, annual reviews, and future growth dramatically easier.The strongest businesses aren't built by adding more people—they're built by creating clarity. When every person understands their role, how they contribute to the firm's vision, and where opportunities for growth exist, your business becomes easier to lead, easier to scale, and far less dependent on you being involved in everything. It's one of the simplest CEO exercises you can do today that will continue paying dividends as your firm grows.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary386: The Simplest Way to Never Get Blindsided in a Client Meeting
3w ago00:11:43Summary readyToday, I am sharing one simple process that transformed our client experience, helped us stay on schedule, reduced unnecessary follow-up meetings, and ensured we walked into every meeting fully prepared. If you've ever had a client bring up a major planning question with five minutes left on the clock, this system is for you.In this episode, you'll learn:Why sending a meeting agenda two weeks in advance dramatically improves client meetings and positions you as a more prepared, professional advisor.How one simple pre-meeting email uncovers important client questions before they derail your agenda.How this process reduces follow-up meetings, keeps meetings on time, and allows you to prepare thoughtful recommendations in advance.The exact framework you can automate or delegate to create a smoother client experience with very little effort.One of the biggest time-wasters in a financial planning practice happens when important client questions don't surface until the end of the meeting. Instead of trying to cram a complex discussion into the final few minutes—or scheduling another meeting altogether—you can eliminate most of these surprises with one simple email. By sending clients your planned agenda two weeks before their meeting and inviting them to share any additional questions, you'll create a more organized experience, make clients feel heard, and give yourself the time to prepare meaningful answers. It's a small process change that delivers a surprisingly big impact for both your team and your clients.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary386: The Truth About My 3-Day Workweek (Part 2)
4w ago00:47:41Summary readyIf you've ever wondered whether a three-day workweek is actually possible as a financial advisor, this episode is your practical roadmap. In Part 2 of this series, I move beyond the story of how I built my business and dive into exactly what it takes to intentionally reduce your schedule without sacrificing client experience or business growth. From annual planning rhythms to delegation, systems, and CEO thinking, I break down the step-by-step framework I would follow if I were building toward a three-day workweek all over again.In this episode, you'll learn:How to use annual rhythms, model weeks, and time studies to identify where your time is really going and where you can reclaim it.The systems, delegation strategies, and business changes required to successfully reduce your workweek without compromising client service.Why transitioning to a shorter workweek isn't about working faster—it's about becoming a different kind of business owner and CEO.How to thoughtfully bring your team along through change, create buy-in, and build a business that doesn't require you to be constantly available.Building a three-day workweek isn't about working less for the sake of working less. It's about intentionally designing a business that supports the life you want to live. Whether your goal is taking Fridays off, creating more CEO time, or simply feeling less overwhelmed, this episode will help you start building the systems and mindset needed to make it possible—one intentional step at a time.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary385: The Resource Organization Hack You'll Wish You Started Years Ago
4w ago00:13:37Summary readyIf you're anything like most financial advisors, you've collected hundreds of valuable resources over the years: articles, calculators, PDFs, client-friendly graphics, and planning tools. But if they're scattered across bookmarks, downloads, and random folders, they're almost impossible to find when you actually need them. In this episode, I share one of the simplest organizational systems I've seen for creating a searchable planning resource library, inspired by one of the incredible advisors in our Systems to Scale alumni community. This easy-to-implement idea will save you time, reduce frustration, and make it easier to deliver value to clients.In this episode, you'll learn:How to create a simple digital resource library that keeps your favorite planning tools, articles, calculators, and PDFs organized in one place.A practical folder structure you can use to organize resources by life events, planning topics, niches, and client goals.Why building your resource library over time is far more effective than trying to organize everything at once.How one advisor took a basic organizational system and transformed it into a powerful knowledge library that saves time and improves client service.Sometimes the smallest systems create the biggest improvements in your business. A well-organized planning resource library may seem simple, but it can eliminate countless hours of searching for information and help you serve clients with greater confidence and consistency. I hope this episode inspires you to start building a system that future you will thank you for.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
Summary384: The Truth About My 3-Day Workweek (Part 1)
Jul 701:06:42Summary readyIf you've ever wondered what it actually takes to build a successful advisory firm while working fewer hours, this episode pulls back the curtain. After receiving more than 80 questions from advisors, I'm sharing the honest story behind my three-day workweek. From the systems and team structure that made it possible to the mistakes, trade-offs, and mindset shifts along the way, this is the first of a two-part series that dives into exactly how I redesigned my business to support the life I wanted instead of the other way around.In this episode, you'll learn:Why reducing your workweek isn't about working less—it's about intentionally designing a business that doesn't require you to be constantly available.How I gradually reduced my schedule from 70-80 hour weeks to a sustainable three-day workweek through systems, delegation, and intentional calendar design.The practical strategies we used to set client expectations, protect boundaries, and deliver exceptional service without sacrificing responsiveness.How building documented processes, hiring the right team members, and creating a structured model week dramatically increased my productivity and revenue per hour.If you've been dreaming about creating more freedom in your business but aren't sure where to start, this episode will challenge the way you think about time, productivity, and what it really means to build a business that serves your life. Next week, I'll dive even deeper into the numbers, team structure, client service model, and the step-by-step roadmap you can use to begin creating your own version of a more intentional workweek.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar 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.
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