The Mobile Office

No matter what side of the debate you are on, it is clear the company has revolutionized the technology industry. The products popularized by Apple and other technology companies have certainly changed our lives—not just how we interact with others but how we conduct business, as well.

Personally, in our house, we’ve often remarked that Steve Jobs was either a genius or the devil.  To understand why, all you have to do is see my 2-year-old complete a 20-piece puzzle or “read” a book with the help of some of her favorite (and parent-endorsed) applications—or, alternatively, rearrange my iPhone display, play Angry Birds or take plenty of photos of my living room floor (less parent endorsement for those activities). My husband and I have been impressed that, at least on the puzzle front, the work on the iPhone or iPad seems to have helped her in real life—she has taken to puzzles and can now complete 30-piece cardboard ones on our living room floor. For that, I do give the technology a little bit of credit. However, as many of us know, it stinks to have to say “no” to a 2-year-old who asks whether she can play on the iPad or iPhone for “just two minutes.”

But I’ll take the bad, because it is so outweighed by the good: the photos I get regularly of my girls at their activities, the ease of making a quick video so we don’t forget the little things that happen at the various ages, and the simplicity of sharing photos with family members who don’t get to see us often.

Professionally, technology has also changed my life—and my industry. Back when I got my degree in magazine journalism, we definitely were not being prepared for the digital aspects of magazines today. At PLANADVISER, we know many of you are on the go and using mobile devices to read our website, newsletters or even the magazine, and we’ve had to adapt to that. This initiative is something we will continue to pursue in the years ahead, so I encourage all of you to help us understand how we can serve your mobile needs better.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to hear from many of you how technology is changing your practices, whether through the ability to consolidate information from many sources into one place, to conduct meetings via online tools, to use iPads for plan sponsor or participant engagement or to use social media (or not) to connect with clients and prospects. Our cover story this issue, “Adviser Technology Fueling Client Satisfaction” (page 28), discusses how advisers are employing new technology in their businesses. We list some apps and a few programs and tools, but I know it is just the beginning. As I mentioned, I would love to hear from those of you finding neat apps and other tech solutions in the marketplace, and I would love to hear from you what you’re missing, so please reach out with any thoughts.

This issue also brings a host of articles to help as you continue to look ahead in 2013. On page 44, we have our “Investment Outlook 2013,” which asks investment managers to share what they think are the right places to direct money this year. Our article on what the election means for advisers (beginning on page 38) reviews some of the president’s major initiatives and what we will likely see being worked on at the Department of Labor (DOL) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), among other places. “The Moment of Truth” (page 41) discusses opportunities—and potential challenges—for advisers in the wake of the 408(b)(2) disclosures made last summer, and “Breakaway Brokers” (page 47) talks to some advisers who have decided to go independent—pointing out, however, that some have returned to wirehouses after having been on their own. If you’re contemplating making that kind of a change this year, I think the article will help you ask the right ­questions.