A CRM Consultant is more than just an informational resource. They are your partner in designing a client relationship management system that serves you, your team, and your clients without adding extra strain. Regardless of how long you’ve worked with your CRM, a consultant can zero in on what is working, what isn’t, and the best way forward to aligning your system to your productivity goals.
At Stephanie Dannebaum Consulting, I’ve worked with a wide variety of advisory firms whose specific needs differed based on their clientele, number of team members, and available resources. As a result, I’ve refined my process over the years to reach the core issues that cause pain points in CRMs.
Why should I hire a CRM Consultant?
First, let’s discuss what you should expect from the end result of working with a CRM Consultant. It is important to understand that while I can streamline your system, you and your team are ultimately responsible for upkeep on that system. A CRM Consultant is a partner rather than a magic wand.
That being said, a CRM Consultant will help you:
1. Generate business insights by creating reports on important metrics and KPIs.
Reports offer a real-time glimpse into the inner workings of your business. This data allows you to make decisions based on the goals of your firm and the needs of your customers.
2. Increase efficiency & productivity by automating routine processes.
Automation is truly one of the greatest tools at your disposal. Countless hours are saved when you stop wasting time on menial tasks that can easily be scheduled and taken off your plate.
3. Improve client servicing by centralizing data to the contact record.
Whether you are preparing information for an audit or simply having a regular client meeting, their profile is the heart of your CRM. Up-to-date, correct, and clear client records are essential to a functioning system.
What is it like working with Stephanie Dannebaum Consulting?
When it comes to optimizing or implementing a CRM, most advisory firms jump straight to building. They want workflows, automations, and integrations right away — but without assessing what’s already in place, those efforts often lead to more confusion than clarity.
That’s why every engagement at Stephanie Dannebaum Consulting starts with a simple, structured first step: Assess before you build.
The AIM Method: Assess → Implement → Monitor
My consulting framework, the AIM Method, guides every client engagement. It’s designed to help firms make confident, data-driven decisions about their systems instead of reacting to pain points or quick fixes.
- Assess: Understand what’s working, what’s broken, and where to focus next
- Implement: Build efficient workflows, templates, and integrations that align with your goals
- Monitor: Maintain systems, adoption, and accountability over time
This structure ensures that every CRM project — whether a cleanup, rebuild, or migration — starts with clarity and ends with results.
Step One: Assess
The assessment phase looks slightly different depending on where your firm is starting from.
For Existing CRM Users — The CRM Snapshot
If your firm already uses Redtail CRM or Wealthbox CRM, the first step is a CRM Snapshot. It’s a focused diagnostic that identifies what’s working, what’s broken, and where to improve.
During the Snapshot, I review your system setup (workflows, tasks, notes, dashboards, and data structure, etc.) and deliver a dashboard, report, and clear roadmap of next steps.
It’s designed to give you clarity before committing to a larger project.
Firms often walk away with actionable insights they can apply immediately, even before implementation begins.
For Migrating Firms — The Discovery Call
If you’re preparing to migrate to a new CRM, we start with a Discovery Call instead.
This session allows us to discuss your current systems, review your data exports, and understand your goals before migration.
From there, I’ll provide a quote for your migration prep, (including data formatting, template conversion, and CRM setup recommendations) ensuring your transition is smooth and strategic.
Step Two: Implement
Once the roadmap is clear, we move into Implementation — turning your ideas into organized, efficient systems that reflect how you want your firm to operate.
You can choose the level of support that fits your team’s goals and capacity:
- 1:1 Strategy Sessions (starting at $300 per session) for collaborative, live build-outs and training.
- Implementation Projects (starting at $5,000) for full system builds, workflow design, and integrations.
Implementation may include:
- Cleaning up contact data and standardizing fields
- Building custom workflows and templates
- Integrating tools like PreciseFP, GReminders, and more
- Creating dashboards and reports for leadership visibility
Many firms complete their builds in phases, allowing the process to move efficiently and sustainably while keeping their team actively engaged.
Step Three: Monitor
After implementation, many firms choose to continue in the Monitor phase for ongoing support.
This includes system reviews, training refreshers, and light data cleanup to help your team stay consistent and confident as your firm grows.
Whether quarterly or ongoing, this phase ensures your CRM continues to support the way you do business, rather than the other way around.
A Simple, Proven Process
Every advisory firm’s technology journey looks different, but the path to a well-functioning CRM always begins the same way: Assess first, build second.
Whether through a CRM Snapshot or a Discovery Call, the goal is the same — clarity, structure, and confidence that your systems are truly set up to scale with your firm.
FAQs
Question: What CRMs do you work with?
Answer: I work primarily in Wealthbox and Redtail CRM. They offer a huge amount of customization options, comply with regulatory requirements, and provide a vast library of integrations to connect various technologies.
Question: Can you help us choose the right CRM?
Answer: I have experience with several CRM platforms and specialize in Wealthbox and Redtail CRM. However, I don’t currently offer full CRM selection assessments. My work begins after you’ve chosen your CRM — whether you’re preparing to migrate or looking to optimize the system you’re already using.
Question: How do I know if I need a CRM Snapshot or a CRM Discovery Call?
Answer: If your firm already uses a CRM, start with a CRM Snapshot. It’s a diagnostic review that shows what’s working, what’s not, and what to improve.
If your firm is migrating to a new CRM, start with a CRM Discovery Call. It’s a strategy session to plan your setup and data transfer before implementation
- Snapshot = Existing CRM users
- Discovery = Migrating or New CRM users
Question: Do we need to have our data cleaned up before we start?
Answer: No — that’s something I can help with. My Triage services include contact cleanup, so we can address messy data as part of the process.
Question: How long do projects usually take?
Answer: Projects average between 6 to 12 weeks from start to finish, depending on the scope and how quickly your team completes reviews and feedback.
Question: What’s the investment or how does pricing work?
Answer: Every engagement begins with a $499 starting point, which takes one of two forms depending on your firm’s needs:
- CRM Snapshot – for existing CRM users who want a diagnostic review and roadmap.
- CRM Discovery Call – for firms preparing to migrate or build a new CRM, focused on strategy and planning.
After that, you can choose the level of support that fits your goals:
- 1:1 Strategy Sessions, starting at $300 per session, for collaborative, live build-outs and training.
- Implementation Projects, starting at $5,000, for complete system builds, workflow design, and integrations.
- Ongoing support options are also available for continued training, monitoring, and CRM maintenance once your system is in place.
Question: What’s your process for building workflows that fit our firm?
Answer: I offer two approaches to workflow implementation, depending on your team’s needs.
I can build workflows for you as part of an implementation project — each build includes a training session to ensure your team understands how the workflows function and how to maintain them.
Or, if you prefer a more collaborative approach, we can schedule 1:1 Strategy Sessions and build them together live, giving your team hands-on experience and a stronger understanding of how everything connects.
Question: What types of reports can you create?
Answer: The specific reports depend on your CRM, but I specialize in building custom, insight-driven reports that help firms track what truly matters. Common examples include upcoming meetings, client review schedules, account totals, birthdays and anniversaries, and pipeline activity.
I design reports to highlight the data most meaningful to your firm — improving visibility, accountability, and proactive client service. Whether you need leadership dashboards or team-level task tracking, I can tailor your reporting to support the way your firm actually operates.
Question: Do you offer training for support staff, not just advisors?
Answer: Yes — I work with both advisors and support staff. In addition to the training provided during our projects, I offer role-specific training resources customized for each CRM.
If your team needs extra help, you can also schedule 1:1 training sessions for personalized, hands-on support tailored to individual roles and responsibilities.
Question: I heard you’re a resource partner of PreciseFP and GReminders. Can you help us build those out?
Answer: Yes — I’m an official Resource Partner for both PreciseFP and GReminders, and I regularly help firms integrate and optimize these tools as part of their CRM systems.
I can assist with template creation and workflow integration, ensuring your data flows seamlessly between PreciseFP, GReminders, and your CRM. Whether you’re setting them up for the first time or refining an existing process, I’ll help you design a system that saves time and enhances your client experience.
Question: What size firms do you usually work with?
Answer: It’s less about size and more about readiness. The firms I work best with already have their processes in place — even if they’re living in Word docs or spreadsheets — and they’re ready to translate them into their CRM. If you’re looking for more than just a builder, but a partner who can bring strategy and make your processes actually work in the system, that’s where I come in.
Question: Do you work remotely with firms outside of California?
Answer: Yes. I work with advisory firms across the U.S. (and occasionally abroad). All sessions are conducted virtually through Zoom and supported with shared project trackers, Loom videos, and written documentation — so your team always knows what’s next.
Question: Do you provide ongoing support after the build?
Answer: Yes. I offer custom monitoring packages designed around each firm’s needs — whether that’s quarterly check-ins, training refreshers, or ongoing CRM optimization.
Question: What makes your process different from other CRM consultants?
Answer: My process goes beyond setup and customization — I focus on strategy, adoption, and long-term scalability. Every engagement follows my AIM Method: Assess, Implement, and Monitor. This ensures your CRM reflects your firm’s client experience, not just your tech stack.
Have more questions? Schedule a call here to see just how easy it is to achieve the client management relationship system you can count on with a CRM Consultant you can trust.
