Strength Indicator for German Wealth Managers

📌 Key facts

• 📌 Key facts
• 💡 Background
• 🦾 Who We Are
• 🎓 Profile - what we value
• 📝 How to Apply

💡 Background

The German independent wealth management industry lacks standardized performance metrics that capture the multidimensional nature of business success beyond traditional financial indicators. While Assets under Management (AuM) and financial returns provide important insights, they fail to predict long-term sustainability, growth potential, and competitive positioning of boutique wealth managers.

The Measurement Challenge in Boutique Wealth Management: Independent wealth managers operate in a complex ecosystem where success depends on diverse factors including client relationship quality, operational efficiency, technological readiness, regulatory compliance, and strategic positioning. Traditional performance metrics often provide a retrospective view that misses early warning signs of business challenges or indicators of future growth potential.

Innovation Through the PBF Strength Indicator: Pro BoutiquenFonds GmbH has developed a proprietary Strength Indicator that synthesizes multiple performance dimensions into a comprehensive assessment tool for independent wealth managers. This innovative methodology aims to provide forward-looking insights into business health, competitive positioning, and growth prospects by analyzing financial, operational, and strategic factors in an integrated framework.

The research opportunity lies in academically validating this practitioner-developed tool, optimizing its predictive capabilities, and establishing its effectiveness in identifying both success factors and potential failure patterns among German independent wealth managers.

Primary Objective: Conduct comprehensive academic validation and optimization of the PBF Strength Indicator methodology

Specific Research Goals:

1. Strength Indicator Methodology Validation:
• Statistical validation of the Strength Indicator's component weightings and calculation methodology
• Correlation analysis between Strength Indicator scores and actual business performance outcomes
• Reliability and consistency testing across different types of wealth management firms
• Comparative analysis with traditional performance metrics and industry benchmarks
2. Success Factor Identification and Quantification:
• Systematic identification of the most predictive factors for wealth management business success
• Analysis of the relative importance of financial, operational, and strategic performance dimensions
• Investigation of industry-specific success patterns unique to German independent wealth managers
• Development of early warning indicators for business challenges and growth opportunities
3. Failure Pattern Analysis:
• Comprehensive analysis of common failure modes among German wealth management firms
• Investigation of leading indicators that predict business difficulties or market exit
• Analysis of the Strength Indicator's effectiveness in identifying at-risk firms
• Development of preventive recommendations based on identified warning patterns
4. Predictive Model Optimization:
• Enhancement of the Strength Indicator's predictive accuracy through advanced statistical modeling
• Integration of machine learning approaches to improve factor weighting and scoring algorithms
• Development of scenario analysis capabilities for strategic planning and risk assessment
• Creation of benchmarking frameworks for peer comparison and competitive positioning

EXCLUSIVE DATA ACCESS

Comprehensive Financial Data:

• Balance Sheet Analytics: Complete financial statements, profitability metrics, and cash flow data from Pro BoutiquenFonds' client portfolio
• Performance Metrics: Historical AuM development, client acquisition and retention rates, fee income evolution, and return on equity analysis
• Benchmarking Data: Anonymized peer comparison data across firm size, specialization, and regional focus

Operational & Resource Intelligence:

• Human Capital Metrics: Team composition, experience levels, advisor productivity, and organizational structure data
• Client Relationship Data: Client segmentation, relationship duration, wallet share, and satisfaction indicators
• Operational Efficiency: Cost structures, technology adoption levels, and process optimization metrics

Strategic & Technical Assessment:

• Technology Infrastructure: Digital readiness scores, CRM implementation, portfolio management systems, and cybersecurity assessments
• Market Positioning: Competitive analysis, specialization focus, regulatory compliance ratings, and brand strength indicators
• Growth Strategy: Business development initiatives, partnership activities, and expansion planning data

Longitudinal Research Database:

• Historical Performance: Multi-year tracking data enabling trend analysis and predictive modeling
• Crisis Response: Business resilience data during market downturns and regulatory changes
• Success Case Studies: Detailed documentation of high-performing firms and their strategic approaches

🦾 Who We Are

The Chair for Strategy and Organization is focused on research with impact. This means we do not want to repeat old ideas and base our research solely on the research people did 10 years ago. Instead, we currently research topics that will shape the future. We are always early in noticing trends, technologies, strategies, and organisations that shape the future, which has its ups and downs.

Pro BoutiquenFonds GmbH stands as the leading consultancy dedicated exclusively to independent wealth managers and boutique fund management in Germany. With our team combining over 100 years of professional experience, we provide comprehensive support in consulting, marketing, and sales for the independent wealth management sector.

🎓 Profile - what we value

• Interest in wealth management, asset management, or financial advisory services and basic understanding of digital marketing, sales technologies, and customer relationship management
• Strong mathematical and statistical skills with experience in multivariate analysis, regression modeling, and predictive analytics
• Proficiency in statistical software (R, Python, SPSS, or similar) and data visualization tools
• Solid understanding of financial statement analysis, performance measurement, and business valuation principles
• Reliable and self-driven working style

📝 How to Apply

• Please send your complete application documents (CV, Transcript of Records and short motivation letter) to simon.hochstrasser@tum.de and sohlbach@boutiquenfonds.de
• Start date: please indicate your preferred start date in your application