
Fintech Impact
429 episodes — Page 3 of 9

Ep 329Taiko with Chris Horvath | E329
In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason interviews Chris, the Managing Director of Taiko Advisor. Taiko Advisor, powered by its parent company Taiber Kosmala and Associates, leverages institutional research and technology to offer bespoke investment solutions through an OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) model. The conversation delves into the establishment of Taiko, its value proposition for financial advisors, and the nuanced details of operating a tech-enabled OCIO in today's financial environment.Episode Highlights:00:10: Jason introduces the episode and welcomes Chris from Taiko Advisor, setting the stage for a conversation about how Taiko combines traditional investment consulting with modern technology to create customized investment platforms for financial advisors.03:41: Delving deeper, Jason probes into the partnership dynamics between Taiko and investment managers, exploring how Taiko sources managers through an institutional lens, and the due diligence involved in these partnerships to ensure clients receive competitive pricing and access to unique investment opportunities.05:35: The narrative progresses to how Taiko implements these tailor-made investment programs. Chris outlines how strategies are built out within the advisors' systems and how Taiko's unique portal facilitates direct communication and trading requests between advisors and Taiko's back-office team.07:07: Transitioning to the technology and discovery phase, Chris emphasizes the importance of understanding each advisory firm's unique setup and needs, discussing how Taiko customizes its services to align with clients' existing technologies and processes.09:48: The conversation wraps up with insights on the ongoing support Taiko provides, including quarterly investment committee meetings that offer in-depth reviews of model portfolios, manager performance, and relevant market observations.12:56: Looking to the future, Chris speaks about Taiko's plans to expand its offerings, particularly within the alternative investment space, leveraging the team's institutional experience to source compelling private equity, credit, and real assets opportunities.Key Takeaways Taiko Advisor offers a unique value proposition for financial advisors by providing institutional-grade investment consulting combined with scalable technological solutions.The OCIO model enables advisors to outsource complex investment decisions, allowing them to focus on client relationships and business growth.Continuous innovation, particularly in the realm of alternative investments, reflects Taiko's commitment to addressing evolving market demands and advisor needs.Tweetable Quotes:"Leveraging institutional heritage with innovative technology allows us to serve advisors in a scalable format." - Chris"Our aim is to empower advisors to grow their business and serve their clients better." - Chris"Introducing scale to your business doesn't mean losing personalization." - ChrisResources Mentioned: Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cahorvath/https://www.taikoadvisor.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 328Practice Intel with Tom Rieman | E328
In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason talks to Tom Rieman, CEO and founding partner of Practice Intel. Practice Intel is a platform that leverages a data-driven approach to aid advisors in understanding and expanding the organic growth of their businesses. Through detailed insights into their operational effectiveness and the impact of their advisory relationships, the platform aims to illuminate pathways for improvement and scaling. The conversation delves into the origins of Practice Intel, the role of data in refining advisory services, and how advisors can leverage these insights for substantial growth.Episode Highlights: 00:08: Jason Pereira shares an overview of Practice Intel's mission to enhance advisory growth through data analytics. Tom Rieman expresses enthusiasm about the platform's capabilities and its genesis from a realization of the industry's commoditized nature and the power of data in distinguishing exceptional advisors.02:32: Tom highlights the transformative potential of bringing industry-level research to the individual practice level, allowing advisors to measure and improve upon key advice attributes as perceived by their clients. This marked a departure from general industry insights to actionable, practice-specific data.05:47: The dialogue examines the relationship between advisor perceptions of their service quality and client-reported experiences. This gap often reveals areas for significant improvement, illustrating the platform's role in helping advisors close the divide between expectation and reality.11:12: The conversation turns to the implementation and feedback process for advisors using Practice Intel. Tom shares anecdotes of advisors' realizations and actions following insights gathered from the platform, showcasing the tangible effects of data-driven improvements on advisory practices.21:03: Tom expresses optimism about the potential to shift a significant portion of the industry toward delivering on the full promise of advisory services through data-driven insights, emphasizing the transformative impact this would have on clients and the profession as a whole.Key Takeaways:The transition from industry-level insights to actionable, practice-specific data can significantly enhance the effectiveness and growth of financial advisory services.Comprehensive advice, deep understanding of client values and goals, and trust form the foundation of high-value advisory relationships that encourage client advocacy and loyalty.Real-time feedback and dynamic insights into the advisory process empower advisors to iterate and improve their services continuously, aligning more closely with client needs and expectations.Tweetable Quotes: "Understanding the gap between how advisors perceive their service and the actual client experience can unlock transformative growth opportunities." - Tom"The power of data is in its ability to prompt reflection, action, and improvement in the most critical aspects of financial advisory." - Tom"Elevating the financial advice profession is not just about enhancing advisor success; it's about fundamentally improving client lives and outcomes." - JasonResources Mentioned: Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-rieman/https://pracintel.com/home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 327Opto Investments with Ryan VanGorder | E327
In this episode of Fintech Impact, host Jason Pereira welcomes Ryan VanGorder, CEO of Opto Investments, to delve into how Opto Investments revolutionizes private market investments through technology. Throughout their discussion, they explore the challenges of information fracturing in the private markets and how Opto aims to bridge that gap for the wealth management community.Episode Highlights:00:11: Jason Pereira introduces the episode, highlighting the focus on Opto Investments, a tech-driven solution aiming to streamline the fragmented private market landscape. This introduction sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of how technology can enhance wealth management.00:29: Ryan VanGorder shares Opto Investments' mission to integrate private markets into modern wealth management more seamlessly. He emphasizes the company's partnership-driven model, which includes holistic portfolio construction, intuitive workflows, and customized solutions tailored to advisors' needs and their clients.01:21: The conversation turns to the origin of Opto Investments, conceptualized by tech entrepreneur Joe Lonsdale. Ryan details how the vision for Opto was to create a tech-centric platform for private investments that prioritizes alignment with client interests, unveiling the strong foundation and ambitious $45 million Series A funding that propelled the company forward.02:27: Ryan elaborates on the inherent challenges within private markets, including the opaqueness and accessibility barriers. He outlines Opto's three-pillar strategy to address these issues: alignment of interests, exclusive access to untapped opportunities, and tech-driven efficiency, aiming to demystify the private markets for advisors and their clients.04:37: This segment dives deeper into each of Opto's foundational pillars. The discussion covers how co-investing establishes trust, the importance of exclusivity in accessing alpha, and the significant role of technology in simplifying the investment process, from portfolio construction to post-trade management.09:14: Ryan details the technological advancements Opto implements to streamline the cumbersome processes traditionally associated with private market investments. From pre-trade analysis to tax reporting, Opto seeks to replicate the ease of public market transactions for private market investments.Key Takeaways:Opto Investments' technology-driven approach is designed to make private market investments more accessible and efficient for wealth managers and their clients, emphasizing the need for alignment, exclusive access, and operational efficiency.Co-investing not only builds trust with advisors but also demonstrates Opto's commitment to their investment choices, setting a foundation of shared interests and objectives.The future of Opto Investments lies in enhancing its platform to facilitate even smoother transitions and interactions within the private markets, promising a significant shift towards greater transparency and efficiency.Tweetable Quotes:"Bringing technology to investors and advisors to confidently invest in private markets eliminates the opaqueness and magnifies opportunities." - Ryan VanGorder."Our mission is to reshape how wealth management perceives private markets, offering technology as the bridge to simplify the complexities." - Ryan VanGorder."The heart of Opto Investments lies in solving inefficiencies within the private market space, paving the way for clear, accessible investment pathways." - Ryan VanGorder.Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.optoinvest.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3268Twelve Mortgages with Gary Fooks | E326
In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason interviews Gary Fooks, CEO and Co-Founder of 8Twelve Mortgages. They dive deep into how 8Twelve Mortgages is revolutionizing the mortgage broker industry by enhancing the collaboration experience among advisors, mortgage brokers, and consumers through digital reinvention. This discussion sheds light on the motivations behind the creation of 8Twelve Mortgages and how it's setting new standards for efficiency and customer satisfaction in the mortgage space.Episode Highlights00:50: Gary delves into the inception story of 8Twelve Mortgages, painting a picture of a mortgage brokerage envisioned as a one-stop digital shop. He draws comparisons to Amazon's disruption in retail, aiming to mirror such efficiency within the mortgage sector. This innovative ambition underlines 8Twelve's foundational goal: to streamline and modernize the often cumbersome process of mortgage transactions for all parties involved.01:45: Gary outlines his methodology for revolutionizing the mortgage process, stressing the importance of direct involvement and the incremental introduction of efficiencies. By engaging directly with families and optimizing each step of the mortgage process, 8Twelve has significantly enhanced the speed and effectiveness of their service, a testament to their commitment to innovation and customer care.04:16: Gary explains how 8Twelve leverages technology to overcome the inefficiency and manual nature of traditional mortgage brokering. By automating and streamlining the process, 8Twelve not only improves the client experience but also empowers brokers to handle transactions more efficiently, choosing to grow their business or achieve better work-life balance.05:02: In this segment, Gary talks about the integration of financial advisors in the mortgage process, ensuring they remain informed and involved throughout their client's journey. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of maintaining the advisor-client trust continuum and aligning mortgage solutions with the client's broader financial objectives.06:27: Gary and Jason discuss the tangible impact of 8Twelve's innovations on the mortgage process, particularly how they reduce the time and effort involved. Gary's insights reveal how technology not only accelerates transactions but also enhances the quality of service provided to both consumers and advisors.Key Takeaways8Twelve Mortgages is pioneering a digital reinvention in the mortgage brokerage space, emphasizing efficiency, transparency, and improved collaboration.By integrating technology into every step of the mortgage process, 8Twelve has significantly reduced transaction times and enhanced the consumer and advisor experience.The future of mortgage brokerage lies in holistic, technology-driven solutions that proactively manage and optimize clients' financial goals and outcomes.Tweetable Quotes"In our quest to disrupt the mortgage industry, we've embraced technology at every step, proving that efficiency and clarity are not just possible; they're essential." - Gary Fooks"8Twelve Mortgages isn't just changing the game; we're redefining how stakeholders experience the mortgage process, from initiation to completion." - Gary FooksResources MentionedFacebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://8twelve.mortgage/https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyfooksmortgages/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 325Libretto with Jeff Coyle | E325
Jason welcomes Jeff Coyle, CEO of Libretto, a platform designed to revolutionize financial planning by incorporating a comprehensive view of a client's total asset picture. They dive deep into how Libretto's innovative approach, which includes human capital and off-book assets, aims to meticulously craft financial plans that ensure more accurate, personalized, and future-proof financial strategies. Jeff shares insights into the methodology behind Libretto, its foundational principles, and the transformative impact it seeks to achieve in the wealth management landscape.Episode Highlights: 00:11: Jason introduces the episode and guest Jeff Coyle from Libretto, setting the stage for a deep dive into how the platform aims to revolutionize financial planning by considering a comprehensive asset picture for clients.03:17: Libretto's comprehensive financial structure management is explained in detail. Jeff delves into how Libretto includes various elements like mortgages, pensions, and even future earnings in its analysis to provide a fully rounded financial plan.05:05: Discussion shifts to the challenges and innovations involved in capturing a complete financial picture of clients, including off-balance-sheet items that significantly influence wealth management strategies.06:09: Jeff discusses the importance of understanding a client's entire financial structure, not just their portfolio, to effectively manage risk and tailor investment strategies that are truly reflective of a client’s needs and goals.08:32: The practical application of Libretto's methodology in client interactions and the benefits of a holistic view are examined. Jeff shares how this approach not only benefits clients by providing tailored advice but also positions advisors as more insightful and comprehensive in their planning.09:47: The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in educating the industry and clients about adopting new, more comprehensive planning methodologies.11:43: Jason and Jeff discuss the outputs of the Libretto process, emphasizing how the platform facilitates informed decision-making and strategic planning for both advisors and clients.13:22: The future of financial planning and the potential industry-wide adoption of methodologies like those pioneered by Libretto are contemplated.14:21: The dialogue continues to unpack the nuances and potentials of Libretto’s method, delving into examples, theorizing future impacts, and sharing aspirations for the platform and financial planning norms.Key Takeaways Incorporating a holistic view of a client's financial life, beyond just their investment portfolio, can significantly enhance the tailored advice and strategic planning provided by financial advisors.Understanding and including human capital, off-book assets, liabilities, and future resources like pensions and social security benefits can lead to more robust and personalized investment strategies.Educating both clients and the industry on the benefits of this comprehensive approach is crucial for its wider adoption and for revolutionizing standard financial planning practices.Tweetable Quotes "Make every client feel like they're worth a hundred million." - Jeff Coyle"A financial plan should be as unique as the individual it serves, considering every possible aspect of their financial life." - Jeff Coyle"Adopting new methodologies for financial planning not only benefits clients but distinctly positions advisors in the market." - Jason PereiraResources Mentioned: Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://libretto.io/https://www.crunchbase.com/person/jeffery-coyle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 324Savvy Wealth with Ritik Malhotra | E324
In this episode of Fintech Impact, host Jason Pereira welcomes Ritik Malhotra, Co-Founder and CEO of Savvy Wealth, to discuss the intricacies of their digital platform designed to empower financial advisors. They dive into the platform's capabilities, its origin story, and the pressing challenges it aims to solve in the financial advisory landscape, enhancing both the advisor's efficiency and the client experience.Episode Highlights:00:11: Jason introduces Ritik Malhotra and Savvy Wealth, a platform revolutionizing how financial advisors manage and grow their practice by automating non-client facing tasks and implementing modern technological solutions.01:11: Ritik shares the journey from experiencing personal financial advisory needs to the inception of Savvy Wealth, driven by his dissatisfaction with traditional advisory services and a vision to enhance the industry through technology.02:12:Through his personal quest for a financial advisor, Ritik discovered the significance of the advisor-client relationship and the value advisors bring in navigating complex financial decisions, which shaped the philosophy behind Savvy Wealth.03:51: The realization of widespread advisor frustrations with existing technological and operational constraints led Ritik to envision Savvy Wealth as a comprehensive solution catering to the modern demands of both advisors and their clients.04:51: Ritik describes the unique approach of developing both the advisory business and the technological platform concurrently, underlining the innovative strategy that sets Savvy Wealth apart.05:06: The initial focus on improving the onboarding process revealed the broader potential for technology to significantly enhance advisor efficiency and the overall client experience.07:23: Exploring the pivotal role of technology in reshaping the advisory landscape, Ritik discusses the development of a comprehensive, integrated platform designed to streamline operations and elevate service delivery.07:50: Ritik details the seamless, automated, and enriched client journey facilitated by Savvy Wealth, from discovery and onboarding to ongoing maintenance and interaction through an intuitive client dashboard.10:43: Advisors praise the efficiency gains and enhanced client relationships made possible by the Savvy Wealth platform, highlighting the transformative impact on their practice.Key Points:Savvy Wealth's platform is a testament to the powerful role of technology in augmenting the capabilities of financial advisors, enabling them to focus more on client relationships and strategic advisory roles.The platform eschews traditional, manual processes in favour of automation and integration, ensuring a smooth, streamlined experience for both advisors and their clients.The development of Savvy Wealth underscores the importance of listening to industry needs and working closely with advisors to create solutions that address real, pressing challenges in the financial advisory landscape.Tweetable Quotes "Excited to do this and share how we're transforming the advisory landscape." - Ritik Malhotra"Making something people want, seeing it solve real problems for advisors, that's what excites me." - Ritik Malhotra"Efficiency isn't just a buzzword; it's the heart of what Savvy Wealth brings to financial advisors." - Jason PereiraResources Mentioned Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ritikmalhotra/https://www.savvywealth.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 323Mobile Assistant Revisited with Corey Westphal | E323
In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason Pereira welcomes back Corey Westphal, from Mobile Assistant. Having first appeared on the show in August 2019, Corey discusses the evolution of Mobile Assistant since his last interview, focusing on its adaptation for the future. Together, they delve into how Mobile Assistant has innovated dictation services for financial advisors, enhancing data accuracy and integration with client relationship management (CRM) systems.Episode Highlights:00:10: Jason Pereira opens the episode by welcoming listeners to Fintech Impact and introduces his guest, Corey Westphal, highlighting his return to discuss the progress of Mobile Assistant since their last conversation in 2019. They touch on the significant changes in the world and industry since then.00:59: Detailing the core functionality of Mobile Assistant, Corey describes how the service simplifies documentation for financial advisors through a template-driven dictation process, emphasizing the human aspect of their U.S.-based transcription service and the high accuracy of their notes.02:34: Reflecting on 2019, Corey speaks about the growth of their company and how their remote workforce setup fortified them against the operational challenges presented by global lockdowns, allowing them to focus on innovation.06:56: The introduction of the Assistant Template Manager (ATM) allowed organizations to standardize dictation processes by creating and distributing templates across teams, enhancing the consistency and efficiency of data capture.11:30: Addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, Corey emphasizes the importance of starting with accurate data as a "source of truth" for AI tools to be truly effective and reliable.18:05: Looking forward, Corey shares his vision for how Mobile Assistant's structured data capture can streamline financial advisors' workflows, from improving client interactions to automating documentation processes.26:00: Corey identifies the challenge of technology adoption among financial advisors and shares how Mobile Assistant is addressing this with shorter, more engaging onboarding videos to ease users into adopting dictation technology in their daily routines.28:24: Corey shares what excites him most about his work - the positive impact it has on his employees and the opportunity to provide valuable, fulfilling careers within his company, underscoring the personal satisfaction he derives from his role and the company's growth.Key Points:Accurate data is the cornerstone of effective technology application in the financial industry, particularly with the advent of AI tools.The introduction of features like dictation templates and the Assistant Template Manager emphasizes Mobile Assistant's focus on improving ease of use and standardization in data capture, leading to more efficient and consistent documentation practices among financial advisors.The future of Mobile Assistant and similar technologies lies in further automating and integrating financial documentation processes, potentially revolutionizing how advisors interact with clients and manage data.Tweetable Quotes: "Accuracy is not a nice-to-have, it's a requirement. And that's what Mobile Assistant excels at." - Corey"We're living in a TikTok world, and no one wants to watch a half-hour training. Making onboarding quick and engaging is key to technology adoption." - Corey"Our mission is to be the source of truth when it comes to client meeting interaction data." - CoreyResources Mentioned: Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mobileassistantceo/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 322Arch with Ryan Eisenman | E322
Jason interviews Ryan Eisenman, Co-founder and CEO of Arch, a revolutionary platform designed to streamline the handling of alternative investments for advisors and their back offices. Throughout the conversation, they delve deep into the challenges of managing investments in the private markets, how Arch addresses these issues by aggregating and digitizing investment data, and the broader implications for both investors and advisors.Episode Highlight:00:33: Ryan Eisenman briefly appreciates being a part of the podcast, leading to a deeper conversation about the genesis of Arch. The discussion lays the foundation, revealing how the pain points of investing in private markets drove the creation of Arch as a digital solution to aggregate and interpret diverse investment documents into a seamless, unified platform.05:20: Demonstrating the operational aspect of Arch, Ryan elaborates on how the platform gathers, digitizes, and structures data, ensuring a single source of truth for investment information. This process fundamentally transforms PDFs into actionable insights, directly contributing to more informed investment decisions.09:40: Addressing the expansion of Arch database, Ryan articulates how new client onboarding serves as a gateway to enriching the platform's investment information repository, thereby streamlining the process for future clients and enhancing the comprehensiveness of Arch service.10:28: The operational mechanics of onboarding new investments on Arch are laid out, benchmarking the efficiency and scalability of the platform in accommodating a diverse range of private equity positions and alternative investments within a structured timeline.12:15: The discussion shifts to capturing the reception from advisors and the inherent value proposition Arch introduces to the marketplace, addressing historical challenges in initial client acquisition and emphasizing the transformational impact on both advisors' operational capabilities and client experiences.15:09: The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective, where Ryan shares his vision for Arch to evolve into a comprehensive operational framework for managing alternative investments, emphasizing the long-term goal of broadening access to alternative investments for a wider demographic of investors.Key Points:The integration of technology in managing alternative investments can significantly alleviate the administrative burdens for both advisors and investors, centralizing and digitizing data for enhanced decision-making.Establishing partnerships and gaining acceptance from vendors and asset managers is crucial for innovative platforms like Arch to scale and streamline the investment management process in the private market sector.By focusing on automating the retrieval and structuring of investment data, Arch aims to not only improve the investment management experience but also increase accessibility to alternative investments for a broader audience. Tweetable Quotes:"By simplifying the complex, we make alternative investments more accessible and manageable." - Ryan Eisenman"Transforming customer pain points into empowering experiences drives our innovation at Arch." - Ryan EisenmanResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-eisenman-21811246/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 321Advisor Brand Builder with Tina Powell | E321
Jason Pereira interviews Tina Powell, Partner and Chief of Community at Intention.ly, and introduces the Advisor Brand Builder tool. Designed to assist financial advisors in crafting their brand identity efficiently and effectively, the tool promises to revolutionize the branding process for financial professionals. Through their discussion, Tina Powell sheds light on the significance of strong branding in the financial services industry, the innovative approach of Advisor Brand Builder, and offers invaluable insights into leveraging technology for branding. Episode Highlights:00:31: Tina Powell expresses her enthusiasm for being a part of the podcast and her recent encounter with Jason at T3. This initial interaction highlights Tina's vibrant presence in the financial industry and hints at the valuable insights she's poised to share on branding strategies.02:25: Tina delves into the common misconception equating brand with a logo and elaborates on the complexity of branding, including messaging, positioning statements, and the emotional connection brands forge with their audience. This explanation is crucial for understanding the comprehensive services offered by Advisor Brand Builder. 03:31: By discussing the technology behind Advisor Brand Builder, Tina highlights how it combines AI with a human touch to tailor branding solutions for financial advisors. This fusion aims to address the unique challenges in financial advisory branding with both efficiency and personalization. 05:20: The conversation shifts towards the technical workings and user experience of Advisor Brand Builder. Tina explains the step-by-step process advisors undergo in creating their brand through the tool, demystifying the technology and showcasing its accessibility. 09:17: Tina stresses the importance of integrating advisors origin stories, values, and unique differentiators into their branding strategy. This segment illuminates Advisor Brand Builders capacity to capture and convey the deeper narratives that distinguish financial advisors. 24:15: The final segments offer a comprehensive list of deliverables provided by Advisor Brand Builder, including visual elements, messaging, website copy, and more. Tina elaborates on how these components converge to form a cohesive brand identity tailored to each advisor’s vision and values. Key Points:Branding in financial advisory is about more than just a logo; it encompasses messaging, values, and an emotional connection with the audience.Advisor Brand Builder leverages a combination of AI and professional insight to offer personalized and effective brand development, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with traditional methods. The tool’s intuitive design and comprehensive questionnaire ensure that each advisor’s unique story and values are at the forefront of their brand identity, reinforcing the importance of authenticity in marketing.Tweetable Quotes:"A brand is more than a logo; it's an emotional connection and perception people have about you." - Tina Powell"With Advisor Brand Builder, transforming branding from months and thousands of dollars to days and cost-effective solutions is now a reality." - Tina Powell"Human stories and values are the heartbeat of your brand. Let them speak through your branding." - Tina Powell Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's Facebook LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Woodgate.com – Sponsor LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapowell/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 320Dispatch with Madalyn Armijo | E320
Jason Pereira welcomes Madalyn Armijo, Co-founder and COO of Dispatch, a revolutionary platform designed to seamlessly integrate multiple financial advisory systems. This discussion delves into the platform's inception, its mission to eliminate redundant data entry, and its broader impact on the financial advisory landscape. The conversation offers insightful perspectives on the future of fintech and the challenges of modernizing financial advisory services. Episode Highlights: 01:04: Madalyn Armijo shares the origin story of Dispatch, highlighting the collective realizations among the co-founders regarding the persistent data management challenges faced by financial advisors. This moment of insight led to the conception of Dispatch, aimed at addressing these issues comprehensively and efficiently.04:08: Madalyn characterizes Dispatch as a foundational utility within the wealth tech ecosystem, akin to a public utility, facilitating seamless data orchestration without requiring advisors to manage the intricacies of system-by-system integration. 04:56: The discussion narrows down to the specific type of data Dispatch handles client information”and how it overcomes the inherent complexity and variability of such data across different platforms through sophisticated normalization and translation techniques. 06:11: The flexibility and customization offered by Dispatch are elaborated upon, demonstrating how the platform can adapt to a range of utilization scenarios, from advisor-led data entry to client-driven information input, thereby streamlining the onboarding process. 10:46: Madalyn explains how Dispatch extends beyond mere data integration to facilitate smoother account opening processes, reducing the burden on advisors and enhancing the client onboarding experience through digital solutions that obscure the complexities of dealing with multiple custodians.15:52: Looking towards the future, Madalyn envisions expanding Dispatch's capabilities horizontally across the financial services sector, suggesting a broader application of the platform's integration and data management solutions beyond the advisory space. 18:24: The concluding segment invites reflection on the challenges and aspirations associated with developing and scaling Dispatch, emphasizing the critical role of talent acquisition and the unwavering passion of the team for innovating within the fintech industry. Key Points:Dispatch aims to transform the financial advisory landscape by enabling seamless integration of disparate systems, thereby addressing the perennial issue of manual data entry and error management. The platform’s focus on client data and its capacity to normalize and translate this information across various systems highlight a novel approach to tackling the complexities of data management in wealth tech. Flexibility and customization are central to Dispatch’s value proposition, offering tailored solutions that accommodate diverse operational needs and preferences among financial advisors.Tweetable Quotes:"In our industry, simplifying data integration is not just a convenience, it's a game changer." - Madalyn "Dispatch is like a public utility for financial data, laying the groundwork for a more efficient and error-free advisory process." - Madalyn "A delightful user experience in fintech is not just a nice-to-have; it's essential to driving adoption and satisfaction." - Madalyn Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's Facebook LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Woodgate.com – Sponsor LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/madalyn-armijo/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 319Investium with Jonathan Faerman | E319
In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason Pereira interviews Jonathan Faerman, founder of Investium, a revolutionary platform that facilitates co-investing in real estate by connecting like-minded individuals. They dive into the platform's origins, its functionalities, and the value it offers to its users, illustrating how technology is transforming the way we approach real estate investment.Episode Highlights:00:26: Jonathan shares the concept behind Invest, emphasizing its role as a networking site where users can connect based on shared investment objectives and preferences. He details the platform's user-friendly setup process, highlighting its emphasis on compatibility and ease of use.02:16: Jonathan touches on the struggles of finding investment partners and how these experiences seeded the idea for Invest. His emphasis on leveraging online connections for real estate partnerships underscores the innovative approach of the platform.03:21: Here, Jonathan elaborates on the user journey within Invest, from account creation to matching with potential co-investors. His description provides insights into the platform's security measures and the user verification process, reinforcing its credibility.05:17: This segment delves into the diverse user base of Invest, ranging from individual investors to more experienced ones looking for substantial projects. Jonathan's analysis of user demographics reveals the platform's broad appeal.09:01: Jonathan outlines his vision for Invest's future, focusing on expanding services and user base to maximize value and reach within the real estate investment community.09:50: Feedback from users is shared, emphasizing positive responses, especially regarding the platform's security features and its ability to connect people with unexplored co-investment opportunities.11:05: Jonathan expresses a wish to simplify the real estate investment process further, identifying the complexities and barriers that currently deter potential investors.11:41: The conversation shifts to challenges faced in scaling Invest, stressing the importance of effective communication and outreach to potential users.12:10: Highlighting what motivates him, Jonathan shares the excitement derived from user feedback and the joy of designing and implementing new features on the platform.12:47: Jason concludes the interview, thanking Jonathan for his insights and outlining the episode's closure.Key Points:Invest seeks to streamline the co-investment process in real estate, facilitating connections between like-minded individuals through a tailored matchmaking approach.The platform emphasizes security and user verification, ensuring a trusted environment for investment discussions and collaborations.By focusing on user feedback and the incorporation of new functionalities, Invest is poised for growth, aiming to expand its services and user base further.Tweetable Quotes: "If you can meet a life partner online, why can't you meet a business partner online?" - Jonathan"Investing in real estate requires a big team. We're looking to facilitate that collaboration within our platform." - Jonathan"Our main goal is to remove barriers in the real estate industry, making investment opportunities more accessible to everyone." - JonathanResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-faerman/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 318The Great Transition with Emmanuel Daniel | 318
In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason Pereira interviews Emmanuel Daniel, the founder of TAB Global, to discuss his groundbreaking book "The Great Transition." This book explores the seismic shifts happening within the banking sector, propelled by the advent of digital technologies and open banking, reshaping the landscape for both consumers and financial institutions. Together, they unpack the essence of banking transformation and what it signifies for the future. Episode Highlights:00:10: Jason introduces the episode with guest Emmanuel Daniel, who is set to discuss the transformation of the banking industry, as outlined in his book, "The Great Transition." The introduction sets the stage for a conversation aimed at decoupling the current and future states of banking, touching upon the evolution towards a more digital, open model that empowers customers and challenges traditional banking paradigms. 00:35: Emmanuel Daniel expresses gratitude for being on the program, preparing listeners for an insightful discussion on the radical shifts within the banking sector and the overarching themes of his book.01:55: Emmanuel continues to unfold the narrative of banking transformation, highlighting the fundamental shift from physical banking paradigms to a digital era where direct transactions and personalized finance are becoming the norm. This segment bridges historical context with current technological innovations, illustrating a future where banking is no longer constrained by traditional infrastructures. 03:03: The discussion shifts towards the convergence of decentralized finance with traditional banking, underscoring the forthcoming challenges and opportunities. Emmanuel discusses how central banks are preparing for a digital transformation, signifying a groundbreaking shift in how financial services are rendered and consumed. 04:13: Jason acknowledges the depth of Emmanuel's insights, proposing to dissect specific transformative trends and their implications on the banking industry further. This moment offers a brief reflection on the broad spectrum of changes discussed. Key Points:The transformation of banking is not merely about adopting new technologies but involves a fundamental shift towards personalized finance, challenging traditional banking models.Decentralized finance and digital currencies are catalyzing a major shift in banking operations, customer interactions, and regulatory frameworks.For banks to remain relevant, they must embrace open banking, prioritize customer-centric products, and navigate the complex regulatory landscape with innovative solutions. Tweetable Quotes:"In our industry, transformation has many faces but one core: the shift towards personalized, decentralized finance." - Emmanuel Daniel"Banking is at a crossroads, facing the digital revolution head-on. The future belongs to those who embrace change." - Emmanuel Daniel"Regulations frame the game, but innovation changes the rules. Banks must navigate this landscape with foresight and agility." - Emmanuel Daniel Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's Facebook LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Woodgate.com – Sponsor LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-daniel-5764482 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 317Sora with Rohit Agarwal | E317
Jason talks to Rohit Agarwal, Co-CEO of SORA Finance. They delve into the revolutionary platform SORA Finance, which empowers advisors to effectively manage and discuss clients' debt and debt restructuring. The episode offers a deep dive into the functionalities, challenges, and the significant impact of SORA Finance in optimizing the liabilities side of clients' balance sheets. Episode Highlights: 01:26: Rohit delves into the intricacies of how SORA Finance operates, including data aggregation, analytic capabilities, and an ecosystem of lending partners. He explains the platform's unique value proposition in providing actionable alerts and insights to advisors, thereby allowing proactive debt management strategies.02:13: The origin story of SORA Finance is shared, tracing back to the identification of a significant pain point in the market excess interest paid by Americans due to unoptimized debt. This foundation story illustrates the vision and motivation behind SORA Finance.03:00: Discussion on the pressures advisors face to justify their fees and the realization that managing liabilities could serve as a differentiator in the market. This insight led to pivoting SORA Finance's focus towards serving financial advisors directly.04:36: Jason and Rohit touch on the design philosophy behind SORA Finance, emphasizing the importance of user experience and the platform's pivot towards a model that serves advisors directly. The segment reveals strategic decisions that shaped the platform's development.06:05: The challenges and opportunities in integrating liability management into advisors' practices are explored, along with how SORA Finance addresses these through innovative technology and strategic partnerships.07:06: The conversation shifts towards the impact of SORA Finance on advisors' practices, including enhancing client relationships through proactive debt management and providing competitive loan options through a vast lending ecosystem.08:03: Rohit explains the technical capabilities of SORA Finance in aggregating comprehensive loan data, thereby enabling informed advisory decisions and actions. This segment sheds light on the technological backbone of SORA Finance.Key Points: SORA Finance is transforming how advisors handle the liabilities side of client balance sheets by providing a robust platform for data aggregation, analytics, and access to a wide network of lending partners.The platform originated from identifying a gap in the market where Americans were paying excess interest due to unoptimized debt structures.Feedback from advisors has been instrumental in evolving SORA Finance into a must-have tool, emphasizing the importance of managing liabilities as part of comprehensive financial planning.Tweetable Quotes: "In our journey with SORA Finance, we've seen first-hand how critical managing liabilities is, not just for the financial health of clients but as a service differentiator for advisors." - Rohit Agarwal"By focusing on liabilities with the same rigor as assets, we're not just adjusting a balance sheet; we're redefining the value of financial advice." - Jason Pereira"Transforming debt management from an overlooked aspect to a core component of financial planning is at the heart of SORA Finance's mission." - Rohit AgarwalResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 316Amplify Reviews with Whit Lanier | E316
Jason Pereira engages Whit Lanier, CEO and Co-founder of Amplify Reviews, in a conversation about how financial advisors can harness the power of online reviews to enhance their visibility and attract more clients. Lanier delves into the transformative SEC marketing rule changes and shares his insights on the impact of positive client testimonials in the financial industry, drawing parallels from his previous experiences in healthcare. This episode is a treasure trove for advisors seeking to leverage digital platforms for growth. Episode Highlights:00:09: Jason introduces the episode's focus on Amplify Reviews, a pivotal tool for financial advisors aiming to elevate their business through structured client reviews. Whit Lanier shares his enthusiasm for discussing the subject, setting the stage for a deep dive into the transformative potential of online reviews in the financial sector. 00:57: Lanier explains the significant impact of the SEC marketing rule changes, highlighting the newfound ability for financial advisors to use testimonials in their marketing efforts. He emphasizes the universal application of online reviews across industries and suggests that the financial industry is no exception, marking a pivotal shift towards enhanced online presence for advisors. 01:51: Lanier recounts the journey to creating Amplify Reviews, drawing on his experience from a successful healthcare technology startup. He discusses how his team leveraged patient experience data to boost hospitals' online ratings and foresees a similar impactful adoption of online reviews in the financial sector. 05:27: Lanier addresses the complexities and regulatory nuances of using Google reviews for financial advisors, discussing the potential strategic and regulatory pitfalls compared to a more controlled platform like Amplify Reviews. 07:12: Lanier elaborates on the compliance-friendly features of Amplify Reviews, ensuring advisors can confidently manage and publish client testimonials without fear of contravening SEC regulations. 09:54: Although still early in its adoption within the financial industry, Lanier shares optimistic projections for Amplify Reviews based on analogies from healthcare, emphasizing the conversion lift potential from having published online reviews. 13:28: Lanier reflects on the positive feedback from early users and identifies messaging and value proposition as areas for improvement to fast-track adoption among financial advisors. Key Points:The SEC marketing rule changes present a golden opportunity for financial advisors to use client testimonials effectively, aligning the financial industry with broader online review practices.Amplify Reviews offers a structured, compliant platform for financial advisors to manage client feedback, ensuring positive initial impressions and ongoing reputation management. The adoption of online reviews is seen as inevitable in the financial industry, driven by consumer demand for transparency and authenticity. Tweetable Quotes:"Online reviews will become a common part of the financial advisor experience." - Whit Lanier"Embracing online reviews early on can win advisors a disproportionate amount of business." - Whit Lanier"The messaging and value proposition around online reviews are critical to accelerating adoption in the financial sector." - Whit Lanier Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's Facebook LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Woodgate.com – Sponsor LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitlanier/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 315Zocks with Mark Gilbert | E315
In this episode of Fintech Impact, host Jason Pereira speaks with Mark Gilbert, Co-founder and CEO of Zocks Communications. Zocks Communications introduces an artificial intelligence-driven meeting assistant designed specifically for financial advisors. Throughout the discussion, Gilbert delves into the origins of Zocks, its innovative approach to capturing and structuring meeting-based data, and the broader implications of AI in enhancing advisor-client interactions.Episode Highlights:00:09: Jason Pereira introduces Mark Gilbert and discusses Zocks Communications, an AI-driven platform created to assist financial advisors by capturing crucial information from meetings. Gilbert shares his excitement about the project, painting a picture of a semantic-rich platform that swiftly organizes and presents meeting data, simplifying follow-up processes for advisors.00:56: Mark Gilbert shares the backstory of Zocks Communications, sparked by his experiences at Twilio and the emerging demand to mine actionable data from client communications. With a grin, he acknowledges the accidental yet timely intersection with the rise of large language models (LLMs), emphasizing the goal of creating a secure, privacy-focused tool that excels in extracting meaningful data from conversations.03:10: Diving deeper, Gilbert discusses how Zocks stands apart from general-purpose note-taking applications by targeting financial advisors' specific needs - identifying and structuring data on assets, goals, and client profiles. This strategic focus allows Zocks to generate actionable insights, streamline follow-up communications, and enhance relationship management through tailored data extraction.05:18: Gilbert elaborates on how Zocks goes beyond note-taking by employing the structured data to support various advisor workflows, including client communication and regulatory compliance. He portrays a vision where advisors spend less time on data entry and more on insightful advisory, thanks to Zocks' backend sophistication and its potential for CRM, planning, and task management system integrations.Key Points:Zocks Communications introduces an innovative AI-driven platform tailored to address the unique data capture and analysis needs of financial advisors, enhancing the efficiency of meeting follow-ups.The platform distinguishes itself by focusing on specific data points relevant to the financial industry, offering a more personalized and actionable output compared to general-purpose note-taking tools.Strategic integrations with CRM and planning systems are on the horizon, poised to further streamline advisory workflows and enable more meaningful advisor-client interactions.Tweetable Quotes:"Zocks Communications: Simplifying adviser follow-ups with AI-driven precision." - Mark Gilbert"At the intersection of technology and finance, Zocks pave the way for next-gen financial advising." - Jason Pereira"Embracing AI in financial advisory not only streamlines operations but enhances client relationships." - Mark GilbertResource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast EditingZocks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 314EncorEstate Plans with Matt Morris | 314
In this episode of Fintech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Matt, the CEO of EncorEstate Plans. EncorEstate Plans is an advisor-led tool designed to assist clients in creating and implementing their estate plans seamlessly within one comprehensive system. The platform enables financial advisors to guide clients through the process of developing personalized estate plans, providing a streamlined and efficient solution for estate planning.Episode Highlights:04:08: The conversation takes a personal turn as Matt shares a family tragedy that served as a catalyst for creating EncorEstate Plans, illustrating the real-world consequences of inadequate estate planning.07:06: Matt highlights the core belief behind EncorEstate Plans, emphasizing the value financial advisors provide in guiding clients through the estate planning process. He discusses the limitations of DIY software solutions and the persistent gap in estate planning despite their availability.11:56: Matt addresses the limitations of EncorEstate Plans, acknowledging that it may not be suitable for everyone. The platform is tailored for the mass affluent, and advisors are equipped to determine when software is appropriate and when clients should seek legal advice from an attorney.16:55: Matt discusses the documentation process, emphasizing the need for clear client decisions and the validation of those decisions through summaries and email communication. The platform aims to provide due diligence in documenting clients' desired estate plans and ensuring their ownership of the decisions made.21:02: Matt explains the variability in how advisors use EncorEstate Plans, allowing them to decide whether the client takes the first pass on the questionnaire or if they walk through the process together.26:02: Matt introduces the process of restating existing plans, leveraging the information from the client's old documents. He explains how the questionnaire is filled out based on the information extracted from the existing plan.Key Points:EncorEstate utilizes technology to simplify and enhance the estate planning process for financial advisors, making it more accessible for both advisors and clients.Matt advocates for financial advisors to adopt flexible payment models beyond the traditional AUM, ensuring broader access to financial advice.The conversation highlights the growing importance of estate planning as a fundamental aspect of financial advisory services, emphasizing its transformative impact on client relationships.Tweetable Quotes:"Estate planning isn't an add-on; it's a core part of financial advisory. It's table stakes for advisors in the industry." - Jason"Our goal is to enable old documents to become new with less than 10 minutes of effort, transforming the outdated estate planning experience." - Matt"Access to advice is crucial. We need advisors with flexible models to serve different client levels, moving the industry in the right direction." - MattResource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Woodgate.com – Sponsor linkedin.com/in/matt-morris-1557ba9bPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 313PhilanthPro with Nicholas Palahnuk | E313
Jason interviews Nicholas Palahnuk, the founder and CEO of PhilanthPro Solutions. PhilanthPro is a platform designed to assist individuals in planning and managing charitable giving at scale. The conversation highlights the challenges in catering to diverse stakeholders and expresses a shared excitement for contributing to impactful philanthropy.Episode Highlights:01:00: Nicholas introduces PhilanthPro as a digital platform for clients to plan and manage charitable accounts with features like financial planning, green planning, relationship management, governance, records, charitable news, and a learning hub.07:21: Nicholas outlines the initial steps after a client decides to make a sizable charitable donation, considering financial planning and multi-year contributions.13:20: Nicholas discuss on how clients use the tool to simulate scenarios, entering large grants to see the impact on future distributions and making informed decisions instantly.17:17: Discussion moves to advisor feedback, with Nicholas mentioning that advisors find value in deeper connections with their philanthropic clients. The tool helps in understanding grant plans, which can impact investments, enhancing communication and planning.23:08: Nicholas agrees and mentions potential use cases, including charities interested in smoothing out donations and encouraging multi-year commitments. He notes the positive response from various pockets of the philanthropic community, financial advisors, and non-profits.27:43: Nicholas shares that what excites him the most about PhilanthPro is being involved in facilitating impactful philanthropy. He finds it incredible to work with clients who have decided to use their funds to make a positive difference in the world, filling gaps where needed and making a meaningful impact.Key Points:Nicholas outlines how PhilanthPro Solutions' platform simplifies the management of philanthropic endeavors, covering grant tracking, legal obligations, and financial planning in a user-friendly interface.Advisors find value in the platform as it deepens their connection with philanthropic clients, allowing better planning for grants and minimizing surprises in financial decisions tied to investments.The goal is to enhance collaboration, encourage multi-year commitments, and provide a data-driven benchmarking tool for users.Tweetable Quotes:" PhilanthPro is more than a tool; it's a solution that streamlines the entire philanthropic process, connecting advisors, clients, and nonprofits for impactful giving." - - Nicholas"PhilanthPro is not just a platform; it's a tool to support those making a difference. Frontline nonprofits and philanthropists deserve the honor for their incredible work.” - Nicholas"Our goal is to make PhilanthPro an industry standard, empowering everyone involved in philanthropy with the tools and insights they need to create positive change in the world." - NicholasResource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/npalahnuk/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 312Dwolla Revisited with Dave Glaser | E312
In this episode of Fintech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Dave Glaser, the CEO of Dwolla, a leading digital payment solution that empowers third parties to offer streamlined and unified payment processing services. Dwolla's innovative platform facilitates efficient and secure digital transactions, revolutionizing the way businesses handle payments.Episode Highlights:05:36: Dave delves into the global theme of account-to-account processing, highlighting its rapid adoption in the U.S. This period coincided with the rise of fintech and the increased need for remote access to funds, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.07:30: The conversation touches on Dwolla's evolving responsibility, moving from a B2C to a B2B provider. Dwolla now focuses on servicing businesses that interface with millions of consumers in their networks.11:25: Dave agrees with Jason's assessment, tracing the history of the ACH system and its evolution as money became more digital. He highlights the continuous innovation, from mainframe connectivity to modern cloud-based systems and mobile apps, democratizing access to exchanging money.13:36: Dave explains the significance of businesses digitally transforming their systems, processes, and moving to modern app-based, cloud-based systems. Dwolla aims to provide account-to-account solutions, emphasizing their lower cost, speed, and competitiveness compared to traditional methods.16:17: Dave delves into the motivators for banks, stating that deposits are the primary source of revenue, guiding banks in their decisions and incentivizing their actions. He emphasizes that while banks add value-added services, deposits remain the core focus.21:05: Dave identifies competition as the most significant challenge, emphasizing the fierce competition in the payment space. He highlights the necessity for efficiency, focus, strategic hiring, partnerships, and optimal resource utilization in the face of strong competition.Key Points:Dwolla is a leader in the United States for B2B enterprises processing account-to-account payments, with a focus on providing efficient and low-cost solutions for consumers and small businesses.Over the years, Dwolla has pivoted its focus from providing payments for consumers and small businesses directly to offering its API for the banking network.Dwolla is adapting to the evolving trends in the industry by focusing on providing faster payment methods and open banking tools through its platform.Tweetable Quotes:"Banks are primarily driven by deposits. Deposits are always at the core for banks and the way they think about things." - Dave Glasser"Competition in the payment space is fierce. Start-ups in this space have to be very efficient, very focused, very driven." - Dave Glasser"I get to bring account-to-account payments and open banking innovations to the US. I can't wait to get out of bed every day to do it." - Dave GlasserResource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/daglaser/https://www.dwolla.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 312Investipal with Cameron Howe | E311
Jason interviews Cameron Howe, CEO and Co-founder of Investipal. Originally designed for DIY investors, Investipal has evolved into a versatile online platform that also serves advisors, offering enhanced tools for portfolio research and management. The conversation emphasizes Investipal's commitment to financial literacy, particularly among younger generations, and the value of remaining a calculated, revenue-focused, and durable company despite being bootstrapped.Episode Highlights:04:00: The discussion focuses on unifying the advisor experience through research and development. Investipal aims to streamline the fragmented advisor tools, providing a more cohesive and personalized experience for users.08:31: Jason brings up the transition from a DIY tool to serving advisors, inquiring about the feedback that led to this shift. He also asks about the feedback from advisors on what was missing from their previous tools.13:18: Cameron talks about Investipal's focus on private assets, catering to advisors dealing with alternative exposures. The goal is to optimize client accounts by incorporating private assets into the portfolio management solution.14:47: Cameron clarifies that Investipal aims to own the investment management side while integrating with financial planning and client-related tools. The focus is on providing a comprehensive solution for investment management and portfolio optimization.16:38: Cameron discusses the challenge of being bootstrapped, emphasizing the need for calculated risks with limited assets. Despite the slower growth, being revenue and profit-focused has allowed for a more durable and diligent approach.Key Points:Originally a DIY tool, Investipal has evolved into a platform serving both individual investors and advisors, positioning itself between discount brokerage firms and managed services.Investipal seeks to unify the advisor experience by connecting various tools for risk assessment, research, portfolio management, and client communication, providing a streamlined and cohesive solution.Investipal aims to focus on owning the investment management side, catering to mid-market advisors.Tweetable Quotes:"Investipal focuses on owning the investment management side, offering a comprehensive yet cost-effective solution for mid-market advisors, while integrating with financial planning tools." - Cameron Howe"We want to instill financial literacy, especially among younger generations, and provide streamlined tools for long-term wealth building, not just for advisors but for the general retail population." - Cameron Howe"Being bootstrapped forced us to take calculated risks, ensuring a more durable company that remains revenue and profit-focused, rather than succumbing to the fast-paced VC cycle." - Cameron HoweResource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronhowe/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=cahttps://www.investipal.co/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 310Legal Wills with Tim Hewson | E310
Jason interviews Tim Hewson, CEO of LegalWills, an online platform providing millions of users with a simple and accessible solution for creating legal and compliant wills. Tim discusses the importance of having a will, the challenges of estate planning, and how Legal Wills aims to demystify the process.Episode Highlights:00:34: Tim introduces the topic of legal wills, emphasizing their significance and the need for everyone to have one. He discusses the mission of making will preparation affordable and accessible to everyone.01:04: Tim outlines the mission of LegalWills, emphasizing the removal of barriers to will preparation. He discusses the accessibility and affordability aspects, considering it a vital document for everyone.07:36: Tim introduces the Key Holder concept, allowing users to securely share information with designated individuals when needed. He explains the Messages service, enabling users to leave specific messages for their loved ones after their passing.10:53: Jason commends LegalWills for allowing users to pick and choose services. He highlights the importance of having a Power of Attorney for young adults turning 18, and he appreciates the affordability of LegalWills' solution.14:49: Tim explains that LegalWills covers a broad range of scenarios, including lifetime interest trusts for blended families. The service evolves over time to address various situations, and currently, there are few cases that they do not cover.18:15: Tim responds to the criticism of LegalWills' affordability by questioning the high charges for simple wills by some law firms. He argues that basic wills shouldn't cost as much as they often do, and he highlights the issue of lawyers overcharging for relatively straightforward services.24:28: Jason and Tim emphasize the emotional impact on families left to deal with disorganized estates and stress the importance of creating a will to prevent conflicts and contempt among family members.Key Points:LegalWills aims to simplify estate planning, catering to diverse needs, including those of blended families.Tim discusses the challenge of balancing growth and service quality as Legal Wills has steadily expanded without external funding.The platform has made a positive impact on users and charities, emphasizing the importance of organized estate planning for individuals and Tweetable Quotes:"Writing a will shouldn't be about dying; it's part of financial planning. Organize your affairs while you're well; it's a gift to your loved ones.”"We're on a mission to demystify wills. Losing the legalese can make the process more accessible. It's about clear instructions, not complex language.”"Every person who used our service is better off—over a million users and counting. Helping families and charities with organized estate planning is what keeps us going.”Resource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://legalwills.company/https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhewson/?originalSubdomain=caPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 309Elements Revisited with Reese Harper | E309
Jason welcomes back Reese Harper, the CEO of Elements. It is a platform designed to provide faster and more effective financial advice. The innovative approach of Elements simplifies financial diagnostics, making it accessible to a diverse audience. The episode explores the evolving landscape of financial services and the need for simplicity and accessibility in wealth management.Episode Highlights:01:10: Reese transitions to discussing Elements, introducing it as a platform for faster and simpler financial vital signs. He also describes Elements as providing diagnostic reports for present-day financial health, comparing it to medical diagnostics.06:01: Reese refers to the Hippocratic Oath and avoiding unnecessary costs, discussing the difficulty in providing low-cost solutions for meaningful conversations. He also highlights the importance of not forcing clients to incur costs that aren't truly transformational for their stage of wealth.11:45: Jason acknowledges the value of addressing fundamental financial problems before delving into long-term planning.17:36: Reese introduces "Elements Money" as a nurture campaign, aiming to circulate personalized material tailored to each client's financial elements.23:58: Reese recounts a client's journey to building liquidity, demonstrating the effectiveness of personalized financial planning through "Elements Money."31:13: Reese narrows down the idea of giving back to one hour a week, suggesting an industry-wide commitment. He also notes the biggest challenge for Elements has been introducing a new category in an industry resistant to change.32:59: Jason asks Reese about the excitement that keeps him motivated, with Reese expressing joy in continuous learning and the pursuit of meaning in his work.Key Points:Elements serves as a platform for assessing financial vitals, offering a quick and accessible way to analyse a client's current financial situation.Financial vitals, unlike traditional planning, address the present needs and concerns of clients, providing insights that complement the future-oriented approach of financial planning.Reese emphasizes the challenge in convincing clients, especially those with lower wealth levels, of the value of financial planning. Elements aims to bridge this gap by facilitating meaningful conversations at a lower cost.Tweetable Quotes:"Financial vitals are the pulse of your wealth, offering a real-time diagnosis, while financial planning paints the visionary picture of where your finances can journey in the long run. Both are essential for a holistic financial strategy.”“Elements provides a simpler, faster set of financial vital signs that can be understood and acted upon by anyone, regardless of wealth level.”"Championing a shift in the industry, Reese Harper highlights the need for professionals to offer low-cost, meaningful conversations. Elements provides a solution, empowering individuals to engage in transformative financial discussions without hefty fees.”Resource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.advisersoftware.com/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 308Facet with Anders Jones | E308
Jason talks to Andres Jones, Co-founder, and CEO of Facet. It is a fintech company challenging traditional financial planning models and aims to introduce an advanced form of financial planning to underserviced markets often neglected by the industry. They use a subscription-based approach, focusing on a broader definition of financial planning beyond retirement. The company emerged in response to industry challenges, notably the failure of the DOL fiduciary rule.Episode Highlights:01:19: Anders provides a snapshot of Facet's inception in 2016, emphasizing the disruptive intent to reshape financial planning with a subscription-based model.04:34: Anders illustrates the depth of Facet's service, sharing anecdotes about clients seeking assistance with major life events like having a baby.08:08: Anders expands on Facet's client-centric approach, emphasizing assistance across different life milestones, showcasing the company's comprehensive financial planning perspective.10:28: Anders discusses the facet philosophy, highlighting principles like maintaining a six-month emergency fund before investing, emphasizing the right order of operations.13:20: Anders discusses metrics like member per planner ratio, client satisfaction, retention, and the importance of activation—ensuring clients act on provided advice.17:24: Jason inquiries about the onboarding experience at Facet, prompting Anders to explain the two-call process led by a separate membership team to understand the client's needs and introduce Facet's services.20:33: Anders highlights the focus on understanding the emotional aspects and the "why" behind a client's financial goals, aiming for a personalized and meaningful planning approach.26:32: Jason discusses the challenges of serving clients with lower income or assets, and Anders mentions his optimism about technology advancements enabling lower-cost solutions in the future.30:10: Anders highlights two motivating factors: Facet's mission-driven culture, where team members share stories about changing members' lives, and having an incredible team that makes the hard work of building a business enjoyable.Key Points: Facet operates with a strong mission-oriented culture, emphasizing the team's commitment to changing financial planning for the better.The discussion explores challenges when clients outgrow advisors and the potential for AI to drive down costs, making financial planning more accessible.Despite virtual work success, Anders expresses a preference for in-person collaboration, especially in creative aspects of the business.Tweetable Quotes:"Financial planning, when done well, looks at everything in your life that money touches, not just what your money is doing and what it'll be doing in 40 years." - Anders"The AUM-based business model for retail clients does not make sense. It does not align the cost that you're paying with the value that you're receiving." - Anders"Our ideal member is someone in their late 20s to early 40s, figuring out how to 'adult' and wanting help, or pre-retirees focused on the next 5 to 10 years." - AndersResource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://facet.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 307Year in Review 2023 with Guy Anderson | E307
On today's episode, Jason and Guy will reflect on 51 impactful episodes of Fintech Impact. From CRM evolution to the rise of AI in finance, this conversation explores cutting-edge trends and thought-provoking discussions that shaped the year, sharing insights into cybersecurity, marketing, and innovative solutions revolutionizing the advisory landscape.Episode Highlights:01:28: Jason shares insights from his speaking engagements at Future Proof and the IFP event, discussing the importance of technology in bridging the gap between advisors and the next generation of clients.02:56: Jason explores the pervasive nature of fintech, emphasizing its role as a tool for advisors to enhance value and service while staying competitive.08:37: Jason reflects on standout episodes from the year, mentioning Luminent's approach to understanding clients' values and Elements, a tool for efficient financial collaboration. He highlights the importance of these innovations in reshaping onboarding processes and improving financial advice delivery.11:48 Jason discusses Kepler's approach to traffic generation by partnering with organizations that already have financial traffic and New Retirement Wealth's integration of a DIY financial planning tool within existing platforms.14:44: Transitioning to the topic of a repeat interviewee, Guy asks Jason about Conquest and its role as an AI-driven solution in the market.17:28: Jason provides insights into UnderwriteMe, a tool specializing in insurance underwriting. He highlights its unique approach of conducting a medical and financial fact-finding process before recommending insurance policies.22:54: Guy expresses amazement at UnderwriteMe's ability to provide newcomers in the insurance industry with the same insights as seasoned professionals. He notes that the tool seems to level the playing field, reducing the need for extensive industry experience.Key Points:Discussion revolves around ground breaking achievements of fintech companies, notably one making significant strides in the Canadian enterprise market and securing a major contract in the US.Ariza, a tool introduced, uses a quadrant system to understand individual retirement preferences, emphasizing the need to tailor strategies based on behavioural preferences like certainty, variability, commitment, and optionality."Underwrite Me" is highlighted for revolutionizing the insurance application process, conducting preliminary medical and financial fact-finding to enable users to compare policies based on health criteria, reducing surprises for clients.Tweetable Quotes:"The AI wave in #Fintech is real, but it's not just automation. It's about enhancing advisor-client interactions, process management, and making technology truly adaptive.” - Jason"2024 in Fintech: Brace for the next wave! AI adoption accelerates, with platforms integrating intelligent agents. The future is not just automation; it's smart, adaptive solutions.” - Jason“Reflecting on 2023 in Fintech Impact: A diverse journey from cybersecurity to marketing, featuring leaders, experts, and the big players in the Fintech space.” - JasonResource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 306MPower Financing with Manu Smadja | E306
Jason talks to Manu Smadja, CEO and Co-Founder of MPower Financing. MPower Financing is a company that specialises in lending loan to international students because they have their own specific challenges that are encountered by many people who come to a foreign country.Episode Highlights:02:30: Manu elaborates on his realization about the ongoing challenges faced by international students, citing personal experiences, and the turning point a decade ago when a student approached him for financial help, sparking the idea for MPower.03:13: Manu shares the pivotal moment when a student was on the verge of dropping out due to a small financial shortfall. This event led him to question why no one was addressing this issue and motivated him to establish Empower in April 2014.05:40: Jason discusses the challenges of issuing loans to young people with no credit history or assets, and Manu emphasizes the need for alternative data sources.07:11: Manu discusses the complexity of acquiring customers overseas and the challenge of servicing loans globally, which has been a focus for their company.13:09: Manu highlights the importance of character, creditworthiness, and the proof of capability demonstrated during the selection and integration process for international students.14:09: Manu explains how MPower leverages data on placement rates, graduation rates, and post-graduation salaries as part of their compelling value proposition.18:32: Manu compares the traditional loan process to MPower's approach, emphasizing the company's role in making the market for students who can't secure loans locally and providing a better experience for those who can.25:27: Manu emphasizes that the impact on students helps the team stay motivated and focused on understanding and addressing the needs of the students.Key Points:A leader in international student financing, MPower Financing focuses on empowering students from 200 countries attending over 400 universities in the US and Canada.The company's mission is to address the unique financial obstacles encountered by students studying abroad.MPower Financing leverages alternative data for credit assessment, providing loans to international students who may face challenges securing loans in their home countries.Tweetable Quotes:"Leveraging data on placement rates, graduation, and post-grad salaries, MPower Financing ensures a compelling value proposition for students worldwide.”"MPower Financing was born out of the realization that small financial shortfalls were pushing international students to drop out. We aim to bridge these gaps and make education accessible.""In lending to international students, we challenge the misnomer of treating no-file students like bad-file ones. Credit is a trajectory, and we leverage alternative data to understand and support their unique journeys."Resources Mentioned:https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmadja/Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 305Ian McKenna | E305
Jason talks to Ian McKenna, founder of advisersoftware.com. Ian is a guru of advisor technology in the UK and has a great lens on both the UK and technology around the world. He is here to capture his and Jason’s casual and informative discussions about the industry's past, present, and future, offering listeners a valuable perspective on the fintech landscape.Episode Highlights:02:08: Ian introduces advisorsoftware.com, initially focused on UK advice technology but evolving into a global platform to address the international nature of financial planning.03:48: Jason and Ian plan to delve into various topics, starting with the evolution of software in the UK and then expanding to a global perspective.05:16: Ian envisions a future where Fintech seamlessly integrates into everyday digital life globally, making it the norm rather than a separate entity.11:57: Jason and Ian explore the irony that tougher regulation, especially in consumer protection, has proven beneficial for financial advisors' success.13:29: Jason reflects on the future landscape, where technology becomes an integral part of every business, echoing the sentiment that companies will be either technology-driven or obsolete.15:18: Ian reflects on the impact of greed in past generations, citing the shift from nationalized utilities to the privatization of shares, ultimately leading to profit-driven organizations.19:39: Jason discusses the global trend in regulation, praising Australia's commitment to the right end state despite occasionally going too far. He acknowledges the UK's balanced approach and the US's focus on the fiduciary duty.23:32: Ian discusses the challenge for US vendors in scaling globally, emphasizing the historical tendency to prioritize the US market and the increasing competition from Australian companies that build with a multi-jurisdictional approach.31:59: Ian shares tricks, such as withholding data, to encourage technology use. He expresses his passion for creating enabling solutions through technology, emphasizing flexibility in savings options.Key Points: Ian McKenna discusses the evolution of advisorsoftware.com from a UK-focused platform to a global solution for international financial planning.Jason and Ian explore challenges faced by banks entering advisory services, regulatory dynamics, and the positive impact of stricter regulations on financial advisors' success.The conversation highlights the increasing importance of technology, envisioning a future where it seamlessly integrates into daily business operations globally.Tweetable Quotes:"Companies will either be technology-driven or obsolete in the future financial landscape." - Jason Pereira"Financial advice should be a utility accessible to all through technology, not a luxury reserved for the wealthy." - Ian McKenna"Flexibility in savings options, like Micro Savings, can empower individuals to save more through technology." - Ian McKennaResource Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.advisersoftware.com/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 304In Charge with Shalicia Harris | E304
Jason talks to Shalicia Harris, founder and CEO of In Charge; a platform designed to empower financial advisors in growing their businesses and fostering stronger relationships with clients. The focus is on personalized financial literacy, aiming to empower clients in making informed decisions about their money. The platform enables advisors to seamlessly create tailored campaigns, emphasizing transparency and education to eliminate negative experiences in client-advisor interactions.Episode Highlights:02:03: Shalicia discusses the solution, emphasizing the need for personalized financial literacy to empower clients in making informed decisions about their money.06:37: Shalicia emphasizes the deeper and more personalized customer journey created through market surveys. She mentions the inclusion of market surveys in the insurance world, allowing for a more personalized customer journey.07:00: Shalicia emphasizes the creation of transparency and education as the primary goals. She discusses the importance of making financial information palatable and eliminating negative feelings in client-advisor experiences.12:01: Shalicia introduces the "5 key pillars of personal finances," covering debt, housing, investment, financial resilience, and creditworthiness and describes a 3 to 5-minute assessment and breakdown of client finances.17:49: Shalicia finds excitement in positive feedback, knowing clients feel empowered, and the impact of In Charge in promoting financial literacy.Key Points:Shalicia's goal is to make financial advice more accessible to everyone and eliminate the fear associated with seeking financial guidance.Change management is a significant hurdle in the financial advice industry due to heavy compliance ties. Shalicia highlights the need for overcoming the industry's resistance to change and embracing technologies like AI.In Charge focuses on empowering clients by providing transparency and personalized financial literacy. The platform aims to bridge the knowledge gap, allowing clients to make informed decisions and fostering trust between advisors and clients.Tweetable Quotes:"In Charge is a platform to help advisors be In Charge of the growth around their business and help their clients feel In Charge at the same time." - Shalicia Harris, Founder and CEO of In Charge."Transparency is huge, and education is huge. We're living in an age where the majority of consumers have some sort of high school, college, university degree, and even master's degrees are quite high at this time." - Shalicia Harris"The feedback from clients is that this made me trust my advisor a little bit more because they felt that they weren't hiding things. Transparency itself becomes a part of that trust foundation." - Shalicia HarrisResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shalicia-h-8176b0b7/?originalSubdomain=cahttps://beincharge.io/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 303AltExchange with Kareem Hamady | E303
Jason talks to Kareem Hamady, Co-Founder and CEO of AltExchange. The company is a platform that helps advisors better manage all the complexity around the issuance, management, and stewardship of alternative investments in the marketplace. Kareem provides an overview of AltExchange, a company focused on aggregation and automation technology for alternative investments (alts). The company retrieves data from various platforms, including PDFs and spreadsheets, and uses machine reading technology to make sense of the data.Episode Highlights:03:10: Kareem details the challenges in private capital markets, emphasizing the absence of standardized identifiers, varied reporting metrics, and the need to structure non-structured data.05:37: Kareem explains AltExchange's involvement in the post-investment phase, focusing on tracking actions and workflows after the investment is made. The process includes receiving quarterly reports, annual tax documents, capital calls, and distributions.09:25: Kareem describes the normalization process for line items on CAP account statements, making the comparison between different asset managers more straightforward. Despite being time-consuming, the goal is to simplify the understanding of performance.13.38: Kareem discusses additional workflows, such as managing capital calls and distributions. The platform allows advisors to set calendar invites, providing clarity on the purpose and amount of wire transfers. This proactive approach reduces confusion for clients and advisors.15.53: Kareem describes AltExchange's business intelligence quality checks (BI QC rules), which constantly run to ensure data consistency and accuracy within the system. The platform aims to maintain data integrity and prevent issues like unrealized value spikes.20:28: Jason inquiries about AltExchange's future direction. Kareem discusses the potential for AI-driven summarization of asset manager quarterly updates, benchmarking, and exposure analysis.Key Points:Private capital markets pose challenges due to the lack of standardized identifiers and diverse reporting metrics, making it more complex than dealing with traditional assets like ETFs or mutual funds.AltExchange addresses challenges in the post-investment phase, helping advisors track actions and workflows after an investment is made.AltExchange facilitates various workflows, such as onboarding, distribution alerts, and managing capital calls and distributions, streamlining the advisor's role, and enhancing client communication.Tweetable Quotes:"AltExchange simplifies the complex world of alternative investments by aggregating and automating data from various platforms, using machine reading technology to make sense of the data.""Navigating private capital markets is challenging due to the lack of standardized identifiers and diverse reporting metrics.”"Exciting times in the fintech space! AltExchange leverages AI to drive innovation, from summarizing asset manager updates to benchmarking and exposure analysis. Solving complex problems with technology in its early stages."Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 302Enable with Andrew Butt | E302
Jason talks to Andrew Butt, Co-Founder and CEO of Enable. Enable is a platform for managing B2B rebates a problem that exists at scale. Andrew describes Enable as a cloud-based platform fostering collaboration among supply chain stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, focusing on trading agreements.Episode Highlights:01:03 Andrew shares the history of Enable, rooted in his background of building software. He recounts encountering the complex rebate management issue at a fast-growing UK distributor, where manual Excel spreadsheets were used due to ERP limitations.04:30 Andrew adds the loyalty element to rebate programs, drawing parallels with consumer loyalty programs like air miles or coffee shop rewards. The discussion emphasizes the role of rebates in fostering loyalty and influencing consumer behaviour.07:23 Andrew and Jason discuss the reconciliation challenges in traditional systems, including conflicts, different data sets, and timing issues. This conversation underscores the importance of transparency and collaboration in overcoming these challenges.11:24 Andrew highlights the importance of alignment across the supply chain, emphasizing that effective rebate management fosters collaboration among trading partners and how their platform serves as a tool for aligning interests, meeting customer needs, and sharing rewards to enhance overall supply chain performance.17:20 Jason explores the concept of the platform evolving into a more dynamic marketplace where rebate agreements resemble an auction-like system for which Andrew acknowledges the potential for negotiations and dynamic offers, drawing parallels to Google Adwords' instantaneous pricing model.22:40 The excitement for Andrew lies in the transition from being a piece of software to evolving into a network. The prospect of becoming a network-driven model and the associated opportunities ahead drive Andrew's enthusiasm.Key Points:Rebates play a crucial role in business models, with manufacturers strategically using them to incentivize behaviours like volume purchasing. The complexity of rebate management is highlighted, with instances where businesses rely on rebates for profitability, and more than 75% of global trade involves rebates.The future trajectory involves expanding coverage for various rebate agreements, providing more insights, and transitioning from a simplifying tool to a strategic driver for business performance.Tweetable Quotes:"Rebates aren't just discounts; they strategically shape behaviours. More than 75% of global trade involves rebates, and for distributors, rebates make up an average of 100% of profit.""Automation in rebate management isn't just a time-saver; it's a game-changer. Freeing up personnel from manual tasks and providing valuable insights for informed decisions."“Negotiations and dynamic offers become a reality, drawing parallels to Google AdWords’ instantaneous pricing model."Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 301Seeds with Zach Conway | E301
Jason talks to Zach Conway, co-founder and CEO of Seeds. It is a platform that allows advisers to better assess investors and personalize their portfolios in order to create a better engagement with them. Zach highlights the traditional mechanical investing process with Seeds' approach, which aims to make investing more meaningful and engaging for both the investor and the advisor.Episode Highlights 02:07: Zach stresses the importance of understanding your client deeply. By asking the right questions, one can understand their needs, desires, and values. This is essential for delivering a personalized experience.05:13: Zach emphasizes the difference in their approach. Instead of explaining the money management strategy, they take clients through a digital assessment to unpack their personal investment mindset and behaviors.08:19: Zach speaks about side-by-side analysis of the current and proposed portfolios. He highlights the platform's capabilities, from portfolio construction to implementation and management.10:39: The traditional process of managing money and the flaws in not truly understanding the client's perspective, says Zach.15:54: Zach stresses the need for a change in the narrative, moving away from the emotional investment stories driven by fear and greed. He talks about the ongoing struggle and their aim to rectify this perception in the industry.17:16: Zach talks about the prevalent sales conversations in the industry when clients walk in and the narrative around money management. He comments on the industry's realization of the pitfalls of this narrative, especially when the S&P decreases.23:05: Zach talks about presenting a three-dimensional story to the investor. The focus can be on values alignment, risk exposure, or other aspects based on the client's persona. He emphasizes the need for personalized storytelling in the industry.27:22: Jason talks about the next generation's perception of investing and mentions the disconnect in the industry's marketing and actual delivery.33:25: Zach expresses excitement about the prospect of creating a future where investors feel heard and understood, and advisors provide value by aligning investments with clients' values and goals.3 Key PointsSeeds takes a client-centric approach by understanding an investor's analytical nature, interest in emerging trends, values, and ethical concerns. They emphasize the importance of aligning investments with these factors.Seeds aims to make investing more meaningful and engaging for both investors and advisors, contrasting this approach with traditional mechanical investing processes.Zach emphasizes the need for a shift in the industry's narrative, moving away from focusing solely on investment returns to understanding clients deeply and shaping portfolios around their values.Tweetable Quotes"Understanding your client deeply is essential for delivering a personalized investment experience." - Zach Conway"Our goal is to provide a personalized investment experience from initial assessment to ongoing portfolio management and reviews." - Zach Conway"It's not about the technology, it's about how it's applied. Sustainable organic growth is the key." - Zach ConwayResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 300Episode 300 with Joel Bruckenstein | E300
Jason talks to Joel Bruckenstein known as the "godfather of advisor technology" in the US. Joel is the President of Technology Tool, a well-known consultant and writer in the financial advisory technology space. Joel is the President of Technology Tool, a well-known consultant and writer in the financial advisory technology space. The episode focuses on Joel's journey and how technology for financial advisors has evolved over time.Episode Highlights 01:26: Joel shares that he spends a significant amount of time consulting, evaluating new products, and engaging with advisors.04:13: When Joel began his journey, the wire houses, and many independent broker-dealers (IBDs) predominantly used proprietary technology solutions. Independent advisors had limited options in terms of technology.09:41: The cost of financial products, such as mutual funds, was much higher 30 years ago, and ETFs were not yet available.11:56: Jason shares a common observation that many outsiders, including technologists and engineers, often believe that technology will replace advisors and reduce their numbers.17:14: Jason agrees with Joel's observations and highlights the proliferation of niche solutions that address specific planning issues, which has become more prevalent over the last decade.24:16: Joel highlights how smaller advisory firms may outsource their technology needs to specialized providers.29:27: Joel suggests that AI can be leveraged for more straightforward tasks, such as generating drafts for blog posts and even assisting with email replies for routine requests.34:52: People's satisfaction tends to be higher when they are not aware of alternative solutions or when they have limited exposure to different technology options.Discount Code and LinksDiscount code for advisors for $200 : Woodgate200Registration linkSponsorship prospectus link3 Key PointsJoel reflects on how the landscape of advisor technology has evolved since he first started in the field.Joel and Jason discuss the common complaint among advisors about margin compression and increased competition in the industry due to technological advancements.Joel highlights the growing importance of data and AI in the advisory industry. He explains that data is like digital gold and can be leveraged for various purposes, including AI-driven insights and analytics.Tweetable Quotes“It's essential to remember the technological context of the time when he started, as they were still in the era of DOS, with Windows emerging as a platform.” – Joel“Technology has completely transformed the way advisors do business, and he views these changes as positive. It has made advisors more efficient, allowing them to serve more clients and provide a better user experience for both their employees and clients.” – Joel“The financial advisory industry often takes longer to adopt technology due to its highly regulated nature.” – JoelResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 299Nitrogen Wealth with Aaron Klein | E299
On today’s episode of Fintech Impact, we have a repeated guest Aaron Klein, the co-founder and CEO of Nitrogen Wealth formerly Riskalyze. Aaron was back in April of 2019, and he has been up to quite a lot. Aaron introduces the concept of behavioral science, alluding to how clients react to financial decisions. He shares an anecdote about an advisor who realized that he was anchoring his clients' portfolios based on his own risk tolerance which led to a misalignment in clients' expectations and actual investment outcomes.Episode Highlights 00:52: Aaron discusses the evolution of their company, originally named Riskalyze, reflecting on its 12 1/2-year journey since its foundation and the launch of their initial product for advisors.03:26: Jason expresses a desire to discuss the client's journey with Aaron, mentioning the need for better structures and processes in the industry.09:20: Jason acknowledges that while there are solutions for SEO and content marketing to attract leads, the real challenge lies in the post-acquisition phase—how to nurture and engage these leads effectively, which he views as a significant task.13:39: Aaron discusses their proposal capabilities that enable advisors to create investment proposals aligned with a client's risk tolerance and needs, emphasizing the credibility of data and analytics over traditional trust-building methods based on image alone.26:48: Aaron explains that while Nitrogen isn't marketed as a compliance tool, solo advisors can significantly benefit from the platform as it helps them document client risk preferences and agreements, reducing the risk of legal issues in the future.35:13: Aaron emphasizes the need for top-tier wealth management firms to use top-tier technology and believes that integrating the right technology into the growth process is crucial for success.36:57: Jason points out that many large players in the industry have been acquired by even larger companies, and the landscape has shifted, making it more challenging to replicate past successes.3 Key PointsAaron Klein talks about Riskalyze's transformation over 12 1/2 years to Nitrogen Wealth, a platform for wealth management firms.Aaron discusses behavioral science's role in finance and introduces tools like "retirement maps" and "check-ins" for better client engagement.Nitrogen's focus shifted to being a growth platform. Aaron stresses the need for integrating top-tier technology in wealth management.Tweetable QuotesRisk is one of the critical dimensions when building investment proposals for clients. - Aaron"Emphasizing the issues with advisors not effectively aligning with clients' risk preferences, Nitrogen Wealth steps in to bridge the gap." - Aaron Klein "In the post-COVID era, trust-building evolves - data and analytics become more crucial than image alone." - Aaron KleinResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://nitrogenwealth.com/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 298Helios Quantitative with Chris Shuba | E298
Jason talks to Chris Shuba, Founder and CEO of Helios Quantitative. It is an "in-source CIO," offering a unique solution for financial institutions. They provide all the functions of an investment department without the associated costs and hassles. Helios Quantitative simplifies and streamlines the operations of an advisory practice.Episode Highlights 01.52: Chris notes that while models were initially a primary focus, Helios has expanded its services and technology to become an all-encompassing in-source CIO, moving beyond a sole emphasis on modelling.02.23: Chris outlines the core goals of most advisors, which include looking impressive to clients, spending more time on their strengths, achieving scalability, and ultimately being profitable.09.42: Jason emphasizes that Helios Quantitative covers the entire vertical funnel for advisors, from ideation to implementation to communication and maintenance, providing a comprehensive value proposition throughout the process.11.47: Chris mentions their preference for working with disruptive-thinking advisors who align with their approach. He also highlights the cost aspect, emphasizing that model marketplaces can be expensive, while Helios aims to be a low-cost alternative with more capabilities.17.24: Chris discusses the challenge of underestimating the importance of model designs and their correlation with real-world events. Chris explains that Helios originally used linear mathematics, which sometimes didn't align with real-world complexities, leading to advisor confidence issues.3 Key PointsChris mentions their exciting plans for further development of the platform beyond two main function Model Development and Management and Research and Analytics.Chris draws an analogy between their approach and the concept of an aircraft carrier in a fleet. Still, it needs a surrounding ecosystem of supporting components to protect it and ensure its effectiveness.Chris highlights the accessibility of machine learning and AI tools for smaller companies like Helios, which empowers them to develop and deploy cutting-edge technology.Tweetable Quotes“Helios focuses on mathematical diversity, providing multiple types of models to increase diversification within a portfolio. The goal is to bring institutional-level diversification strategies into the retail space, reducing risk and enhancing portfolio stability.” – Chris“Simply adding more components does not guarantee increased profitability or improved client satisfaction. All components are needed to create a world-class asset management experience.” - ChrisResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisshuba/https://heliosdriven.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 297Wealth.com with Rafael Loureiro | E297
Jason talks to Rafael Loureiro, CEO of Wealth.com. The company besides having the most incredible URL for a fintech firm is an estate planning platform that allows for advisors and clients to collaborative work on estate plans and produce like legal estate documents and make it part of the entire continuing advisors by proposition.Episode Highlights 00:53: Rafael describes Wealth.com as a tech-driven estate planning platform designed for financial advisors. The platform helps advisors set up high-quality estate plans for their clients, offering legal estate documents that are applicable in 51 jurisdictions.03.09: Rafael and his team decided to create Wealth.com as an intelligent platform to help financial advisors maintain up-to-date estate planning. Their goal is to ensure estate planning evolves with changes in assets and beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of keeping it current.05.56: Rafael notes that the platform's dashboard can integrate with the advisor's preferred CRM, such as Salesforce or Wealthbox.18.33: Rafael underscores the startling statistics related to estate planning, with a majority of Americans not having a plan, and even those who do often have outdated plans. He notes that many people only consider estate planning when faced with a loss or a famous person's passing.22.31: Rafael emphasizes that they wanted a domain name that represented more than just estate planning. They aimed to provide a holistic, digital solution that encompasses various aspects of financial planning and positions the advisor at the centre of the client relationship.3 Key PointsRafael discusses the creation of Wealth.com and the motivation behind it. He begins by explaining his involvement with a global fraud prevention company before venturing into estate planning.Jason highlights the importance of improving estate planning, particularly in areas like tax, estate, and insurance, where there are significant opportunities for enhancement.Rafael reiterates his desire for more flexibility, asking why estate planning can't be done from the comfort of one's home, given the advancements in technology.Tweetable Quotes“The visualizer tool provides scenarios and simulations, helping clients and advisors understand the implications of different situations, such as one or both spouses passing away.” – Rafael“The platform has an API connection with Zillow, so when a client's real estate is sold, they receive a notification. The platform prompts the client and notifies the advisor, placing the advisor at the center of the relationship.” – RafaelThe only effective incentive for estate planning may be opting for a comprehensive financial planner who includes it in their scope of work and compensation structure.”- JasonResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.wealth.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaelloureiro/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 296Cubed with Elliott Limb | E296
Jason talks to Elliott Limb, founder and CEO of Cubed. It is a company assisting fintech companies scale, while mitigating the high failure rates commonly faced by startups.Episode Highlights 00:21 Elliott discusses Cubed's mission, which is to help fintech companies overcome high failure rates. Cubed serves as growth partners, actively involved in running and growing fintech businesses.06:45: Elliott acknowledges that the cultural divide between traditional finance and fintech is a common issue. He mentions that this divide is gradually improving, but it has been a significant challenge in the past.09:37: Jason seeks advice from Elliott on how to prevent the challenge of knowing when to decline potential sales and engage in the difficult conversations with clients who demand hyper-specific, non-scalable solutions that offer significant financial incentives for custom development work.10.25: Companies should take a more strategic approach rather than jumping straight into execution, even if it means walking away from potentially lucrative opportunities initially.14:51: Jason acknowledges that for technical founders and entrepreneurs, constantly seeking funding can be frustrating and time-consuming.16:39: Jason and Elliott discuss common issues faced by fintech companies and methodologies for course correction.23:57: Elliott's assessment suggests that the fintech industry faces unique challenges related to due diligence, investor experience, and rapid funding cycles, which could contribute to a higher failure rate compared to other sectors in the venture capital market.36:02: Elliott is driven by the goal of making the market better and increasing innovation within the fintech sector.3 Key PointsElliott provides a holistic view of the challenges and responsibilities that both start-ups and investors face in the fintech industry. He highlights the need for strategic planning, rigorous measurement, and a strong focus on team execution to improve success rates.Elliott explains that Cubed's involvement with fintech companies from the venture capital side usually happens for three main reasons: Due Diligence Support, Portfolio Review and Turnaround Assistance.Jason and Elliott highlight the need for fintech founders to strike a balance between loyalty to early employees and the necessity of bringing in diverse talent that can help the company navigate the challenges of growth and innovation.Tweetable Quotes“Building a great piece of software is not enough for success; you must consider distribution and other business aspects.” – Jason“Companies should position their technology in a way that clearly demonstrates how it will improve the customer's business and provide a sustainable business model.” – Elliot“Companies often hire experienced individuals but fail to provide the necessary enablement and alignment to ensure success.” - ElliotResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 295Lenker with John Lenker and Kevin deLaplante | E295
Jason talks to John Lenker, founder and Chief Vision Officer of the marketing firm and Kevin deLaplante Partner & Chief Knowledge Officer. Lenker is a growth consulting firm that specializes in assisting early-stage startups in achieving product-market fit and establishing a recognizable brand before their launch. They emphasize on the challenges startups encounter, including a lack of market analysis and a tendency to prioritize technical development over other critical aspects of their business. Linker aims to help startups navigate these challenges and achieve their growth goals.Episode Highlights 05:19: Kevin mentions that some startups exhibit what he refers to as "pathological behavior," which involves making decisions that are not in their long-term rational self-interest, such as burning through limited funds or making poor decisions.06:02: Some startups, especially those with an engineering perspective, focus solely on building their technology because they believe it will revolutionize the market.07:42: John talks about the importance of early-stage analysis and planning in the fintech industry to avoid common pitfalls and challenges faced by startups.08:41: John explains that they sophisticated tools and financial models, including customer lifetime value simulation engines, to guide early-stage decision-making for fintech startups.17:02: John shares a real-life example of an individual who worked for a major platform company for several years.3 Key PointsJohn highlights one of the primary reasons startups fail in their endeavors, which is a lack of proper market opportunity analysis. He emphasizes the importance of examining the need in the marketplace, identifying the target audience and buyers, assessing the competitive landscape, and understanding the current solutions available and their market adoption status.John talks about the importance of thorough market research, timing, and branding in the success of entrepreneurial ventures, including fintech startups.The discussion emphasizes the process of crafting a brand that becomes the undeniable solution in the market.Tweetable Quotes“Many entrepreneurs have not fully thought through their business situation, making it essential to guide them in clarifying their goals and increasing the likelihood of achieving them.” – John“There is often a disconnect between how the client perceives the problem and the reality, which becomes apparent through discussions and discovery processes.” – John“Branding involves making people believe in you and your initiative, which creates a tailwind for your work.” – JohnResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 294Absolute Engagement with Julie Littlechild | E294
Jason interviews Julie Littlechild, the founder and CEO of Absolute Engagement. Julie is a renowned speaker and expert in client engagement within the financial advisory sector. She has recently launched the Absolute Engagement Engine, which brings her ideas on client engagement to life.Episode Highlights 00:58: Absolute Engine is designed to help financial advisors connect more deeply with their prospects and clients efficiently and consistently.06:31: Many advisors have recognized the importance of aspects such as Confidence, Concerns, Outlook, and Preferences; structuring the conversation in the format of a questionnaire can be a challenge, says Julie. 10:04: Julie explains that opportunities to uncover engagement and growth emerge for several reasons. These opportunities can arise based on how a client presents themselves at a given point in time, such as their confidence level during a review or introductory meeting.15:02: Jason emphasizes the importance of delving deeper to understand clients better, considering that many clients haven't thought deeply about their goals.16:44: Julie explains that their focus is on creating a leading indicator of future issues rather than identifying clients who are already on their way out.19:13: Jason highlights the common issue in the industry where discussions often devolve into fee arguments because clients may not fully understand the value of the services provided.24:40: Jason and Julie discuss the motivation behind developing their platform and the goals they hoped to achieve.29:26: Jason and Julie emphasized the value of asking meaningful questions and co-creating value with clients.3 Key PointsJason underscores the importance of demonstrating the softer, more human aspects of care and concern in financial advisory interactions.Julie and Jason discuss the exciting possibilities with the data generated by the Absolute Engagement Engine.Julie and Jason discuss various aspects of the financial advisory industry, particularly focusing on a platform designed to help financial advisors understand and improve client sentiment.Tweetable Quotes“Capturing the fluid and evolving sentiments of clients, which can vary between couples and change over time, posed a significant challenge.” – Julie“Absolute Engagement Engine provides a structured way to address important topics such as Confidence, Concerns, Outlook and Preferences.” – Julie“AI automates more routine tasks; the focus should shift towards the psychological aspects of financial planning.” – Jason“Using technology is just one part of the equation, and advisors need to develop the soft skills and knowledge to have deeper, more effective conversations with clients when using the platform's insights.” – Julie“The platform not only provides efficiency for advisors but also delivers real value by helping clients navigate their financial journeys more effectively.” – JulieResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

infoSentience with Steven Wasick | E293
Jason talks to Steven Wasick, Founder of infoSentience, an automation company specializing in using artificial intelligence to enhance data analytics and communication in financial markets. infoSentience’s software can analyze any data set, identify key insights, and communicate them effectively, similar to a human analyst or journalist. This episode explores the innovative technology and applications that infoSentience brings to the world of finance.Episode Highlights 01:16: infoSentience’s key product extends beyond finance and into the sports industry. They provide fantasy sports reports for CBS Sports and cover sports leagues like the NBA and NFL.06:54: infoSentience’s approach leverages the power of conceptual understanding to efficiently process and communicate complex information, making it valuable not only in the sports industry but also in various other domains.08:02: Unlike template-based approaches where you simply fill predefined slots, infoSentience’s system accounts for the complexity of relationships between concepts. It doesn't rely on predefined structures, making it more adaptable and capable of handling intricate narratives.17:02: Steve discusses the different metrics and improvements that various clients have seen through their collaboration with infoSentience.25:51: Steve shares his motivation to continue pushing forward after overcoming technology challenges and reaching a point where they can showcase their work effectively.3 Key PointsinfoSentience’s system employs a rules-based approach to mimic human conceptual understanding, allowing it to process and communicate information effectively while avoiding the pitfalls of irrelevant or repetitive content.infoSentience recognizes the need for vertical-specific customization, they also aim to establish common models and approaches to address fundamental analytical inquiries that apply broadly across different clients and industries.Steve highlights the challenges associated with data analysis, data synthesis, and integrating data from different sources, suggesting that these are complex areas where their technology can shine.Tweetable Quotes“When reading poorly written or robotic content, readers often encounter irrelevant or confusing information that forces their brains to pause and question its significance. This disrupts the flow of understanding and can be frustrating.” - Steven Wasick“infoSentience’s future could involve integrating their technology into larger organizations to enhance data-related capabilities.” - Steven Wasick“Having a clearer understanding of data and its nuances from the beginning would be beneficial for infoSentience and similar companies that rely on data for their services.” - Steven WasickResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 292New Retirement Wealth with Stephen Chen | E292
Jason talks to Stephen Chen, founder, and CEO of New Retirement. It is an online platform that facilitates financial institutions in offering DIY financial planning experiences to their existing or potential customers. The platform is designed to enhance and complement their existing financial services. Stephen describes New Retirement as essentially creating a "TurboTax for financial planning." Initially, the company began as a consumer-facing platform before transitioning into its current role of supporting financial institutions in providing comprehensive financial planning solutions.Episode Highlights 03:25: Jason acknowledges that Stephen Chen's approach with New Retirement is a much better approach compared to some other concepts he has encountered.04:07: Stephen talks about the evolution of New Retirement's business model. Initially, the company was bootstrapped and started as a subscription service for consumers. However, it became evident that this model wasn't inherently scalable for venture capital investment.05:36: This strategic shift from a consumer-centric model to enterprise partnerships has allowed New Retirement to scale and generate more revenue.11:08: Stephen emphasizes the importance of providing tools and education to help people gain a sense of financial control and visibility into their future financial security.18:08: Stephen highlights the importance of design in the software's success, making it user-friendly and accessible to a broad audience.3 Key PointsStephen shares individuals today are more educated and informed about their financial situations due to the internet. This increased knowledge enables them to have richer and more efficient conversations with financial advisors or coaches.Just as travel agents still exist but coexist with online travel booking tools like Kayak, Stephen believes that financial advisors will continue to play a vital role. However, he emphasizes the need for more advisors and lower-cost options to make financial planning accessible to a broader audience.Stephen discusses the importance of design in New Retirement's software, emphasizing that it needs to be intuitive and user-friendly, like the success of the iPhone with its consumer-grade design. He mentions that they are continually improving their software and focusing on data and AI to enhance the user experience.Tweetable Quotes“New Retirement collaborates with various players in the financial ecosystem to streamline and improve the efficiency of services offered to their target demographic.” – Stephen“Behavioral coaching also plays a significant role in helping individuals avoid major financial mistakes and execute their financial decisions effectively.” – Stephen“Large companies, including Fortune 100 firms, have now begun to appreciate the value of financial planning.” – StephenResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorNew Retirement Website Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 291Adviice with Owen Winkelmolen | E291
Jason talks to Owen Winkelmolen, Founder/CEO of Adviice, a financial planning tool in Canada. It is a client-facing financial planning platform designed to support fee-for-service advisors and all advisors in general. It enables clients and advisors to collaborate in building a financial plan. The origin of Adviice, can be traced back to Owen's financial planning practice, Plan Easy, which he founded in 2018. The discussion touches upon the challenges faced by those in the financial planning space, especially when it comes to handling payments, subscriptions, and client retention.Episode Highlights 0.41: Adviice is a platform that manages the entire client engagement process, including onboarding, payment processing, discovery, document uploads, planning, recommendations, implementation, and tracking, all within a single platform.6.25: Owen explains that the onboarding process in Advice is designed to be user-friendly and efficient, with yes-no questions and multiple-choice questions that are easy for clients to answer.7.20: What sets Adviice apart is its client-facing approach. Clients actively participate in the discovery process by providing information and uploading documents, and the platform's tailored design turns this into a streamlined and personalized "fill in the blank" exercise.12:05: Regarding white labeling, the Adviice platform allows advisors and companies to fully brand the platform as their own.16:23: The Adviice platform incorporates a range of visual tools and features to enhance the financial planning experience and provide valuable insights to clients.3 Key PointsWhat sets Adviice apart from many other financial planning software platforms is its emphasis on workflow and planning tools.The platform's client-facing nature, combined with the ability to mark completed actions and interact with the plan regularly, fosters ongoing engagement and collaboration between clients and advisors. This approach ensures that financial planning becomes an ongoing, dynamic process rather than a one-time event, ultimately leading to better financial outcomes for clients.The discussion emphasizes the importance of shifting from a one-time financial planning model to an ongoing and collaborative planning experience. It's recognized that the real value in financial planning lies in the continuous planning process, which takes into account the changing circumstances and goals of clients over time.Tweetable Quotes"Planning software may start with the planning tool itself, and the front-end (client acquisition, payments, etc.) and back-end (modeling) are secondary considerations." - Owen Winkelmolen"The use of visual tools like the Sankey diagram and the contextualization of financial data are essential for helping clients truly understand their financial situation and the impact of various scenarios." - Owen Winkelmolen"The ability to white-label and customize the platform for different niches and client segments is a testament to its flexibility and usability" -Jason. Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.planeasy.ca/owen-winkelmolen/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 290interVal Revisted with Trevor Greenway | E290
In this episode of Fintech Impact, host Jason welcomes back repeat guest Trevor Greenway, the founder of interVal. Trevor discusses how interVal's software platform assists financial advisors, accountants, and other professionals in valuing businesses. The platform provides estimates of business value, guides clients in the right direction, and helps them optimize their largest asset.Episode Highlights 02:36: Jason inquires about the process of business valuation for financial advisors and others who want to help clients determine their business's worth.03:57: The conversation highlights the crucial aspects of raising awareness among business owners, enabling advisors to add value, and ultimately working together to create a well-planned and cohesive future. interVal's automated discovery process plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals.04:19: Jason emphasizes that conveying the value of something is one aspect, but explaining the reasons behind its value and providing strategies for improvement is even more significant.06:02: The discussion delves into the nuances of enterprise value growth and highlights the importance of understanding and optimizing value drivers beyond simple top-line revenue increases.14:15: Trevor highlighted the importance of focusing on optimizing business health and informed decision-making for business owners.20:49: interVal is actively navigating the dynamic landscape of technological adoption and increasing business owner expectations. 3 Key PointsJason and Trevor's conversation highlights the power of understanding "why" and "how" in addition to the value of data-driven insights. It also underscores the critical role advisors play in leveraging these insights to guide business owners toward growth and improvement.The discussion emphasizes interVal's flexibility in valuation frequency and data integration, highlighting the platform's ability to accommodate partners' preferences while delivering valuable insights for making informed decisions.Trevor highlighted the complexity of business valuations and how various factors can influence the perceived value of a business.Tweetable Quotes"While valuation is a methodology, the true focus is on enhancing visibility into the business's health and performance." - Trevor Greenway"Understanding the value drivers behind the valuation is more crucial than the valuation itself." - Trevor Greenway"The frequency of valuation updates doesn't necessarily lead to dramatic changes in valuation results." - Trevor Greenway"By automating certain aspects of discovery, advisors can focus on delivering true value to business owners, helping them hit milestones, achieve goals, and mitigate risks." - Trevor GreenwayResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 289Milemarker & Mammoth with Jud Mackrill | E289
Jason talks to Jud Mackrill, co-founder of Milemarker & Mammoth, who has been on the show before. The discussion centers around the challenges related to data and data management in the industry. For the past 15 years, many conferences have complained about the quality of data, its location, and how it's often siloed. Jud is working on a solution to address these issues.Episode Highlights 0:56: The company's main goal is to address issues related to connectivity, integration, and operational efficiency for firms that may not have the resources to specialize in these areas due to their focus on taking care of their clients' needs.01:40: Jason and Jud discuss the challenges faced by average RAs (Risk Analysis) depending on their size.06:27: Jud emphasizes that Milemarker's goal is not to compete with internal teams but to assist and augment their efforts.08:30: Milemarker helps integrate data and information so that when the Home Office receives requests from the field, they are intelligent and specific to the unique office or role making the request.16:37: Mammoth is an opportunity to modernize and streamline the process of handling alternative investments.19:54: Mammoth offers a single pane of glass solution that integrates with various technologies used by wealth management firms. The platform helps advisors manage alternative investments more efficiently and addresses the complexities involved in handling such investments for clients.21:45: The guest emphasizes the importance of having professional-grade software and processes to support technology and compliance efforts, especially as more firms transcend into becoming media and technology companies alongside their core service offerings.24:19: Being data-driven and having a clear point of view can provide a significant advantage to companies in the long run.3 Key PointsJud describes their approach to the consulting process, which involves writing a plan and designing how the data management and integration should work.Jud explains some of the quick wins and secondary wins that their consulting services provide to their clients.While technology can support the advisor-client relationship, the human element of personalized service will always be essential and cannot be fully scaled.Tweetable Quotes"As for the benefits of the consulting process, once the data challenges are identified and understood, the firms can leverage the solutions provided by Milemarker to improve data connectivity, integration, and operational efficiency." – Jud"It's very common for technology teams to be consumed with daily operational tasks and support, leaving little time for strategic planning and comprehensive data management." – Jud"A study by Fidelity, which found that many firms are acquiring other companies with clients that don't generate profits for the acquiring firm." - JudResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 288Bento Engine with Philipp Hecker | E288
Jason talks to Philipp Hecker, CEO of Bento Engine. It is a cutting-edge content and conversation system designed for financial advisors. The system's primary goal is to assist financial advisors in cultivating stronger client relationships and expanding their businesses.Episode Highlights 0.49: Bento Engine aims to help advisors focus on crucial moments in their clients' and prospects' lives. It operates as a B2B SaaS solution, integrating with widely used CRM systems through APIs.2.05: During his time at JP Morgan's Wealth Planning and Advice unit, Phil witnessed the power of comprehensive advice in action. This unit included various financial planning teams across JP Morgan's private bank, broker-dealer business, and TRACE network.5:30: As per Jason, some advisors opt to limit the number of households, they serve to provide high-level service, which may restrict their income potential. This approach often leaves the bottom end of their client base underserved.13.41: Bento Engine triggers opportunities for gifting and personalization, and it often leads to fulfilment needs and product opportunities. Bento Engine is delighted to see the various directions that clients take in utilizing the platform's opportunities for the benefit of all involved parties.15.06: By avoiding the need for a separate login or app, Bento Engine becomes a background system that enhances the CRM experience and provides advisors with timely opportunities and materials. 19.40: AI language is an inefficient form of communication, and understanding clients' needs and concerns requires empathy and expertise.3 Key PointsBento Engine serves as a tax solution that integrates with popular CRM systems, making it the central hub of client-centric technology for advisors. By mining and leveraging client data, advisors can shine during crucial moments that matter in their clients' lives. Jason envisions that users of Bento Engine can use the triggered events to initiate other workflows, allowing for customized touchpoints with clients.It's crucial to strike the right balance between AI-driven automation and the personalized human touch to ensure a successful and ethical implementation of AI technology in the financial advisory space.Tweetable Quotes"Many financial advisors talk about providing holistic advice but may not consistently deliver it across their entire client base. Bento Engine aims to address this opportunity by providing a technology-driven solution that allows advisors to offer comprehensive advice consistently and efficiently to all their clients and prospects." - Philipp"Bento Engine sees the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models to unlock valuable insights from unstructured data within CRM systems." - Philipp"AI will not replace financial advisors; instead, it will make them more efficient, effective, and capable of serving more clients." - PhilippResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 287Sikka.ai with Jacob McGraw | E287
Jason talks to Jacob McGraw from Sikka.ai, a fintech company specializing in API platform services for dental support organizations (DSOs). DSOs are large firms that operate numerous dental practices. Jacob discusses Sikka.ai’s innovative underwriting methodology for insurance companies and explains the company's value proposition. Episode Highlights 01:00: Jacob explains the operations of Sikka.ai The company collects data from dental practices to underwrite life insurance applicants. 03:13: The company's API platform integrates with over 92% of the practice management systems used by these dental clinics, making it easier for DSOs to manage their operations.04:45: Jacob highlights the power of taking data from oral health practitioners since oral health often serves as an indicator of other medical issues.07:12: The current reliance on self-reported information in traditional underwriting can lead to inaccuracies and misclassifications. With Sikka.ai’s dental data integration, these issues can be addressed, leading to a more accurate assessment of risks, especially related to smoking habits.08:56: Jason and Jacob discuss how the fear of rejection has created a negative stigma around insurance applications.10:50: Jacob provides a practical example of how the risk model is used to differentiate risk within different preexisting conditions.17:10: The real-time data sources and API platform provided by the company are relatively new and novel to insurance companies, which are typically not accustomed to real-time processes.3 Key PointsJason and Jacob discuss the novelty of using dental data for insurance underwriting and acknowledges the value of alternative data sources in the insurance industry.The significance of dental data in insurance underwriting lies in its ability to offer valuable insights throughout an individual's life, regardless of their age or prior oral health practices.Jacob explains how their focus is on improving the underwriting process by reducing the need for additional tests and enhancing the speed and accuracy of risk assessment.Tweetable Quotes“Sikka.ai utilize two main products for this purpose. The first product includes indicators for pre-existing conditions like tobacco use, kidney disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc. Among these, the tobacco indicator is the most crucial, providing significant protective value per hit from exam one. The second product is mortality risk scores for life insurance underwriting, powered by procedure codes and the frequency of dental procedures performed per calendar year. These procedures help assess and understand mortality risks for potential life insurance applicants.” – Jacob“Data can be viewed as Swiss cheese, with holes representing missing or incomplete information.” – Jacob“Starting from a certain point in technology often influences a country's willingness to embrace new advancements.” - JasonResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://sikka.ai/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 286TaxTemplates with Jay Goodis | E286
Jason talks to Jay Goodis, the CEO of Tax Template Sync, a software designed to help advisors in Canada assess different tax scenarios for their clients. The software allows users to analyze current tax situations, run test scenarios, and optimize tax strategies.Episode Highlights01:57: Jay explains that the genesis of the company was driven by the need to save time and improve efficiency.02:23: While working in public practice, Jay constantly sought ways to be more efficient and identified opportunities to develop software solutions for the complex challenges faced by professionals in the wealth management industry.03:40: Jay explains that when assessing tax outcomes, it can be done from both a corporate and personal perspective. From a personal perspective, individuals can download tax tables from their websites to determine their marginal tax rate.05:52: Jason explains that individuals at the lower end of the income spectrum may face high marginal tax rates due to clawbacks, such as the guaranteed income supplement, which effectively results in close to 70% taxation.11:14: Taxes can be perceived as both simple and complex, depending on individuals' level of understanding and experience.11.38: Jason raises a concern about the perception of taxes being simple or complex. He mentions two categories of people: those who believe taxes are simple because they use tax software without fully understanding the complexities and those who recognize the complexity.18:22: The software developed is primarily used for personal tax planning and corporate tax planning with shareholders, says Jay.19:38: The lack of software dedicated to anything outside of financial planning and investment in this industry is horrible.29:43: Jay discusses the importance of simplifying the tax code and the challenges faced in finding professionals with expertise in tax and programming. 3 Key PointsJason and Jay discuss the impact of government benefits and income testing on tax calculations. Jason mentions that in the US, these are referred to as phase-outs, where entitlements are based on income and may result in different calculations.Jason shares his perspective on the challenges faced by business owners who often have surprise tax bills at the end of the year.Jason and Jay discuss the use cases and value of software in the financial planning industry, particularly in the areas of personal tax planning and corporate tax planning with shareholders. Tweetable Quotes“Many advisors focus on corporate tax and personal tax, so that's where most users begin. They work with their clients to assess their tax situations and determine what deductions, credits, or planning strategies are available to optimize their tax outcomes.” – Jason“The software aims to address both the total tax amount and the cash flow implications for clients.” - Jay“There is a lot of time spent by me and my colleagues reading tax legislation, putting that tax legislation into an interface that's easier for others to understand and to keep it current.” - JayResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 285Couplr with Derek Notman | E285
Jason talks to Derek Notman, the founder and CEO of Couplr. It is a fintech company that provides a platform for people to find the right financial advisor for their needs. Jason mentions that he often gets pitched similar ideas, but he finds Derek's approach unique and effective. Derek explains that Couplr is focused on fixing lead generation in the financial advisory industry. He highlights that lead generation has been a personal frustration for him, and Couplr aims to address this issue. Episode Highlights01:08: Couplr is a platform that combines the concepts of eHarmony and Bumble. It focuses on facilitating connections between financial advisors and consumers based on the human elements and dimensions of the relationship.03:07: Early in his career, Derek joined New York Life and encountered the traditional methods of lead generation, such as cold calling, door knocking, and attending networking events like BNI meetings.12:02: Derek introduces the concept of warm inbound traffic, which refers to the existing pool of people actively searching for financial guidance.14:06: Derek further explains that Couplr empowers consumers by allowing them to research and get matched with an advisor when they are ready.17:21: Derek highlights the importance of providing valuable information and building trust with consumers before they even contact the advisor.34:20: Through the work at Couplr, Derek aims to break down the friction and barriers in the financial industry, enabling more advisors to help more clients.36:20: Derek shared his passion for fixing the issues surrounding money and improving financial outcomes for individuals and advisors. The conversation highlighted the complex nature of financial relationships and the significance of addressing them effectively.3 Key PointsDerek explains how Couplr's approach to lead generation is different from the traditional methods like SEO and paid ads. Derek explains the "bumble aspect" of Couplr, where consumers can explore the matches, read buyer reviews, visit websites, and check broker checks to gather more information about the advisors.By leveraging machine learning and AI, Couplr aims to continually improve its models and gather valuable data insights.Tweetable Quotes"The current process of finding a financial advisor is broken, as it fails to create a positive experience for both clients and advisors." – Derek"Couplr aims to help consumers find the best advisor based on shared human dimensions, commonalities, experiences, and philosophies." – Derek"By focusing on connecting consumers and advisors on a human level, Couplr offers a more targeted and effective solution." – Derek"Minimizing friction is crucial for adoption and user satisfaction." – Jason"Money is a powerful tool that people have access to, yet there is a lack of education and guidance in managing it effectively." - DerekResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – Sponsorhttps://www.couplr.ai/about-couplr/Podcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 284StockTwits with Rishi Khanna | E284
Jason talks to Rishi Khanna, CEO of StockTwits. It is a social media platform for the retail investing and trading community, known for inventing the cash tag. Rishi talks about his vision involving horizontal expansion to become a global platform and vertical expansion into diverse asset classes, while leveraging the culture of money and markets and the significance of live interactions.Episode Highlights01:00: StockTwits has expanded beyond U.S. stocks to cover Canadian equities, Indian equities, cryptocurrencies, and other assets.01:16: The company aims to provide a highly engaging place for global investors to connect, learn, and have fun while profiting.03:10: Rishi Khanna got involved with StockTwits in late 2019 after knowing the company for several years. He was invited to help build the next phase of StockTwits' vision, expanding its value to the investing community throughout the investing life cycle.03:35: Rishi mentions joining in January 2020 and how the world changed drastically during that time.04:07: Jason suggests having a dedicated social media outlet for a specific community of interest.06:08: Rishi discusses unlocking and utilizing unique data points, such as social sentiment data, trending activity data, and messaging bonds.07:37: Rishi highlights the importance of enriching the execution experience and providing a comprehensive toolset for users.08:57: Rishi discusses the challenges of the equity trading business model.10:26: Jason mentions the monetization strategy of advertising on the social media platform.20:45: The conversation touches on the introduction of trending streams and the importance of trust and quality conversations on the platform.22:20: Rishi Khanna expresses his wish to change the default position of cynicism and distrust in communications.3 Key PointsRishi talks about the importance of data and information in the investing life cycle.Rishi discusses the challenges of the equity trading business model, particularly in the US where it is highly commoditized and most big platforms offer free trading.Rishi explains how to facilitate and enable investors to explore and connect with different asset classes, find their tribes, engage in conversations, learn, and potentially build wealth.Tweetable Quotes"Equity trading is not a great business model. It's very hard to generate revenue to cover costs." - Rishi"We're expanding globally to become the go-to platform for the retail investing community. Launching in India is just the beginning." - Rishi"Our goal is to expand the asset classes and cater to the diverse interests within the investing and trading community. There are many micro-communities within this space." - Rishi"Changing things is a challenge... users hate change, especially if they've been using [the platform] for 10 plus years." - Rishi Khanna"We punch way above our weight class... getting to take on these challenges and problems every day is fun." - Rishi KhannaResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorStockTwits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 283Wise Revisted with Brigit Carroll | E283
Jason talks to Brigit Carroll, the policy lead for the Americas at Wise. Wise is a company that has previously appeared on the show. Jason has invited Bridget to discuss the progress or lack thereof regarding open banking in North America. They discuss various topics related to cross-border payments, banking apps, and the challenges faced by the industry. Bridget emphasizes the need for transparency in pricing and reducing the cost of remittances. They also talk about the evolving narrative of fintech disruptors and the importance of collaboration within the payment ecosystem.Episode Highlights00:42: Bridget provides a recap of what Wise (formerly known as TransferWise) is all about. 01:18: Wise is a global payments company that focuses on providing the best solution for moving money across borders. 02:22: Open banking is seen as a crucial component of the overall modernization of the payment ecosystem in Canada. 08:33: Bridget emphasizes the importance of faster payments, stating that Canadians deserve it and it's not just a luxury. Failure to deliver on this promise would be detrimental to consumers and businesses during the cost-of-living crisis.11:26: Bridget emphasizes the importance of bringing Canada up to speed with the rest of the world.16:22: Canadian banks are not competitive and are expensive compared to other financial institutions globally. 18:06: There are long lead times for various initiatives, such as the retail Payments Activities Act, which is currently undergoing consultations. 27:10: Knowing that we are making a positive difference in the lives of millions of people around the world is incredibly rewarding. It's why we do what we do, and it's what keeps us motivated to continue pushing for better solutions and a more inclusive financial system, says Bridget.3 Key PointsBridget explains that payments modernization in Canada includes various aspects such as real-time payments, modern payment licensing through systems like RPAs (Request-to-Pay Agreements), open banking, and enabling fintech companies to access the payment system through amendments to the Canadian Payments Act.Jason highlights the frustration of waiting several days for a payment to clear and emphasizes that instant payments are crucial for individuals who cannot afford to wait for their paychecks or for small businesses seeking instant liquidity.Jason criticizes banks for their generic marketing approaches that fail to address individual needs.Tweetable Quotes"Canadian banks may strongly resist open banking, while noting that Europe has taken a legislative approach, and the United States has embraced free market capitalism." – Jason"Wise was the first non-bank to access the Bank of England's faster payment system, resulting in cost reductions for customers and significantly faster payment processing." - Bridget"Change needs to happen in collaboration with regulators and incumbents as well. It's not about disrupting for the sake of disruption, but it's about working together to create a better system." – BridgetResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 282186 Ventures with Giuseppe Stuto | E282
Jason talks to Giuseppe Stuto, co-founder and managing partner of 186 Ventures. It is a venture capital firm founded by former high-growth tech executives themselves. They have been there, and they know how to advise people who are going through that same journey. Giuseppe explains that their criteria for investing in a company involve evaluating founder market fit, the competence and unique positioning of the founders, their understanding of the problem, and their passion and motivations for building the business.Episode Highlights:00:47: Giuseppe Stuto says that they are at an early stage precede and seed venture capital firm. So, they typically invest at the earliest stages. There may or may not be a company incorporated or maybe a business already with over $1,000,000 in annual revenue, but primarily invests in the US primarily in the Northeast.01:43: Giuseppe shares how he and his best friend started angel investing. 07:25: As per Giuseppe for the most part, they make sure that they leave that initial meeting with two or three ways they can begin to provide value to that founder.10:04: The investors focus on connecting companies with key team members and leveraging their extensive network of technical and industry experts to provide support and value to the companies they invest in.11:57: Giuseppe emphasizes their role in assisting founders by aligning their goals, providing insights, and offering support through various programs tailored for founders and operators.15:08: Giuseppe acknowledges that building an unsustainable model can be challenging to unwind, particularly in times of high cost of capital. 21:29: It's crucial to have a deep understanding of the local market when making investment decisions or implementing business strategies.24:19: In the context of early-stage startups, the definition of "early stage" typically refers to the initial stages of a company's development, usually up until the Series A funding round.3 Key Points:Giuseppe shares how in early 2019, the brand was founded and then in fall of 2021, they started investing out of their first institutional vehicle.Giuseppe talks about the 4 pillars that they consider when deciding upon investment.Jason expresses the desire to discuss the investments made in the fintech sector and asks Giuseppe to provide details about the companies they have invested in and what attracted them to those companies.Tweetable Quotes:"Never before was there more of a time where founders should partner. With firms that actually have institutional know-how and being able to build companies themselves." - Giuseppe Stuto"In mid 2021, later on the peak actually where many funds were coming to market, new ones particularly we decided to institutionalize our platform and raise our first fund vehicle, which is a $37 million fund today." - Giuseppe Stuto"The experience of having been there and done, that's incredibly valuable, but there's also an underlying thesis to the investments." - JasonResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 281XLR8CRM with Jennifer Thomas | E281
Jason talks to Jennifer Thomas, Director of Business development for XLR8. It is a well-known financial advisor CRM tool that is built over top of the Salesforce Platform. XLR8 is an overlay or custom version of Salesforce. Jennifer explains that they use all the power and strength and a wonderful thing that Salesforce offers, and then they came out-of-the-box with a fully customized version specific to the finance sector. Episode Highlights:01:19: Jennifer talks about the history of XLR8. How did it come to be and how does it evolve?03.20: Within XLR8 what we are doing is providing the out-of-the-box solution that is able to be and still intended to be sort of further customized, says Jennifer. 07:17: Jennifer explains how they are a little bit different in the Salesforce space and that they are not a transactional relationship. They don't just sell you licenses and then sort of move on.08:43: Jennifer explains how keep updating the system as per process and industry changes.10:17: Jennifer shares how filling gaps is something that they work with the different educational series that they provide.10:57: Jennifer thinks more from a relationship point of view. She doesn't think about business workflow enablement. 12:40: Sort of mathematics in your mind doesn't always go there with technology, says Jason.15:01: Jennifer is currently at a place where her successful business basically caters to the financial advisors.16:13: To sort of filter and disseminate information to our clients of what impacts them, what matters to them, what's important to them, what's useful to them, that is something that we have sort of taken on our shoulders, says Jennifer. 23:08: One of the things that often shocks advisors is the transition cost from CRM to CRM. Jennifer shares what people can expect when they are moving to any CRM. 24:17: Big data is the most valuable part of your business. It is everything, it's every note. It's everything about your clients.28:06: The support in Salesforce is largely handled through DIY stuff on their very good learning systems.30:31: There is some saying about lesson learned or once the lesson is better learned once you have experienced it.3 Key Points:Jennifer explains how the user journeys and the product itself are informed by the user's journey.As per Jennifer a lot of firms don't always investigate the full breadth or depth of the technology they have.Jennifer says that their focus is to make sure that they are an ongoing partner, and their clients are able to and open to and know that they can kind of come knock on their door anytime to ask questions and look for ideas. Tweetable Quotes:"If you are willing to invest the time and effort into the customizations of building your entire practice into Salesforce, you can spend a lot of time on a lot of money, but also get a lot of utility out of it not everyone is built for that." - Jason "You could get into some really deep things, but there are also a ton of really some little things that can be done in the system that takes essentially time really adds time back to somebody that's doing those things manually or kind of doing those things in a repetitive way." - Jennifer"Leveraging a best-in-class platform in a unique vertical which is a great trend and bright place to be as a good, sweet spot." - JasonResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 280Integrated Finance with Daniel Cronin | E280
Jason talks to Daniel Cronin, CEO and Co-Founder of Integrated Finance. It is a platform that helps Fintech's launch with their payment systems all ready to go. Episode Highlights:00:31: Integrated finance is a platform that helps fintech's to launch or incumbents or add new offerings to their existing customer base.02:00: The APIs that work with Bank A are entirely different to the APIs that work with Bank B compounded times the number of banks you are working, says Daniel. 11:45: The four letters that scare at every American when looking to do business with Europeans are GDPR, and Daniel has built our platform from a security perspective and data protection perspective here in the UK and Europe and it just conforms to GDPR.15:52: There is a stranglehold on innovation because over half of the Fintech that wanted to launch with product X, either never launched or ended up launching with product Y because it was 10 times harder.23:32: If we don't make the cost of entry low or be as lowest as possible then any number of constrained, innovative ideas who do not have capital Rich will never see the light of day, says Jason.32:01: Forcing consumer protection is a great way to create innovation that is now more secure, says Jason.32:31: As crypto cools, fintech's become the higher risk category, and Daniel would be interested to see how that plays out over the next couple of years.36.32: The biggest challenge in the company where is it today is to fully evaluate the ecosystem that Daniel is trying to build and strategically add new partners as they grow.39.15: Finding something that you love where you don't get Sunday blues changed Daniel's life about 7-8 years ago it was running his own business.3 Key Points:Daniel explains how they target the payments piece, they go even more specific than that on account generation, because this is something that's often overlooked in Fintech.It's the mountain of non-differentiating stuff that needs to be built before you can get your head above the water line just to breathe.There is an asymmetric relationship with industries that are currently growing rapidly, and the way legacy industries are built to serve that growth.Tweetable Quotes:"Rather than focusing on the core assets of the back end of Fintech, we focus on homogenizing the experience our Fintech customers get." – Daniel"The principal reason you increase engagement with anyone in any industry is by giving them account, and that's why we are in the payment and account space to give Fintech and Non-Fintech greater control of their user base." – Daniel"When a customer comes to us, the first thing, we do is we analyze what their requirements are, and we set them up with a sandbox that works with the bank, and they can do what they want." – Daniel"We establish a marketplace where all gaps are filled, and we're doing minimal filtering of features for every single partner, and that drives major commercial alignment." – DanielResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcroninif/?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://integrated.finance/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.