In the new era of financial services, the industry is now recognizing the need for a more comprehensive approach beyond just investing. Moreover, clients increasingly seek advisors who can provide holistic financial planning and advice.  In this episode, Sanjeev and Ali talk with Philipp Hecker, Co-Founder and CEO at Bento Engine. Philipp focuses on tech-driven advisor enablement and implementing client-centric growth strategies in the wealth and asset management industries. As someone who believes that wealth, when properly managed, can be a force for good for individuals, their families ..read more

In this episode, Marc Butler talks with Matt Reiner, CEO and Co-Founder of Benjamin. After spending years as both a financial manager for individuals and helping to lead Capital Investments Advisors and Wela Strategies, Matt co-founded Benjamin, an AI fintech company that serves the financial advisor industry. Matt used both Capital and Wela as testing grounds for his technology. Now, Benjamin helps hundreds of firms across the country streamline time-consuming tasks and allows for greater client engagement through technology. Matt believes that with true innovation, RIAs will attract top-tier ..read more

The use of data and data-driven tools has increased rapidly in recent years. However, many organizations have yet to be able to effectively utilize this data due to a lack of understanding of how to use it. While there is a growing gap between the available data and its utilization, the effective use of data is predicated on technology but grounded in human behavior. In this episode, Ali and Sanjeev talk with Spenser Segal, Chief Executive Officer of ActiFi. With 33 years in the financial services industry, Spenser has witnessed the dawn of the fintech era. Spenser was named by Investment Advi ..read more

Financial firms have to communicate with various audiences, from investors and analysts to the media, regulators, and the general public. Each of these groups has its own specific needs and concerns. With the right PR partner who understands the challenges and nuances of the industry, only then can they develop the right strategies and messages that will resonate with each audience.   In this episode, Ali and Marc talk with StreetCred Communications' Founding Partner, Jason Lahita and Managing Partner, Jimmy Moock. Compelled to reignite his entrepreneurial flame, Jason launched Stree ..read more

Customers are the lifeblood of any business. It is, therefore, essential to have a system that can help manage customer relationships. CRM systems can be powerful tools for managing customer data and interactions, but only if used effectively. In this episode, Ali and Sanjeev talk with Michael Toran, Senior Vice President of Information Technology at Relation Insurance Services. In his role, Michael is responsible for all aspects of planning, managing, and securing corporate and business-unit IT operations, software development, and infrastructure for Relation Insurance. With 25 years of insur ..read more

The integration of CRM with marketing technologies has been a game-changer for businesses. CRM systems are beneficial for automating and managing customer data. Combined with marketing technologies, they can create powerful customer journeys, allow businesses to understand their customers better, and develop more targeted marketing strategies.  In this episode, Ali and Marc talk with Susan Theder, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at FMG Suite. Susan emphasizes the importance of customer-focused strategies that leverage data and technology to deliver personalized and customized exper ..read more

The competitive landscape for advisory services has changed drastically in recent years. The development of digital tools and platforms has made it possible for businesses to be conducted remotely. This shift has resulted in a new breed of advisory services that are more flexible and agile than their traditional counterparts. In this episode, Marc talks with Derek Notman, Certified Financial Planner and a serial entrepreneur in the financial services industry, founding Couplr and Conneqtor among other endeavors. Derek serves clients from coast to coast through his virtual model. He works with ..read more

It's human nature to hope for the best and avoid contemplating the worst. But in reality, no one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life. And yet, people don't plan for bad things to happen, and those who provide advice don't like to talk about them. But what if there's a way we could identify life events that might negatively impact our finances? In this episode, Sanjeev and Ali talk with Robert Kirk, Founder and CEO at InterGen Data. Robert is a financial services industry executive with over 30 years of experience. Throughout his career, Robert has developed business-aligned soluti ..read more

Client onboarding is a critical part of any business. It is the first step in building a long-term relationship with the client and sets the tone for how the firm will provide services moving forward.  In this episode, Sanjeev and Ali talk with Miles Burns, Senior Business Development Manager in Financial Services, and Patrick Meyer, Director of Wealth Management at DocuSign. DocuSign helps organizations connect and automate how they prepare, sign, act on, and manage agreements. In their roles, Miles cultivates strategic partnerships in the financial services ecosystem, while Patrick dire ..read more

Innovation and digital transformation are inevitable in today's world. Technology is changing how financial advisors do business, creating new challenges and opportunities. While adopting new technologies can be challenging for financial advisors uncomfortable with change, how can they be best positioned to succeed in the new landscape? In this episode, Ali talks with Valarie Vest, First Vice President of Strategic Planning & Innovation at Cambridge Investment Research. In her role, Valarie is leading innovation and digital transformation to advance the end-to-end experiences of financial ..read more