Does asking for referrals make you feel like you’re being needy? Are you afraid of hurting your existing relationships with clients and COIs? When asking for referrals, your words matter! Catch Duncan MacPherson’s conversation with Bill Cates, referral coach and author of “The Language of Referrals,” about the art of being referable and mastering the concept of introductions with professionalism and stewardship. They highlight the biggest barriers to referrals and how to overcome them by using the right language. They discuss: Subtle word choices that have a profound impact on your referabili ..read more

The complexities of passing on a legacy and managing family dynamics can be overwhelming, especially for first-generation business owners. As their advisor, how can you help prepare their heirs and transition wealth smoothly? Find out as Duncan MacPherson speaks with Tom Deans, Ph.D., intergenerational wealth expert, speaker, and best-selling author of “Every Family’s Business” and “Willing Wisdom.” They explore how advisors can improve client retention and referrals by addressing one of the biggest unmet needs of self-made first-generation business owners and professionals — continuity and su ..read more

With messaging, the key is brevity, specificity, and proprietary. You must choose your target audience, personalize your marketing to resonate with them, walk them through a proprietary process, and share their experience using effective testimonials! Learn more about elevating your brand in this episode, as Duncan MacPherson speaks with Seth Diener, owner of Diener Money Management, and Alex Lerch, director of Oak & Stone Advisor Marketing. They explain how advisors can better focus their marketing efforts on their ideal audience — and then harness the power of AI during the implementatio ..read more

Want to receive maximum value for the business you’ve worked so hard to build? The key lies in being proactive with your exit strategy. Dive into a thought-provoking conversation between Duncan MacPherson and returning guest Ted Jenkin, CEO of oXYGen Financial and president of Exit Stage Left Advisors. Together, they uncover practical insights to streamline your operations, improve client acquisition, and scale your credibility — ultimately garnering a higher multiple for your business. They discuss: The critical role of recurring revenue in enhancing enterprise value Creating “proprietary” v ..read more

In your mind, you have a certain brand image and value proposition for your business. Do your clients see it the same way? Are your clients well-equipped to tell your story for you and be your biggest advocates? Join Duncan MacPherson and Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr., a business consultant at Pareto Systems, as they delve into the power of client advisory councils in uncovering unmet needs, elevating the client experience, and achieving professional contrast. You will learn a turnkey approach to simplify the process and make client advisory councils a routine best practice. They discuss: The comple ..read more

Whether you like it or not, the world is quickly adopting artificial intelligence (AI). Now, the choice is yours — Do you want to get on board and leverage AI to improve your business? Or do you want to risk falling behind other advisors? To stay ahead of the curve, Join Duncan MacPherson and Craig Kirkpatrick, founder of Act-Three Consulting, to learn how to use AI to save time, connect better with clients, and expand your knowledge along the way. This insightful conversation will expand your thinking around how AI is here to serve you, not hurt you. They discuss: A methodical approach to AI ..read more

The transition to fee-based services has prompted advisors to prioritize fee-worthiness, with clients focusing less on cost and more on perceived value. Plus, the complexities of relationship management may be amplified in a B2B upscaling model. In this episode, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Bill Sowell, CEO of Sowell Management, about the distinction between salesmanship and stewardship, and what it takes to cultivate lasting client relationships. They also talk about the shift from a B2C organic growth model to a franchise-ready B2B upscaling model. They discuss: Being a consolidator versus ..read more

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of financial advising, get ready to discover timely and timeless strategies that help you achieve professional contrast and create enduring value for clients. In this 50th-episode special, Duncan MacPherson is back with co-author of The Blue Square Method, Chris Jeppesen, Chief of Advisory Practices at First Trust. Gleaning from their life experiences and the success stories of high-performing advisors, they share valuable best practices to achieve long-term growth. They discuss: Why more and more advisors are finding personal rejuvenation in their wo ..read more

For years, financial advisors saw themselves as brokers, being mostly transactional and product-driven. Today, advisors wear many hats. It’s no longer just a book of business, but an actual business! In this episode, Duncan MacPherson joins Max Winthrop, CEO, and Lucas Winthrop, COO, of Winthrop Wealth and long-time clients of Pareto Systems. They emphasize the importance of embracing a C-suite approach to streamline core business functions and deliver a consistent and elevated client experience. They discuss: How to build effective functional teams with high functional accountability How key ..read more

Have you ever stepped into your clients’ shoes to see your business from their point of view? Understanding how they perceive your value is key to building lasting relationships. In this episode, Duncan MacPherson engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Steve Phillips, Chief Practice Management and Development Officer at USA Financial and a consultant at Pareto Systems. Together, they explore strategies for effectively articulating your value proposition and turning clients into enthusiastic advocates. They discuss: Three golden questions to ask your existing clients The path from en ..read more