In this episode of the Always On Podcast, Duncan MacPherson reconnects with Kevin Bishopp, Vice President at First Trust, to explore the four key stages in an advisor’s business evolution: growing, teaming, scaling, and exiting. They unpack how AI is reshaping productivity, client experience, and enterprise value, and why execution and process are the real differentiators for future-ready professionals.
Highlights:
- How AI boosts capacity, consistency, and client impact
- The importance of process in scaling and succession
- Why focusing on your niche builds referability
- Practical steps to make your business sale-ready
Whether you’re just getting started or thinking about your eventual exit, this conversation offers powerful insights to help you stay intentional and future-ready. Tune in to learn how to harness AI, refine your process, and build enterprise value at every stage of your business evolution.
Resources:
- AI Whitepaper for Financial Professionals: paretosystems.com/ai-strategies-for-financial-professionals
- The Blue Square Method: paretosystems.com/#the-blue-square-method
- The Advisor Playbook: paretosystems.com/the-advisor-playbook
Promotions:
- The Ultimate Guide to Financial Advisor Coaching: paretosystems.com/guide-to-financial-advisor-coaching
Connect With Duncan MacPherson:
- Pareto Systems
- 866.593.8020
- Schedule a Call
- Duncan on LinkedIn
Connect With Kevin Bishopp:
About Our Guest:
Kevin Bishopp is a Vice President and Performance Coach for the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust. His focus is the best practices and mission-critical strategies that propel professionals/firms to be truly unique within the industry. His insights into key metrics, resource allocation, team structure, marketing and client acquisition equip professionals/firms to make high-quality strategic decisions that can generate dynamic results. Prior to joining First Trust, Kevin spent 12 years with Russell Investments, where he held positions as Director of Practice Management, RIA Channel Head and Business Development Director. In those roles, he focused on coaching, content creation, sales management, national account management, and business development. Before joining Russell Investments, Kevin spent 5 years as a wealth manager for The Bishopp Group LLC, a family-owned wealth management practice. In 1994, he started his career in financial services as an associate for Principal Financial Group. Kevin holds an MBA from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and a BA in Finance from Eastern Washington University.
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