Tag Archives: Coaching

AI in Financial Services: Unlocking Potential and Future Opportunities with Kevin Bishopp

AI in Financial Services: Unlocking Potential and Future Opportunities with Kevin Bishopp (Ep. 69)



In this episode, Duncan MacPherson and Kevin Bishopp dive deep into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the financial services industry. From optimizing client communication to enhancing business efficiency, they unpack the immense potential AI offers to financial professionals. This forward-thinking discussion explores practical steps advisors can take to integrate AI tools into their practices and position themselves as leaders in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Whether you’re curious about AI’s role in wealth management, looking to future-proof your practice, or aiming to deliver an elevated client experience, this episode delivers actionable insights tailored for financial advisors.

Key Takeaways:

  • How AI can streamline operations and improve client engagement.
  • Practical ways to integrate AI tools into your financial services business.
  • Real-world examples of how advisors are leveraging AI to enhance profitability and scalability.
  • A discussion on the challenges and ethical considerations of adopting AI in financial services.
  • Insight into upcoming trends shaping the future of AI in the financial sector.

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

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.


Aligning for Success: Choosing the Right Environment for Your Advisory Practice with Mindy Diamond (Ep. 68)



In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Mindy Diamond, founder and CEO of Diamond Consultants, to explore the pivotal question every advisor grapples with: Should I stay or should I go? Mindy shares insights from her latest book, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”, which isn’t merely a guide on moving firms but rather a tool to help advisors get crystal clear on their ideal work environment.

They dive into themes of loyalty fatigue, cultural alignment, and the significance of self-assessment to make informed, client-centered decisions. Mindy and Duncan also discuss how confirmation bias can limit advisors and highlight the importance of scenario planning for both growth and succession.

Tune in to gain clarity on your practice’s future, hear powerful success stories, and understand why every advisor should continually reassess their professional landscape, even if they’re content where they are.

Resources

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Mindy Diamond and Diamond Consultants:

About Our Guest:

Mindy launched Diamond Consultants in 1998, developing it into one of the leading financial advisor recruiting and consulting firms in the nation—transitioning more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets under management.

Drawing from her own entrepreneurial experience, Mindy fostered an approach that goes beyond recruiting. She and her team work with advisors years before they’re ready to move, educating them on trends, helping them evaluate economic models and understand their enterprise value, and creating a roadmap of options they might never have considered.

The goal: That every elite advisor finds exactly the right place for their business and clients to thrive, whether it’s at a wirehouse, regional, boutique, or independent firm—ultimately achieving what Mindy calls “Your Best Business Life.”

Mindy is considered one of the industry’s top thought leaders and is regularly quoted by national media such as The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, The New York Times, and CNBC, and is a guest author on industry publications including WealthManagement.com and Forbes. Her podcast series, The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors (formerly Mindy Diamond on Independence), has become what many consider their “go-to source” for education on the industry landscape.

Additionally, Mindy is the author of the Amazon bestseller “Should I Stay or Should I Go”  – a book for financial advisors that offers a strategic thought process and road map to professional self-discovery when considering change.


The Lost Art of Client Events – Creating Unforgettable Moments with Angela York & Elyse Stone

The Lost Art of Client Events – Creating Unforgettable Moments with Angela York & Elyse Stoner (Ep. 66)



In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Angela York and Elyse Stoner from Event Advisors to discuss the lost art of client events and how financial professionals can reinvigorate their approach. As they explore the comeback of in-person gatherings, Angela and Elyse share strategies for designing meaningful, memorable, and measurable client experiences. Listeners will learn about the concept of ROM (Return on the Moment), creative approaches to blending education and entertainment, and how to ensure that events deepen relationships and build client loyalty.

Discover the why, the how, and the what’s next for client events in the financial industry. Angela and Elyse also share practical examples, from small micro-events to larger thematic experiences, and how advisors can leverage partnerships with wholesalers to elevate event success. For those looking to expand their thinking about client engagement, this episode is packed with innovative ideas to help create client events that leave a lasting impact.

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Event Advisors:

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ProudMouth – Be Your Own Loud

About Our Guests:

Event Advisors – Elyse Stoner & Angela York

Meet Elyse Stoner and Angela York, the driving force behind Event Advisors. Their collaboration brings together Elyse’s extensive background in sports, entertainment, and higher education strategic event marketing with Angela’s wealth of experience in advisor marketing and event planning within the financial services industry. Together, they offer a fresh perspective and innovative strategies, revolutionizing the approach to client relationship events for financial services professionals.

Elyse’s emphasis on the “Return on the Moment” (ROM) paradigm redefines the marketing value of events. By uncovering the underlying motivations behind events and leveraging psychographic stimuli, she creates engaging opportunities that inspire attendees not only during the event, but also before and after, driving sustained momentum. Her firsthand experience in converting infrequent buyers into committed supporters translates seamlessly into the realm of Financial Services, providing unique insights for client relationship growth.

Angela’s decades-long expertise in FinServ event planning and marketing adds a layer of depth to their collaborative efforts. Her forward-thinking approach to event organization, coupled with a deep network of industry relationships, equips her to craft compelling marketing experiences. Angela’s commitment to sharing her knowledge within the financial services sector underscores her dedication to helping clients realize their business objectives.

Their collective mission revolves around delivering high event ROM through Ideal Client-focused goal setting, meticulous planning, and detailed follow-up for each event moment. By challenging traditional FinServ marketing and event paradigms, Elyse and Angela have established themselves as the go-to experts for professionals seeking innovative and actionable insights in the event space


The Evolution and Elevation of the Financial Professional With Thane Stenner (Ep. 31)



The Japanese have a concept called Kaizen, which means “constant and never-ending improvement.”

If you want to become the advisor of the future and avoid a growth plateau, it’s important to strive for Kaizen.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Thane Stenner, CIM®, FCSI®, senior portfolio manager and senior wealth advisor at Stenner Wealth Partners. They share proven strategies to engineer professional contrast and achieve constant growth.

They discuss:

  • The evolution of the financial industry from transactional to relationship-focused
  • How he grew his business by reducing the number of clients
  • How to mold the way your clients articulate your value to their network
  • Every reason to be at the front of the change curve (even if it means making mistakes)
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Duncan:

Connect With Thane:

Promotions:

About Our Guest:

Thane Stenner is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and is a Senior Portfolio Manager & Senior Wealth Advisor of Stenner Wealth Partners+ at CG Wealth Management Canada and CG Wealth Management (USA), Inc. He has spent more than three decades understanding and managing the unique financial complexities facing wealthy investors, family offices, and institutional fiduciaries in North America. Thane is cross-border licensed with FINRA in the USA, and with IIROC in Canada, with clients based in San Francisco and The Bay Area as well as across Canada. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®), the highest Canadian Securities Institute designation and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), the recognized standard for portfolio management.


The Advisor of the Future With Mike "Cy" Cajthaml Jr.

The Advisor of the Future With Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr. (Ep. 30)



If you want to distinguish yourself from the advisor down the street, you’ll need to create a memorable client experience that extends beyond financial expertise. This includes being highly process-driven, keeping up with clients’ evolving needs, improving communication, and more.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Mike “Cy” Cajthaml Jr., a business consultant at Pareto Systems. They explain what it means to be the advisor of the future and strategies to move from organic to scalable growth.

Mike discusses:

  • What to do if you have maxed out and hit a growth plateau
  • The importance of clear communication — both internally and externally
  • How to make your value feel more “tangible” to clients
  • Key points to keep in mind while creating a succession plan for your business
  • Reasons to decommoditize, demystify, and depersonalize your practice (and how)
  • And more

Connect With Duncan:

Connect With Mike:

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Finish Strong in 2022 (Ep. 29)

Finish Strong in 2022 (Ep. 29)



Q4 is the perfect time to finish the year with a bang, especially as we come out of an unprecedented disruption. It’s also the perfect time to build momentum and prepare to fast-track success in the New Year.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson highlights four key steps financial professionals should take to maximize their client relationships and position their businesses for a strong and profitable final quarter of 2022, and for a great start to 2023. These strategies are easy to implement and translate into results quickly and predictably.

Duncan discusses:

  • A proven process to rejuvenate relationships with your best clients and amplify growth through advocacy
  • How to make timely adjustments to increase efficiency and productivity
  • Sample scripts to use in client meetings (and holiday cards!)
  • Tips for maximizing your value during volatile market conditions
  • And more

Resources:

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Adding a Coaching Dynamic to Your Client Experience with Jeff Ambrose (Ep. 28)



There’s a huge difference between someone buying your products versus someone buying into a relationship with your practice, people and process.

Adding a coaching dynamic to your practice can help you win and retain clients in the long run.

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson talks to Jeff Ambrose, business consultant at Pareto Systems. They share strategies to create professional contrast as the financial industry becomes increasingly commoditized.

Jeff discusses:

  • Action items that every advisor should have on their client meeting agenda
  • Why clients might be seeing only 5% of your total value (and how to fix it)
  • How coaching improves your relationships — especially with high-net-worth clients
  • The underrated benefits of goals-based planning
  • And more

Connect With Duncan:

Connect With Jeffrey:

Promotions:

About Our Guest:

Jeff Ambrose has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry working with successful advisory teams through his wholesale relationships. He has consistently met and exceeded goals in every aspect of his career; growing revenue with existing clients, attracting new clients, and turning around failing territories resulting in consistent promotions leading up to Senior Vice President and, most recently, Partner.

Jeff’s success in the industry has been driven by his talent for crafting winning strategies. Putting relationships first, focusing on value that is accretive to an advisor’s practice, and positioning himself as a true strategic partner has allowed him to enjoy tremendous success at the firms he’s represented. His passion, and his talent as a mentor and coach, became well-known to his leadership, peers and advisors. He has been dedicated to helping advisors implement strategies to grow their business; such as turn clients into advocates, and competitor-proof and brand their practice. Jeff now works with select groups of advisors helping them attain their professional and personal goals through proven Pareto processes.