Managing Your Practice

70 Episodes

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Behavioral Finance 2.0: Meeting Clients Where They Are

2026-10-2352:26

Do clients perceive you more as a mechanic or guide? In this episode of Managing your Practice, host Stephen de Man is joined by Brian Portnoy, founder of Shaping Wealth. Portnoy believes modern financial advisors fill both roles, but that the latter is less understood. He makes the case that becoming a wiser guide is vital as technical knowledge becomes more commoditized. To Portnoy, the empathy required to be a wiser guide must start with genuine self-reflection and self-care. Tune in to learn more about "Behavioral Finance 2.0" and how it can enable referral-worthy moments of genuine connection.

Using Data and Stories to Build a More Intentional Practice

2026-09-2543:00

What does it look like when an evidence-based approach shapes every aspect of an advisory firm? In this episode of Managing your Practice, Dimensional host Stephen de Man sits down with Dr. Nikolaus Braun, founder and managing partner of Neunundvierzig, in Germany. They discuss how the Munich-based firm was built on a strong conviction about whom their firm was for (and whom it wasn't) and a commitment to data-driven decisions. From evaluating prospects to optimizing client communication to managing capacity, Braun shares how being intentional can help advisors build a more focused practice.

The Human Side of Mergers and Acquisitions

2026-08-2141:27

The success of a merger or acquisition depends on more than just the details of the transaction. Equally important is how the people involved experience the change—the founders, staff, and clients alike. In this episode, host Stephen de Man welcomes Amy DeTolla, founder and CEO of Aureus Advantage, and Josh Bartholomew, head of business development at Bluespring Wealth Partners, to discuss best practices for M&A, such as defining success before evaluating partners, preserving organizational culture, aligning incentives, and overcommunicating throughout the entire process. Tune in for practical advice on navigating the human side of M&A.

Building Trust Beyond Referrals: Testimonials and AI Search

2026-07-2401:01:23

In today's landscape, a referral is no longer the finish line. While referrals remain one of the most powerful drivers of new business, prospective clients search online, read reviews, and form opinions long before they ever schedule a meeting. On this episode of Managing your Practice, host Stephen de Man is joined by Brian Thorp, founder, CEO, and editor in chief of Wealthtender, to explore how you can show up as a trusted option wherever prospects are searching for information, including with artificial intelligence. They discuss how AI is reshaping search behavior, the SEC Marketing Rule and the opportunity it presents for advisor testimonials and reviews, and the power of building credibility within the right niche.

Leading Through Change: Human Leadership in the Age of AI

2026-06-2348:28

How can financial professionals become and remain effective leaders in a landscape that is rapidly evolving? In this episode of Managing your Practice, Dimensional host Stephen de Man welcomes Jack Swift, author of Level 7 Leadership: The Blueprint for the Human + Machine Era, to discuss the importance of human leadership amid the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI). Stephen and Jack explore how traditional views of leadership may need to evolve alongside technological advancements. They discuss the importance of creating and adapting mental maps, why trust is essential for organizational agility and effective decision-making, and how coherence and clarity can enhance a leader's impact. The conversation also examines how AI is not eliminating the need for human leadership but instead raising the standard for the skills leaders must develop to succeed.

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