Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice
Welcome to the Challenge the Standard podcast - a podcast for financial advisers, by financial advisers. Your hosts, Nathan Fradley and Jordan Vaka, will examine the biases, fixed thinking and status quo in advice. In every episode, we'll dive deep into the world of financial advice, questioning the norms, sparking new ideas and exploring how we could do things better. Our goal is to elevate our professional practices and 'uphold and promote the standards of our profession. So, whether you're a seasoned adviser or a bright new entrant to the Australian market (and beyond), this is where we challenge the standard, together.
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S6E2 Aged Care Changes
07/10/2025
S6E2 Aged Care Changes
This week's episode is all about the upcoming changes to the Aged Care rules. Nathan's good enough to take an oddly political Jordan through the changes this week, covering: The expansion of the options in the Home Care arena from 4 to 8+2. The value and impact the new 'End of Life' package is going to offer people who want to spend their last days in their home. The changes to the fees - upfront and ongoing - for residential aged care. How the new-but-not-new hotelling fee is adding to the overall cost. Why these changes mean the middle class is going to feel the squeeze the most. Nathan and Jordan also expound on why this is important and relevant for all advisers, not just those directly practicing in the space. This was a fun one, with lots of ranting and political gasbagging amongst the - hopefully useful - practice insights. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S6E1 Duration Discounts With Phil Thompson
07/04/2025
S6E1 Duration Discounts With Phil Thompson
Friend* of the show, Phil Thompson from Skye Wealth joins us this week to discuss the very specific, very niche, but very important topic of duration discounting in insurance. Phil takes us through just what he's talking about, why it matters and the damage it's doing to the entire insurance ecosystem. Importantly, though, he also shares what he sees as the best fixes to this problem. His confidence that the industry will see sense and fix this rolling issue is encouraging. Stay on to the end to hear his unvarnished thoughts on the burgeoning general advice model of life insurance (non) advice too. To be honest, this won't be the most uplifting episode you ever listen to - this stuff is heavy, the consequences severe and the options limited. But damned if it isn't fantastic to be part of such a mature conversation relevant to our entire profession. Thanks again, Phil. *Perhaps 'former' is more accurate, given the arguing that goes on in this one...and the opening slander too. Phil Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S5E8 Ongoing Advice - Coaching with Michael Back
06/26/2025
S5E8 Ongoing Advice - Coaching with Michael Back
This week, we conclude our Ongoing Advice series with the one, the only Michael Back. Renowned by advice firms that know what's what, Michael has long helped advice practices take their client experience to the next level. So we've asked him to come on to help us explore the CX part of Ongoing Advice, with a very particular focus on the value of all the coaching advisers do for their clients. What is coaching, how does our version differ from the one you might have in mind, and why are we all so hung up on charging for these amazing, but intangible, services? Jordan says this one was hard to keep on track, with the digressions and diversions threatening to overwhelm. "But a Goofyphile would say that, wouldn't he" says Nathan. It's a fun episode - and a worthy cap to this enjoyable series on Ongoing Advice. You can reach Michael via his . Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S5E7 Ongoing Advice - Designing the Review
06/19/2025
S5E7 Ongoing Advice - Designing the Review
Continuing the Ongoing Advice series, this week Nathan and Jordan dive into the mechanics of delivering ongoing advice. Specifically - designing the review meeting/s (don't let it be said this podcast goes too wide with its topics...). They talk about how their own view has evolved through the series, and examine the different ways you could structure your time in the review. Start by asking lots of questions: How many meetings? Will the meeting be a data gathering one, an engagement one, or a proposal/signing one? Will you have advice and info prepped going in? When will you position your fee - and how will you do it? How can you best discuss client goals - old and new? And how can you tie them into the values your clients are bringing into the process? And, finally, stay tuned to find out the one area that Nathan and Jordan think financial advisers are miles ahead of every other professional on... Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S5E6 Ongoing Advice - Ethical Dilemmas
06/12/2025
S5E6 Ongoing Advice - Ethical Dilemmas
Continuing our Ongoing Advice series, this week Nathan and Jordan unpack some of the various ethical dilemmas that advisers can face while maintaining a long-term relationship with clients. And we're talking about the real dilemmas, not the no-brainer ones. Things like: For new clients, how do you judge if they even need ongoing advice? If your business has the position that all clients need to become ongoing clients, how do you resolve that when you feel like some clients might not need it? How do you build offramps to help clients off the ongoing advice track? Pricing for those legacy clients who you know you're over-servicing and under-charging. What do you do when you feel a client doesn't need your services - but they desperately want to keep working with you? How do you bridge that self-perceived value gap? Thorniest of all - what do you do when the fees you need to charge the client that needs your help far exceeds any measure of value? It's a fun chat, and they spend some time at the end checking in with what they've learnt so far through the series - and how it's challenged their own views about ongoing advice. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S5E5 Ongoing Advice - Providing Value with Thabojan Rasiah
06/05/2025
S5E5 Ongoing Advice - Providing Value with Thabojan Rasiah
A key question for Nathan and Jordan as they explore this series on Ongoing Advice is whether or not it's different to 'upfront' advice. This week's guest, Thabojan Rasiah of Rasiah Private Wealth Management, firmly believes that it's not. That it's all 'advice', and that the real value of working with a financial adviser comes from the exponential benefits of a longer term relationship. Thabojan thinks about advice differently, which is why when he discusses things like: The difference between a 'financial plan' and 'financial planning' The quarterly cadence of the work they do with clients The rare, but powerful value of being able to collaborate with a clients other advisers The importance of values when designing the strategy and tactics for a client we like to listen. And we think you will too! (Oh, and pardon the intro). Thabojan: Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S5E4 Ongoing Advice - Pillars of Value with Martin McGrath
05/29/2025
S5E4 Ongoing Advice - Pillars of Value with Martin McGrath
Continuing our series on Ongoing Advice, this week we are joined again by Martin McGrath of Financial Edge Group. Martin, former CFP of the year and - arguably more important - former guest on the show, shares with us: how critical an ongoing relationship is with their clients numbers around how many new clients go from onboarding to ongking how they’ve worked out their fees the touch points they use to deliver value to their clients across the year the challenges of pricing work beyond the scope of an ongoing arrangement the joys of providing Centrelink services to people in retirement As ever, Martin’s generosity in sharing his insights, data and opinions shines through. Full of practical tips from a frontline operator, you’ll want to share this one with anybody else you know in advice. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S5E3 Ongoing Advice Efficiency with Selin Ertac
05/23/2025
S5E3 Ongoing Advice Efficiency with Selin Ertac
In this episode of Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice, the boys welcome Celine Ertak from Tangelo Advice Consulting. They discuss the evolution of Tangelo, the importance of compliance as an outcome of good business practices, and the challenges faced by financial advice firms in establishing clear strategies. The conversation delves into the significance of ongoing advice, client engagement, and innovative community-building events. They also explore the cadence of client interactions, and the need for streamlined processes to enhance efficiency while balancing personalization. Lastly they explore how to empower staff to innovate, the significance of tracking time and efficiency, and the need for standardized processes. The discussion also highlights the emotional toll on staff and the necessity of focusing on ongoing service processes while leveraging technology for better client engagement. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S5E2 Ongoing Advice Series - Legislation & Regulations
05/16/2025
S5E2 Ongoing Advice Series - Legislation & Regulations
Starting off a new series with an episode dedicated to reviewing legislation and regulations might, for any other podcast, be pretty dull. But that's exactly what Jordan and Nathan take on this week - what the actual legislative and regulatory background is when it comes to Ongoing Advice. From INFO256 to INFO286, pre-FoFA, Corps Act and the documentary requirements of a compliant Ongoing Advice Agreement, we get right into the weeds. Partly because this is new to us, partly out of curiousity - but largely to try and answer the question of whether Ongoing Advice Agreements are worth the hassle. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S5E1 Intro to Our Ongoing Advice Series
05/08/2025
S5E1 Intro to Our Ongoing Advice Series
After the success of our series on the ins and outs of the PY, Nathan and Jordan have decided to launch another series focused on a very specific, very important part of financial advice - Ongoing Advice. In this week's episode, they walk through their plans for the series, as well as where they're coming from as they embark down this path. They agree on a few big points: Ongoing assistance of clients is hugely valuable. Defining what you want to achieve with ongoing advice is crucial. Ongoing service can lead to significant positive impacts on clients' lives. And they land on a lot of the common themes that keep popping up in this podcast: Like all real advice, the value of ongoing advice goes beyond just financial products. The importance of understanding the true value of services provided. Advisors should not feel pressured to offer low-cost services. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E20 Neurodiversity with Katherine Spitzkowsky
05/01/2025
S4E20 Neurodiversity with Katherine Spitzkowsky
This week's episode is a must-listen, especially for any business owners or managers out there. Katherine Spitzkowsky, of Yulania Financial, takes us through the power of meeting people where they are - clients, staff, family, friends. She helps us explore the realities of working with the neurodiverse population and shows the care and attention that empathetic advisers bring to their practice. And the bit at the end, where we talk about the logistical realities of employing people with the superpowers and challenges of neurodiversity is eye-opening, challening and super useful. Let us know what you think over on the LinkedIn page. Katherine Katherine started her own financial advice firm, Yulania, in 2024. It's been a steep learning curve but she's building a business where she knows she's making a difference, while going about things a little differently. You can find her via: Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E19 Discussing Big Issues with Sarah Abood
04/17/2025
S4E19 Discussing Big Issues with Sarah Abood
In this week's episode, Nathan and Jordan speak with Sarah Abood, CEO of the FAAA. Sarah and her team have been in the front lines for all of the big fights affecting advice in recent years, from: The outrageous debacle that is CSLR The quicksand that's been the QAR > DBFO stream The ballooning costs of providing advice And the myriad of other issues affecting members of the peak body for advisers. In this conversation, Sarah's good enough to entertain our questions, thought bubbles and general rantiness, to help explain what the FAAA is finding in their negotiations with the powers that be - and how they're pushing members interests. We really enjoyed this conversation, and found it really illuminating in a few surprising ways. Let us know what you think over on the LinkedIn page. FAAA Contacts For policy submissions and notes - CSLR Hub - DBFO Hub - Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E18 Q & A
04/10/2025
S4E18 Q & A
We're mixing it up this week - breaking away from our usual programming around one big topic, to answering a handful of the questions we've had come through. Ranging from dealing with overly-long SoAs, the power of peer groups, living in a vertical house of integrated conflicts, the questions are universally interesting, well-worded and powerful. The answers, well, they're ok, by comparison. The most powerful question though, that brought an unexpected and unusual level of introspection to proceedings, was around how to stop defining yourself by the worst mistake you've made as an adviser. We enjoyed this one - if you did too, then send more through and once we have enough we'll run the gauntlet again! Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E17 'Fixing' SoAs
04/03/2025
S4E17 'Fixing' SoAs
Aren't SoAs just the worst? Clients hate them. Regulators hate them. We hate them. If only the DBFO changes had have swept them away and saved us. Instead, we get stuck with that throwback to the 80s - the CAR. Nothing's changed, what're they doing, come on. Well. Yes and no, is our argument in this week's episode. You're right - nothings really changed. But also - there's nothing in the current rules that says SoAs need to be the dogs breakfast of templated text, disclaimers and pointless pages they've become. You could 'fix' your SoA today, using today's rules. Which we explore in excruciating detail in this weeks episode; reading legislation, regulatory guides and sample SoAs to help us retain the self-imposed title of Australian's Nichest Podcast. So instead of bemoaning the lack of a fix from on high, maybe it's time we took a look at the real reason SoAs are (still) so bad. <WHISPERS> It's us, we're the reason... References Example Statement of Advice: Scaled advice for a new client - AFS licensing: Financial product advisers—Conduct and disclosure - Giving information, general advice and scaled advice - Financial advice: Review of how large institutions oversee their advisers Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E16 Branding with Abi Gatling
03/27/2025
S4E16 Branding with Abi Gatling
A recurring theme in this latest series is the idea that being clear on who you love to serve, how you serve them and the value you provide them is, really, the key to success in financial advice. Entwined with this idea is the importance of how you're branding yourself - as a practitioner, business owner and professional. Which is why we've invited Abi Gatling of Crisp Communications on to this week's episode, to unpack just what branding is. In a fun chat, Abi helps us by explaining: What branding is How it can help businesses and advisers The immense power and value of building your own personal brand How important it is to align your brand with your 'ideal' business vision - which means keeping it in line with the people you want to serve and how you want to do it. But also, just how much easier brand clarity makes literally every other part of running your business. And lots, lots more. If you'd like to book in a free chat with Abi to discuss how you could tackle your most pressing marketing and branding questions, use this link to find a time that suits: You can reach Abi and the team at Crisp Communications via: Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E15 Growing a Firm with James D'Apice
03/20/2025
S4E15 Growing a Firm with James D'Apice
We were going to call this one 'Return of the D'Ap', in line with the Mark Morrison classic jam. But, as with all things Challenge the Standard, we've gone the more professional and serious route for this return episode with James D'Apice. Founder of . purveyor of Coffees and Case Notes, prolific podcast participant, you probably know James from his online presence (or his previous appearance on this podcast). We had great fun checking back in with James about: how he's going tracking the life metrics he outlined in our last discussion what the growth of Gravamen means for his business, life and plans how his 'muck around and find out' approach to marketing scratches the creativity itch the compounding importance of integrity and authenticity when marketing oneself online We also open with the hardest hitting question of this entire podcast run. This was fun and entertaining - enjoy! Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E14 The Review SoA Dilemma
03/13/2025
S4E14 The Review SoA Dilemma
It's an ethical dilemma all advisers have faced - should you charge ongoing clients for new SoAs? And if you should, then how do you do it? Or, if you think you shouldn't - why not? This week's episode sees Jordan and Nathan explore this potentially thorny topic, but with the clear goal of unpacking why this is something that makes so many of us feel so uncomfortable. Is it because, as Nathan puts it, the SoA 'is an us problem, it's not a client problem', so we're uncomfortable passing on that cost? Is it because the inefficiencies built into our process makes it more expensive than we're willing to charge? Is it because of ambiguity in our service agreements? Or is it because there's a gap between the value we believe we're providing and the fee we need to charge? All of this, plus some pointless digressions, tangents and ponderings - oh, with bonus RG175 readings too! Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E13 Cybersecurity
03/06/2025
S4E13 Cybersecurity
This week's episode is a unique one - informative and terrifying. Well, terrifying if you're as nervous about a cyber breach as Jordan is. Our guest this week, the unflappable Fraser Jack, joins Nathan in more calmly exploring the importance of cybersecurity for professional service firms. Fraser takes us through: Their approach, which involves starting with the Big Picture and rolling from there to eventually the tech solutions (instead of the other, arguably more common but less effective) direction. Case studies, including how losing a laptop cost a group $100,000, or how a succession of very human errors led to the Medibank breach. Why the ratio of investment in tech to human solutions (95% tech / 5% human) is directly inverse to the actual causes of breaches (95% human / 5% tech). How advisers can look up the supply chain for potential risks, and down the delivery chain for others. Why we all need to be aiming to at least clear the low hurdle of 'reasonable steps' in our cyber plans. This episode is really informative, and we're really keen to hear what you're doing on the cyber side. Well, once Jordan's had a restorative lie-down, that is. To find out more, contact Fraser via The Cyber Collective website: And get a quote for their services here: Their free ASIC Requirements Training is available here too: And a pretty cool self-assessment tool to help work out where you are on your cyber journey: Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E12 Adviser Activity
02/27/2025
S4E12 Adviser Activity
In a worryingly slow turnaround time, this week's episode is a full 7 days after Nathan wrote, published and shared our survey around The Activity of the Average Adviser. We're disappointed at taking nearly half as long as your average insurance amendment quote, so would like to apologise to our listeners. Even so, hopefully you enjoy our examination of the first dataset provided by our generous listeners (in seriousness - having 42 people take the time to share their thoughts on this is incredibly lovely, so thank you). In this episode, Nathan and Jordan unpack the data and ask: Is that number of new client appointments per week surprising? How have we historically calculated the potential activity of a 'successful' adviser? Who's paying the real cost for discounted financial advice? And in Jordan's apparently unquenchabvle desire to annoy, he puts his opinion about the affordability of advice out there. This was such a fun episode to record and just reinforced even further how wonderful this community is that's building around our podcast. It really feels like we're all on similar journeys, trudging through similar quicksand and focused on similarly appealing futures. Thanks for joining us! Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E11 Tech Stack
02/20/2025
S4E11 Tech Stack
It's fun, shiny and exciting - but is chasing the newest part of your tech stack really going to help you with your business? In this week's episode, Nathan and Jordan unpack the role of the tech stack you use in your practice. They discuss: What's the best approach to searching out new tech? What are some of the pitfalls to avoid? Will new tech solve all your problems, like the sales pitch says? They run through a few of the systems they're using, but also flag where they're coming up short and why all tech choices are compromises. Adviser Capacity Questionnaire Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E10 Connecting & Referring
02/13/2025
S4E10 Connecting & Referring
Every successful (throwback to last week) advisory practice will have found a way to bring more referrals into the business. But, in this weeks episode, Jordan and Nathan explore some of the other parts of the referral equation. For instance: Is there such a thing as a 'bad' referral? How can you increase the chances of a referral contributing to the business you're trying to build (instead of making it harder)? How important is it to have solutions for referrals out of your business? Be it to other advisers who might be a better fit, or other professionals. And the question we suspect most people are asking - once you've worked out what an ideal referral looks like, how do you find more of them? Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E9 Defining Success
02/06/2025
S4E9 Defining Success
What makes a 'successful' financial adviser? Do you feel like a successful financial adviser? If not, why not? This week's episode is all about answering these questions (and a few more). Jordan and Nathan highlight: The importance of defining your own version of success Why articulating and sharing that with the people around you matters The metrics that you could measure to track this version of success And there are some pretty vulnerable moments along the way, where they each unpack their own path towards defining, pursuing and - maybe, sorta - achieving success on their own terms. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E8 Preferred Products
01/30/2025
S4E8 Preferred Products
As an Australian financial adviser, you've heard of your Approved Product List, or APL. But do you have a Preferred Product List, or PPL (we're making it a thing). Of course you have the product you prefer, but how robust is the methodology you've used to build that out? Is it aligned with your ideal client, the space you work in, your investment philosophy, business priorities and beliefs? In this week's episode, Nathan and Jordan piggyback off their recent work in reviewing their own PPLs to talk about them in more detail. There's reference to ASIC's views, licensee perspectives, tips on how to tackle the project yourself and the (many) benefits that come with filtering the entire universe of products down to your own, preferred product list. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E7 Ethical Investing
01/23/2025
S4E7 Ethical Investing
How do you approach the ethical investing conversation with your clients? Open discussion? Advocate for the option? Or just avoid it and hope they don't ask? (Don't feel bad if this is you - you might be in the majority). In this week's episode, Nathan and Jordan explore this very big, somewhat intimidating topic. And, as always, the aim is to explore it from the perspective from the adviser's chair. What are the practical elements you need to cover? What are the questions you need to ask - and are likely to be asked? Why does it matter? And what are your options? It was a fun one to record, because it was a chance to interrogate Mr Fradley around the ins and outs. And his unique perspective (as part-owner of Ethos ESG and ethical investing enthusiast) was particularly valuable. Links You Might Like Ethos Impact Assessment Questionnaire: Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E6 Granny Flat Rights
01/16/2025
S4E6 Granny Flat Rights
After last week's digression down rant-y alley, this week we explore the more interesting, technically fascinating topic of Granny Flat Rights. What they are, why they matter, how financial advisers can help and the (many, many) traps to avoid as you're helping clients navigate this complex space. This is one of the more techincally complex topics Nathan and Jordan explore, but their repeated attacks on Grandpa Joe from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, as well as their elaborate family tree they create for their fake clients, hopefully makes it all seem a lot more practicaly. Some Links Worth Checking Out: Michael Miller's Article (Paywall): Nathan's Blog on Granny Flats Rights Guide to Social Security: Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E5 Licensing (50th Episode!)
01/14/2025
S4E5 Licensing (50th Episode!)
So, somehow, we've hit 50 episodes! And to celebrate, Nathan's allowed Jordan to climb up on his soapbox and wax lyrical about his favourite subject in advice - Licensing. While he insisted on keeping it relatively constructive and useful, Jordan still manages to provide his, uh, unvarnished thoughts on the merits of the current system. Nathan's patience shines through towards the end of the episode too, when Jordan kicks on a straight-to-camera diatribe that turns the air blue (and his face puce). A big thank you to everyone who's listened to any of our ranting, ravings and nonsense over these 50 episodes! It's fun, so we hope you enjoy it. (We also apologise for the tech issue, Nathan's mic seemed to switch early in the ep leading to some sub par audio) Some Links: ASIC REP 515: ASIC REP 800: Professional Planner Article on Smaller Licensees: IFA Article: Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E4 Marketing
01/02/2025
S4E4 Marketing
Building an outstanding financial planning practice boils down to two, simple (but not easy) ideas - finding new people to work with, and making the process of working together efficient, effective and excellent. Jordan and Nathan have discussed the second part of that equation - now it's for the first part: finding new people to work with. In this week's episode, they talk about the importance of knowing your desired audience, defining who you're going to help and finding the right approach and channel for you and the business you want to build. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E3 Oh No, A Clip Episode!
12/26/2024
S4E3 Oh No, A Clip Episode!
Don't you hate it when you are really getting into a 2000's sitcom, and the writers go on leave mid season, so the producers peice together a clip episode of throw back moments from throughout the show? Well, I hope not, because that's what we have gone and done. With a full year of episodes under our belt, Nathan thought it would be great look glance in the rear window and boy did he regret it. Turns out peicing together an episode of great moments from a C grade podcast was more work than he anticipated. Please enjoy this flashback of pitches for sponsorship, and guests appearances and if you really enjoyed them, go back and listen to the old episodes. Enjoy! Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E2 Onboarding Process
12/19/2024
S4E2 Onboarding Process
How do you feel about the process you follow when you're bringing on clients? Are you one of those unicorns we hear about that has every, single element nailed down so the whole thing is tight as a drum? Or are you like the rest of us - it's fine. I mean, it could be better, but it could be worse. Right? Right...? Well, in this week's episode, Nathan and Jordan unpack the steps they follow when they start workign with a client. The good, the bad and the ugly. (Of the process. Not the clients). From why Nathan's initial 15 minute call goes longer than most sitcom episodes, to Jordan's irritated bewilderment at how some firms seem to be using paraplanners, this episode explores the whole process from initial contact through to advice delivery. And they even stop talking about the ins and outs of yet another arcane, strikingly specific part of the fun and games that comes with being an adviser long enough to share a moment of complete honesty - which was a nice way to wrap up recording for the year. Nathan: Jordan: LinkedIn: The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.
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S4E1 Christmas Client Conversations
12/12/2024
S4E1 Christmas Client Conversations
Advisers are, famously, an empathetic bunch of people. So, let's imagine a situation our clients could very possibly find themselves in this festive season. Christmas lunch with the extended family. The matriarch of the family is at the head of the table, with the various siblings, cousins, in-laws and hangers on scattered around the festive tablecloth and grossly optimistic piles of food. Wine's flowing, as are beers and sparkling apple juice for the rest of us. Between polishing off the third plate and the regret that follows, your client trundles up to Grandma, sits down and asks how she's been. And in the space of 15 minutes, has the startling realisation that something is wrong with her 88 year old Grandma. Nothing drastic - but a fuzziness and repetitiveness that wasn't there last Christmas. Called away to help clear the table, or join the conga line of dishwashers, your client is left wondering - what should I do now? Well, this conversation is all about exploring the ways we can help our clients answer that very question. Not to say we have all the answers - today's episode (and all our favourite ones, if we're honest) - is all about exploring the topic, testing the waters, pushing the boundaries. Licking our finger and sticking it in the air to see if maybe, this is the thing that could help. It's not about us telling people what we do - but hopefully it's about helping people think about what they would do to help their clients with their own challenging, Christmas conversations. PS: Editorial decisions have been made about the first 2 minutes of this week's episode, and we're in complete agreement that it was the right call to leave it in. PPS: Maybe don't listen to this one with the kids in the car - not those first 2 minutes anyway.
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