Using Data and Stories to Build a More Intentional Practice

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

How can advisors play a more meaningful role in helping affluent families make informed, values-driven decisions? In his debut episode, Dimensional host Stephen de Man welcomes Dave Specht and Jeff Coyle to explore wealth management for highly affluent families. Dave is the Senior Fellow of the Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurs, author of The Family Business Whisperer, and founder of Advising Generations. Jeff is the Founder and CEO of Libretto, and founder of Monograph Wealth.  They discuss how advisors can move beyond portfolio management to guide families on the broader purpose and responsibilities of wealth. Key themes include optimizing the intent behind wealth, prioritizing thoughtful questions over technical expertise, and knowing when to engage specialists. The speakers also highlight the importance of engaging all family members in matters of business ownership, generational transitions, and wealth building.  More from Jeff: Starting to Advise Ultra-Rich Clients? Don't Rebuild Your Firm, Just Rethink It The opinions expressed herein represent the personal views of the author and not necessarily those of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its affiliates, and they are subject to change continually (including due to changes in the law) and without notice of any kind. Dimensional makes no representation as to the suitability of any advisor, and we do not endorse, recommend, or guarantee the services of any advisor.

What role should a board of directors play in shaping the future of your business? In this episode, Lindsay Jordan, Senior Manager in Financial Accounting Advisory Services at Ernst & Young LLP, joins host Catherine Williams, Dimensional's Head of Practice Management, to explore how advisory boards can become a powerful catalyst for growth, governance, and strategic alignment. They emphasize that building a board is not a one-size-fits-all decision, covering how to thoughtfully evaluate whether a board makes sense, how to evolve an existing one, and how intentional design and member selection can bring meaningful expertise, perspective, and momentum to an organization.

What role should marketing play in the growth of a modern advisory business? In this episode, Dimensional's Head of Practice Management, Catherine Williams, sits down with Lauren Hong, founder and CEO of Out & About Communications and host of The Out & About Podcast, and Megan Carpenter, co-founder and CEO of Ficomm Partners and host of Growth Leaders of Wealth Management Podcast, to explore how branding, communications, and strategy intersect in today's evolving financial advisory landscape. They discuss the importance of developing an authentic brand, aligning marketing initiatives with broader business goals, and balancing emerging tools like artificial intelligence with the relationship-driven nature of financial advice. The conversation also covers practical considerations for advisors, including how to evaluate outsourcing, the role of testimonials under new regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the role of marketing in mergers and acquisitions, and how firms can strategically allocate resources to support long-term growth.

How can advisors better meet their clients' needs and preferences when it comes to insurance and annuities? In the first episode of a new miniseries exploring the key services advisors can offer to strengthen their practice, Head of Practice Management Catherine Williams sits down with DPL Financial Partners Founder and CEO David Lau. They discuss what DPL is doing in the insurance space, dispel common misconceptions about annuities, and challenge advisors to think more critically about how these tools fit into a holistic client offering.

What's really driving mergers and acquisitions in the financial advice industry today? In this episode, Dimensional's Head of Practice Management, Catherine Williams, is joined by Chris Frieden and Brian Hamburger for a conversation on M&A, succession planning, and the role of outside capital in the industry. They unpack how buyer expectations are evolving, why preparation matters long before a transaction, and where firm owners can create or protect long-term value. The discussion offers practical perspective for advisors thinking about growth, transition, or independence in an increasingly competitive landscape.