Managing Your Practice

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 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.

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.

Recorded live at the Practice Management Symposium, Dave Butler, Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors talks with Catherine Williams, Dimensional's Head of Practice Management, about developing and sustaining an organization's mission, vision, and values and why this work matters to advisors. Dave discusses how guiding principles shape culture, decision-making, and the client experience and offers insight into staying aligned as teams grow and evolve. He also highlights how advisors can translate these principles into daily practice, strengthen firm identity across generations, and communicate a clear, consistent message to clients.

How will artificial intelligence (AI) transform an advisor's business, and what does it look like in practice? In this episode of Managing your Practice, Dimensional's Catherine Williams sits down with award-winning Prosperity Capital Advisors President and Alison Wealth Management CEO Dave Alison and VastAdvisor.ai CEO Ian Karnell to explore the opportunities for integrating AI into financial services. From their hands-on experience building, training, and using AI to practical ways advisors can embrace it as a strategic thought partner, Dave and Ian's insights on where the technology is headed and how to navigate the legal and compliance considerations along the way are something you should tune in for.

What does it really take to transition a thriving advisory firm to the next generation? Catherine Williams sits down with Aaron Hasler of SkyView Partners and Matt Crow of Mercer Capital to unpack the realities of internal succession. Covering financing options, common roadblocks, and generational dynamics, this episode offers actionable insights for founders and future owners alike. Whether you're just starting to think about succession or already deep in planning, you'll walk away with fresh strategies to build a lasting legacy.

Dennis Moseley-Williams, founder of DMW Strategic Consulting, brings a fresh lens to the financial services industry through the concept of the "experience economy." Dennis shares how financial advisors can grow their business by shifting from delivering services to staging experiences. Learn how the experience economy can help you deepen client relationships, drive referrals, and create a brand that stands out.

Scott Highmark, President of Mosaic Wealth, shares how his firm's mission, vision, and values have become the foundation for driving growth, shaping culture, and delivering a transformational client experience. From fostering a team-first environment to aligning financial strategies with clients' personal values, Scott breaks down how Mosaic integrates purpose and accountability into every decision. Catherine Williams, Head of Practice Management at Dimensional Fund Advisors, and Scott explore leadership, coaching, and building a purpose-driven business that not only grows but creates lasting significance for clients and team members alike.

In this episode of the Managing your Practice podcast, Catherine Williams of Dimensional Fund Advisors is joined by Brady Fineske, president of TFO Wealth Partners, and Richard Stott, CEO and CIO of Connectum Capital Management. They explore the critical connection between health and wealth, sharing personal stories and strategies for helping clients align their finances with their life and health goals. Covering topics from fostering trust to using innovative tools like fulfillment indices, this conversation offers actionable insights for advisors seeking to make a lasting impact. Learn how holistic financial advice can truly transform lives.

In this episode, Gordon Bernhardt and Scott Oeth discuss how storytelling and incorporating their own personal "why" into various interactions can support deeper client relationships and drive growth in their advisory firms. Bernhardt, a wealth manager and principal with Modera Wealth Management, and Oeth, a wealth manager and principal for Cahill Financial Advisors, dive into the connection between personal passion and professional success—hear how Bernhardt's Camino de Santiago journey plays a role in client conversations and the ways that Oeth's wilderness survival skills shape his approach to wealth management and leadership.

Helen Learmonth, director and financial planner at WealthFlow, and Matt Hall, cofounder and CEO of Hill Investment Group, put the client experience at the forefront of their business operations to increase retention and drive referrals. They have each incorporated their firms' mission and values, as well as a higher level of service and presence, to encourage client engagement and satisfaction within their teams. Hear how they do it, why trust is at the core, and what it can mean for the bottom line.

Art Markman, PhD, is vice provost for academic affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of more than 150 scholarly works on cognitive science and related topics. In this podcast episode, he shares his expertise on "smart" thinking and decision-making. With tens of thousands of decisions to make every day, what allows us to move from basic functions to strategic thinking and, as business leaders, form innovative ideas? Hear how you can actively optimize those thoughts to build effective habits and approach problem-solving in advisory firms. Markman's book Smart Thinking: Three Essential Keys to Solve Problems, Innovate, and Get Things Done is listed on Dimensional's Summer Reading List, which you can download here.