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From the Blog

Insights for RIA operations

Operational Systems & CRM Consulting for Independent RIAs

Practical guidance on CRM configuration, workflow design, automations, and tech-stack optimization — written for advisors building scalable firms.

CRM & Workflow

How Your CRM Comes to Your Defense in an Audit

What a state examiner's audit letter reveals about your CRM — and the 8-question test to run on your records before they ask.

4 min read
CRM & Workflow

How to Maintain and Clean Your CRM

Most firms don't have a CRM problem, they have a CRM maintenance problem. A simple daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly rhythm to keep your data clean and trustworthy.

4 min read
Operations

How To People-Proof Your Workflows

Most SOPs fail not from bad training, but bad design. A 7-step, behavior-science framework for getting your team to actually follow procedures.

11 min read
CRM & Workflow

The Best CRM for Advisors

Advisors ask me which CRM is the best one on the market. My answer surprises most of them: it's not Redtail, Wealthbox, or Salesforce, it's whichever one you'll actually use.

2 min read
Tech Stack

Advisors: Are You Drowning in Tech?

The Kitces FinTech Map lists 400 tools for advisors. Do you need them all, or are you paying monthly for apps that don't add value to your clients?

2 min read
Advisor Wellbeing

Shrugging off Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is common among solo RIA owners, and it's not a sign of incompetence. Four practical steps to quiet the self-doubt, starting today.

4 min read
CRM Setup

The Most Dangerous Item on a Sailboat

A near-disaster during a coastal sailing delivery taught me why rushing to hit a launch deadline is the most dangerous thing a new RIA owner can do to their CRM.

5 min read
CRM & Workflow

The Shiny Object Trap: Why Your RIA Doesn't Need a New App

Before you subscribe to another shiny advisory app, audit your CRM first. Most RIAs need optimized workflows, clean data, and better integrations, not another tool.

4 min read
CRM & Workflow

Lessons from a Watchmaker

A modular approach to CRM workflows can make your practice more resilient, easier to maintain, and faster to scale.

5 min read
AI & Technology

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

Not all AI-marketed software is the same — and advisors who don't understand the difference may be putting client data at risk. A plain-language guide to separating glitter from gold.

5 min read
CRM & Workflow

Your Workflow Needs a Life Raft

Most workflows have a launch plan — but no exit strategy. Here's how to build life rafts into your processes before things go sideways.

4 min read
Voice & Authenticity

In Defense of the Shitty First Draft

AI writes content that sounds like everyone else. Your shitty first draft sounds like you. A plea for original thinking and writing that is actually yours.

5 min read
Work & Life

Managing the Chaos: Running Your Practice While the Kids Are Home

School is out for summer — and so is your sanity. How to find a way to enjoy the summertime with kids and still get the work done.

5 min read
Advisor Wellbeing

The Quiet Cost of Doing It All

Solo RIA owners often find themselves buried in back-office tasks that have nothing to do with financial planning. Here's how to identify the trap — and build your way out.

7 min read
Operations

You Built a Financial Planning Practice. Not an IT Department.

Solo RIA owners often find themselves buried in back-office tasks that have nothing to do with financial planning. Here's how to identify the trap — and build your way out.

5 min read
Operations

The SOP Your Team Will Actually Follow

Most SOPs live in a folder and get ignored. The difference between one that works and one that doesn't comes down to structure — and who was in the room when it was written.

6 min read
Automations

5 Automations Every Small RIA Should Have Running

From client birthday reminders to automatic meeting prep checklists — these five automations save hours every week without replacing the advisor relationship.

7 min read
CRM Setup

Why Your CRM Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)

Most advisory CRMs fail not because of the software — but because the configuration never matched how the advisor actually works. Here's how to diagnose and fix it.

3 min read
Tech Stack

Build Your Back-Office Tech Stack Like a Home

Choosing the right CRM and tech stack for your RIA is a lot like building a home. How to plan for data flow, scalability, integrations, and usability before you break ground.

7 min read
Operations

The Checklist Isn't an Insult. It's a Superpower.

RIA advisors miss critical steps not from carelessness but from complexity. What checklists actually do for your operations and client service.

5 min read
Strategy

Not Everything on Your List Deserves to Go First

A framework for identifying the 20% of operational projects that will deliver 80% of the impact — so you know where to start before we start building.

5 min read
Change Management

Why Knowing Better Doesn't Mean Doing Better

Why RIA workflows fail and how to fix them. The Rider, Elephant, and Path framework for building processes that actually stick in your advisory firm.

6 min read
Operations

Why the Problem Keeps Coming Back

Cleaned up the same CRM mess twice? Recurring RIA operations problems point to system structure, not people. How to find and fix the root cause.

5 min read