Combining Digital Capabilities with Human Interaction with Michael Liersch

As financial services advance, people increasingly use digital tools and platforms to manage their finances. While these tools can be highly effective, they may not always align with the person's values and aspirations. How can people utilize new technologies and platforms while ensuring that their financial decisions align with their values and aspirations rather than simply following algorithms or generic advice?

In this episode, Jack talks with Michael Liersch, Head of Advice & Planning for Wealth and Investment Management at Wells Fargo. In his role, Michael is responsible for developing and propagating research-based methods to help advisors and clients productively collaborate around their money decisions. Before joining Wells Fargo, Michael held executive roles in companies such as JPMorgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, and Barclay's Wealth Americas, where he developed a deep understanding of people and money and how to help advisors provide clients with a better experience.

With a mission of helping people make better money decisions, Michael speaks to Jack about LifeSync, the new tool he and his team have developed that leads the way to a compelling future for the advice experience.

Key Takeaways

• [02:01] - What Wells Fargo's LifeSync is all about.
• [09:32] - The inspiration behind LifeSync's foundation.
• [15:52] - How LifeSync works.
• [21:23] - How the many changes in the way things are going are wearing people out.
• [24:17] - How LifeSync facilitates human collaboration.
• [29:06] - LifeSync's approach to money management.
• [34:04] - How LifeSync makes sophistication and complexity work together.
• [36:22] - Michael's three key takeaways.

Quotes

[12:02] - "People don't tell their advisors as much as they want to about their purpose for their money, whether it's their work life or family, but they are much more willing to give personal information to their mobile devices. And that was the inspiration behind LifeSync." ~ Michael Liersch

[28:31] - "LifeSync creates a much more fluid and normalized way of talking about money. That's where we want to take this — normalizing money conversation and the connection between money and meaning." ~ Michael Liersch

[30:51] - "Clients put their money where the value and experience give them the most. It's not about account aggregation and asset location. It's about putting everything together and the value of the advice provided." ~ Michael Liersch

Links 

• Michael Liersch on LinkedIn
• Wells Fargo
• LifeSync
• eMoney Advisor
• John Thiel
• Merrill Lynch
• Ken Dychtwald
• Riley Etheridge

Connect with our hosts

• LifeYield
• Jack Sharry on LinkedIn
• Jack Sharry on Twitter

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• Spotify</