Growing or Going

Melo

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EDUCATION

Elo from Melo! Growing or Going (formally The Effective Adviser) is a podcast dedicated to finding ways to make financial planning businesses better. Whether your starting, scaling or selling, we've got your back. We talk everything efficiency, training and coaching, and exit planning via external sale or internal succession. Like what you hear and want more Melo magic? Visit www.melo.co.uk.

JAN 19

New Year, New You | Business Revolutions

Most business leaders start the year with clear goals and good intentions.Then momentum drops. Habits slip. Difficult conversations get avoided. And before long, it’s business as usual.In this recorded live session, we tackle two problems that quietly limit performance and value in growing businesses:1. Why motivation fades and change doesn’t stickDr Stephen Ford, Exit Partner at Melo, explores the psychology behind behaviour change, why people struggle to maintain momentum and what leaders can do differently to make progress last.2. Why leaders avoid difficult conversationsSara Cooke and Rhi Baxter from We Are Brave share practical approaches for handling disagreement, conflict and challenging conversations with more clarity and confidence, before avoidance creates bigger issues.This session is designed for business owners and leaders who want a better year, not just a busier one.If you want to turn intention into progress this year get in touch. Melo works with ambitious financial planning business owners to improve decision-making, leadership, and long-term value, whether or not an exit is imminent.Find out more at melo.co.uk or follow us on LinkedIn for more insights. 00:00 Intro03:48 – Why we fail to stick to resolutions10:36 – The psychological impact of not sticking to goals12:44 – Tips to help you stick to new habits or behaviours15:12 – How to form positive habits17:04 – How to get back on track if you've got lost21:36 – Why do we shy away from hard conversations?23:24 – What are we so scared of?24:32 – The impact of staying quiet30:36 – Why you should schedule difficult conversations32:00 – Changing your mind shouldn't be humiliating35:48 – "I don't want to speak up because I'm scared of their reaction"38:30 – How to disagree in a group setting42:36 – What to do if you're a reflector45:36 – The 5 point framework to have better conversations48:40 – How to deal with someone who doesn't want to engage50:54 – The conversations you wished you'd had last year53:42 – Final thoughts keeping new habits on track55:00 – You might not actually be disagreeing56:12 – Wrap up Music: Good Night (Lofi) by FASSounds

59 min
12/18/2025

Employed vs self-employed advisers: Which model really works for financial planning firms?

In this episode of Melo's Growing or Going Podcast, we unpack one of the most common and complex decisions firm owners face. Joined by Melo CEO Victoria Hicks, COO Gaynor Rigby, Ben Wright explores how adviser structure impacts growth, operations, culture and exit value. This conversation covers: Why adviser structure matters more than many firms realiseAutonomy vs alignment in self-employed and employed modelsThe real cost and scalability considerationsCulture, client experience and consistencyHow adviser structure influences business valuation and exitsWhat to consider if you’re thinking about transitioning modelsBoth approaches can work. The key is designing intentionally, not drifting into a structure by accident. If you’d like a confidential conversation about your firm’s structure or exit readiness, get in touch with Melo. Like, subscribe and share with anyone wrestling with this decision.

32 min
12/16/2025

The Efficiency Flywheel

This is a recording from the Sheffield Life & Pensions Society Annual Conference, where Melo CEO Vicki Hicks, took the stage to talk about The Efficiency Flywheel – how to strip out friction, boost capacity and build a business that runs smoother every quarter.These are some of the practical actions we've learned from working with hundreds of financial planning firms.By audience request, she also talked about what’s really happening in the M&A and exit market right now, including buyer trends, valuation shifts and what firm owners should prepare for next.If you're running, growing or preparing to sell a financial planning business, this session is packed with practical takeaways you can use immediately.If you're wanting to run a more effective business, or you're thinking about selling in the next 5 years, this one is for you.🌐 https://melo.co.uk📧 hello@melo.co.uk 00:00 Intro 00:43 The Efficiency Flywheel 22:49 Exit market update #FinancialPlanning #IFA #BusinessEfficiency #MergersAndAcquisitions #ExitPlanning #Sheffield #ProfessionalDevelopment #Melo #AdviceFirms #PracticeManagement

35 min
11/24/2025

Selling a financial planning firm with DB liabilities

Thinking about selling your financial planning business but have historic Defined Benefit (DB) transfer cases in the past? You're not alone. DB history is one of the biggest unknowns for firm owners planning an exit, and it can impact valuation, deal structure, PI, premiums and how buyers approach due diligence.In this webinar recording, Ben Wright from Melo hosts a practical, no-nonsense conversation with:• Vicki Hicks, CEO at Melo• Ben Goodwin, Director and Actuary at Isio, specialists in DB, redress and compliance due diligenceTogether we covered: 00:53 – Welcome 05:20 – Why DB history matters when you sell 09:20 – What counts as DB advice and safeguarded benefits 13:20 – Understanding your DB book and risk mapping it 17:20 – How DB redress really works in practice 21:50 – Opt in rates and the rise of “no loss” outcomes 25:50 – DB risk, PI cover and premiums 30:20 – How buyers assess DB exposure today 34:50 – Valuation impact and deal structures with DB history 39:20 – Regulatory expectations, CP23/24 and deed polls 43:50 – Preparing your firm: options, PBR and timescales 48:20 – Picking the right buyer and shaping the deal 52:20 – Practical first steps if you have DB exposure 55:20 – Live Q&A highlightsIf you have any DB history at all, even if you’re not selling anytime soon, now could be the perfect time to sort it out.Learn more:Melo: https://www.melo.co.ukIsio: https://www.isio.com/#FinancialPlanning #DefinedBenefit #FinancialAdvisers #Melo #Isio #BusinessSale #IFA #FinancialServices #DBTransfers #SuccessionPlanning #ExitPlanning #Redress

1 hr
10/21/2025

Financial Planning x AI: Make Shift Happen

How do you bring AI into your advice firm the right way?Not by bolting it onto broken processes, but by rethinking how your business could run using the latest technology.In this live conversation, Melo's Chief Innovation Officer, Ben Wright, sits down with Tom Hind of Saturn AI and Head of Progress at Melo, Kath Harvey, to explore how AI is reshaping financial planning.You’ll learn:💡 Where AI adds real efficiency (and where it doesn’t)⚙️ Why process design must come before tech🧠 How to build firm-wide adoption that actually sticks🚀 What an “AI-empowered paraplanner” could look like📊 How the best firms are using AI to create more human advice experiencesIf you’re a leader or operations head in financial planning and want to use AI to make your firm run better, this one’s for you.00:00 – Show intro01:00 – Why “make shift happen”05:40 – What AI is (and isn’t) for advice firms13:10 – Process before tech: the non-negotiable21:30 – Note-taking & data quality wins30:45 – Report writing reality check39:20 – The AI-empowered paraplanner48:10 – Getting client consent to record meetings54:00 – Hiring, roadmaps & picking providers58:30 – Final takeaways & next steps👉 Listen now, take notes, and get ready to make shift happen.📥 Download our free guide: “Approaching AI in Financial Planning”🌐 Learn more at https://melo.co.uk/events-ai-financial-planning/📧 Or get in touch at hello@melo.co.uk#FinancialPlanning #ArtificialIntelligence #AIForAdvisers #WealthManagement #FinTech #FinancialAdvice #Melo #SaturnAI #BusinessEfficiency #AIImplementation #AdviceFirms #FinancialServices #FutureOfFinance

59 min
09/26/2025

Model Portfolios - Hidden Risks & Benefits with 8AM Global

Consumer Duty has raised the bar (and the cost) of running financial planning businesses. In this practical session, and with the help of 8AM Global, we unpack advisory vs discretionary models, demystify co-manufacturing/insourcing, and show how to reduce burden without losing control of your proposition.Who it’s for: financial planning firms using advisory or discretionary model portfolios, and providers working with advisers who want to be able to have smarter conversations about investment management.You’ll learn:* What “manufacturer” means under PROD & Consumer Duty* How responsibilities, reporting, and liability differ across advisory, outsourced MPS, and co-manufactured solutions* How much control you keep with co-manufacturing—and how to evidence value* Migration, comms, and positioning with clients (without losing trust)* Objective MPS comparisons * Asset levels needed to launch a fundSpeakersBen Wright (Melo), Paul Hogg & Ash Weston (8AM Global) Here's what we talked about: 00:46 – Introduction05:31 – Jargon buster: advisory vs discretionary vs MPS vs co-manufacturing (what’s what?)09:18 – Who’s responsible for what under each model? (permissions & duties)10:36 – If we run advisory model portfolios, are we a “manufacturer”?11:05 – How do reporting and evidence requirements differ across models?15:32 – Considering co-manufacturing: how much control do we keep?24:43 – If we gain discretionary permissions later, can we take over the models?29:14 – What’s the easiest way to migrate clients from advisory to an insourced/co-manufactured solution?32:37 – How do we reposition with clients without “losing face”?38:15 – Value chain: where (and how) can firms fairly take value for investment work?42:49 – “Aren’t model portfolios just fancy multi-asset funds?”46:54 – If we blend several multi-asset funds, are we co-manufacturing?48:46 – We currently use 3 multi-asset funds per risk level—what’s the smarter next step?49:28 – One multi-asset fund vs moving to an MPS provider—how to choose?51:30 – What about blending outsourced MPS ranges—smart or messy (and are we manufacturers)?54:14 – Quick-fire: best way to compare MPS propositions objectively56:00 – Quick-fire: how much AUM do you need to start a fund? To find out more or get in touch visit https://melo.co.uk.#ConsumerDuty #FinancialPlanning #FinancialPlanner #AdvisoryVsDiscretionary #ModelPortfolios #CoManufacturing #Insourcing #Outsourcing #MPS #WealthManagement #BuildingBetterBusinesses #Melo

1h 1m
09/19/2025

Melo's Live Business Surgery

Hey everyone - it's been a while, but we're back with the new show name of Growing or Going. Every financial planning firm is unique, but most face similar challenges. In this live, unscripted Q&A session, we tackled real questions from owners and leadership teams, getting to the root cause, sharing fixes that work and giving ideas you can apply in your financial planning firm. Here’s what we talked about: 00:05 Introduction 01:25 Start 06:20 Advice on selling to local firms or consolidators 11:33 When should owners step back from giving advice? 17:38 How to get your staff to step up and deal with underperformance23:59 The main factors that determine sale value33:35 What’s EBITDA?37:16 What’s a good profit margin?38:57 Do you need to segment your clients?41:27 Top 3 tips to make a business more effective49:48 How to tell your team you’re selling56:50 What’s the average ongoing service fee?57:36 Closing remarks For more useful ideas visit our website at www.melo.co.uk. If you’d like to talk either GROWING or GOING from your financial planning firm, get in touch by emailing hello@melo.co.uk or calling 0113 4656 111.

59 min
05/29/2024

The Future of Fin Tech with John Milliken of Defaqto

What to know how AI works? Want to catch a glimpse into the future of the technology financial advice firms will use? Want to hear first hand what advice Defaqto CEO John Milliken would give to his 10 year old self? Good news - you're in the right place! John has worked in and around AI for years and knows more than you're average Joe. He's also incredibly good at explaining it simply so if you've always wanted to understand AI, this is the episode for you. Thanks as always to our wonderful long term sponsor Owen James Events. There are some awesome events coming up which are free to attend for those who work in financial advice firms. Go to https://www.owenjamesevents.co.uk to find your next event or learn more about how they can put on awesome events for you. Go to https://www.melo.co.uk to find out what the heck a business lifecycle agency is and how we build better business in the financial advice space.

53 min

Elo from Melo! Growing or Going (formally The Effective Adviser) is a podcast dedicated to finding ways to make financial planning businesses better. Whether your starting, scaling or selling, we've got your back. We talk everything efficiency, training and coaching, and exit planning via external sale or internal succession. Like what you hear and want more Melo magic? Visit www.melo.co.uk.

Creator

Melo
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

25
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Melo
Show Website

Growing or Going