Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice

Nathan Fradley and Jordan Vaka
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Welcome to the Challenge the Standard podcast - a podcast for financial advisers, by financial advisers. Your hosts, Nathan Fradley and Jordan Vaka, will examine the biases, fixed thinking and status quo in advice. In every episode, we'll dive deep into the world of financial advice, questioning the norms, sparking new ideas and exploring how we could do things better. Our goal is to elevate our professional practices and 'uphold and promote the standards of our profession. So, whether you're a seasoned adviser or a bright new entrant to the Australian market (and beyond), this is where we challenge the standard, together.

  1. 4d ago

    S9E3 The Single AR Challenge Video

    This week, we're flashing back many, many years to a more innocent time. A purer time, where both hosts were fonts of positivity, optimism and naivete.  Joking.  Because this week we're discussing this video (The Single AR Challenge) that a younger, but more hirsute, Nathan released into the void back in the early 90s. Or three years ago. One of them.  Where he expounded on where he saw the Single AR market heading in the future.  Going back, checking what he said and comparing it to where we are today was fun and, hopefully, useful.  Especially with an extra section on pricing our advice, and why it's so damned important to get it right.  Plus, a new quote from Jordan that both he and Nathan were quite chuffed by.     You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time. (Yep, they're BACK!) CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/CHAL-26100805-00030001  Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info.    Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.        Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

  2. Oct 1

    AI v VA

    UPDATE - CPD points are back!! CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/CHAL-26100804-20560001  Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info.    Putting aside their avowed determination to stop talking about AI, this week Jordan and Nathan explore the growing role AI is playing in adviser businesses. The rapid escalation of AI's position in advice reminds them both of the way hiring Virtual Assistants (VAs) took off in the mid 2010s.  They're particularly interested in the overlap between the different options advisers face to grow their business.  But before we can even discuss that - it's key to define just what problems you're trying to solve.  Throw in some ranting, existential dread and Jordan's admission about what he's doing on public footpaths, and it makes for a pretty standard episode of CTS...   Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

  3. Sep 24

    PI Insurance with Richard Silberman

    "Sorry, our PI insurer says you can't do that - we're not covered." "Our PI says we need to have this 27-step process in place before you can recommend an industry super fund." "That's what's so good about wholesale advice - PI doesn't care, it's not covered!" Nathan and Jordan have long suspected the PI insurers have been used as a convenient boogeyman for lazy, or perhaps dodgy, licensees to threaten advisers with. The kind of ogre that only the licensee can speak with, because advisers couldn't possibly understand the intricacies of professional indemnity insurance. Which is why they asked Richard Silberman of Numerisk Insurance Brokers to come on to the show, and unpack some of the realities of the insurance we all have to have - but might not always be clear on. Richard's helps us understand: Why underwriting is such a critical skill within insurers The issues with insuring to the lowest common denominator The power of the human emotion to 'get' the big premiums onboard The depth great brokers go to when assessing the multiple, cascading clauses built into a policy (get ready for nightmares here, licensees) The single question you should ask your broker to work out if they understand this weird and wonderful profession we're in.  It's a fun, deep discussion - Nathan and Jordan enjoyed it and reckon you will too.    Richard's Details: richard@numerisk.com.au  Website Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time.  CPD For this Episode: S9E1 CTS Professional Indemnity Quiz - CPDcheck   Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info.    The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

  4. Sep 17

    Out On Your Own

    This week, regular listeners may ask themselves, much like the hosts, 'haven't they done this episode before?'. Turns out that, no, not really - but it does cover a lot of the same territory these chatty terriers have covered before: The importance of branding and niching How vital it is to have support, processs, and spend time on marketing Intentionality in your business The pros and (many, many) cons of working with friends and family Why activity is important As is being on top of your costs and being frugal And, finally, why paying yourself first is the most critical of all business truisms.  Because, this week, Nathan and Jordan discuss the harrowing, terrifying, wonderful, rewarding, soul-destroying and defining path of going out on your own.   Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.      Didnt we do this already? Few emails lately asking for this brings together several common aspects of this pod branding, niching, support, process, time spent on marketing, intentionality, working with friends and family, activity is important, costs and being frugal, licensing costs, your salary and superannuation

  5. Sep 10

    S8E19 Screening

    You've done it - you're at a point where you have enough enquiries coming in each week to fill your books. Plenty of meetings, plenty of engagements, plenty of clients.  But, sorry, what's that? Now you don't have plenty of time? Now there isn't enough hours in the week to do all the work you've promised all these wonderful clients? What's the solution? Well, this week, we discuss one possible solution - filtering and screening the enquiries that cross your desk. We cover: When should you start filtering and screening the people you can help? How can you do it? What role can your fees play in ensuring the people that you work with meet your personal and business objectives? The shift in power as advisers move towards being price makers, instead of takers. Why working in a niche makes everything easier (once you commit to it).  And, to close, the mighty power of gold sluices.  Sluushes.  Slooches.  Sloosheshhs.  Anyway, the power of sluices. Definitely not sieves.    CPD: Theres been a bug in the system, we will have this back up soon! Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

  6. Sep 3

    S8E18 Pharewelling Phil with Angry Anderson

    Phil Anderson, General Manager Policy, Advocacy & Standards, has announced his retirement. So, naturally, we thought we'd drag him onto the podcast again to run through: The FAAA's response to Dr Mulino's policy release the other day The greatest hits of his many years at the helm of the profession's response to policy and regulatory changes The importance of all members getting involved in responding to those matters that concern us How the next generation of advocates can plan to apply for Phil's role when the time is right And, to close, Nathan has composed a very lovely, very fitting farewell to Phil that goes some way to expressing our gratitude for him fighting the good fight. Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.    You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time.  CPD For this Episode:   Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info.    Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

  7. Aug 27

    S8E17 Post-PY Life with Hannah Elliott

    Fair to say the Professional Year experience has involved a lot of pioneering spirit from all involved. And it's now been around long enough that we're seeing people roll out from the 18m-long-year into being fully fledged financial advisers.  And Jordan and Nathan were curious about how that looks for the now-advisers brave enough to weather the experimental process.  Which is why this conversation with Hannah Elliott was so much fun. We were able to cover: The challenges that come with learning the process as it's being built Navigating changing licensees midway through the PY The honesty behind becoming known as the adviser who failed the exam How Hannah's approach to social media embodies her approach to advice On top of this, they find time for Hannah to allocate karaoke songs to both Nathan and Jordan, and explore the at-times difficult realities of being a woman in the financial advice world.  Plan Your Pennies (Hannah's Podcast): Spotify |  Youtube Hannah's Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn   You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time.  CPD For this Episode:  Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info.    Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

  8. Aug 20

    S8E16 Reform, At Last!

    Like most of our listeners, we at Challenge the Standard believe that the regulatory landscape for financial advisers has been too stable, for too long. Just the same rules, nothing changing, for years and years and years.  Which is why we were so overjoyed at the prospect of there finally being some reform in the works, some evolution in the rules around financial advice for us and our clients.  No more complacency for us financial advisers, comfortable practicing in the same rules and methods since time immemorial. Nathan and Jordan enjoyed working through the fact sheet supporting the Hon Dr Daniel Mulino, Assistant Treasurer's speech to the National Press Club on the 19th August (that's right - TWO DAYS AGO!). There's lots of ground covered (it's a long ep) and just so much cursing. So be warned, responsible adults who listen to this with their kids in the car.  And one of your hosts decides to tee off on all sorts of people, for very little discernible reason.  Enjoy! (There's also more harmonica than you'd expect).   Protecting Consumers and the Promise of Superannuation in an Evolving Financial Ecosystem National Press Club address and Q&A, Canberra | Treasury Ministers Options paper – Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR): Reform options to support ongoing sustainability You can now get CPD points for listening to two knuckleheads (and guests!) wax lyrical about financial advice for an hour at a time.  CPD For this Episode: https://quiz.ensombl.com/  Thanks again to the team at CPD Check for letting us publish our episodes using their AI-CPD certifying engine. Check out Clayton's episode on the pod for more info.      Nathan: advice@nathanfradley.com.au www.nathanfradley.com.au Jordan: jordan@planningsolo.com.au www.planningsolo.com.au LinkedIn:  Challenge the Standard in Financial Advice (Podcast): Overview | LinkedIn The information contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. Jordan and Nathan are both authorised representatives of PlanningSolo Licensing, AFS Licence 526143.

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Welcome to the Challenge the Standard podcast - a podcast for financial advisers, by financial advisers. Your hosts, Nathan Fradley and Jordan Vaka, will examine the biases, fixed thinking and status quo in advice. In every episode, we'll dive deep into the world of financial advice, questioning the norms, sparking new ideas and exploring how we could do things better. Our goal is to elevate our professional practices and 'uphold and promote the standards of our profession. So, whether you're a seasoned adviser or a bright new entrant to the Australian market (and beyond), this is where we challenge the standard, together.

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