technology primer

Progressive disruption is always, forever, and accelerating.

So how do we operate in such a way that not only survives disruption, but thrives from it?

We start with first principles, our Base Code.

  • Technology is simply a mechanism by which we arrive at an outcome faster.

  • An app-based ecosystem beats legacy software.

  • Great technology should be beautiful, minimal, and in the background.

  • A process should not bend to a tech solution, but the other way around.

  • Our clients generally don’t want more passwords or dashboards.

  • Today’s best solution is tomorrow’s fax machine, or smoke signal.

  • A system’s value to our process is directly correlated to how easily it can be unplugged and replaced without disruption. #dataexport

  • Open architecture is antifragile.

open.architecture/

Most firms just use a turnkey asset management platform (TAMP) or link all systems onto an all-in-one platform.

Or what about firm built legacy software? Wouldn't that be cheaper and more efficient?

  • Cheaper? no.

  • More efficient? remains to be seen.

  • Better? lol, still no.

app-based ecosystem

Ecosystems that optimize for uniformity are inherently fragile and create tremendous continuity risk.

For us to do our best work, we must be antifragile.

Our clients deserve the Best user interface, the Best trade execution, the Best forms generator, the Best planning software.

We have the ability to integrate what we need, and if one system needs upgrading, it’s not mission critical. We can unplug one system from our workflow, plug in another, and its business as usual with minimal disruption for our clients.

Financial technology is booming.

If a new solution comes out that will materially improve the outcome or experience for our clients, we want the ability to license that software and immediately plug it in.

We will give our clients the best experience in the world because we are small, adaptive, and beholden to no single system or platform.

we’re antifragile.

How we think about balancing software:

a system of core apps

  • We hangout in Slack

  • Core operations portal

  • CRM: Wealthbox* or HubSpot

  • Email & Calendar: Outlook

  • Files: Box Drive

  • Multi-Custodial: Altruist and Schwab

  • Core compliance center

  • Our Application Vault ties it all together

  • specialty systems such as: portfolio analytics, tax planning, cash management, estate planning, digital intake solutions, systems integrations, cybersecurity, branding, and more are all provided at the firm level. E&O is also covered at the firm level.

  • advisors may separately license financial planning software. Right Capital, Elements, eMoney, and AssetMap are quality systems. You know your families best and may utilize the planning software that best suits your business.

  • *Wealthbox may be added to our group plan for a discounted price

We hope the following 'Technology Systems' walk-throughs give you a sense about how we think through each of the systems and workflows.

The more you use each, the better you'll become. The systems we license all have amazing databases of tutorials and webinars, demo videos, as well as a personal service team to handle your every possible question via phone, email and/or chat. Those are the experts. And before long, you'll be the expert.

Through years of trial and error, and a ton of money wasted, we believe our current tech stack, process, and workflows provide us all the tools we need to give our clients the experience they expect and deserve.

After all, that’s why we’re here.