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Send us Fan Mail What does it take for financial advice to be experienced as a profession, rather than a product-driven sales process? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, I speak with Jeff Paul about what needs to change if financial advisers want to build client-centred, professional and intergenerational advice practices. Jeff has spent almost three decades in financial advice, leadership and adviser development. His career has taken him from financial adviser to senior leadership roles within Liberty, Managing Director of EQ-FIN, and now co-founder of Curated Wealth powered by Adviceworx. We explore: - Why some clients still question whether advice is driven by their needs or by products - What client-centred financial planning looks like in practice - How advisers can move from a financial plan to an intergenerational life-map - The impact of incentives, product structures and business models on advice - What professionalism demands beyond qualifications - Why lifelong learning matters - The role technology and AI should play in the advice process - What advisers can start changing in their own practices The big question guiding the conversation is: **What needs to change for financial advice to be experienced by clients as a profession, rather than a product-driven sales process?** PROpulsion LIVE helps financial planners and advice businesses move from knowing to doing, with practical conversations about building better financial planning businesses.

Send us Fan Mail Is your technology making your business simpler, or are you changing the way your business works just to fit your technology? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, I speak with Pieter Teessen of Teessen Consulting about how financial services businesses can use technology to reduce operational friction, connect information and give their people more time to focus on clients. We explore an important question: How do you use technology to simplify your business rather than forcing your business to fit the technology? Our conversation covers: - Why businesses can end up adapting their processes around generic systems - How to tell the difference between a technology problem and a process problem - The cost of having client information spread across multiple systems - Where automation and AI can reduce repetitive administration - How better internal processes can improve the client experience - What to consider when choosing a technology partner - Where to start if your current technology environment has become too complicated Pieter brings more than 25 years of experience working with financial services businesses through Teessen Consulting. Their work includes technology platforms such as InsureSuite, InsureCRM, CommSplit and InsurePortal, alongside consulting focused on business processes and operations. If you work in a financial planning, advice, insurance or brokerage business, this conversation will help you think differently about the relationship between your processes and the technology supporting them. The goal is not more technology. It is technology that helps the business work better. Subscribe to PROpulsion for weekly conversations about building and running better financial planning businesses.

Send us Fan Mail  What changes when financial planning starts with the person, rather than the product? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit speaks with Russell Ho, CFP®, one of the 2026 FPI Financial Planner of the Year finalists, about the human-first approach he has built into his financial planning practice. Russell works through what he calls his Three Hats. First, he approaches the conversation as a financial therapist and behaviour coach, seeking to understand the client’s money story, fears, beliefs and behaviour. Second, he steps into the role of lifestyle financial planner, helping the client build a roadmap around the life they want to live. Only then does he put on the third hat, financial adviser, where technical advice, products and solutions enter the conversation. We unpack what this looks like in practice, including: Why understanding the person comes before analysing the numbers What happens in Russell’s first conversation with a prospective client How therapeutic listening can help planners get beyond surface-level answers Why vulnerability plays a role in his client process How he structures a personalised first-year client journey Where AI may change the technical side of financial planning Which human skills planners may need to develop further What Russell has learnt from becoming a 2026 FPI Financial Planner of the Year finalist Practical changes planners can make in their own client conversations The bigger question behind the conversation is: What does a human-first financial planning process look like in practice, and why does it matter more as AI gets better at the technical work? If you are a financial planner, adviser or practice owner thinking about the future of advice, client relationships and where human advisers continue to add value, this conversation will give you plenty to think about and apply. Subscribe to PROpulsion for weekly conversations about building and running better financial planning businesses. #FinancialPlanning #FinancialAdvice #HumanFirstAdvice #FinancialPlanner #ArtificialIntelligence #ClientExperience #PROpulsionLIVE

Send us Fan Mail Financial planning is changing, but what should financial planners be doing now to prepare for 2030? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit speaks with Lelane Bezuidenhout, CEO of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa, about the trends shaping financial planning in South Africa and around the world. They explore what these changes could mean for financial planners, practices and the clients they serve. The conversation covers: • The trends shaping financial planning today • What the financial planner of 2030 may look like • The skills planners need to start building now • Why human skills matter as technology and AI develop • The challenges facing financial planning practices • What FPI's Vision 2030 means for the profession • The role of professional bodies and lifelong learning • Practical steps planners can take to prepare for what comes next The big question for this episode is: **What should financial planners start doing now to stay relevant as the profession changes towards 2030?** PROpulsion LIVE helps financial planners and advice businesses turn ideas into action and build better financial planning businesses. Subscribe to the channel and join the conversation live. #FinancialPlanning #FinancialAdviser #CFPProfessional #FutureOfFinancialPlanning #PROpulsionLIVE

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to build a financial planning practice around better client decisions, not just better financial outcomes? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, I speak with Gareth Collier, CFP®, founder of Firecrest Group and one of the finalists in the FPI Financial Planner of the Year competition. We explore how Gareth approaches financial planning, how he works with clients, and what he has learnt from moving from an established practice to building his own. The conversation goes beyond investments and technical advice. We look at how Gareth thinks about client conversations, process, implementation, technology, and the role of the planner in helping people make decisions that support the life they want to live. We discuss: • What good financial planning looks like to Gareth • How he approaches the first client conversation • The process behind understanding what matters to a client • How he helps clients move from understanding to action • What building Firecrest has taught him about running a financial planning practice • Where technology fits into the advice process • What should remain firmly in the hands of the human planner • What the FPI Financial Planner of the Year process has revealed about the way he works If you are a financial planner, adviser, practice owner or part of an advice business, this episode offers a practical look at how one planner is thinking about better decisions, better processes and building a practice around both. PROpulsion LIVE Season 7: From Knowing to Doing.

Send us Fan Mail South Africa’s life and disability protection gap has reached R50.4 trillion, despite years of financial education, stronger regulation and a more professional advice industry. So what are we missing? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Prof. Prince Sarpong joins us to explore why he believes the problem is not mainly financial literacy, but legibility. In simple terms, people may understand that they are exposed, but they often do not know their own financial position clearly enough to act. We discuss: Why the protection gap keeps growing The difference between literacy and legibility Why “screening, not schooling” may be a better approach How advisers can create salience without shame What SikaSync is designed to show clients Why protection advice may open new opportunities for growing advice businesses What advisers can do differently in their client conversations The one big question we explore is: If financial literacy is not closing South Africa’s R50.4 trillion protection gap, what needs to change to help more people understand their own risk and act on it? The conversation draws on Prince’s working paper, Financial Planning for the Greater Good, which argues for a diagnostic-led model that makes personal financial exposure clearer and more actionable. Here is the link to Sika Smart that Prince spoke about: https://sikasmart.epistemica.co.za/  Subscribe to PROpulsion LIVE for weekly conversations about building and running better financial planning businesses.

Send us Fan Mail What will it take to build a stronger financial planning profession for the future? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit speaks with Brendan Dunn, CFP® Professional and CA(SA), Executive Head Johannesburg at Hewett Wealth and a finalist in the 2026 FPI Financial Planner of the Year Awards. Brendan was also a finalist in 2025, giving him a valuable perspective on professional growth, raising standards and the responsibility financial planners have towards the future of the profession. We explore three areas that can make a difference: The challenges facing new and younger financial planners How experienced professionals and firms can support new entrants Building credibility and a professional reputation Why the best financial advice starts with understanding the whole client The role of financial education beyond your existing client base What Brendan learned from becoming an FPI Financial Planner of the Year finalist two years running What financial planners can start doing now to shape the profession they want to see The big question we explore is: What do we need to do today to build a stronger financial planning profession for the future? PROpulsion LIVE is for financial planners, advisers, firm owners and anyone working to build a better financial planning business and profession. Subscribe to the channel and join the conversation.

Send us Fan Mail A self-managing team sounds ideal. People take initiative, solve problems and keep the business moving without everything landing back on the owner’s desk. But what happens when “self-managing” starts to mean that people are simply expected to figure things out? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit speaks with Lizanne Van Eeden, Founder of Karenu Consulting, about the difference between an empowered team and an unsupported one. They explore the one big question: How do you build a team that can take ownership without leaving people to figure everything out for themselves? The conversation looks at: Why practice owners want self-managing teams The difference between trust and proper management Warning signs that a team is under-managed The effect of poor role clarity and unclear decision-making How team structure affects client service, compliance and capacity What good management looks like without micromanaging One practical step practices can take to create a more empowered team Clients may deal mainly with the adviser, but they experience the whole business through handovers, follow-ups, administration and communication. If the team lacks clarity behind the scenes, clients will eventually feel it. This episode is for financial planners, practice owners, managers and team members who want more ownership in the business without creating confusion or dependence. Subscribe to PROpulsion LIVE for practical conversations about building and running better financial planning businesses. #FinancialPlanning #PracticeManagement #Leadership #TeamManagement #FinancialAdvisers

Send us Fan Mail Financial advice businesses have more technology choices than ever before. New platforms, AI tools and software promises appear constantly, which makes it harder to know what is worth paying attention to and what is simply noise. So how can financial advice businesses make better technology decisions without getting distracted by hype or putting client information at risk? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit speaks with Marius Botha, Founder and Managing Director of WorkPool, about how advice businesses can make better technology choices. They discuss: How to start with the business problem before looking for software How to avoid technology decisions driven by FOMO What to consider before adding another tool Why process matters as much as technology How to think about AI without chasing every new development What advisers should understand about client data and technology providers Whether businesses should look for one platform or several connected tools What more than 20 years of working with businesses has taught Marius about making technology work Marius also shares lessons from building WorkPool since 2002 and working with businesses across financial services and other industries. WorkPool was recently recognised among the Top 10 Rated Advice Technology Solutions, based on ratings from financial advice professionals. This conversation is about cutting through the noise, asking better questions and making technology decisions that support the way your business needs to work. PROpulsion LIVE helps financial planners, advisers and advice businesses move From Knowing to Doing.

Send us Fan Mail Investment industry conflicts are not always easy to see, but they can influence product selection, portfolio construction, fees, and client outcomes. In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Michael Badenhorst joins us to explore independence across the investment management industry. We discuss the conflicts that can arise between platforms, investment managers, discretionary fund managers, shareholders, advisers, and clients. The one big question we ask is: How can financial advisers identify and manage investment industry conflicts before those conflicts affect client outcomes? Michael Badenhorst is the Chief Investment Officer of Independent Investment Solutions. He has extensive experience in multi-asset investment research, manager selection, portfolio construction, and performance measurement. He is also responsible for the business and investment strategy of Independent Investment Solutions. During the conversation, we explore: What independence means in investment management Where conflicts arise across the investment value chain How shareholder and commercial pressure can influence decisions The direct and indirect costs of conflicted arrangements Whether disclosure is enough to protect clients The implications for Treating Customers Fairly Questions advisers should ask investment providers Practical steps advisers can take to review their investment proposition This episode is for financial advisers, planners, firm owners, investment professionals, and anyone responsible for selecting investment solutions for clients. PROpulsion LIVE helps financial planning professionals move from knowing to doing by turning industry insight into practical action. Subscribe to the channel and join the conversation live. #FinancialPlanning #InvestmentManagement #FinancialAdvisers

Send us Fan Mail Burnout is often treated as a personal failure to manage time, cope better, or become more resilient. But what if the real problem is the way the work itself is structured? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit speaks with Herman Veitch about how financial advisers can reduce burnout and operational drag by managing their capacity more deliberately. Herman introduces the idea of a Capacity Balance Sheet. On one side are the demands that drain an adviser’s energy and attention, including client anxiety, compliance work, interruptions, administration, and constant decision-making. On the other side are the assets that restore capacity, such as team support, useful technology, clear boundaries, better workflows, and time to recover. The conversation explores: What burnout is, and what it is not Why financial advisers are especially exposed to burnout How to identify where capacity is being lost The cost of operational drag How overload affects clients, teams, judgement, and wellbeing Small guardrails that can restore time and attention Where simple automation can remove repetitive work What advisers can stop, delegate, or redesign One practical step to take within seven days The one big question for this episode is: How can financial advisers reduce burnout and operational drag by managing their capacity more deliberately? Herman Veitch has coached business owners and leaders since 2006. Through QuantumFlow Coaching and Resilience Guide, he helps people reduce friction, build capacity, and create healthier ways of working. Complete Herman’s free five-minute Capacity Balance Sheet self-evaluation: https://tally.so/r/5BDJWP Subscribe to PROpulsion LIVE for weekly conversations about building and running better financial planning businesses. #FinancialAdviser #Burnout #PracticeManagement

Send us Fan Mail Financial planners often use age and generation to understand how clients might think, behave, and make decisions. But what happens when those assumptions no longer hold true? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit speaks with Farzana Botha about the behavioural shifts revealed in the 45th Sanlam Benchmark Survey. The research shows that financial pressure is changing behaviour across generations. Younger clients are placing more value on certainty. Gen X clients are carrying debt, family responsibilities, and growing health risks. Retirees are more digitally active and financially resourceful than many people assume. The conversation explores one big question: How must financial planners change their client conversations when age no longer reliably predicts financial behaviour? Francois and Farzana discuss: • Why traditional generational labels can mislead planners • How economic pressure is changing client decisions • What younger clients are telling us about certainty and security • Why Gen X may be under more strain than their income suggests • What advisers are getting wrong about retirees • How debt, health, family responsibilities and income pressure shape behaviour • What questions planners should ask instead • How institutions, product providers and technology need to respond • What financial planners can change in their next client meeting The Sanlam Benchmark findings suggest that many financial decisions are shaped by present pressure rather than a lack of concern for the future. They also show that clients across different ages are starting to behave in less predictable and more similar ways. This episode is for financial planners, advisers, business owners, managers, product providers, and anyone who wants to understand how client behaviour is changing. PROpulsion LIVE helps financial professionals move from knowing to doing and build better financial planning businesses. Subscribe to the channel and join the conversation.

Send us Fan Mail Most financial advisers know AI matters. Far fewer know where to start. The biggest mistake is starting with technology before the practice has clear values, clear processes, and a clear view of what should remain human. In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit speaks with Henri le Grange, CFP®, principal of Le Grange & Associates, about how financial planning practices can prepare for AI in the right order. Henri leads a fully digital practice within Old Mutual Personal Financial Advice. His practice serves professionals, executives, engineers, actuaries, and corporate workforces. It has also been named Old Mutual National Practice of the Year four times. During the conversation, Francois and Henri explore the following: • Why AI should start with values and process • How to define the way advice gets done • Where AI fits before, during, and after a client meeting • How delegation runs through one task system • Which parts of advice must remain human • What can go wrong when automation is added too early • Where a small practice with little budget should begin The one big question for this episode is: How should a financial planning practice prepare for AI before choosing the technology? The goal is not simply to produce more work. It is to create more time for clients, the team, and the life the work is meant to support. Subscribe to PROpulsion for weekly conversations on building and running better financial planning businesses. #FinancialPlanning #ArtificialIntelligence #PracticeManagement #FinancialAdvisers #PROpulsionLIVE

Send us Fan Mail Is your financial planning practice being held together by helpful people instead of healthy processes? In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, I speak with Lizanne van Eeden, Founder of Karenu Consulting, about the danger of being too helpful inside advice businesses. Helpful teams are often seen as a strength, and in many ways, they are. They care. They step in. They fix problems. They make sure clients are served. They keep things moving. But there is a hidden risk. When good people keep rescuing unclear roles, broken processes, poor handovers, and weak systems, the business can look stronger than it is. The team looks capable, but the practice may be relying on goodwill instead of clear structure. This works for a while, especially in smaller firms. But as the business grows, it becomes harder to sustain. Your best people become tired. Owners lose sight of what is broken. Clients may still be served, but the business becomes harder to manage, scale, and protect. In this conversation, we discuss: 👉 What “too helpful” looks like in a financial planning practice 👉 Why good people rescue broken processes 👉 How helpfulness can hide the truth from business owners 👉 The risk of running a practice on goodwill 👉 The difference between healthy teamwork and unhealthy rescuing 👉 How leaders can fix this without damaging the team culture 👉 One practical step firms can take next week This episode is for financial planners, advisers, practice owners, operations managers, compliance teams, and anyone working inside a financial planning business where the team is doing more than they should just to keep things going. The theme for Season 7 is From Knowing to Doing. This conversation is about moving from good intentions to better ways of working. Join us live on PROpulsion LIVE.

Send us Fan Mail What happens to your clients, your team, and your business when it is time for you to step back? Succession planning in financial advice is often spoken about as a sale, a valuation, or the transfer of a client book. But the real challenge runs much deeper. It involves trust, relationships, staff, systems, identity, purpose, and the emotional weight of letting go of something you have spent years building. In this episode of PROpulsion LIVE, Francois du Toit looks at the practical and emotional challenges of succession in a financial planning business. We will explore why transferring a book is not the same as transferring trust, why many advice businesses are harder to hand over than they appear, and why advisers often underestimate the personal side of succession. We will also look at the responsibility advisers carry towards clients, staff, family, and the next owner or successor. The 2026 theme for PROpulsion LIVE is From Knowing to Doing. So this episode will not only focus on what advisers should know about succession. It will focus on what advisers can start doing now to prepare their business, their clients, their team, and themselves for a better handover. In this episode, we cover: • Why succession starts long before the deal • The practical challenges of transferring books, relationships, staff, and systems • The emotional challenge of letting go of a business you built • The responsibility advisers have towards clients, staff, family, and successors • A practical staged strategy to move through succession with more clarity This episode is for financial planners, financial advisers, advice business owners, practice managers, and anyone thinking about the future of an advice business. Join us live on Friday at 8 AM SAST on YouTube. Subscribe to PROpulsion LIVE for weekly conversations about building and running a better financial planning business.