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You’ve got the degree and passed the exam. So why is financial planning still an apprenticeship? In this solo episode, Dean Holmes answers quick-fire questions for PY candidates and admin staff moving into advice. He covers whether to start in admin, why remote work can slow your learning, how to talk about fees with confidence, and why you should practice your pitch before you use it with clients. He also explains his 80/20 rule: fit your current work into 80% of your time so you have room to learn.

Thinking about buying a book, funding an acquisition, planning for succession, or bringing in new shareholders? Dean Holmes sits down with lending specialist Connor Brennan to explore how lenders assess advice businesses, structure deals, and fund growth. From valuations and gearing to equity buy-ins and bank expectations, this episode offers practical insights for advice firm owners at every stage.

How do you show clients the true value of financial advice?   Dean Holmes sits down with Neil Rogan from Russell Investments to explore the latest Value of Advice research, why reassurance is the number one reason clients seek advice, and how advisers can better communicate their impact.   💡 Russell’s A-B-C-E-T framework estimates advice adds 5.5% of value each year, helping advisers quantify their value, strengthen fee conversations, and build deeper clientrelationships.

Dean Holmes shares his key takeaways from the Netwealth Accelerate Innovation Summit, covering the growing impact of AI in financial advice, emerging technologies, business growth strategies, and lessons from leading entrepreneurs. Discover what's shaping the future of advice and how advisers can stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.

What does a cybercriminal see when they look at your business? Fraser Jack returns to UncommonCents to reveal the biggest cyber risks facing advice firms today, how AI is changing the game, and the practical steps businesses can take to stay ahead. 🎧 A must-listen for advisers, business owners, and leaders navigating the AI era.

Dean Holmes and Craig Kouimanis explore why confidence, better decisions, and peace of mind may be the most valuable things advisers deliver. Plus, the one question every adviser should ask their clients:"What was the most valuable thing from today's meeting?"

Old is new again. 👴➡️💰 Jarrad Gray from Key Invest joins us to trace these products from 1800s "friendly societies" to today's tax-savvy investment tool — and bust the myths advisers still believe: ❌ "They're expensive" → fees as low as 0.3% ❌ "Your money's locked for 10 years" → fully liquid, always ❌ "Limited investment options" → menus now 40+ deep Plus: the 125% contribution trick, tax-free switching, and how new super & trust tax rules are bringing bonds roaring back for estate planning. Time to stop skipping page 42 of the DFP3 textbook. 📖🔥

Ever priced yourself out of a room by talking too much? This one's for you. Craig & Dean break down the art of the awkward silence, why "it's for the SOA" is the worst sentence in financial advice, and how to raise your fees without apologising for them. Real client stories. Real fee mistakes. Real talk on getting paid what you're worth. Your next client meeting is your grand final — don't wing it.

Dean Holmes and Craig Kouimanis with Ravi Verma from OpenInvest about the growing advice gap and how hybrid advice models can help more Australians access investment solutions. They explore scalable investing, model portfolios, AI-enabled guidance, and how advice firms can serve more clients without the cost of comprehensive personal advice.

Ever had to jump into a meeting with barely any prep time?   Craig and Dean unpack how to handle last-minute client calls without the stress. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being clear, focused, and present.   A quick scan of notes, one clear goal, a few prompts, and you’re away. Simple, practical, and immediately usable.

Gone are the days of relying on patchy notes and delayed feedback. Craig & Dean explore how recording meetings + AI insights can: Elevate coachingImprove consistency across teamsEnhance the client experience…and why this matters more in a remote world.

Are your younger clients cancelling you like a Netflix subscription?  Episode 108 of UncommonCents tackles the future of financial advice — self-serve, hybrid, and full service — and why trying to be everything to everyone in the one business is a recipe for disaster.  Dean breaks down the Qantas vs Jetstar model and why building a hybrid offering for the next generation could be your biggest growth opportunity.

Dean Holmes is joined by Matthew Esler from Padua to explore a new vision for financial advice—one built around planning, engagement, and compliance rather than products. From AI‑powered discovery and open banking to low‑cost client portals and ASIC‑ready advice generation, this episode offers a glimpse into the future of advice.

Craig Kouimanis and Dean Holmes explore how small “just this once” exceptions quietly make businesses harder to run, less profitable, and far less enjoyable.   They break down how exceptions damage pricing discipline, service standards, and processes, and share simple tests and team-based strategies to spot exceptions early and stop them becoming the norm.

Most advice businesses aren’t short on data—they’re short on insight. Craig and Dean explain why CRMs fail when they’re treated as filing cabinets, not decision tools. They share how basic data hygiene, exception reporting, and smart dashboards reveal client risk, growth opportunities, operational gaps, and clear next actions. Your CRM’s true value isn’t what it holds—it’s what it tells you to do next.