In this episode, Matt sits down with Linda Bready, a renowned operations consultant to RIAs and author of the new book, The Exit Equation – M&A Strategies, Tools, and Insights for Financial Advisors. What started as a guide for sellers preparing for mergers or acquisitions, Linda’s book reveals itself as a comprehensive blueprint for operational readiness. It’s packed with practical strategies that empower firms to run more profitably and efficiently, whether or not a sale is on the horizon. As Linda writes, “a well-run firm isn’t just easier to sell, it’s easier to grow, scale, and live with.”
Linda’s expertise is extensive. She was a trailblazer in the field of RIA performance reporting during her 17 years running B-Ready Outsourcing Solutions, which she led until its acquisition by Envestnet in 2010. After serving in a leadership role at Envestnet for six years, Linda became Executive Vice President of Operations & Client Service at FolioDynamix―until, in a twist of fate, Envestnet acquired FolioDynamix in 2018. Today, Linda is back in the consulting sphere as the founder of CleverX Consulting, where she delivers fractional executive support and board-level insight to financial services firms and fintech innovators.
During this far-reaching conversation, Matt and Linda discuss her new book and a wide range of RIA operations and technology topics, including:
- Why so many RIAs struggle with operational efficiencies
- The common pitfall: mistaking technology ownership with technology optimization
- Why now is the time for RIAs to focus on scalability and repeatability across their organizations
- The critical role of culture and why it’s so often overlooked in M&A transactions
- Strategies for effective change management
- Why not all AUM is created equal
- Overcoming the reluctance to document workflows and processes
- The power of client segmentation and why understanding the true cost to serve each client is more important than focusing solely on top-line revenue
To learn more about how Linda works with advisors and operations professionals, please visit https://www.cleverxconsulting.com/
To purchase Linda’s amazing book, click here.