
Enterprising Investor
Enterprising Investor is the flagship podcast of CFA Institute and the definitive program for the investment management industry. As stewards of the investment industry, Enterprising Investor will feature intimate conversations with some of the most influential people from the world of finance about the topics that matter most to investment professionals.
Latest episodes

Apr 7, 2021 • 28min
Understanding Risk Management: From Surfing to Retirement
Perfect risk estimates do not exist, so how do we balance risk and reward? Risk scholar Allison Schrager, author of the CFA Institute Research Foundation brief “Learning About Risk Management: Insights from Unconventional Risk-Takers,” provides insights on the nature of risk and uncertainty and potential reward and how to manage the trade-off. ____ ► Subscribe to our Take 15 Podcast YouTube channel ►Transcript: https://cfainst.is/2P87gNN ►Email us for comments, questions, or appearance requests:Take15podcast@cfainstitute.org ____ Topics discussed: 2:25 Brothel, pimp, and risk management? 5:30 More noes than yeses 7:42 The art of storytelling 9:41 Lessons learned from big wave surfing 13:16 Allison’s book, An Economist Walks into a Brothel: And Other Unexpected Places to Understand Risk 14:40 What is risk? And what is prudent or good risk management? 15:50 Retirement: What does it look like in the US right now? What worries you? And what gives you hope? 17:45 Should the idea of retirement be reimagined? [HBR link] 19:41 Why shouldn’t Americans own stocks? 22:10 What’s next on Allison’s to-do-list? 23:15 Allison’s advice on encouraging people to take on more sensible risk 24:05 Wrap-up questions o One long-term change that you hope to see as a result of the pandemic o What one item would you bring on a long space flight? o Flight vs. invisibility? ___ Related articles and links: Learning about Risk Management: Insights from Unconventional Risk-Takers: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/research/foundation/2020/learning-about-risk-management An Economist Walks into a Brothel: And Other Unexpected Places to Understand Risk: https://www.amazon.com/Economist-Walks-into-Brothel-Unexpected-ebook/dp/B07FLK37HC#:~:text=Amazon.com%3A%20An%20Economist%20Walks,%3A%20Schrager%2C%20Allison%3A%20Kindle%20Store HBR article Why Retirement Is a Flawed Concept: https://hbr.org/2016/04/why-retirement-is-a-flawed-concept CFA Institute members and charterholders Professional Learning Tracker https://cpd.cfainstitute.org/ ____ Find Allison here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-schrager-4109015/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllisonSchrager Find Lauren here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren- foster/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenfosternyc Connect with the Research Foundation: RF Showcase page: https://lnkd.in/e66zSKD Download and share RF content (free to all): https://lnkd.in/emhTTi5

Mar 31, 2021 • 37min
Why Financial Advisers Must Generate Relationship Alpha
Charlotte Beyer, founder and former CEO of the Institute for Private Investors and author or the CFA Institute Research Foundation brief “Relationship Alpha: The Emerging Competitive Advantage in Wealth Management,” explains what relationship alpha is and why it’s important and how advisers can better serve their clients. ____ ► Subscribe to the Take 15 channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3HUMuK4FSp_CvQH_2Ji7g ►Transcript: https://cfainst.is/2QAbHkV ►Email us for comments, questions, or appearance requests:Take15podcast@cfainstitute.org ____ Topics discussed: 2:15 Intro: How Charlotte founded the Institute for Private Investors (IPI) 3:56 What has changed in wealth management over the last four decades 7:00 What really works well for advisors? 9:57 Research Foundation brief, Relationship Alpha: what is the relationship alpha and why should advisees care more about it? 3:18 How do advisors improve their authenticity in a virtual setting? 14:45 How does one measure relationship alpha? And can you train relationship alpha? 18:55 Key takeaways for marketing to prospects 21:38 Work at Wharton and eight components of wealth management chats 25:40 How do advisors distinguish themselves? How can advisors know if the client meeting is being successful? 29:25 Charlotte’s book list 32:25 Wrap-up questions o One long-term change that you hope to see as a result of the pandemic o What one item would you bring on a long space flight? o Flight vs. invisibility? ___ Related articles and links: Research Foundation Brief: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/research/foundation/2019/beyer-brief Link to the CFA Institute research: https://www.cfainstitute.org/-/media/documents/support/membership/value-of-premium-wealth-management.ashx (The research is cited on footnote #8 on page 19) That's What She Said: What Men Need to Know (and Women Need to Tell Them) About Working Together by Joanne Lipman A Wealth of Possibilities: Navigating Family, Money, and Legacy by Ellen Miley Perry CFA Institute members and charterholders Professional Learning Tracker https://cpd.cfainstitute.org/ ____ Find Lauren here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren- foster/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenfosternyc Find Charlotte here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottebeyer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlotteBBeyer Connect with the Research Foundation: RF Showcase page: https://lnkd.in/e66zSKD Download and share RF content (free to all): https://lnkd.in/emhTTi5

Mar 24, 2021 • 42min
Cryptoassets: Complex, Risky, and Exciting
Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise Asset Management and co-author of the CFA Institute Research Foundation brief, “Cryptoassets: The Guide to Bitcoin, Blockchain, and Cryptocurrency for Investment Professionals,” discusses valuation, risks, and what watch for on the horizon. ____ ► Subscribe to the Take 15 channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3HUMuK4FSp_CvQH_2Ji7g ►Transcript: https://cfainst.is/30VPT5n ►Email us for comments, questions, or appearance requests:Take15podcast@cfainstitute.org ____ Topics discussed: 4:00 - Philosophy to ETFs and the leap into Bitcoin 4:43 - The light-bulb moment 11:45 - Crypto: the next big disruptive area of finance 14:40 - The reason behind why there is more than one cryptoasset? 17:29 - What role, if any, should cryptoassets have in a professionally managed portfolio and individual investors? 20:26 - What should financial advisors be thinking about and should they be caring about crypto? What should they be doing about the clients in crypto? 22:30 - What Matt thinks the biggest misunderstanding about crypto is? What is the actual reality? 24:36 - What do you say to the naysayers on crypto? 26:35 - Matt discusses allegations that the benefits of blockchain are exaggerated 29:11 - Five most widely used cryptoasset valuation techniques 23:19 - What should we watch out for on the horizon? 36:24 - What Matt holds in his crypto portfolio 37:20 - Closing questions - Ray of sunshine: long-term positive change from the pandemic - What do you take with you on a long NASA flight? - Flight vs. invisibility Related articles and links: Research Foundation Briefs: Cryptoassets: The Guide to Bitcoin, Blockchain, and Cryptocurrency for Investment Professionals White paper: "The Case for Bitcoin in the Institutional Portfolio” Download and share Research Foundation content (free to all): https://lnkd.in/emhTTi5 CFA Institute members and charterholders Professional Learning Tracker https://cpd.cfainstitute.org/ ____ Find Lauren here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren- foster/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenfosternyc Find Matt here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-hougan Twitter: https://twitter.com/matt_hougan?lang=en Connect with the Research Foundation: RF Showcase page: https://lnkd.in/e66zSKD Download and share RF content (free to all): https://lnkd.in/emhTTi5

Mar 17, 2021 • 38min
Investing in Africa: Perspective from the Continent
Herman Warren, Africa Director for The Economist Corporate Network, discusses the economic and social impact of Covid-19 on sub-Saharan Africa in general, and South Africa in particular, the outlook for the continent post-pandemic, whether the commodities boom will turn into a supercycle, the role of China, and what Africa can expect from the Biden administration.

Mar 10, 2021 • 20min
Machine Learning Applications: What We Can Learn from Healthcare Finance
Andrew Lo discusses his various fields of expertise and research with Anastasia Diakaki. Professor Lo's most recent work in healthcare finance, more timely than ever, serves as the starting point for a conversation covering the COVID-19 pandemic, machine learning applications in biopharma, artificial intelligence and the interpretability of machine learning results in the finance industry. When it comes to preparing for the future, we ask Andrew Lo: "Do we all need to become computer scientists?" Topics discussed: 1:30 - Professor Lo’s philosophy and approach in health care finance sector 2:43 - Applications: what are the implications of these tools? 4:51 - Lo’s view on the pandemic and the acceleration of some processes 6:41 - Machine learning applications and health care 8:58 - Successes and improvements to algorithms in practice 10:57 - Computer science – the new life skill to have 13:24 - Machine learning algorithm used in the investment process 15:25 - Are your current students more comfortable with science skills? 16:55 - AI and human intelligence Related articles and links: CFA Institute members and charterholders Professional Learning Tracker https://cpd.cfainstitute.org/ ____ ► Subscribe to the Take 15 channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3HUMuK4FSp_CvQH_2Ji7g ►Email us for comments, questions, or appearance requests:Take15podcast@cfainstitute.org ____ Find Andrew here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewwlo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewWLo?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Find Anastasia here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasiadiakaki/?originalSubdomain=uk Twitter: https://twitter.com/anastdiakaki -- Find Lauren here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-foster/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenfosternyc -- Listen to us on: Libsyn: http://take15audio.cfainstitute.libsynpro.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4z0UYTI6B1pfSk5UrpCqFk?si=VzxBsKUWTme_D9PSk25r3g Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-15-podcast/id268942353

Mar 3, 2021 • 37min
Will Digital Asset Securities Revolutionize Capital Markets?
Episode #452 Will Digital Asset Securities Revolutionize Capital Markets? Serial technology entrepreneur and investor Carlos Domingo, CEO and co-founder of Securitize, discusses blockchain technology and the power of digital securities, or security tokens, to drive liquidity for private securities and democratize access to investing. Topics discussed: 2:30 - Intro: working in Tokyo and Japan 6:24 - Carlos’ first introductions to Blockchain 9:03 - What is Securitize? 10:18 - Defining terms 12:30 - Types of assets that are issues for digital assets against 13:56 - Revolutionizing the marketplace 19:40 - 3-part question: Is this a quirky trend? How will the public broadly adopt digital assets? Are investors ready for digital assets securitize? 22:45 - Cyber security risks 25:47 - Are regulators happy or unhappy with the state of the technology 27:17 - What is Project Aquaman? 29:26 – What is the industry going to look like to Carolos in the near and far future and what trends are driving the industry? 31:37 - Wrap-up questions Ray of sunshine NASA trip Flight vs. invisibility Related articles and links: “The tokenization of alternative assets” https://caia.org/tokenisation II article “This quirky trend”: https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1qdqlgr4mq0w6/This-Quirky-Trend-Could-Bring-Alternative-Assets-to-the-Masses Blog about Project Aquaman: https://medium.com/securitize/introducing-project-aquaman-driving-liquidity-in-the-digital-securities-market-164e71107d3c John Hodgman on This American Life ep.178: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/178/superpowers/act-one-0 CFA Institute members and charterholders Professional Learning Tracker https://cpd.cfainstitute.org/ ____ ► Subscribe to the Take 15 Channel Here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3HUMuK4FSp_CvQH_2Ji7g ►Email us for comments, questions, or appearance requests:Take15podcast@cfainstitute.org ____ Find Lauren here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren- foster/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenfosternyc Find Carlos here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlosdomingo?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosdomingo

Feb 24, 2021 • 41min
Investing in Esoteric Assets
Episode #451 Investing in Esoteric Assets Rishi Ganti, CFA, founder of Orthogon Partners, a private investment fund focused solely on esoteric assets, explains why he searches for what he calls esoteric assets and why this is the area where investors should be hunting for opportunities. Episode Transcript: https://cfainst.is/3pvys5u Topics discussed: 2:32 - City living nowadays 4:35 - “The come-to-Jesus” moment 8:47 - What conceptions we might have wrong and what led Rishi to the Orthogon path 14:33 - More about Orthogon 17:04 - What is an esoteric asset? 21:40 - Opportunities discovered 25:52 - The intensive process of surfacing opportunities 32:58 - What ray of sunshine has some from the pandemic? 35:18 - What would you bring on a NASA flight 37:15 - Flight or invisibility, which would you choose? Related articles and links: Institutional Investor: https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1phwnq5888jf2/Why- Modern- Finance- Is- Ruining- the- World CFA Institute members and charterholders Professional Learning Tracker https://cpd.cfainstitute.org/ ____ ► Subscribe to the Take 15 Channel Here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3HUMuK4FSp_CvQH_2Ji7g ►Email us for comments, questions, or appearance requests:Take15podcast@cfainstitute.org ____ Find Lauren here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren- foster/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenfosternyc

Feb 17, 2021 • 36min
How to Make Smarter Decisions about Money
Episode #450 How to Make Smarter Decisions about Money Paul Sullivan, author of the Wealth Matters column for The New York Times and the Money Game column in GOLF Magazine, discusses why it’s important for financial advisers to discuss money scripts with clients and for families to talk to their children about money. A lifelong golfer, Paul also shares anecdotes from some of the legendary pros, as well as a few things he learned after writing more than 500 columns about money. Episode Transcript: https://cfainst.is/3u2Dzh3 Topics discussed: 2:00 - Launching Wealth Matters column in the financial crisis 4:13 - Lessons gleaned over 500 columns 5:42 - Paul's; favorite column 7:54 - Why do we have an aversion to talking to kids about money? 11:00 - Strategies for helping people talk about money 13:17 - Money scripts 16:00 - Paul’s writing process and how he keeps finding ideas 18:49 - Flops and mistakes in behavioral finance 21:30 - Richard Thaler and The Thin Green Line 24:54 - Clutch and Tiger Woods 27:58 - Writing for Golf Magazine 30:48 - Paul's favorite golfing character and his favorite golfing story 33:06 - Ray of sunshine question 33:48 - NASA question 34:45 - Flight vs. Invisibility Related articles and links: NYT Wealth Matters https://www.nytimes.com/column/wealth-matters Paul’s favorite column’s: Somebody’s Watching ... and Ready to Sue https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/your-money/05wealth.html A Bespoke Perfume Doesn't Come Cheap https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/your-money/designing-personal-perfumes.html The Green Line Secrets https://www.amazon.com/Thin-Green-Line-Secrets-Wealthy/dp/1451687257 Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don't https://www.amazon.com/Clutch-Excel-Pressure-Paul-Sullivan/dp/1591844290 Golf Magazine: https://golf.com/contributor/paul-sullivan/ CFA Institute members and charterholders Professional Learning Tracker https://cpd.cfainstitute.org/ ____ ►Subscribe to the Take 15 Channel Here https://cfainst.is/3px6ar4 ►Email us for comments, questions, or appearance requests:Take15podcast@cfainstitute.org ____ Find Lauren here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-foster/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenfosternyc Find Paul here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sullivanpaulj/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sullivanpaul?lang=en

Feb 10, 2021 • 32min
Outlook on Emerging Markets: Trading Fixed Income and FX
Dirk Willer, a managing director and global head of emerging market strategy at Citi and co-author of Trading Fixed Income and FX in Emerging Markets: A Practitioner's Guide, discusses the outlook emerging market economies amid the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine, what to expect from China, and his guide to trading foreign exchange.

Feb 3, 2021 • 37min
A Quant Pioneer Reflects on Machine Learning, Big Data, ESG, and Value Investing
Episode #449 A Quant Pioneer Reflects on Machine Learning, Big Data, ESG, and Value Investing John Chisholm, CFA, co-CEO and co-founder of Acadian Asset Management, a global, quantitative investment manager, takes the audience deep into the world of machine learning and data science as he discusses where he sees innovation taking place and what is important in building a firm culture where quants can thrive. He offers advice for those considering a career in quantitative investing and shares his views on ESG investing, the outlook for value, and more. Episode Transcript: http://static.3playmedia.com/p/files/5653820/threeplay_transcripts/16847103?format_id=46&project_id=18442&format=pdf Topics discussed: 2:00 – How optimistic are you for the new year? 3:20 – John’s approach at Acadian 6:51 – Building culture 11:29 – How to get involved in quantitative investing 13:44 – John’s opinion on drivers of value’s recent underperformance and conditions for a comeback 18:01 – Acadian’s approach to value investing and how John’s Quant skills help compete with other value managers. 20:32 – Does your approach look to leverage a common theme across asset classes? Or are you looking to diversify by exploiting different causal factors? 20:09 – Acadian’s ESG philosophy. 27:11 – Lesson’s learned over three decades at Acadian that are helpful to understanding the current environment 32:00 – Ray of sunshine question: what is one positive long-term change that you hope to see as a result of the pandemic? 34:03 – NASA question: what one item would you bring on a long flight to space? 35:29 – Flight or invisibility? Which superpower would you choose? Related articles and links: This American Life: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/ Acadian: https://www.acadian-asset.com/ CFA Institute members and charterholders Professional Learning Tracker https://cpd.cfainstitute.org/ ____ ► Subscribe to the Take 15 Channel Here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3HUMuK4FSp_CvQH_2Ji7g ►Email us for comments, questions, or appearance requests:Take15podcast@cfainstitute.org ____ Find Lauren here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-foster/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenfosternyc Find John here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chisholm-cfa-6459547 Twitter: https://twitter.com/johndchisholm?lang=en Acadian: https://www.acadian-asset.com/about-acadian/leadership