Managing Your Practice
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Managing Your Practice is dedicated to providing financial professionals with best practices in key areas such as driving growth, business efficiency, and the client experience. Dimensional Fund Advisors delivers insights based on our history of industry-leading financial advisor benchmark studies and client surveys. We help advisors leverage those insights when making the critical business decisions successful firms face every day.
The information is provided in good faith without any warranty and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, recommendation, or an offer of any services or products for sale and is not intended to provide a sufficient basis on which to make an investment decision.
All expressions of opinion are subject to change.
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The information is provided in good faith without any warranty and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, recommendation, or an offer of any services or products for sale and is not intended to provide a sufficient basis on which to make an investment decision.
All expressions of opinion are subject to change.
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 21, 2025 • 24min
The Impact of Guiding Principles: A Conversation with Dave Butler
Recorded live at the Practice Management Symposium, Dave Butler, Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors talks with Catherine Williams, Dimensional's Head of Practice Management, about developing and sustaining an organization's mission, vision, and values and why this work matters to advisors. Dave discusses how guiding principles shape culture, decision-making, and the client experience and offers insight into staying aligned as teams grow and evolve. He also highlights how advisors can translate these principles into daily practice, strengthen firm identity across generations, and communicate a clear, consistent message to clients.
Oct 24, 2025 • 46min
What the Most Admired Leaders Do Differently
Join Dr. Suzanne Peterson, a partner at CRA | Admired Leadership and a leadership researcher with over 20 years of experience, as she reveals the secrets behind admired leaders. Discover the key behaviors that foster trust and engagement within organizations. She argues leadership can be learned by anyone through authentic choices and effective communication. Tune in to explore how 'fanship' inspires followership, the balance between talent and skill in hiring, and practical tips for developing future leaders.
13 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 57min
AI as the Next Thought Partner in Finance
Dave Alison is the President of Prosperity Capital Advisors and CEO of Alison Wealth Management, while Ian Karnell is the CEO and co-founder of VastAdvisor.ai, specializing in AI for financial advisors. They delve into how AI reshapes financial advisory, enhancing productivity and client relations. Discover practical AI applications, from improving client acquisition and compliance to reducing advisor workload. They also discuss the importance of governance and retaining the human touch in client relationships amidst technological advancements.
20 snips
Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
Jill Schlesinger on the Power of the Pivot
Jill Schlesinger, an Emmy-award winning business analyst for CBS News and author of The Great Money Reset, shares her insights on navigating career pivots. She discusses the emotional and financial aspects of change, emphasizing the importance of empathy and trust in advisor-client relationships. Jill reflects on her transition from financial advisor to media expert and explores how the pandemic reshaped workplace dynamics. Listeners gain valuable strategies for achieving financial independence and meaningful reinvention, making it a must-listen for anyone considering change.
Jul 18, 2025 • 53min
Buy, Sell, Plan: The Business of Advisor Succession
Join Aaron Hasler, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of SkyView Partners, and Matt Crow, CEO of Mercer Capital, as they dive into the intricate world of advisory firm succession. They tackle financing options and the essential generational dynamics that shape successful transitions. From debunking myths to highlighting strategic insights, the conversation reveals how early planning and clear communication can pave the way for lasting legacies. Discover the emotional and financial complexities involved in nurturing future leaders and making internal successions work.
Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Neuroscience of Workplace Culture: What Every Leader Should Know
Catherine Williams sits down with Mark Sparvell, author of Good Brain Bad Brain and head of social learning initiatives at Microsoft. Together, they explore the neuroscience behind leadership, emotional intelligence, and the human capacity to thrive amid stress and change. Catherine and Mark discuss how understanding the brain's survival wiring—and learning how to reframe stress—can unlock motivation, improve firm culture, and foster better decision-making as firms face time and capacity constraints.
May 16, 2025 • 60min
Transform the Experience, Transform Your Business
Dennis Moseley-Williams, founder of DMW Strategic Consulting, brings a fresh lens to the financial services industry through the concept of the "experience economy." Dennis shares how financial advisors can grow their business by shifting from delivering services to staging experiences. Learn how the experience economy can help you deepen client relationships, drive referrals, and create a brand that stands out.
Apr 11, 2025 • 39min
Sales Success Starts with Relationships, Not Deals
Casey Jacox, sales leader and author of Win the Relationship, Not the Deal, turned his experience in sales and leadership into a career of coaching and mentoring professionals on building authentic relationships. He shares his expertise in building confidence, communication, and business development, offering strategies for advisors to strengthen client connections, differentiate their services, and develop the next generation of industry leaders.
Mar 21, 2025 • 49min
Mission-Driven Leadership: Creating a Transformational Client Experience
Scott Highmark, President of Mosaic Wealth, shares how his firm's mission, vision, and values have become the foundation for driving growth, shaping culture, and delivering a transformational client experience. From fostering a team-first environment to aligning financial strategies with clients' personal values, Scott breaks down how Mosaic integrates purpose and accountability into every decision. Catherine Williams, Head of Practice Management at Dimensional Fund Advisors, and Scott explore leadership, coaching, and building a purpose-driven business that not only grows but creates lasting significance for clients and team members alike.
Feb 21, 2025 • 48min
The Future of Your Firm: Building the Next Generation of Leaders
How can financial advisory firms successfully transition to the next generation of leadership? In this episode, host Catherine Williams talks with Jessi Howe of Silver Oak Advisory Group and Yusuf Abugideiri of Yeske Buie about their journeys to firm leadership. They share key lessons on succession planning, developing future leaders, and balancing ownership with firm growth. Whether you're a founder preparing to step back or an advisor looking to step up, this discussion offers valuable insights to help you navigate the path forward. Tune in for expert advice on securing your firm's future!
