Page 26 - Investment Advisor - September 2023

rajiv sharma, Addepar rIA/IAr Firms
Rajiv Sharma is at the helm of Navigator,
Addepar’s portfolio projection tool that allows Paul saganey, Integrated Partners
simulation of different economic scenarios in a When Paul Saganey began the Integrated Partners
forward-looking way. He oversees the tool’s strat- CPA Alliance two decades ago, he understood the
egy, guiding the features that make it a total portfolio solution power of optimizing clients’ financial lives by bring-
and help investors refine pacing models, minimize cash drag and ing advisors and CPAs together. By adding an elite
optimize their strategic asset allocation over time. wealth management practice, CPAs can increase bottom-line reve-
With Navigator, Sharma is developing innovations, such as nue. The key ingredients to a successful partnership are recognizing
access to nearly 300 out-of-the-box assumptions, to optimize cash what each party brings to the table and that each is pulling its weight.
positions and reduce cash drag — providing investors with a clear In 2022, Saganey co-authored “Optimizing the Financial Lives of
idea of what their portfolios are doing. Sharma plans to bring Clients” with Konvergent Wealth Partners’ Homer Smith and pri-
new enhancements, including plans for a new feature that will vate wealth industry writer Russ Alan Prince. The book highlights
make the pacing model process more automatic and intelligent by how partners at accounting firms can scale their practices and deep-
pushing recommendations to clients. en client relationships by engaging with an elite wealth manager.

Thought

Leadership &

Education

FIrMs insights and technology they need to engage next-generation
investors. The tools take into account a firm’s specific product and
Asset/Portfolio Management & Custodial Firms service offerings, pricing and operating models.
Young Investor Readiness Assessment helps firms gauge
Blackrock how well they are addressing five key areas to evaluate for
The BlackRock Business Consulting’s young investor growth and uncover opportunities to further
Emerging Leader Lab is designed to help RIA leaders better strengthen their business. Client Insight Tool provides analysis
influence strategy, solve problems for current challenges, deliver of an advisory firm’s household data to drive sustainability and
a meaningful client experience and advance their firm’s growth profitability. Client Lifetime Value Calculator leverages a pro-
initiatives. Over the course of the nine-month program, emerging prietary data model to help firms determine the long-term value
leaders participate in monthly leadership development content of young investors. And new thought leadership, “It’s Time to
sessions and facilitated small-cohort group discussions. Change Your Mind about Young Investors,” focuses on Fidelity’s
Each participant receives a detailed leadership 360° review, research and three-step approach to better serve the needs of
with access to a dedicated leadership coach to support them in next-gen investors.
their leadership development. BlackRock Business Consulting is
also supporting the development of several emerging leaders of Flexshares exchange traded
the Foundation for Financial Planning who are committed to the Funds (etFs)
philanthropic growth of the financial services industry, providing FlexShares partnered with University of Chicago-trained social
pro bono financial advice to those in need. scientists to identify common behavioral tendencies among inves-
tors and their advisors. The study explored why and how clients
Fidelity Investments allocate assets among advisors, their attitudes toward working
Fidelity Investments’ Practice with an advisor and the emotional factors that influence how
Management & Consulting team is providing education and offer- much money they give to their advisor(s) to manage. The research
ing wealth management firms and independent advisors products, reveals five client personas with distinct emotional and behav-

24 Investment AdvIsor September 2023 | thinkAdvisor.com