Don't Do All the Decision - Making Yourself with Adrian "AJ" Johnstone, Practifi
Summary:
Are you carrying the weight of every business decision on your shoulders?
In this episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich chats with Adrian “AJ” Johnstone, CEO and co-founder of Practifi, about the delicate balance of leadership decision-making.
AJ shares his journey of leading Practifi back to its roots serving RIAs and why growth should be purposeful rather than pursued at all costs. With refreshing candor, AJ discusses the privilege of supporting financial advisors who help clients achieve their personal outcomes while offering practical advice about building strong teams and making confident decisions in the face of conflict.
Kelly and Jason cover:
02:07 AJ’s background and a brief overview of Practifi as a “kick-ass CRM for advisors”
03:11 Practifi’s transformation and return to focusing on RIAs
04:43 Evolution of Practifi’s brand story and authentic positioning
06:50 Practifi’s role in helping the advisor shine
07:06 The importance of integrity in growth strategies versus “grow at all costs” mentalities
09:06 The freedom of growth and entrepreneurship without PE pressure
10:35 AJ’s “double-edged” Don’t Do That: Don’t assume you have to make all the business decisions – but don’t hesitate to swim against the tide.
13:07 Building a strong leadership team and trusting their expertise
18:26 Advice for financial advisors on defining growth on their own terms
21:41 The challenges of CRM implementation and viewing technology as an investment
23:12 Discussion about business planning gaps in the industry
24:51 Caution against making decisions based on fear messaging and industry pressure
26:16 The importance of learning from mistakes on the path to success
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About Our Guest:
Adrian has over 20 years experience helping advice businesses of all sizes leverage technology for growth. A regular presenter at industry events in Australia and United States, Adrian offers deep insight into the technology needs of advisors. Adrian owns Practifi’s go-to-market strategy and direction globally.