Who proactively asks their software stack providers about security?
The results are in from ASIC's Cyber Pulse Survey, and the report has been released (12th November 2023). So much to unpack! One of the points they make is around supply chain risk. Without looking at the survey, I'm interested to know your thoughts on the percentage of advice firms that have already asked their software stack providers about the levels of security they have in place and can provide the evidence to show they did their DD. What percentage do you think have this on file?What Skills Matter in an AI-Driven Financial Services Industry?
I've been giving a lot of thought to how the increasing presence of artificial intelligence will affect how we hire and develop talent in the financial services industry. Would love to hear what everyone else is thinking. As AI gets better at handling routine tasks and data analysis, the kind of work we typically give to new hires to cut their teeth on, it raises some important questions. For starters, what kind of roles and responsibilities should we be hiring for now? Should we be focusing more on bringing in people with strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking abilities? People who are able to form genuine relationships with clients and come up with original solutions to difficult problems? What do you think are the key roles we should be hiring for now? I'm eager to hear your ideas on how businesses can attract, nurture, and retain top talent in this new era.What steps have you and your team taken to address cybersecurity risk?
Recent CoreData research suggests advice practices could lose at least 13% of business in the aftermath of a cybersecurity incident. In light of this alarming figure, I want to know what steps have you and your team taken to address cybersecurity risk? I also encourage you to register for the upcoming webinar on February 29th at 9:00 am AEDT where Fraser.Jack and I will be looking at real-life stories of cyber breaches and what you can learn from them! Click here to register.
Client reviews
G'day All There is always a lot of focus on new client engagement and SOA production. Given most practices have way more ongoing clients than new, how are you finding the process of arranging review meetings and preparing review documentation? Could this area and the report we provide clients at review time do with some focus?Super and Pension renovations in Xtools+ are complete. Do you want to move in?
Smarter modelling, more flexibility, and way less workarounds - You could be using it as early as 13 May 2025 We've transformed the way you model super and pensions in Xtools+, and it's all based on the feedback you shared with us. 💡 What’s New? We started with a simple goal: allow you to model a second super fund without lumping everything into one. But the more we listened, the more we realised there was a bigger opportunity. You told us you wanted to keep the tax components separate, so you could model retirement pension and estate planning strategies without workarounds. So, we’ve reinvented the way you model super accounts, contributions, cashouts, rollovers and pensions in Xtools+. User feedback has confirmed the new modelling to be a more flexible, intuitive, and powerful experience. 👉 Let us help you move in We’re excited for you to leverage the new features ASAP, which is why we’re opening it up from 13 May 2025. Otherwise, you could wait for the final release on 3 June 2025. However, we understand you might need a little help easing in, so we’ve recorded an introductory video. Watch the video I recommend you think about watching the video NOW. Set aside 19 minutes, or you could try 10 minutes at double speed! To view it, click this link to go to the Iress Learning Centre. Register for early opt-in If you like what you see in the video, please consider (or ask your site administrator) to register for early opt-in. You can find more details in this community article: Xtools+ CALM: Our Super and Pension Renovations are complete. Its time to move in! Deep-dive webinar We will be running a deep dive 1-hour Xtools+ Reinvented Super & Pension Modelling webinar on May 27. We will include some case studies, and I will be available to answer questions during the session. Please register at the Iress Learning Centre. Got questions or feedback? Please take a look at the video and article - if you still have questions or feedback, you could lodge an item on Xtools Connect (check out XTOOLS Connect - a new way to collaborate with the Xtools team!) Otherwise, feel free to comment in the thread below.POLL: What will impact advice accessibility the most in the next decade? 🤔
It is commonly agreed that accessibility of advice is currently a problem and is only set to compound over the next decade. In your opinion which of the following will have the most profound impact on advice accessibility over that period? Data - efficiently in who needs advice and when People - professionals and support Software - efficiency in advice delivery Comment [1], [2] or [3] below 👇👇What’s your craziest cybersecurity story?
In my latest blog, I shared a couple of stories from clients who had been compromised and were asking for everything from caravans to automatic dog feeders from China. The extraordinary lengths hackers go to obtain information can range from clever to just plain odd. So I want to know – what’s your craziest cybersecurity story?What is your #1 efficiency tip for this year?
Are you streamlining client comms? Automating documentation? Updating your compliance process? Whether you are in the midst of planning, or are already in BAU - what is your number one efficiency tip for this year to ensure you are effective and able to achieve your 2024 goals? Let us know!Advice Request Best Practice
What is seen as the best practice for advisors sending through a request for advice to be prepared to the paraplanning team? I can think of some ways using cases to have a task where the advisor completes templated notes, but most businesses that I've seen the requests are still sent via email to the paraplanning manager/senior paraplanner who then delegates the work. I imagine a wizard could be used too, but ideally we want the process to be straight forward, including detail on strategy and product recs (or considerations). I'm curious as to what works well for both new advice requests as well as SoAA/RoA processes.🤓 Xplan Hint: Don’t get caught with your pants down with IressID
Did you know that IressID is coming? You may have seen the emails and messages already, but in case you haven’t, make sure to read on as this will affect every user. IressID is a centralised identity management system that provides secure, streamlined access across Iress products. What this means for you is that you’ll be able to easily login to Xplan, Community, and Learning Centre using the same ID, and with more security of your access and data. If you have an Xplan login, this will switch over to logging in via IressID. IressID will be rolled out to all sites progressively over the course of 2025, so you will need to make sure you’re prepared, or you might find yourself locked out of Xplan! Everything you need to know is in this Community guide. Please take the 5 minutes to read this guide to save yourself any angst once IressID goes live on your site. As always, our Service Desk team via Iress Connect is ready to help if you have any trouble with the instructions! NB: If your site is IressID ready, you’ll see a banner saying "Iress ID is coming to your Xplan site this week" pop up in Xplan. Otherwise, each Xplan user will be notified closer to the date when your site is scheduled to roll out.
