In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, Rob Pyne sits down with Glenn Elliott, co-founder of Practifi and founder of Meldus, to explore how artificial intelligence, automation, and open platforms are reshaping the financial advice profession.
Glenn shares insights from more than a decade leading Practifi’s global expansion and now from the cutting edge of AI-driven tools at Meldus. From CRM evolution and the power of open APIs, to practical use cases of agentic AI in advice firms, this conversation uncovers where the biggest opportunities lie for advice practices wanting to scale with purpose and efficiency.
Whether you’re a financial planner, practice owner, or industry professional curious about the next frontier in technology, you’ll come away with clear ideas on how to future-proof your firm.
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SHOW NOTES
Topics discussed
- Glenn’s journey: from Practifi co-founder to AI innovator with Meldus.
- The original inspiration behind Practifi and its mission to create a single source of truth for advice firms.
- How AI and automation are transforming workflows in financial planning practices.
- Why open platforms and APIs are critical for firms looking to leverage technology.
- The difference between RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and API integrations – and when to use each.
- Real-world applications of agentic AI for client meetings, compliance, and practice management.
- The shift from manual workflows to AI-powered decision-making and quality control.
- The importance of data quality, structure, and access in unlocking AI’s potential.
- How Microsoft, Salesforce, and OpenAI are shaping the AI ecosystem for advice.
- Glenn’s personal use of tools like ChatGPT (voice mode) and his reflections on how voice AI is changing the way we think.
- Advice for growing advice firms on building an AI-ready, open-architecture tech stack.
Quotes
- “The AI opportunity is there to be seized, but it starts with you having access and control of your own data.” – Glenn Elliott
- “Agentic AI takes us a step beyond workflows. It can analyze across your entire book of business, prioritize what matters, and tailor insights to your role.” – Glenn Elliott
- “If your platform isn’t open today, that’s a red flag. It should have been open 10 years ago.” – Glenn Elliott
- “I think the future of advice is bright as hell. AI isn’t replacing advisers—it’s giving them more capacity to be human, trusted, and valuable.” – Glenn Elliott
About Glenn Elliott
Glenn Elliott is the co-founder of Practifi, a CRM purpose-built for financial advice firms, and currently serves on its board. In 2023, he launched Meldus, a technology venture focused on applying AI and automation to unlock CRM data and create more intelligent, user-friendly adviser experiences. Glenn is recognized globally for his contributions to advice technology, blending visionary design with practical application.
Connect with Glenn on LinkedIn.
Resources & Mentions
- Practifi – CRM for advice businesses: practifi.com
- Meldus – AI-driven insights for advisory firms: [meldus.com] (if applicable)
- References to Microsoft Copilot, Salesforce Einstein, and OpenAI’s GPT models.
Key takeaways
- AI is your new tech teammate – Choose platforms AI models know well to boost efficiency and smarter decision-making.
- Leverage AI’s knowledge base – Open platforms with well-documented APIs give AI deeper insights and stronger support.
- ChatGPT as a research partner – Use AI to compare platforms, uncover limitations, and make better-informed tech choices.
- Faster prototyping than ever – Test, iterate, and refine ideas quickly within secure, robust environments.
- Stay nimble and adaptive – The rapid pace of AI innovation requires flexibility to stay competitive.
- Expand your technical capacity – AI extends the capabilities of your team by tapping into vast data and documentation.
- Better vendor choices – Select platforms AI understands deeply to ensure smoother integrations and reduced risks.
- Mindset shift required – AI isn’t just a tool; it’s an extension of your technical team, changing how you approach problem-solving.
Show notes and transcript
For the full show notes and transcript from this episode, head to the episode page on The Trusted Adviser Website here.