News & resources
The latest updates, stories & helpful guides from the Xentum team
Meet the Man powering the New Wave of Advice – illuminate profile
July 27, 2018 - 5 minutes read
In another life, in a parallel universe, Adam Carolan could have been a professional cricketer. Or an investment banker. Or an actuary. He could have…
Is Bitcoin really a success?
July 27, 2018 - 2 minutes read
I never thought I would write this story but why the hell not. I own cryptocurrency. Back in late 2013 someone mentioned “Bitcoin” me. I…
The hidden consequences of Success
July 4, 2018 - 3 minutes read
I have been thinking a lot about success recently. I think success is a very interesting dynamic for a business owner. Every blog I seem…
Guest Blog – Are you helping your employees to be financially happy
December 5, 2017 - 3 minutes read
According to an influential report by Barclays on financial wellbeing, 1 in every 10 employees is struggling financially, but won’t admit this to their employer. 46% are worrying about their finances. And 20% say that worrying about their finances affects their work...
Is Decision Fatigue Damaging your Finances?
November 20, 2017 - 5 minutes read
I was recording a NextGen Planners podcast last week and one of the guests said something that blew my mind
The Pareto Principle and your finances
October 8, 2017 - 5 minutes read
I am fascinated by an Italian called Vilfredo Pareto
Born in 1848, Pareto was an economist obsessed with efficiency.
He argued that “80% of the outcomes of something generally comes from 20% of the the causes”.
This later famously became the “Pareto Principle”. Sales people have used it for years to describe that 80% of sales often came from 20% of their customers.
The lesson from Pareto?
What is your Harajuku moment?
August 24, 2017 - 3 minutes read
Around 4 years ago I fell out of love with financial advice.
I found out that my father had been mis-sold pensions and investments by people he trusted. The whole family finances suffered because of some very slick salesman who sold a very complicated scheme. The result was disastrous.
I walked about for about an hour and I had quit the profession in my head.
Money Marketing Profile – Adam Carolan on Building NextGen Planners
August 7, 2017 - 6 minutes read
It goes without saying that young advisers learn from those who are older and more experienced. But what is perhaps less obvious is that advisers in the early stages of their career can learn a lot from each other.
That realisation and the lack of opportunities for younger advisers to meet and share best practice inspired Xentum director Adam Carolan to launch NextGen Planners with Postcard Planning director Rohan Sivajoti.
What do I think good Financial Advice looks like
August 2, 2017 - 4 minutes read
I have been pretty vocal about being disappointed about the state of the financial advisory profession. I even co founded a company to help shape the future of Financial Advice called NextGen Planners.
I do however think we are starting to see a sea of change in the financial advisory world.