UncommonCents is a
fortnightly event
hosted by Dean Holmes
and Craig Kouimanis.

Craig Kouimanis goes solo to explore leadership, growth, and the power of pruning—both in gardens and in business.

A heartfelt reflection on embracing challenges and leading with kindness."

Craig and Dean discuss Ritz Carlton's $2000 rule: employees can spend up to $2000 solving guest problems without approval.

Example: staff flew across America to return a forgotten laptop. They share how refunding a client error 15 years ago retained a now much more valuable customer. Empowering frontline staff creates lifetime customers.

In this episode of UncommonCents, business coach Col Fink from shares his journey of living communally on a farm near Melbourne and building a solo business focused on money, meaning, and freedom. He emphasises authenticity, community, and collaboration—especially through his podcast Think Tank with his brother Cam Fink.

Dean Holmes and Abhi Rao from Risk Advisory Hub discuss why cyber insurance is essential for financial planning firms.

They explore common cyber threats like social engineering fraud, the claims process, and the importance of incident response and business continuity plans.

Abhi emphasizes regulatory risks, reputational damage, and the need for strong cyber hygiene, including staff training and system security.

This episode explores how small, thoughtful touches in professional settings can significantly enhance the client experience. From office ambience to remote meeting etiquette, it’s all about creating comfort and reducing friction.

In this episode of UncommonCents, host Dean Holmes sits down with Michael Jaeger from Generation Life to unfold the often-misunderstood world of investment bonds.

Key topics include the practical applications of investment bonds within trusts, tax optimization strategies, and how to effectively use investment bonds for wealth transfer and asset protection.

In this solo episode, Dean Holmes explores the transformative role of technology and AI in enhancing the client experience within financial planning.

He delves into the significant impact of mobile phones and digital ID verification, the rise of secure communication channels in financial services, and the essential nature of online booking systems for financial advisors.

Dean also discusses the growing demand for financial coaching and intergenerational wealth planning, and how AI and client data are driving personalized financial advice.

Dean Holmes, together with marketing expert Lisa Greensill, Co-creator of BrandOver, explores how financial advisors can distinguish themselves in a crowded market using her powerful AAA Marketing Strategy.

They discuss how to identify and attract the right clients, the importance of maintaining a consistent and professional online presence, and the ways to build trust and credibility through owned content like blogs and newsletters.

In this episode, Dean Holmes speaks with Brian Jones from VA Platinum ‪ about a groundbreaking Fair Work Australia decision that redefines how Australian firms engage Filipino offshore workers.

They discuss the employment classification of offshore staff, the legal and financial risks for Australian firms, superannuation and payroll tax obligations, ASIC and AFSL compliance updates, and data security and HR best practices.

Host Craig Kouimanis with James Adcock and Samuel Kirkwood from Future Finances uncover the growing gap in financial literacy and why it’s critical to equip young people with real-world money skills.

Toward the end of the video, James and Sam share how their innovative financial literacy program combines video education, interactive workbooks, and practical financial scenarios to teach students the fundamentals of budgeting, saving, investing, and money management..

Dean Holmes sits down with Tim Lane, Chartered Accountant and owner of Fin Connect Advisory, to explore how to structure and manage ownership in financial planning businesses.

They discuss choosing the right business structure, comparing options such as companies, sole traders, and discretionary trusts.

The conversation also covers tax advantages and planning for future ownership transitions, navigating small business CGT concessions and retained earnings, and managing business debt to avoid operational complexity.

Most people think financial planning is all about numbers and returns—but it’s not.

In this episode, Dean Holmes and Craig Kouimanis explore why the client’s emotional experience is actually the most important part of the journey. Real stories show how remembering small details builds authentic relationships.

Dive into how financial advisors can create a more personalised client service experience, using empathy, data, and real human connection.

Dean Holmes and Fraser Jack from The Cyber Collective dive deep into a real-world cybersecurity case, revealing the essential steps every financial firm should take to protect client data and digital infrastructure.

They discuss cybersecurity frameworks for financial advisors, the importance of documented cyber protocols, password management and employee training, cyber drills and incident response planning, third-party vendor risk management, and the future of cyber insurance integration.

Dean Holmes and Craig Kouimanis explore the journey of "accidental leaders" in financial advice, offering insights on balancing business management with client service.

Key topics include celebrating wins, building firm-wide client relationships, leveraging technology for scalable engagement, succession planning, and advocating for quality advice for all Australians.

Perfect for advisers stepping into leadership or business owners refining their strategy, this episode provides practical insights and actionable takeaways

Craig Kouimanis and Dean Holmes discussed the crucial topic of succession planning for financial planning firms.

They emphasize the importance of having a clear, documented succession plan to ensure business continuity and maximise firm value during a sale.

Dean Holmes discusses maximising Microsoft 365's value beyond basic email. He advocates for SharePoint over OneDrive for centralized file storage, highlights built-in applications like Bookings, Stream, Teams, Clip Champ, and Power Automate as alternatives to paid third-party services.

Dean emphasizes recording meetings for future AI analysis, noting that Microsoft Copilot can access company data without training its models on it. He warns that Office 365 isn't a backup solution, recommending separate third-party backups. For cybersecurity, Dean recommends Microsoft Intune for remote device wiping and suggests separating business from personal technology use.

Craig Kouimanis and Dean Holmes discuss the importance of financial advisors rehearsing client interactions. Dean runs "practice your pitch" sessions based on his principle: "Don't try new things on grand final day." The ideal client meeting follows three phases: introduction, goal setting, and closing with fees.

Effective techniques include using invitational language, clearly explaining the 12-month journey, confidently presenting fees, embracing strategic silence afterward, asking open-ended questions, and conducting post-meeting debriefs. While technical knowledge is taught in universities, communication skills require deliberate practice, even for experienced advisors.

Hosts Dean Holmes and Craig Kouimanis return after a summer break, pledging to reach episode 100 by Christmas. Craig shares how thoroughly organizing his home created mental clarity, introducing the mantra "don't put it down, put it away."

They discuss applying this philosophy to business: clearing digital "desks," completing client files, and managing email inboxes. Dean reveals his new practice of tracking personal metrics through monthly self-reviews, similar to business KPIs. Both emphasize the importance of celebrating wins and surrounding yourself with supportive people. They encourage listeners to start new resolutions anytime, not just January.

Dean Holmes is joined by Mitch Ramsbotham, Head of Growth and Strategy at Coastal Advice Group. Together, they dive deep into the complexities of business growth in financial planning, exploring strategies for mergers, acquisitions, and team scalability.

Mitch shares insights from his journey from advisor to business strategist, along with lessons learned in integrating new acquisitions and optimising operations across a rapidly expanding enterprise. This episode is packed with practical advice for navigating growth challenges while maintaining vision and purpose.

Dean Holmes is joined by Ross Marais from Absolute Wealth Advisers to tackle cybersecurity risks in financial planning. They discuss common vulnerabilities, especially in smaller practices, and share real-life cases where email hacking led to significant financial losses.

The conversation explores how digital client portals can help secure sensitive transactions, reducing reliance on email for document sharing and approvals. Dean and Ross also offer actionable cybersecurity tips, from cleaning out old emails to educating clients on safe practices.

This episode provides essential insights for advisors looking to protect their practices and clients from evolving digital threats.