Open Architecture with Intent: Building a Smarter Tech Ecosystem with Dessy Prasad

Episode 166 of Next Mile features Kyle Van Pelt speaking with Dessy Prasad, COO at Northwest Asset Management and RIA Innovations, about how advisory firms can give advisors flexibility without letting technology and operations become fragmented. They discuss building a tech ecosystem around the CRM as a central workflow hub, customizing support around individual practices, evaluating AI note takers and other AI tools, outsourcing, onboarding and building cybersecurity and compliance into technology decisions.

1. Prasad describes moving from open architecture to "architecture with intent": start with the system the team logs into every day, then add only tools with a clear purpose that work together.
2. The CRM serves as the central hub for workflows, including keeping onboarding on track.
3. When evaluating AI note takers and other tools, the firm reviews vendor documentation and talks with engineers and compliance teams to confirm that PII stays protected.
4. The discussion covers when outsourcing starts to make sense as administrative and back-office responsibilities take time away from client relationships, and why cybersecurity and compliance are part of every technology decision.