Fall seven times, stand up eight.” (Japanese proverb)
There’s no doubt that the world has lost the rulebook. We’re all grappling with the pace of change across almost everything, while multiple global crises overlap. Old ideas about what a “good life” looks like no longer quite fit. And with so many competing sources of information, it’s increasingly difficult to agree on […]
The mystery of 2025 is how the global financial markets managed to withstand a year of Trump’s shock-and-awe economic and political policy decisions, with US equities experiencing their third consecutive year of double-digit advances and the JSE All Share Index delivering more than double that. Other asset classes, including bonds, also remained in the black notwithstanding it being a year […]
This is an article for advisers who steward legacy, reputation, and intergenerational wealth.
When referrals slow and prestige alone isn’t enough, niche positioning becomes your most powerful lever. For family office advisers, that niche isn’t just a market—it’s a mission. Whether you serve legacy families, philanthropic dynasties, or next-gen wealth stewards, these three moves will help you build visibility, trust, and […]
The Rise of Algospeak
Many people think that some words are not allowed on social media sites. This has led to the use of “algospeak,” a coded language that replaces words that are thought to be offensive. “Unalived” means “killed,” and “seggs” means “sex.” Even though users know this behaviour can seem silly, a lot of them feel like […]
In a world where apps, algorithms, and curated profiles are used more and more to manage both love and money, it turns out that financial planning and online dating have more in common than we thought. Both are very personal, often emotional journeys that need clarity, commitment, and a good amount of self-awareness. Here’s how the two surprisingly fit together […]
For families with substantial wealth passed down through generations, the family office is more than just an investment manager. It is also a guardian of the family’s legacy, a protector of its wealth, and often a driver of future growth. Many families are becoming more interested in the fast-paced world of start-ups, even though traditional portfolios of public stocks, bonds, […]
For generations, the management of significant wealth was a deeply personal affair, often handled through a web of trusted advisors, paper ledgers, and intimate, face-to-face relationships. The family office, the private wealth management firm for ultra-high-net-worth families, was the apex of this model: discreet, exclusive, and traditionally slow to change.
Today, that model is undergoing a radical transformation. Driven by the […]
A famous proverb, echoed in cultures from China to Ireland, warns: “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.” It describes the painful, standard cycle where the first generation builds a fortune, the second generation stewards it, and the third generation squanders it. Modern studies have put a number to this adage, revealing a startling truth: an estimated 70% of wealthy families […]
In the world of family offices, where the preservation and growth of multi-generational wealth is the paramount goal, the pursuit of advantage is constant. Investment teams scour the globe for uncorrelated assets, legal experts devise sophisticated tax structures, and risk managers model countless future scenarios. Yet, many of these highly specialized organizations are overlooking a powerful, untapped resource right within […]
In the meticulous world of family offices, where financial acumen, legal expertise, and strategic investing are paramount, it’s easy to prioritize IQ over EQ. However, the unique ecosystem of a family office reveals a powerful truth: while technical skills get someone in the door, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is what ensures they thrive, add value, and stay for the long haul.
Employing […]
