September 2026 – The Outstanding Shift

AI-Native CRM, Advisor Workflows, and the Future of Client Data with Thomas Clawson (Ep. 21)

By The Outstanding Shift | September 15, 2026

AI is changing how advisors manage client notes, workflows, and follow-up.

But when does helpful automation become a better way to run the whole client relationship?

In this episode, Andrew Evans talks with Thomas Clawson, CEO of Slant, about why advisor CRM systems are being rebuilt around AI. Thomas shares how Slant grew from advisor feedback, why AI can remove workflow bottlenecks, how skills help advisors search and act on data, and why firms need to be careful when choosing AI software partners.

Thomas discusses:

Why advisor CRM systems often fail when relationship builders are forced into rigid data entry
How AI can catch client needs, create tasks, and move work forward without waiting on humans
Why Slant built an AI-native CRM around notes, relationships, workflows, and advisor data
How tokenizing and redacting client details can reduce what AI models see during use
Why advisors should choose AI vendors with technical discipline, clear guardrails, and real focus
And more!

Connect with Rossby Financial:

Connect with Andrew Evans:

LinkedIn: Andrew Evans
Email: aevans@rossbyfinancial.com

Connect with Thomas Clawson:

About our Guest:

Thomas Clawson is the CEO and co-founder of Slant, an AI-native CRM built for financial advisors. With a background in building advisor-focused technology, Thomas is focused on helping firms simplify their workflows, strengthen client relationships, and use AI in practical, responsible ways. His work at Slant centers on making CRM less about manual data entry and more about helping advisors act on the right information at the right time.

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The Truth About Advisor Independence and RIA Transitions (Ep. 20)

By The Outstanding Shift | September 1, 2026

What does independence actually look like for a financial advisor today? For many advisors, the answer is more complicated than simply “starting your own RIA.”

In this episode, Andrew Evans takes a look at what it really means to build an independent advisory business, and why many advisors are rethinking the traditional path. Instead of focusing so heavily on industry trends or one-size-fits-all models, Andrew breaks down the operational realities advisors face when leaving captive environments, transitioning to fee-only planning, or trying to scale sustainably without losing flexibility.

Andrew discusses:

Why starting an RIA from scratch can become operationally overwhelming
How Rossby Financial approaches independence differently from large aggregators
The importance of separating compliance, operations, and advisor autonomy
What advisors should focus on before making a transition
And more!