The Big Six Insights

We’re kicking off our new series, Encore's Big Six Insights of 2026, where we break down the key shifts impacting the advice industry this year.

So… what is a Chief Operations and Technology Officer (COTO)? And does your advice business need one to thrive in 2026?

In this episode, Mark Zaglas and Brendan Johnson unpack the rise of the COTO.

This role finally bridges the gap between two conversations that have been running in parallel for years:

• Process: How your advice production system actually works (workflows, clarity, and structure).

• Enablement: How technology should support that system (CRM, workflow tools, AI, and platforms).

The Insight: If you find yourself changing your technology but having the same operational headaches on repeat, the tech isn’t the problem. It’s a lack of end-to-end ownership.

Ready to redefine what tomorrow looks like for your advice firm?

See how the COTO role builds that future in our first episode.