The Authentic Advisor

Offshoring is no longer just a strategy - it’s a leadership challenge. Establishing a team overseas takes more than logistics and cost calculations; it demands cultural awareness, intentional leadership, and a long-term vision. This episode explores the journey of building an offshore team in the Philippines, why the move was made, the growing pains along the way, and how deep integration became the difference-maker. You’ll hear hard-earned insights on managing remote teams with purpose and ensuring offshore employees feel like full members of the organization, not just extensions of it. Key TakeawaysHerbein CPAs has grown from $30 million to $60 million in five years. The offshore team in the Philippines supports all service lines of the firm. AI is not currently shifting the strategy for the offshore team. Cultural understanding is crucial for successful integration. Regular visits to the offshore team help break down barriers. The offshore team works US hours during tax season to stay integrated. Legal registration in the Philippines was a lengthy process. Clients generally respond positively to the offshore team concept. Cultural differences must be acknowledged and respected. Leasing employees to smaller firms is a growing opportunity. Chapters 00:03 Introduction to Offshore Teams 01:49 The Journey of Herbein CPAs 02:26 Building the Offshore Team 04:39 AI and Its Impact on Strategy 06:12 Challenges of Setting Up an Offshore Team 09:42 Cultural Integration and Team Alignment 12:30 Choosing the Philippines for Offshore Operations 14:10 Common Pitfalls in Offshore Team Setup 16:01 Future of Offshore Teams in the Firm 

Facilitating your own firm’s strategic planning retreat can present some unique challenges & opportunities.In this episode of the Authentic Advisor, James Mason interviews Dianna Larkin, a partner at McCay Duff, about her journey in strategic planning and advisory services. Dianna shares her entrepreneurial background, the culture at McCay Duff, and her experience transitioning to a DIY approach for strategic planning retreats. She discusses the challenges and successes of facilitating her own firm’s retreat, the importance of a structured framework, and offers valuable advice for other advisors looking to enhance their strategic planning skills.TakeawaysMcCay Duff focuses on a people-centric culture to retain talent.The firm has a strong history of succession planning.Dianna transitioned to a DIY approach for strategic planning retreats.Using a structured framework helped guide the planning process.Pre-work and spaced sessions improved engagement and productivity.Facilitating her own retreat presented unique challenges.Dianna learned the importance of balancing facilitation and participation.The experience built confidence in her advisory capabilities.Continuous learning and applying tools is key for growth.Chapters00:10 Introduction to Strategic Planning Insights03:12 Dianna's Entrepreneurial Journey06:05 The Role of McCay Duff and Its Culture08:59 Transitioning to DIY Strategic Planning12:22 Implementing the Strategic Planning Framework15:23 Challenges of Facilitating Your Own Retreat18:06 Reflections on the Experience and Future Directions21:15 Advice for Advisors on Strategic Planning

Taking a deep dive into the evolving landscape of talent acquisition and retention, James Mason is joined by Andrew Thoseby, CEO at 1st Executive to discuss emerging trends, innovative technologies, and the importance of engagement in leadership roles. They explore how organisations can adapt to the changing expectations of candidates, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, and provide insights into effective strategies for retaining top talent. 

Family businesses play a vital role in the economy, and face unique challenges. In this episode of The Authentic Advisor, James Mason speaks with Catherine Sayer, CEO of the Family Business Association, about how advisors can effectively support them. Catherine shares her journey, the importance of communication and trust in family businesses, and the critical need for succession planning. The conversation highlights the unique dynamics of family businesses and the essential skills advisors must possess to navigate these complexities successfully.

Explore the transformative concept of a 'Second Brain' and discover how it can supercharge productivity for business advisors. Learn about the CODE method—Capture, Organize, Distill, and Express—designed to streamline idea management. The discussion emphasizes the necessary balance between technology use and authentic connections. Gain insights on avoiding information overload and enhancing personal branding through a structured approach. Unleash creativity and innovation with practical tips for integrating these strategies into your daily routine.

In this episode of the Authentic Advisor, James Mason and Andrew Cooke discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in business advisory services. Andrew shares his journey from technology to business advisory, emphasising the importance of understanding AI's capabilities and limitations. The conversation covers practical applications of AI, common misconceptions, necessary skills for advisors, ethical considerations, and the evolving role of advisors in an AI-driven landscape. Andrew also recommends various AI tools and resources for advisors to enhance their practice and stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment.

Host James Mason interviews Stephen Grant, partner at Azets, UK about his journey in business advisory and the launch of the Boost Business Advisory Initiative, which aims to enhance client performance through tailored advisory services. He discusses the challenges of balancing existing responsibilities with new initiatives, the importance of internal training and mindset transformation, and the future of advisory services in the accounting industry. Stephen emphasises the need for accountants to evolve into true advisors, focusing on delivering value and solving client issues rather than just compliance.  Takeaways  Pick the right people who are passionate about business advice.  Create time for learning and internal promotion. Support from external training organisations is crucial. Encourage a culture where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities.  Demonstrate capability to build internal referrals.  Focus on deeper conversations with clients during compliance meetings.  The future of accounting lies in advisory services.  Accountants must evolve to meet client expectations. Internal champions are essential for driving change.  Continuous improvement is key to success in advisory.  Timecodes 00:10 Introduction to Business Advisory Services  04:46 Stephen Grant’s Business Advisory Journey  08:07 Launching the Boost Business Advisory Initiative  12:51 Balancing Advisory with Existing Responsibilities  16:55 Transforming Internal Mindsets  25:28 The Future of Advisory Services  28:02 Key Takeaways for Success in Advisory

In this episode of the Authentic Advisor, James Mason discusses competitive advantage with Jonathan Coles and Iain Good from Premiumisation Partners. They explore the importance of understanding customer value, defining competitive advantages, and aligning team perspectives to enhance business success. The conversation emphasises the need for businesses to engage with their customers, challenge internal perceptions, and continuously adapt their strategies based on customer insights. Key Insights The best competitive advantage is what customers truly value. Understanding customer perceptions is crucial for defining advantages. Engaging with customers helps identify what they value most. Alignment within teams can significantly impact profitability. Research doesn't have to be expensive; simple conversations can yield insights. Identifying what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. Continuous alignment with customer values is essential for success. Facilitating discussions can help bridge gaps in understanding. Investing time in understanding customer needs is vital. A strong business DNA drives innovation and customer loyalty. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Premiumisation Partners 03:01 Defining Competitive Advantage 06:35 Understanding Customer Value 11:06 Identifying Competitive Advantage 15:10 Aligning Team Perspectives 18:46 Challenging Internal Perceptions 22:28 Cascading Strategy into Business 24:54 Final Tips for Advisors

In this episode of The Authentic Advisor, James Mason and Shabir Ladha discuss insights on networking for success and how too much can be just as bad as not enough. Shabir shares his journey to becoming an advisor and the importance of networking in his role, emphasizing the need for authenticity, meaningful conversations, and setting goals when networking. James & Shabir discuss the pitfalls of selling too early and the importance of maintaining a positive personal brand. The conversation concludes with practical tips for networking effectively as an advisor.

In this episode, James Mason interviews Kim Marshall from WK Advisors and Accountants in Christchurch, New Zealand, about her insights on cutting through with business advisory services in a regional market. Kim shares her background and journey to becoming an advisor, including her experience managing a sheep and beef farm while doing advisory work. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in regional areas, such as poor vintage and droughts, and how she helps clients focus on customer needs to improve their businesses. Kim also talks about the importance of being authentic, investing in oneself, and having a growth mindset.  Key Take Aways Building a successful business advisory service in a regional market requires authenticity and a focus on customer needs.  Regional businesses often face challenges such as poor vintage and droughts, but there are also opportunities for improvement.  High cadence sprints, where quick catch-ups are combined with longer sessions, can be effective in addressing immediate challenges and driving progress.  Collaboration and sharing ideas with other businesses in workshops can lead to valuable insights and solutions.  Investing in oneself, being open to learning, and having a growth mindset are key to personal and professional development as an advisor.  Chapters 00:10 Introduction and Background  03:34 Challenges and Opportunities in Regional Areas  08:02 High Cadence Sprints: Addressing Immediate Challenges  10:11 Collaboration and Idea Sharing in Workshops  13:57 Investing in Oneself: The Key to Advisory Success