The Authentic Advisor

Why have a community purpose? What difference does it make to the culture, operations and success of a firm?  Jack Edmonds, Crowe UK talks to James Mason about the power of having pervasive values fully embraced from the managing partner to the newest recruit. How a clear community purpose benefits the firm, clients, and the staff personally along with knock-on effects to wider society. Jack shares his tips on how to structure programs, communicate values, where to start and the importance of authenticity. An uplifting and positive podcast for those looking to make a real difference.  

What does it take to drive continuous improvement in an organisation? James Mason talks to Quinton Whitehead, Manager – Business Improvement about using Mindshop tools and processes at AG Coombs, Australia's leading specialist provider of building services.  There are numerous challenges for an organisation with over 1000 employees to successfully drive change. Quinton reveals what tools, processes and approaches he has taken to create a company-wide, consistent approach, overcoming change fatigue and creating a culture that embraces continuous improvement.  Listen in for insights on successful blended learning ideas, shifts in change management from AI, and how to coach and facilitate successfully for quality improvement and change success. 

Owning and operating a successful accounting / business advisory firm is challenging enough on its own. How does Matt Sharwood, Director, Advise Accountants find the time to pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations whilst still maintaining excellent client outcomes?   Matt discusses with James Mason the insights, benefits, technology and planning approaches he uses to successfully juggle running a high performing firm while growing a diverse number of businesses in areas like Kitchen manufacturing, Tiling and Property development. Matt shares how he identifies each business opportunity and his tips to ensure each are successful. Finally he touches on the two strategies he embraces for greater work / life balance. A great podcast to listen to for advisors and accountants who want to take the next a step into investing in diverse opportunities. 

Why are Mindshop diagnostics so effective uncovering deep client insights and saving business advisor’s time? Simon Drum, Managing Director of PSVC Advisory talks to James Mason about how diagnostics are a cornerstone of his business advisory model, in workshops, for process performance and due diligence activities and as a key part of his sales cycle.      Simon talks at a granular level about how he uses Mindshop diagnostics, gathering comparison data prior to workshops from a broad set of respondents to supplement qualitative interviews to test if the ‘words and music’ match. Discussing how diagnostics allow advance incubation of ideas for richer discussions in the workshop, Simon talks about the benefits of understanding key issues rather than ‘going in blind’ so time is spent more effectively, with better client outcomes.   Listen in as Simon reveals how he goes beyond simple lead generation questionnaires to move prospects rapidly through the sales cycle, delivering immediate value to clients with diagnostics that address key questions relevant to the business advisory services offered. 

With vast amounts of content available through abundant channels it's easy to become overwhelmed when building capability. What's the best way to select, access and apply learning and development resources to meet your own current and future needs? If you're a business advisor or coach, how do you meet the changing learning needs of your clients? JoAnn Labbie, Chief People Officer, Allinial Global and James Mason talk about shifts occurring in learning and development, the importance of creating a career success plan, and how to maximise time available for skill development in a busy schedule. In this podcast, JoAnn shares her opinion on the future of learning, and the importance of 'soft' skills such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence and listening. Don't miss JoAnn's tips on how advisors can effectively upskill clients in the current unpredictable environment.

What are the latest shifts in leadership and culture? Nikita Tomlinson, Director at Sudburys Ltd, Northland, New Zealand talks to James Mason, Mindshop about what's working for successful clients, and the top challenges they currently face. Exploring the key elements essential to building a high-performing culture and the impact on leadership strategies as businesses shift their focus back to profitability by streamlining operations. A must-listen for independent advisors and firms looking to get cutting edge insights on today's leadership and culture consulting. Join Nikita and James as they reinforce the importance of developing a solid strategy in this area to help clients succeed.

Are you a business advisor looking to take equity stakes in businesses? Tune in to the latest episode of our podcast where Cameron McMillan, Principal, Right Hand Advisors, sits down with James Mason, Managing Director at Mindshop. Cameron shares his journey of getting more heavily involved in the ownership of other businesses while retaining his advisory business. He reveals how he determined which businesses to invest in and how his strategic planning and implementation advisory skills were vital during the process. Listen in to discover the practical ways Cameron manages to juggle the roles of advisor and investor, and learn about the barriers he had to overcome. Cameron also shares his top three tips for advisors looking to go down this path. Don't miss out on this invaluable episode!

Join James Mason as he interviews Dennis Lee, a Partner at RSM Singapore's business consulting division, on practical ways advisors can implement environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies for their clients and in their own firms. Increasingly, leaders are eager to learn and educate themselves, not just for environmental reasons but also to positively impact their business and people. Clients seek advice on how to take meaningful action, often requiring a major strategy rethink and radical change beyond simply changing the light bulbs. Don't miss this episode on how advisors can make a significant difference in helping implement ESG strategies for a brighter future.

While at face value, many business owners seems to have it all figured out, in reality many have relationship, health and personal issues with a layer of business worries on top. That's why Mario Vicari's mantra as a business advisor to privately-held companies is: 'if I do my job well, I make your life better'. In this podcast, Mario, director at the largest independently owned Philadelphia-based accounting firm with 250+ staff, shares his approach to complex problem solving through facilitation and how he avoids competitive bidding situations by being 'advisory led'. Mario looks to future consequences of managing remote workforces, talking about his adaptive approach and shares the importance of building a solid personal balance sheet so clients have options when it's time to exit the business. There's a wealth of fantastic, wide ranging insights in this episode for every business advisor.

What relevance does the Buddhist metaphor of the second arrow have for business advisors? Nick Mayhew has a profound, optimistic message for business advisors; that a client's emotional wellbeing (and their own for that matter) can be continuously improved through the application of ten key principles. After a tidal wave of disruption and years of choppy seas, we are all overdue some calmer waters. Nick shares how improving leaders' personal emotional regulation can have positive effects that ripple through teams, businesses and to a wider circle of relationships. In this thoughtful, timely podcast, Nick and James Mason contemplate vision, purpose, rugby and the pleasure of breaking rocks. A perfect opening podcast for a new start.