Advisory Series Archives - humanisethenumbers.online

Episode 163: Sam Pearce, Executive Coach at Train of Thought

Paul Shrimpling — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:43:12 +0000

Every time we work with a firm and every time we make a podcast, we seek to challenge the status quo. What we mean by that is that we want to challenge your thinking, your decision making, and even the actions you take, with the aim that you achieve transformative results.
When I invited Sam Pearce, of Train of Thought, onto the podcast, I felt that challenge myself, as he coaches and mentors people from the creative sectors, as opposed to the number industry that we're all in.
I was therefore expecting to hear a lot about differences that would challenge my thinking. What actually stood out for me, however, were the similarities of the challenges that he and the people in his industry are facing, and how we, in our profession, the accountancy profession, can learn from that.
So please come and have a listen to this podcast with Sam Pearce. Scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Sam and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 162: Elaine Godley of The DISCPlus Academy

Paul Shrimpling — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:46:21 +0000

Can you begin to imagine what it's like to have been given a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, then to beat that diagnosis, not just once, but twice, through an awareness of the link between behaviour and health?
In our latest podcast, Elaine Godley of The DISCPlus Academy shares the insights and knowledge acquired from over 40 years of experience in professional services, including accountancy and legal.
More recently, Elaine has been exploring behavioural analysis and the impact of behaviour on our health. And let me tell you, it's an inspiring tale. We cover a range of topics in this podcast, including what it's like to work in professional services, the stresses and strains that it causes on our health, and the ability to self-manage, improving our outlook and being our authentic selves at work.
Scroll down the podcast’s episode page for Elaine’s contact information and for the additional downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 161: Stacey Barr of PuMP Academy

Paul Shrimpling — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:44:25 +0000

As a leader or manager interested in achieving sustainable long-term success, you undoubtedly need to take KPI performance – Key Predictive or Key Performance Indicators – seriously, so that you can achieve what you want to achieve.
In this podcast discussion with Stacey Barr of Pump Academy, Stacey unpacks some simple – but key – practical ways of improving your ability to identify and measure the right KPIs in such a way that you’ll be able to attain great team buy-in. This is crucial as, if the team haven’t bought in, it doesn't matter what KPIs you've put in place, it isn’t going to work well.
I would heartily recommend that any accountant or leader or manager in an accountancy firm who wants to achieve sustainable success for their team, their firm, and their clients – because the KPI conversation is absolutely a numbers conversation your clients would appreciate – check out this podcast discussion with Stacey Barr of Pump Academy.

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Episode 157: Neil Campbell of Pure Path Advisory

Paul Shrimpling — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:49:30 +0000

I suspect that every one of your business clients seeks to work with you and your firm because you bring a dose of good business sense to everything you do with them.
Yes, there's accounts. Yes, there's tax. Yes, there’s audit and other accountancy services that you provide but, ultimately, their reason for working with you is connected with more than just the services.
It's connected with the way you help them feel that they've got a better, safer future – for themselves and their business, their families, their team, and their clients. In my discussion with Neil Campbell about sustainability, I was able to see, all of a sudden, how important that subject is, because it makes good business sense.
If you want one or two very simple, very practical frameworks around which to form a sustainability conversation with every one of your clients, a conversation that's got a practical edge to it, that raises the bar in the way they trust you, then seek out this podcast with Neil Campbell. Please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Neil and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 155: Derek Granger of Aris Growth

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Given the current pace of technology, how can you know how it will impact your firm?
Well, you obviously can't know for sure, but isn't it good to get an insider's viewpoint on how technology will change things?
In this podcast with Derek Granger of Aris Growth, Derek talks about where he works and how he sees the changes coming through into today’s firms, changes that will have a significant impact, not only on recruitment and training, but also on fundamental work practices.
To hear more about technology and to listen in to a wide-ranging conversation where we discussed private equity and the importance of soft skills in accountancy, listen to this podcast and please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Derek and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 154: Luke Farren of The Modern Firm

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:25:37 +0000

When we discuss technology in relation to accounting, it seems that there has been a rapid pace of change with technology for years now, and it's only accelerating. And with the advancements in artificial intelligence, perhaps the speed of change will accelerate even more.
When I interviewed Luke Farren of The Modern Firm recently on the podcast, I felt that Luke's comments about why accounting needs shaking up are certainly worth a listen.
To hear more, join me and Luke and please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Luke and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 153: Gareth Burton, Chief Impact Officer at Progress Accountants and Auditor at Assure UK

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:31:00 +0000

When someone with an engineering background moves into accountancy, what skills do they bring along with them?
What struck me in this podcast with Gareth Burton of Assure UK was Gareth's curiosity about the way that accountancy is carried out and the potential improvements to processes that can happen across virtually every part of our business. Gareth has got that down to a tee.
To listen to more of that and to further useful insights about how and why Gareth set up his firm in the first place, join us and please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Gareth and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast

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Episode 149: Donna Field of Autumn HR

Paul Shrimpling — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:20:00 +0000

When adversity strikes, how do you react?
In this podcast with Donna Field of Autumn HR, we discuss how she faced adversity in the form of a business, one in which she was emotionally and financially invested, disappearing overnight.
This ultimately proved the catalyst to setting up what is now a thriving business, with Donna doing work that she loves and bringing huge value to her clients.
I really enjoyed my chat with Donna. We talked about a number of things – the importance of team engagement, the positive effect of having weekly one-to-ones with your team members, and, of course, the impact that a good HR partner can have on your business.
Please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Donna and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 147: Caroline Carter, Owner of Carter Clear Accounting

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:35:00 +0000

Think about the traditional route most accountants follow before going into practice.
In this podcast, I explore the route taken by Caroline Carter, of Carter Clear Accounting. You'll find Caroline's route anything but traditional.
From having mental health challenges in the house, to a teenage pregnancy, to running a pub – a busy pub – at age 23, Caroline's background is rich and varied, and all of this has served to inform how she runs her successful accounting firm.
In this deeply human podcast, hear Caroline talk about how her background underpinned her approach to accounting, and how her diagnosis of ADHD helped her to make sense of the world.
This is a cracking podcast.

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Episode 143: Laura Taylor, Founder of Bright Flamingo

Paul Shrimpling — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 02:18:00 +0000

What's it like to start an accounting firm with £200, to grow it quickly over a period of five years, and then to decide to exit? And from the start of that exit conversation to completion, for it to take only 25 days?
We'll cover all of that and a lot more in this podcast with Laura Taylor from Bright Flamingo. Laura shares how that journey affected her, and she also reveals some secrets along the way that could help you in your own accounting firm.
If you want to hear more, join Laura and me and if you enjoy it, please hit the subscribe button.
Please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Laura and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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