When you're fortunate enough to spend an hour or so in a deep discussion with two members of the leadership team of a 600-person firm, a team that have profoundly and consistently improved their firm's performance over the years, it's definitely something worth taking seriously. And that's the case with this podcast discussion with Richard Spofforth and Jenn Williamson from Kreston Reeves. As you would expect, we unpacked powerful insights in and around technology, but also profound insights around customer and client care and how you make that come alive so that you deliver higher value to your clients. But perhaps more importantly, we also discussed the seriousness with which Kreston Reeves considers what matters to their team. One example is the quarterly review with each team member. Irrespective of the size and age of your firm, there's something to be valued in this discussion with Jenn and Richard. Please scroll down this episode page for the contact information for Jenn and Richard and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast. |
The Solution:
Of course, we're going to say that it will be technology that's going to hugely revolutionise the way we work and what we do, but I think in all of that, and perhaps this is a non-change, we can't forget that the real value is in the way we deliver that.
I think it was you, Paul, that shared with us a statistic, that approximately 55% of what delivers engagement is around value, it’s about how we do our work, not about what we do necessarily.
And I think, that's the bit we almost have to focus on keeping constant, and perhaps not letting the technological change diminish the importance of that.
SHOW NOTES
Connect with Richard
Connect with Jenn
Connect with Paul
Resources relating to this podcast:
During the podcast Paul, Richard and Jenn talk about AI and how changes are inevitable as AI grows. These changes can bring uncertainty and fear.
It's really important therefore to establish a culture within your firm whereby your team feel safe.
When you create and nurture a culture of psychological safety, you ensure that your team feel free to exchange ideas, concerns and questions without fear of reprisal or negative consequences. This will open a flow of creativity, innovation and growth for your firm.
If you want to know more about this subject, please click the button below the image to download the Business Breakthrough report, 'Psychological Safety'.
At the very end of the podcast Paul shares some information about the Accountants Growth Academy – here is the link to find out more:
Richard shares the importance of Kreston Reeves' core purpose and values and how they are the focus for everything they do, both with their team and with their clients.
Here is the link to the values page on their website. It does a great job of explaining why these values underpin everything they do:
Paul also mentioned The Fearless Organization, a book by Amy C. Edmondson.
Amy states that 'psychological safety is broadly defined as a climate in which people are comfortable expressing and being themselves.'
If you want to access this book, please click the button below the image.
During the podcast, Richard talks about the growing use of AI. He discusses the potential human toll if AI ends up doing all the 'easy' work and humans are left with the 'hard' work.
Paul ponders the idea that the world may shift to a 4-day working week, simply because of the demands on the brain of constantly doing deep work.
Paul mentions Deep Work, a book by Cal Newport, that talks about how to block out distractions and focus the mind properly when doing deep work. To access this book, please click the button below the image.
