In this special episode, Sharon McClafferty sits down with Mike McHenry of SeamlessSMSF to delve into cultivating a thriving workplace culture.

Sharon and Mike chat about the profound impact of workplace culture on business success. They explore how a great culture can truly make or break a firm, diving into the key elements that contribute to a thriving environment. They offer practical tips and share their experiences fostering a culture where values, beliefs, and behaviours align to propel their businesses forward. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with real-world examples that showcase how the right culture isn't just part of the business—it's at the heart of its success.

Seamless SMSF contact details are

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (03) 5226 3599

Website: www.axelerateadvisory.com

Slipstream contact details are

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (07) 3221 3796

In this episode we talk with Con Voultsios of aXelerate Advisory about funding the purchase of equity interest in professional services firms.

Con shares some interesting aspects about what banks are looking for when considering finance applications submitted by accounting and financial planning firms. His observations with respect to developing relationships with bank managers are insightful – getting to know their boss and their assistant. Con also has some suggestions about the role a broker can play not just in obtaining a deal but progressing an application through to conclusion.

In the interview Con also mentioned a book which he’s read lately –

Black Belt. A masterclass for startups and entrepreneurs, by Joseph Healy and David Hornery, the founders of Judo Bank.

Con Voultsios’ contact details are

Email:               [email protected]

Phone:              0452 619 699

Web:                 https://www.axelerateadvisory.com/

Linked In:           https://www.linkedin.com/in/con-voultsios-8939b34b/

Scott’s contact details are

Email:                [email protected]

Phone:               0409 870 330

Web:                  www.slipstreamcoaching.com.au

Linked In:           www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Facebook:         The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website:            www.thebackstickagenda.com/

Spotify:              Search for Tim Lane

In this episode we talk with Richard Hernan of Broadleaf Financial Group about investing in financial advisory firms.

Amongst a range of interesting topics, we discuss the roles and resources that an external investor can bring to the table, along with the characteristics of firms in which Broadleaf is interested in taking a long term equity position.

Richard also shares some very interesting case studies of businesses that Broadleaf has invested in.

In the interview Richard mentioned three of his favourite podcasts, details of which appear below:

1. The Founders Podcast with David Senra. https://www.founderspodcast.com/
2. Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais. https://findingmastery.com/
3. The Howie Games, with Mark Howard. https://www.howiegames.com/

Richard referred to Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Ultimate Team Player.

To find out more details about Slipstream Group’s Pathway to Succession & Exit workshop, follow this link: https://slipstreamgroup.com.au/pathway-to-succession-and-exit/

Scott also makes reference to the Slipstream Group program on personal development, The Personal Breakaway. To find out more, follow this link: https://slipstreamgroup.com.au/personal-planning/

Richard’s contact details are

Email:                  [email protected]

Phone:                08 6500 7888

LinkedIn:           https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-hernan-a655267b/

Website:                    https://broadleafgroup.com.au/

Scott’s contact details are:

Email:                  [email protected]

Phone:                0409 870 330

Web:                   www.slipstreamcoaching.com.au

Linked In:           www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Facebook:         The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website:            www.thebackstickagenda.com/

Spotify:               Search for Tim Lane

In this episode, we talk with Larry Fingleson of The Edward Alexander Foundation about his career, finding purpose and charitable giving.

Amongst a range of interesting topics, we discuss -

• Private ancillary funds and the roles that they can play in supporting good causes whilst at the same time fostering healthy discussions about money in families
• Bringing philanthropy and estate planning into the conversations with one’s clients
• Encouraging clients to give while they live so that they see the benefits that flow from their generosity.

Some great activities with charitable links that Larry mentioned were:

• Thread together – New York Marathon https://threadtogether.org/ November 2024
• Feel the magic bike ride https://magicride.com.au/

Larry also shares some interesting suggestions about reaching out to potential mentors and how to get the best out of the relationship with a mentor.

In the interview, Larry mentioned Ikigai, a profound book that he’s read lately, details of which appear below –

Ikigai, the Japanese secret to a long and happy life, by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

Some other books that Larry loves to promote are –

Preparing Heirs, Five steps to a successful transition of family wealth and values, by Roy Williams and Vic Preisser

Philanthropy – Heirs & Values. How successful families are using philanthropy to prepare their heirs for post-transition responsibilities, also by Roy Williams and Vic Preisser

Larry's contact details are

Email:                  [email protected]

Phone:                0407 766 700

Web:                    www.teaf.org.au

Linked In:           www.linkedin.com/in/larry-fingleson

Scott’s contact details are

Email:                  [email protected]

Phone:                0409 870 330

Web:                   www.slipstreamcoaching.com.au

Linked In:           www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Facebook:         The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website:            www.thebackstickagenda.com/

Spotify:               Search for Tim Lane

In this episode we talk with the latest coach to join Slipstream Group, Nina Forbes. Amongst a range of interesting topics, we discuss Nina’s career to date (lots of highlights here!), her views on the future of the financial planning profession and what she is most looking forward to in her coaching relationships.

It was great to explore Nina’s career to date, with her well considered views on delivering an integrated accounting and financial planning service to clients a particular highlight. So too, Nina’s common sense advice in hiring, training and incentivising paraplanners makes for compelling listening.

Nina also shares some interesting aspects about a business she co-founded, built up and eventually sold to a large and well respected organisation.

In the interview Nina mentioned Unsung Science, a podcast she enjoys. Hosted by David Pogue, it can be readily located via your web browser or your preferred podcast platform.

Nina’s contact details are:

Email:                 [email protected]

Phone:               0412 013 685

Web:                  www.slipstreamgroup.com.au

LinkedIn:           www.linkedin.com/in/nina-forbes-a8637449/

Scott’s contact details are:

Email:                  [email protected]

Phone:                0409 870 330

Web:                   www.slipstreamgroup.com.au

LinkedIn:           www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Facebook:         The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website:            www.thebackstickagenda.com/

Spotify:               Search for Tim Lane

Fiona also shares some interesting aspects about her own journey, becoming a shareholder and director of her firm in recent years.

For additional information, you may care to visit the Accru Hobart website –

• Due diligence for potential purchasers
• The news section of the website contains a range of interesting articles that Fiona has written

The podcast Fiona referred to during the interview is: Get the know Howe.

To register your interest in the Pathway to Equity workshop, please follow this link.

Fiona’s contact details are:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 03 6244 5044

Web: www.accruhobart.com.au

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fionaettles

Scott’s contact details are:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0409 870 330

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

Web: www.slipstreamgroup.com.au

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Spotify: Search for Tim Lane

Facebook: The Backstick Agenda (please go and like the page)

Website: www.thebackstickagenda.com

To see film clips and to hear Tim’s music: www.thebackstickagenda.bandcamp.com

(To purchase Tim’s music, you need to register on Bandcamp before you can download.)

In this compelling episode we talk with Fraser Jack of The Cyber Collective about cyber security. Amongst a range of interesting topics, we discuss the risks which apply to small businesses and how team members being eager to please clients can make your firm vulnerable to attack.

Fraser also shares some interesting aspects about emails, tax file numbers, bank account details and passwords. In the interview Fraser also mentioned the Retireinvest Case which makes the legal implications of inadequate cyber security appear very close to home.

Fraser provided a host of references during the interview, which are summarised below -

• The Australian Cyber Security Centre
• The ACSC’s Essential Eight Maturity Model referred to by Fraser can be accessed here
• The Cybersecurity Framework put out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) referred to by Fraser can be accessed here
• Here's a media release put out by ASIC in relation to the proceedings that Retireinvest went through regarding cyber security
• The FPA Professional Code referred to by Fraser can be accessed here

Fraser’s contact details are:

Email: [email protected]

For appts: calendly.com/fraser-jack123/25min

Web: thecybercollective.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fraserjack123/

Scott’s contact details are:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0409 870 330

Web: www.slipstreamcoaching.com.au

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Spotify: Search for Tim Lane

Facebook: The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website: www.thebackstickagenda.com/

In this episode we welcome back renown marketer Kirt Daunt to talk about putting marketing to work in your firm. In particular, we drill into what comes next after putting the marketing foundations (brand, website, case studies etc) in place.

To squeeze the utmost out of this interview with Kirt, we pitched him headlong into real life scenarios that listeners will relate to, such as –

• Introducing current clients to a new service, as well increasing the uptake of services provided by other divisions of one’s firm
• What to do if the work that you do is a “best kept secret” in your community plus how to tactfully play your hand while serving on the committee of the golf club or on the board of your children’s school
• What comes next when a prospective client makes an expression of interest, such as downloading a strategy paper or coming along to one of your events

Throughout the interview, Kirt shares many timeless marketing principles which have served him well at the top end of town, linking them to the scenarios being considered for a professional services firm. Literally, there are too many to list here but here’s a sample –

• “When someone’s adding value in your life, that’s a relationship you come back to”
• “What do your customers care about?”
• “Marketing is the pursuit of ruthless experimentation”
• “Your marketing plan is as much about the things you are not going to do as the things you will do.”

During the interview, Kirt made mention of a summary of some key concepts covered in his earlier podcast (Episode 69). To access the summary, follow this link.

In the Coach’s Corner segment of this episode, Scott Charlton encourages you to download Slipstream Group’s Marketing Diagnostic to get a snapshot of where your marketing would benefit from attention. You can access the Diagnostic by following this link.

Kirt’s contact details are:

LinkedIn:          linkedin.com/in/kirtdaunt/

Scott’s contact details are:

Email:                [email protected]

Phone:              0409 870 330

Web:                 www.slipstreamcoaching.com.au

LinkedIn:          www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Spotify:               Search for Tim Lane

Facebook:         The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website:            www.thebackstickagenda.com/

In this episode we talk with Jon Petie about his retirement from public practice after 28 years and his new role as Slipstream Group’s latest coach.

Amongst a range of interesting topics, we discuss delivering on one’s promises, being of a growth mindset and maintaining a keen interest in the value of one’s business. It’s also clear from the discussion that a key part of Jon’s success over the long term was his unwavering commitment to delivering on promises.

Jon also shares some interesting experiences about buying a client base, repaying the associated debt and the process he went through to sell his firm.

Jon’s contact details are:

Email:                [email protected]

Phone:               0412 930 101

Web:                  www.slipstreamgroup.com.au

Linked In:          https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-petie-97647849/

Scott’s contact details are:

Email:                  [email protected]

Phone:                0409 870 330

Web:                   www.slipstreamgroup.com.au

Linked In:           www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Spotify:               Search for Tim Lane

Facebook:         The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website:            www.thebackstickagenda.com/

In this episode we talk with John Fitzgerald of Active Rehabilitation about growing a remarkable professional practice.

Amongst a range of interesting topics, we discuss –

• Specialising in profitable niche areas
• Being nimble enough to handle staff and patient illness throughout COVID
• Recruitment, including how to source, employ and train top level graduates
• Building a first rate culture within the business – this does not happen through accident

John also shares some interesting aspects about inducting new team members, developing written procedures for all aspects of client care and the multi-pronged approach used by his team to ensure timely and effective communication.

As a regular consumer of their services, John has some words of advice for accounting practitioners seeking to work with business clients.

The collaboration software that John mentioned which is used within Active Rehabilitation Therapy is Basecamp, which can be accessed via basecamp.com/.

In the interview John also mentioned two books from which he’s drawn insights and inspiration, details of which appear below –

• The Carrot Principle: How the Best Managers Use Recognition to Engage Their People, Retain Talent, and Accelerate Performance, by Adrian Gostick.
• The Infinite Game: How great businesses achieve long-lasting success, by Simon Sinek.

The book Scott mentions during the Coach’s Corner segment is –

• What really happened in Wuhan: A virus like no other; Countless infections; Millions of deaths, by Sharri Makinson.

The downloadable Threat Analysis worksheet that Scott mentions during the Coach’s Corner segment can be accessed here: slipstreamgroup.com.au/in-the-slipstream-episode-70/.

John Fitzgerald’s contact details are

Email:                 [email protected]

Phone:               0417 3163 1188

Web:                   activerehab.com.au

Linked In:            www.linkedin.com/company/active-rehabilitation-physiotherapy/

Kirt’s contact details are

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kirtdaunt/

Scott’s contact details are

Email:                  [email protected]

Phone:                0409 870 330

Web:                   www.slipstreamgroup.com.au

LinkedIn:           www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Facebook:         The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website:            www.thebackstickagenda.com/

To see film clips and to hear Tim’s music: https://thebackstickagenda.bandcamp.com/

(To purchase Tim’s music, you need to register on Bandcamp before you can download.)

In this episode we talk with marketing expert Kirt Daunt about developing a winning brand. Amongst a range of interesting topics, we discuss two aspects that one should obsess over – 

1. What your client needs and wants
2. How to deliver this profitably to your bottom line

Kirt makes the point that doing a good job of the first helps you achieve the second.

Kirt also shares some interesting aspects about identifying one’s key client, starting with the thought-provoking question, “Who do you fight for?” He suggests that the aim of your marketing is to be famous with these people.

Making it real, Kirt spontaneously pulls in a wide range of examples – not just from the accounting and financial planning world but glass manufacturing; weightlifting equipment and even James Bond! The discussion truly is a celebration of how marketing can be interesting, appealing and, as Kirt clearly states….Fun!

Following the interview, Kirt kindly provided a summary of some key concepts covered during the discussion, Design & Build, where Design refers to creating a brand blue print and Build refers to constructing a marketing plan. Access the summary here.

The company with awesome marketing that Kirt mentioned during the “Rapid Fire Dozen” section was Catch: www.catch.com.au

Kirt also mentioned the book by Byron Sharp “How Brands Grow. What Marketers Don’t Know”.

The marketing book Scott referred to during the interview was “This is Marketing. You can’t be seen until you learn to see.” by Seth Godin.

Kirt’s contact details are

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kirtdaunt/

Scott’s contact details are

Email:                  [email protected]

Phone:                0409 870 330

Web:                   www.slipstreamgroup.com.au

LinkedIn:           www.linkedin.com/in/scottcharlton

To take an interest in Tim Lane’s music, which is featured on the episode:

Facebook:         The Backstick Agenda. (Please go and Like this page.)

Website:            www.thebackstickagenda.com/

To see film clips and to hear Tim’s music: https://thebackstickagenda.bandcamp.com/

(To purchase Tim’s music, you need to register on Bandcamp before you can download.)