Feeling stuck in your firm or on the edge of rapid growth but don't know how to build the business so that it’s not reliant on you?
Join Bren Ward as he shares the insights, stories, strategies and tools that have helped transform the businesses and lives of our Wize Guys and hundreds of Accounting, CPA and bookkeeping firm owners around the world.
In each episode, Bren dives into the leadership, marketing, sales, systems and mindset tactics that'll get you to your goals without burning out.
His interviews with his Wize co-founders and community of Wize firm owners are inspiring and transformational.
Subscribe to transform your challenges into opportunities and build a business that can run without you.
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Episode 125: Wize Factor Chat: Brett Angus & Jaycen Wilson - Element Accountant & Advisors
Season 2 · Episode 125
Thursday, September 26, 2024 • Duration 16:00
In this episode of The Wize Factor Chat, Jaycen Wilson and Brett Angus, co-founders of Element Accounting & Advisors discuss their journey of transforming their accounting firm with the help of Wize Mentoring.
Jaycen and Brett share how they started their firm in 2014, initially working within a flat structure that left them overwhelmed and stuck in day-to-day operations. They recount the early challenges of modernising their firm—bringing everything into the 21st century—and how Wize Mentoring’s 'deep and narrow' model helped them systematise their business, reduce workload, and grow smarter.
Key insights include their shift from trying to find "superstar" employees to focusing on extraordinary systems that allow ordinary people to excel, as well as the importance of buying into the Wize Mentoring process fully to achieve success.
If you're looking for inspiration on how to build a business that runs without you and want to hear how Jaycen and Brett are implementing Wize Mentoring’s strategies to achieve long-term growth and freedom, this is the episode for you.
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PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
Episode 124: What High-Performing Leaders Do Everyday In Their Firm
Season 2
Thursday, September 19, 2024 • Duration 28:22
In this episode of The Wize Guys Podcast, Kristy Fairbairn and Thomas Sphabmixay explore the daily habits of high-performing leaders in accounting and bookkeeping firms. They discuss the importance of dedicating one hour each day to personal development, focusing on areas like leadership, marketing, and technology.
Thomas emphasises the value of staying sharp and continuously learning to lead effectively. Kristy highlights the significance of maintaining clarity and alignment with long-term goals through daily non-negotiables like reviewing KPIs and energizing the body. Listeners are encouraged to structure their days intentionally, balancing work and personal growth for sustained success.
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PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
Episode 115: Time Management for Accounting Practice Owners
Season 1 · Episode 115
Thursday, July 18, 2024 • Duration 06:33
In this week's episode of The Wize Guys Podcast, Brenton Ward with Ed Chan and Jamie Johns delve into the common challenges faced by accountants and bookkeeping practice owners in managing their time effectively.
Ed shares his personal journey, explaining how his early career experiences in the production division shaped his time management mentality. He discusses the pivotal moment when he discovered Dr. Stephen Covey's principles, which helped him transform his approach to running a business. At the same time, Jamie reflects on how Covey's teachings influenced his own practice.
Together, they explore practical strategies for applying time management theories to create a more efficient and sustainable accounting practice. Tune in for valuable insights and tips on transitioning from a time-poor practice to a business that runs without you!
________________
PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
Episode 25: How to identify the best candidate for your practice
Season 1 · Episode 25
Thursday, August 11, 2022 • Duration 07:52
Episode 25: How to identify the best candidate for your practice
In this episode of The Wize Guys, Brenton Ward, Jamie Johns, and Ed Chan talk about why attitude is the most essential factor to consider when identifying the best candidate in the recruitment process.
Find out more about hiring people onshore and offshore for your accounting practice.
Timestamps:
0:35 - Hiring Onshore vs Offshore employees 1:19 - How outsourcing can help you save more resources 3:57 - The importance of attitude 5:05 - How to utilize technology in the recruitment process
Quotations:
“Absolutely the whole idea of running your business efficiently and to be able to make some profit and about pay your staff a decent wage, and to remain competitive with your competitors in terms of your fees. Everybody's got to win. Your clients are got to get the best price for your services. Your staff has to get paid really well. And you've got to make a profit.” - Ed Chan
“I always think every interaction you have with a candidate reflects their attitude is the most important thing because you cannot train, you cannot generally change someone's attitude.” - Jamie Johns
Episode 24: Step-by-step Guide for every Accounting Practice’s Withdrawal Journey
Season 1 · Episode 24
Thursday, July 21, 2022 • Duration 52:36
Episode 24: Step-by-step Guide for every Accounting Practice’s Withdrawal Journey
What has changed in the accounting system? What are the latest trends and things to adopt for your accounting business?
In this episode of The Wize Guys, Brenton Ward, Jamie Johns, and Ed Chan talk about Your Withdrawal Journey – building a practice that runs without you.
If you are frustrated in your current situation and don’t feel like you are withdrawing from certain functions quickly enough, our mentors have some advice for you plus the use of WizeHub. Learn more on this episode.
Timestamps:
1:19 - How life-changing is the current system for accounting firms 3:17 - Why people are the greatest challenge and asset 4:28 - TIP #1: Train your people to do the job. 6:59 - The importance of stepping back 7:39 - TIP #2: Document everything ~ every process you have. 8:16 - TIP #3: Hone every structure for better leadership, flow, and productivity 11:39 - TIP #4: Encourage bottom-top and not top-bottom hierarchy. 12:39 - TIP #5: Be in control, and not be controlling. 13:25 - What are the danger zones and roadblocks in the withdrawal journey? 13:40 - How money should work for you and your business 15:26 - How to run and manage an accounting business 17:23 - Working IN the business vs Working ON the business 22:23 - How to make the resource mix right 27:08 - Reasons why you should take responsibility 28:21 - How to start building a business that can run without you 34:36 - How to hire strategically 36:02 - Understanding the concept of ‘I don’t have time.’ 39:54 - Short-term vs. Long-term/ Urgent vs. Not Urgent/ Important vs. Not Important 42:50 - Top tips for success
Quotations:
Episode 23: How to Set Up Your Accounting Firm's Meeting Rhythm
Season 1 · Episode 23
Thursday, July 7, 2022 • Duration 11:46
Episode 23: How to Set Up Your Accounting Firm's Meeting Rhythm
TIME and FOCUS ~ are two important factors for work productivity. Now, how to achieve both without losing the other?
In this episode of The Wize Guys, Brenton Ward, and Jamie Johns talk about the importance of setting up meeting structures in your firm to help your teams improve productivity, save time, reduce hassle, and attain goals.
So, make sure to grab a pen and paper for another action-packed episode.
Timestamps:
0:52 - The importance of having team meetings 2:35 - Management vs Leadership 3:50 - Why you should create an extraordinary system 4:09 - The concept of daily huddles 5:36 - Best practices for a meeting 7:19 - 3-question guide to achieving a seamless flow 9:14 - The argument of losing time
Quotations:
“There are so many benefits to having the right meetings and also running the meetings right. And I think it was Peter Drucker who said, management is doing the right things, but leadership management is doing things right.” - Jamie Johns
“...one of the main principles from the aim of Michael Gerber's book in the south often prefer to, but it's all about systematization. And if we create a system in each of these meeting structures, we increase the chances of them being implemented into the fabric of the business and into the culture.” - Brenton Ward
“...there's always, that allows for that priority to the filters at the top. And everyone else on that team instantly knows that that becomes a priority. This is the power of the daily huddle.” - Jamie Johns
Episode 22: Let's talk about REFERRALS! How to build a solid referral program and system in place
Season 1 · Episode 22
Thursday, June 23, 2022 • Duration 45:43
Episode 22: Let's talk about REFERRALS! How to build a solid referral program and system in place
In this episode of The Wize Guys, Ed Chan with Wize Mentors, Thomas Sphabmixay, and Timothy Causbrook discuss how having a referral program in place increases the chances of getting quality referrals and keeping the business of these clients. They also shared insight on understanding Quad activities and how tracking client NPS as part of the Fab5 KPIs can also lead to a much more streamlined referral system.
Find out how a solid referral program and the system can help your accounting practice to scale up.
Timestamps:
0:55 - How to implement a referral process 1:35 - Why referrals are the most efficient way to leverage 2:18 - The importance of client service and communication 3:29 - What is the ideal time to respond to clients 4:10 - Understanding the service industry 4:23 - How to create a communication client policies 5:49 - Why client approval meeting is essential 7:33 - Tips for giving value to clients 11:45 - The positive impact of having your clients involved 12:36 - Understanding the emotional bank account 13:43 - How to build a solid referral system 15:03 - The biggest challenge with referrals 16:43 - How habits can affect leading 17:19 - The importance of being patient 19:21 - Why you should know your team member’s full potential 22:59 - How to build a referral strategy 23:32 - Understanding the different concepts of quad activities 28:49 - Why the first year is all about investment 30:51 - The importance of having the right mindset 33:01 - Best strategies and attitude to make your team ready 35:45 - How client tracking can boost referrals 40:50 - Why it is more expensive to win a new client than your existing client 42:34 - How to take action
Quotations:
Episode 21: How To Improve Your Accounting Firm’s Sales Process ┃ Wize Mentoring Business Tips
Season 1 · Episode 21
Thursday, June 9, 2022 • Duration 12:13
Episode 21: How To Improve Your Accounting Firm’s Sales Process ┃ Wize Mentoring Business Tips
“According to statistics, 80% of sales are made on the fifth to the 12th point of contact.”
In this episode of The Wize Guys, Brenton Ward, Jamie Johns, and Ed Chan talk about Jamie’s journey running his firm, Sky Accountants.
As Jamie was able to develop a successful selling system and an effective sales process that helped them achieve significant growth, find out how you can add divisions in your organization that you should focus on and the selling system that you should start implementing in your own firm.
Timestamps:
0:35 - Jamie’s successful journey with Sky Accountants 2:27 - Why client communication is important 2:59 - Understanding the LAPS system 3:15 - The importance of calling your leads 3:35 - Why speed is critical to sales 3:51 - How to keep your leads alive 5:48 - Why leadership is important 6:56 - Ways to use the calendar with your leads’ follow-up 8:25 - How to make your team involved in the sales process
Quotations:
“..one of the most important aspects is replying.” - Jamie Johns
“If you don't follow up the lead, you just won't have the organic growth that you otherwise may have had.” - Jamie Johns
“..people get busy, we all get busy. My mentality was, and I always kept staying at Sky is it's no until it's a no.” - Jamie Johns
“one of the reasons why the deep and narrow team structure is so important is because we need the senior client managers to have that capacity, whether they're off the tools to have the ability to manage the lead inflow and actually nurture leads and engage in the sales process.” - Brenton Ward
Episode 20: Micro-training your team - how to teach them about the deep and narrow team structure
Season 1 · Episode 20
Thursday, May 19, 2022 • Duration 33:05
Episode 20: Micro-training your team - how to teach them about the deep and narrow team structure
In this episode of The Wize Guys, Brenton Ward with Jamie Johns, and Ed Chan share the principles of a deep and narrow team structure for every accounting practice.
Find out how to lead your team in transitioning, implementing, and embracing a whole new concept and process. The Wize Mentors discuss the most common challenges that practice owners face when training their client managers and production team. Also, hear some ideas on how to overcome if you have a staff who pushes back on this objective.
Timestamps:
0:35 - The concept of deep and narrow teams 1:44 - Best ways to address and transition to a new structure 3:35 - How to manage traffic: communication and production areas 4:23 - That ‘football analogy’ of a team structure 5:29 - Most common challenges and pushbacks to face in transitioning 7:13 - Idea #1: Don't be discouraged. 7:42 - Idea #2: It takes time to change habits. 8:26 - The importance of having your team understand the objectives 9:29 - Idea #3: Encourage to lead. 10:56 - Idea #4: Manage resources properly. 11:55 - The analogy of a production triangle 14:05 - Different forms of pushback 15:03 - Idea #5: Choose the senior people. 15:55 - Idea #6: Conduct 1-on-1 discussion. 16:49 - Idea #7: Educate the team. 17:08 - Why complexity kills businesses 17:46 - Idea #8: Be persistent and consistent. 18:35 - Which is more effective: 1-on-1 discussion vs group meeting 20:33 - Idea #9: Do it efficiently, but manage effectively. 22:12 - Idea #10: Do it slowly. 25:10 - How to handle losing people along the process 26:04 - The importance of ‘No Bypass Policy’ 27:12 - Idea #11: The body-system reporting. 28:07 - How structure is related to your internal processes 28:41 - Idea #12: Stop undermining and delegate.30:14 - Idea #13: Follow the hierarchical system.31:14 - Idea #14: Empower the team.
Episode 19: How Accounting Firms Can Track their Performance┃Best Approach to Measure KPIs
Season 1 · Episode 19
Thursday, May 5, 2022 • Duration 13:32
Episode 19: How Accounting Firms Can Track their Performance┃Best Approach to Measure KPIs
In this episode of The Wize Guys, Brenton Ward, Jamie Johns, and Ed Chan discuss how they track their own firms' KPIs over the years and why it's important for Accounting Practice Owners to track their numbers.
So, make sure to grab a pen and paper for another action-packed episode.
Timestamps:
0:34 - How to monitor your team’s KPIs 1:23 - How to start your own accounting firm 1:50 - The importance of stepping back 2:31 - ‘Why running companies is like raising kids’ 3:02 - The analogy of driving a car 3:24 - The Wize Fab 5 Key Performace Indicators 3:56 - How to be in control without controlling 4:20 - That concept of being a ‘winner’ 5:06 - How culture can affect your business 5:49 - Why Fab 5 is the best dashboard for every accounting practice 6:11 - Understanding the difference between running it as a practice and from business 7:01 - Why top-down management can’t scale a business 8:46 - Why bottom-up kind of management is better 9:33 - How to create a business that runs without you 10:39 - Timesheets: YES or NO? 11:17 - Extraordinary systems vs Extraordinary people
Quotations:
“I think the problem is that there is confusion between running it as a practice versus running it as a business. And if you run it as a practice, that means you're managing it from the top down… But the problem with that kind of management system from top-down is that you can't scale that business and you become a prison in that business because if I take you out of there, that's the end of the business... But if you want to grow and scale it, you need it to be managed from the bottom up, not from the top down.” - Ed Chan
PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
“..people are our greatest challenge, but they're also our greatest asset.” - Ed Chan
“Being busy is not the same as being productive.” - Ed Chan
“..the only difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is just simply the way they think.” - Brenton Ward
PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
“I think it's not about perfection, it's about improving…like Ed, said, it's not an exact science, but providing you're doing it and you've got 80% of it, right? And it works and achieves the goals, which are filtering the priorities to the top and ultimately services servicing your clients.” - Jamie Johns
PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
“..if you don't focus on the client, you're not going to get referrals from them… The senior client manager's role is to talk to the clients and to have a bridge between the production team and the clients. So they're communicating at the client's level.” - Ed Chan
PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
PS: Whenever you’re ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm:
1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Strategy Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here
2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here
3. Book a 1:1 Wize Discovery Session – Spend 30mins with our Wize CEO, Jamie Johns, a $7M firm owner who is ready to give you his entire business plan to build a firm that can run without you – Find out more here
4. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here
