LIVE from TOACon 2023 - Transformational

Speaker 1: 0:01

It is another day in paradise, my friend. We are outside in the beautiful Goat Coast. It is 23 degrees. We are right next to a pool. We might pop in there a bit later. We're in a beautiful portico with the breeze flowing through, and we are at Toa Con, my friend.

Speaker 2: 0:18

We are indeed. This is I've heard so much of our Toa Con over the years From me, from you and from other people. I've heard some pretty interesting stories about what gets on around hours there, but more interesting stories about what happens during the day.

Speaker 1: 0:34

Yeah, seriously, out of all the conferences I've ever been to and I will still say this Last year's one at Boracay, for the experience, but the content? They have some amazing keynote speakers from all different industries flying on into Australia. That's their game, that's their job and they are on point. And you get one after the other, after the other, after the other. Your head is full, like sometimes it's a bit overflow.

Speaker 2: 0:59

I've got a big head.

Speaker 1: 0:59

Well, I reckon you are going to be full by the end of the day because there is so much gold sitting in all of that content and I just tap on my phone furiously just trying to get it all down. Last year I had so many notes that on my flight back it was 24 hours to get back to Adelaide from Boracay. I literally was summarizing all of my notes, putting it into like getting it out to the team doing what I need to do. But I felt energized. I felt like the creative juices were flowing. It was one of the best conferences ever been to.

Speaker 2: 1:27

Well, I am. I'm looking forward to it. Obviously, it's going to be better this year, because both you and I are here. I know how amazing Other than that it's going to go massively downhill. It is the morning of day one. We had a bit of drinks the night before.

Speaker 1: 1:40

We did. It didn't go very long. It was from 5pm to 7pm. It was very time, it was very impressed.

Speaker 2: 1:45

But it is a jam-packed day. It is Over the next couple of days. We're going to have some conversations with some people about, maybe, stuff they've heard, stuff they're interested in. We're just going to see where the conversation really goes.

Speaker 1: 1:55

The vibe here is really cool and really different.

Speaker 2: 1:57

We might also do a bit of a day one recap of how it all goes. We'll share that with our people and hopefully humans will be listening to this short.

Speaker 1: 2:06

Perfect.

Speaker 2: 2:08

We love it If we can. I'm going to see if we can get in our betas and record an episode in the pool. We are literally right next to a pool.

Speaker 1: 2:15

Surely we can just hop in. If it was in the 30s I'd be absolutely gunning for it, but it is a touch of the coolest.

Speaker 2: 2:21

I'm in my 30s, but you can't, no, no, no, I'm not taking age, my friend there it is.

Speaker 1: 2:25

I can't believe you got that in the intro. Yes, it is not warm enough for me to get to the pool, but I might put my feed in. Anyway, join us on this accounting adventure. People Right on.

Speaker 2: 2:34

Cheerio Ellie, it's half time. It is half time. I've just spilt half a can of beer or like that top, but I'm hoping it's going to be okay.

Speaker 1: 2:54

You know, normally at half time people get oranges, you get beer.

Speaker 2: 2:57

Well, I figured I've got to go home early. I can't stay for the whole session.

Speaker 1: 3:01

So you're just going to crack in early.

Speaker 2: 3:02

Well, I'm not going to have that. I'm just one or two, but you know.

Speaker 1: 3:05

Yeah, well, they actually put beer in the bags, yeah, so they want you to actually just go and have fun, totally. So this is your first tail gone and first one, so far yeah, so tell me, I just called you, aunt.

Speaker 2: 3:17

I'll take it. I was just going to go with it because I'm like you fucked that one up, but let's, let's go.

Speaker 1: 3:23

No, I was going to call you aunt and then I'm like I've never called you that in my life.

Speaker 2: 3:27

I don't think everyone's anyone's me, no, you are definitely an Andrew, but what do?

Speaker 1: 3:30

you have a nickname. No you don't, I need to call you.

Speaker 2: 3:34

Some mates used to call me Andy because there was a couple of Andrews.

Speaker 1: 3:37

No, you don't fit in, andy. No, I can't call me and and it didn't work and it didn't come out. So anyway, first tail gone.

Speaker 2: 3:43

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 3:44

Thoughts vibe check.

Speaker 2: 3:47

It is exceptionally interesting how the environment you're in creates the environment that you participate within.

Speaker 1: 3:57

So, like so, we're very deep Andrew.

Speaker 2: 3:59

So we're on the Gold Coast. Yeah, it's sunny, it's warm, the sky is blue, there's beautiful, like pools and stuff around us and everyone just seems to be in a bit more chilled out, bit more relaxed, but also a bit more almost like focus and attentive, like they're here to connect and learn and to grow. Yeah, and I'm not seeing many people with like laptops on the tables trying to do work.

Speaker 1: 4:19

No, no, no, no, no, no no, which you see at most like, even at the big, big conferences that are amazing. Yeah, there's none of that happen here. No, no, no, no. People are really listening and that's because they get like keynote speakers that are world renowned, there to inspire, excite, engage, innovate Like they haven't just pulled somebody from the road or they haven't just like trawled through people that you know are constantly on stage.

Speaker 2: 4:43

Well, let's be honest, you and I aren't speaking, so that just says how bloody good the actual power speakers have to be.

Speaker 1: 4:48

Because normally one of us is on the stage, so it's really nice to sit down and just be fed, and the absolute powerhouse they started with was with Lisa Tamatiki.

Speaker 2: 5:01

I think Tomato Tamati, tamati.

Speaker 1: 5:02

Tamati. She was an endurance athlete, and when I say endurance, I mean endurance. I'm like Google this.

Speaker 2: 5:08

Google this girl On a level of insanity.

Speaker 1: 5:10

Of a level of insanity. But, you know what I connected with her on so many levels, which makes me insane. But she was talking about pushing harder, fighting harder, being relentless, and I love that and I was like, oh, there are so many things that I could do in my life to push harder, to not just accept the status quo, to not accept what people are telling me. Push harder, and I've done that in my career.

Speaker 2: 5:29

Do you know? I used to like, when I was young, an idiot.

Speaker 1: 5:32

Who are young. You'll always be young to me, Andrew.

Speaker 2: 5:35

You'd see someone like on a bike and you'd be like Pushhara your mum did. That was a thing I used to say.

Speaker 1: 5:42

it's like a 14 year old Really. Oh, you're one of those people.

Speaker 2: 5:45

Well, an idiot, yeah, yeah, have you grown out of that, or do you? Still do that. No, I don't do it anymore.

Speaker 1: 5:50

Do you do it with your girls or in the car and you just show them how it's done? I probably should show them how it's done. But back to Lisa it was inspirational.

Speaker 2: 5:57

So it wasn't just that. It was a story of a life where she's done that to herself to be able to achieve and complete ridiculous feats, but then also how she took that mentality and that approach to then support her family as well. So it was pretty amazing. It was pretty exceptional. We had Nick who shared the 10th, because this is the 10th year anniversary of Kola.

Speaker 1: 6:16

This is 10 years. Right. This is a happy 10th. They're in double digits. This is exciting and he's stepping back in as CEO.

Speaker 2: 6:22

CEO. He's going to join us a little bit later and have a bit of a chat.

Speaker 1: 6:24

And he had some great things to say, and I loved some of the throw-off comments where you need to basically have a plan, otherwise how are you going to reach it? And we always overestimate what we can do in one year and underestimate what we can do in 10. And so there's some really motivational stuff in that for me. But what I love about Nick's talk and every year they'll have a bit of an update on Tower is that they're always growing, they're always evolving. They see the things that they've done well, they're open with the things that they could be better on, and that's what I really love about Tower is that they're transparent and it's all about the people, it's all about the community, it's all about the relationships, and that really comes through.

Speaker 2: 6:58

Agreed, agreed. And then Ian Nankapis. Oh, that's Rob David. Ian, I was like Rob.

Speaker 1: 7:03

Oh no, no, sorry Rob, we are both bad women, I think.

Speaker 2: 7:06

Ian Nankapis, because I'm pretty sure he's a sportsman. Rob Nankapis, who was a business coach, took the room through a whole bunch of like processes and like business coachy element stuff.

Speaker 1: 7:15

Yeah, ways to really grow your business and actually think about your business for a moment and the strategies that you can put in place. So really practical stuff.

Speaker 2: 7:22

We didn't get to catch much of that because we had to duck out and prep for some podcast stuff. But, rob, I'm assuming it was great, it was amazing.

Speaker 1: 7:28

Yeah, yeah, I'm sure that something is We've eaten some food, I snagged myself a beer. You poured all over your laptop.

Speaker 2: 7:34

It's just started again, so we're going to have to finish up because I don't want to miss what's going to happen.

Speaker 1: 7:38

No, no, there's some great speakers.

Speaker 2: 7:39

Let's go. This has been good. We're halfway through, I know let's rock and roll.

Speaker 1: 7:42

Amazing. Sorry, andrew, yes, hi.

Speaker 2: 7:52

Hello Ellie. Yes, we're ready to go. Ellie is just having a good old chinwag. Sorry, Pat, I'm not paying attention to what I'm saying.

Speaker 1: 7:57

I know that's me Totally.

Speaker 2: 7:58

So it's the end of day one at Toa Con.

Speaker 1: 8:00

Yes. We're sitting by the pool, everybody's getting beers, and I have to tell you, andrew, is devastated because he does not have a cold beer in his hand, but he did have a beer before that. He spilled all over his laptop, so he was not allowed to have another one.

Speaker 2: 8:12

That's bad.

Speaker 1: 8:14

He got the beer and he spilled it, spilt it Everywhere.

Speaker 2: 8:16

And we have a third member of the podcast today. Hello, it's like a third member, long time friend, long time Supporter of the podcast, absolutely Founder and newly reappointed CEO of Toa Global, nick Sinclair. Thank you for joining us.

Speaker 3: 8:30

Hi Nick, thanks for having me and thanks for being here. Oh, you're welcome, very excited.

Speaker 1: 8:34

I love a good Toa Con. You know I was fucking previously about how good the Boracay Toa Con was, so seriously, still the best. By far, I know it's good. Yeah, I know, and it's hard to back up right.

Speaker 2: 8:46

Yeah, I know You're making it sound like this one sucks. No, it's like not at all.

Speaker 1: 8:50

I just wanted to highlight how amazing Toa.

Speaker 2: 8:52

Cons are.

Speaker 3: 8:53

They are very good, that's all. They're different, very different they are different.

Speaker 1: 8:56

Tell me, tell me, why are they different?

Speaker 3: 9:00

We don't want these to be like an industry event. We don't want them to be about becoming a better tax practitioner, a better bookkeeper, a better accountant. We want them to be about making you a better person yeah, and about a better business owner. So we have two days of keynotes, so there's not one keynote and stuff that were full of Toa stuff. It's two days of making you a better person.

Speaker 1: 9:20

And that's where my brain explodes, because last year I had so much gold content that it took me from Boracay to Adelaide to be 24 hours of travel. And that was just me summarizing notes sending off to my team. It was solidifying all of those things in my mind and I'm feeling that again there's so much stuff.

Speaker 3: 9:37

That's the point, though.

Speaker 3: 9:39

We want people to walk away inspired and there's so much negativity and it's a tough job being an accountant, particularly during the pandemic and we want people to be inspired and fall in love with what they do, because we make such an oh sorry, I say we because I feel like we must, but I'm not an accountant anymore, but we do make such an impact and we change lives and I think that we get so caught up in just the stuff that happens and we want to re-vigorate that every year and bring the community together and inspire them to be better and then hopefully watch them actually implement.

Speaker 1: 10:14

Yeah, so really grow as people. Are you finding that?

Speaker 2: 10:16

Oh no, absolutely. It's funny. I was sitting there, I think within like 25, 30 minutes of the morning I just pulled out my phone. No-transcript. Toacon is like a big version of the rumble. And the rumble is the thing where Alan actually connected, but it is the idea of like this, like how do you become a better person and how do we take you out of where you normally are and put you in an environment where you will actually pay attention, you'll listen, you'll learn and you'll connect with people at the same level.

Speaker 1: 10:41

And you're surrounded by peers, and something that you said to me before, and I've noted it, was around the attention that people pay. Do you wanna talk about that? Just normally, when you go into a conference, people bring their laptopies and work, and today, I can't recall seeing a single person pull out a laptop to do work.

Speaker 2: 10:59

Not a single person.

Speaker 1: 10:59

That was so engaged.

Speaker 2: 11:00

Which is great, and don't get me wrong, sometimes work's gotta get done. Now, I know I had to answer a couple of emails on my phone at some point today, but like knowing that people are like intentionally injecting themselves into that room and I think that's just good for anybody in any environment. But I think it's a testament of what you guys are putting on here is that this is about becoming better, and the number of people who've been here before, who were so keen and so engaged from day one it also meant the people who, like myself, who'd never been here before, like we were ready for it it was like holy crap, I better not be distracted, because if I am, I'm gonna miss out on something that's really important. So how do you go about cultivating something like this?

Speaker 3: 11:38

Look to be honest, it's crafting it, and I think, that it's picking the blend of speakers that will work well. It's picking a theme that you really wanna get through for the year and transformations this year's theme and then it's blending the speakers, because you're gonna have highs and lows, you're gonna have ups and downs and the speaker lineup is the hardest part.

Speaker 3: 11:55

Because you get that right and you saw how we finished today. You finish really well, you start really well and you have good speakers in the middle, but it's blending it and I think that's the part. Is that not telling anyone who's speaking and when?

Speaker 2: 12:08

They are so cheeky, but it's so good, I'm such a big fan of surprises.

Speaker 1: 12:11

We don't like it, but we like it, if you know what I mean.

Speaker 3: 12:14

I love structure but I love not telling people Because everyone turns up Like look at the end of today, the room was the fullest it was when we started.

Speaker 1: 12:23

And do you know what? Sometimes I look at a ginger and I pick and choose. That's why we don't do it and last telecom, there would have been some that I would not have if I'd seen them on the piece of paper I would have gone now I'm not going and they were the most insightful, the most impactful the stuff I took away. I was like my mind was blown by that. So I love that you don't give away who's talking and when.

Speaker 3: 12:42

We tell you who's talking, but not yet Not when it's super handy.

Speaker 2: 12:46

So the theme this year, said, is about transformation. Why? What do you see? Firstly, why transformation, and what do you think the industry needs to be contemplating when it comes to transforming?

Speaker 3: 12:56

Yeah, look, I think we almost need a reset, like the pandemic was really tough on the industry and I think we saw how much mental health and people struggled. This you know, accountants you know took a beating. Really, really relied on and they took a beating.

Speaker 1: 13:09

Like that's. The reality is we were the center link for business.

Speaker 3: 13:11

Yeah it was tough and I think that for me it's like almost there's events came back and things came back, but I don't really think that accountants had a and book is at a reset.

Speaker 1: 13:21

Yeah.

Speaker 3: 13:22

And for me, transforming is having that reset to go. You know what the past is the past. I want to make the future transformational. I want to make my business better. I want to make my life better, and the only person that can do that is you, the person you look at in the mirror. So for me, that's really where the theme came about, about transforming, because otherwise we can keep whinging, we can keep complaining, we can keep saying people are leaving the industry, but people are not going to come into this industry if we keep saying it.

Speaker 1: 13:49

Yeah.

Speaker 3: 13:50

We need to transform and go. You know what? This is a bloody great industry and we've got some really great careers and we love it. We love what we do and we change people's lives. But if we don't transform to that it's going to go. It's going to keep going south.

Speaker 2: 14:06

Really, we've just, we've just revisited our values at Illuminati and we've actually added one and we've called it something different, because what I'm about to say you're like oh, that can be taken negative depending how you say it, but it's effectively, it's don't be bitter, be better.

Speaker 2: 14:19

We can sit here and complain about how everything's crap and how everything sucks and how no one loved this and no one loved that, or we can go well, why does no one like it? Why is it not happening, and what can I do to be that little bit better tomorrow?

Speaker 2: 14:30

So next to that experience is more enjoyable, or next time that opportunity is there, I can take advantage of it, or next time I'm sitting there there's something for me to actually do, or people that want to work here, and I think that's a really good kind of reflection of what you're saying here. Is that like we can sit or we can transform, and if we just sit on our hands and complain, nothing will happen. Much like we'll at Zerocon we are not cultivating our talent but we're complaining about there being none. Like what are we actually doing to create that change?

Speaker 1: 14:58

And I think that all of that kind of combines to this, bringing that personal accountability of what can I do in my world, in my community, what can I touch, what can I do. These are the things. And in that transformation it's transformation of us as individuals, the transformation of our businesses, transformation of our industry, of our community it's so much bigger than just that one layer.

Speaker 3: 15:18

There's so many layers there is and I think if you don't transform yourself, you can't transform your business, and that's why a lot of you know half the speakers are about personal stuff, because that's the key you do yourself and the rest flows.

Speaker 1: 15:31

And that's what I've loved about ToaCon actually is that it's always at the end of the year, but it resets me so that I'm inspired, get all those creative juices flowing. In that December, Janssen, I'm bang on. It's kind of like putting your face mask on first. You know you're getting the oxygen so that you can breathe it into your business and into your team, and that's what I've loved. Timing wise. Do you think about that from a timing perspective?

Speaker 3: 15:52

Yes and no. That time of year is challenging because I think people get inspired and then they have a break.

Speaker 1: 15:57

Yeah, oh, not at all. That's my time to really sit in the juices of it.

Speaker 2: 16:01

I find that if I get hit with something and then I have time off, I can actually contemplate it. I'd say, if I get hit with something and I'm back to work during the day, I'm busy, I can't.

Speaker 1: 16:09

So it actually gets this time to fester and grow and it's like the seed gets sown and then it's just water, water, water during December, jan, and then bang out I'm ready for Feb.

Speaker 2: 16:19

All right, nick, we're gonna get some interesting facts and I've got to ask some questions. I need you to give me some insights here. Looking at the year ahead, the accounting industry what do you think are some of the top trends we're gonna experience over the next kind of 12 to 24 months?

Speaker 3: 16:34

I mean I'll give the AI, but I'm sick of hearing about AI because no one actually does anything about it. We use a lot of it in our business but I think that AI is definitely something that I think that it's more than AI. It's just about utilizing technology to make you people successful.

Speaker 3: 16:48

And ultimately, it's just another tool, so I think that's a big one. I think there's we're seeing a lot more people going into data and analytics, so a lot more firms are starting to give advice around how to actually create KPIs and dashboards, which is ultimately data. So I think that's a big one. I think that you know my one that I hope is that people will fall back in love with what they do and will really change the way that the industry is perceived.

Speaker 2: 17:13

So you reckon that's going to happen over the next couple of years?

Speaker 3: 17:16

I think the seeds are starting to be honest. I honestly do Like I think that we can't go any lower.

Speaker 2: 17:23

What's interesting is, I feel like a lot of the accountants I meet are very proud of what they do, but they also feel disrespected or they feel like not invited to the party, kind of thing.

Speaker 1: 17:34

They feel better.

Speaker 2: 17:35

Don't be bitter, be better, absolutely so like I wonder if it's that like we just, they just need to realize, like almost to get over themself.

Speaker 1: 17:42

Like a reawakening of falling in love again Much like Wayne, who finished, wayne, bennett, who finished today.

Speaker 2: 17:47

There was a bit of that element of like. You know, you don't have to love yourself, but you got to like yourself and then if you can just move on, and then how do we be better in that kind of space?

Speaker 3: 17:55

The only, the only way the industry is going to change is if we all do, and I think we just need to realize it. And I think that you know the lead. I think that I mean wills. You know at all. You know I wasn't at ZeroCon but you know I heard a lot about what he's talking about, and I think it did resonate and it started a movement and I think there's.

Speaker 3: 18:11

There's been little seedlings across the world in different places, and I think I truly do believe that that will happen, because I think that otherwise a lot of people are going to get jacked at the industry and just leave.

Speaker 2: 18:21

But I think it's a start bathroom renovation, something like that.

Speaker 3: 18:27

But I think there's enough passion left in the ones that are there.

Speaker 1: 18:30

And that sounds like a challenge to me in our industry. Do you think there are any other challenges kind of coming forward that we kind of need to prepare for, need to see?

Speaker 3: 18:37

I mean I'll be unbiased by not saying you know talent.

Speaker 1: 18:40

It's obviously an issue that's come through very clearly today.

Speaker 3: 18:43

We have interviewed a lot of people and that's clearly what's coming through the thing is, though, that we all know about it, but very few people are doing anything about it.

Speaker 2: 18:50

Yeah.

Speaker 3: 18:51

So, yeah, we know it's hard to get talent, but what are you doing to make your firm attractable? Yeah, oh, totally 100 percent we can all winch about it, yep, but are you making your firm a better firm? That's going to make people better people, or are you just trying to employ more people?

Speaker 3: 19:03

Yeah, we're throwing people at the problem, yeah exactly, and we're just not, we're not solving it ourselves. So we can keep talking about how hard talent is, but I talk to a lot of good firms and it's not as hard, because they've got a good firm that people want to work for.

Speaker 2: 19:17

Yeah, that's a really good point. They want to work for someone and because that environment's been created where they want to be there as well.

Speaker 1: 19:24

But they know why they're there, they know what they're contributing, they know what their goals are. It's aligned to their why, and I think all of that is around being open and transparent and communicating and having a plan, like you said it in your keynote, like you have to plan to get somewhere, otherwise you go nowhere.

Speaker 3: 19:40

I don't know if you picked it up. I mentioned about a media thing in there.

Speaker 2: 19:43

So I said one of the new services I was going to ask that I'm like I'll do tell.

Speaker 1: 19:47

I mean Andrew and I kind of like a bit of marketing and browning a bit of media. So we're interested.

Speaker 3: 19:53

So I truly believe I mean, if you want to attract good talent, people need to know who you are. Both of you are very well known in the industry when you put out for talent, I'm sure that people reach out.

Speaker 1: 20:04

Oh, we do, they do.

Speaker 3: 20:05

And that's the whole point. So what the media is is basically I'm building a team, nick, to help build my brand, which is more about giving value. So how do we help educate people on people? How do we give them the tools and resources? For nothing, we're not trying to get anything back. It's a cost but for me, it will help build education, which will help build brand, and I think that the way I say why it's relevant for everyone is I think every accountant should be building a media company which is building a brand, is educating their ideal niche and clients, absolutely. Because guess what happens when you give, it comes back, it comes back.

Speaker 1: 20:40

And it attracts the right type of clients right.

Speaker 3: 20:42

And it repels the ones that are not.

Speaker 1: 20:43

Exactly, and we've spoken about this in our marketing and branding podcast. It's so clear and it actually works. Andrew's done it, I've done it, so I'm taking it to another level. I know I've seen a lot of accounts say, oh, I'm not even talking to you.

Speaker 2: 20:57

When you put that on the screen, people are like they're fucking you do it buddy, they'll see it.

Speaker 3: 21:02

They'll see it, and the reason I'm doing is because I truly believe, out of all the industries, the accounts are the ones that should be doing it, because they have the most knowledge to give and the most impact to make.

Speaker 2: 21:12

We see a lot of accountants that are doing interesting stuff and attracting good quality people, good quality clients. They're the people that are finding ways to develop and create content to share back out to their community.

Speaker 1: 21:23

I know who they are. They're very clear on their why. They're very clear on what they do. They're very niche. Yeah, no, I love that. Good on you.

Speaker 2: 21:30

Now on the outsourcing kind of approach, offshoring, that kind of stuff, can you give us any insight into any changes that have happened over the last six to 12 or any changes you're foreseeing over the next six to 12 months in terms of how that function operates within our industry?

Speaker 3: 21:46

Yeah, look, it's been interesting. We're getting a lot of the people that said, look, we'll never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever ever ever outsource.

Speaker 3: 21:55

They're all coming and saying we actually have to now because everyone else is. They're doing it faster. It's not about cost saving, it's about actually getting talent and it's about retaining the right talent locally, which means we can pay them more to be able to do it. It's going to continue to evolve. I think the reality that is, we're seeing all of our clients that are doing it grow. No, there's very few accounting firms that are not growing. From an outsourcing point, I mean, it's changing a little bit. There's different competitors coming in with some different models, different ways of doing things. So I think that that will continue to evolve. Global talent is becoming a bigger thing. So the predominant countries we're outsourcing are done. I don't think we'll be the only countries moving forward.

Speaker 1: 22:31

Yeah right, that's, interesting.

Speaker 3: 22:34

So something that I'm certainly investigating is no longer around the Philippines or India or South America, even it's where's the actual best accountants in the world. Yeah, right when do they live Australia? Yeah, they've asked some of the good ones here, but they're everywhere.

Speaker 2: 22:48

Sorry I'm so bad, but I remember that was a really big conversation point when the offshoring model started coming out was like you find where the good people are and you hire them, it doesn't matter where they are, and so. But initially obviously it was like, well, we're finding and cultivating that within a particular region. If you can start to expand that horizon, go well, how else can we do that? I mean, effectively, it's almost like a gig worker economy, right?

Speaker 2: 23:12

It's like we're finding people who have skill sets, who are willing to do that in this kind of environment, and we're giving them the opportunity to do so. And then we're finding people who need that skill set to be done and we're connecting them together.

Speaker 1: 23:22

And the challenge there is obviously the process, the procedure, the management behind that you like a dating agency.

Speaker 2: 23:27

Yeah, like SwipeWare, SwipeRash it's not recruitment though it's not recruitment, though I like on watches on the beach, you're still providing a lot of it's like it. No, we're not going to go there. Don't say that that's inappropriate, that's really inappropriate. No, okay, we're moving on.

Speaker 1: 23:40

We're moving on, yes, good. We're going to move on so look, one of the things that I love about this conference is the community, and the community that we build is part of that.

Speaker 2: 23:49

What's your?

Speaker 1: 23:50

favourite bit around the account of community. What makes this unique, do you think, from other industries?

Speaker 3: 23:56

I think it's just so fun.

Speaker 1: 23:58

I can't. Yeah, it's a fun people.

Speaker 3: 24:01

I hate all this. Oh, you know we're not boring. Look at the party stuff. I know you wrote a nice little article about that.

Speaker 1: 24:06

The thing is that you know the people in the community.

Speaker 3: 24:09

You're innovative. They're good people and they're fun people and it doesn't mean everyone drinks and goes that way, but everyone is here just to have fun and share, and I think that that's the one thing I love about this industry is how much it does share.

Speaker 1: 24:23

Share and care. The community of a competition right? Yeah, it genuinely is.

Speaker 3: 24:26

And I think that you know, words are good, but I think the actions are showing that, particularly over the last three years, of how much people genuinely care, I think during COVID, when we actually realised as a group we could get through it together, and the sharing of resources.

Speaker 1: 24:38

that has happened then and continues to happen if you're involved in those Facebook groups and the Toa community as well, Like one of the things that you spoke about today was going to speak to the people that have been in this community for 10 years, like find all the learnings. And you know I was speaking to Mark Z and like he's just blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, like there's so much stuff that is available and all you need to do is ask. And there's so open, there's so much learning.

Speaker 3: 25:01

Someone's been through it. Yeah, someone's been through what you've been through. There are a couple of years ahead of your journey and there's people behind you. So that's the whole point. With communities, all right. Well, how do you learn from the ones that are?

Speaker 2: 25:12

ahead of you.

Speaker 3: 25:13

And then how do you help the ones behind you? Because that's normally where you reflect and learn about what you actually did learn as well.

Speaker 2: 25:19

And I think we're going to start to see more and more people like, with intention, start to engage in that kind of environment. You know, historically it was like I have to go see XYZ Business Coach or I have to sign up for this platform thing over here that's supposed to be hold on like all made around the corner. I actually really respect what they're about. I wouldn't mind having a conversation with them and then Allmate goes. You know what I've actually got, this knowledge. I shouldn't be keeping this to myself. And then it's that real free-changing kind of free-sharing environment. So I hope that that is a future that we continue to see more of, because I know that I've benefited greatly from the knowledge and the free-sharing of others and I hope that I've been able to help other people.

Speaker 1: 25:53

Well, that's why we created the podcast, Andrew. That's what we do, Exactly because we wanted to share and care.

Speaker 2: 25:58

Yeah, and so we can sip a cider pool in the Gold Coast.

Speaker 1: 26:02

And have good combos with Nick, absolutely Alright.

Speaker 2: 26:05

I got one last question for you, and this really has nothing to do with anything in particular, but I want you to give me your like number one absolute life hack tip thing oh, life hack. That you fit. You're like, either whether you're living by it right now or so I just want something. How can I be better? We're talking about transformation or we're talking about that stuff. We're talking about being better people. What's your thing? Is it a quote? Is it an action?

Speaker 1: 26:25

Give us an audio snippet, Nick. What's the?

Speaker 3: 26:26

thing, there's a couple. I mean structure for me Structure. You know, I live my life by my diary.

Speaker 1: 26:33

From the minute I wake up to the minute.

Speaker 3: 26:34

I finish. It's structured and the other one is around. If nothing changes, nothing changes. You know, and we say this people come to these events for two days and they learn so much and they do nothing.

Speaker 1: 26:46

Oh, frasrines me so nothing changes.

Speaker 2: 26:48

I have nothing changes. I've got two notes in my phone that I'm keeping, like my notes and the things I'm going to do.

Speaker 3: 26:53

Yeah, I've got my actual points too.

Speaker 1: 26:53

I have to keep them separate, because if I've got them, on the same one.

Speaker 2: 26:56

It's just too much information.

Speaker 1: 26:58

And I share it out to the team and then I put the priorities in and then I put book meetings in, Like I just do it while I'm here. Oh my, team go.

Speaker 2: 27:05

Andrew, could you just chill out. We're trying to actually do work here.

Speaker 1: 27:08

So I've learned not to do that. I'm like Samar.

Speaker 2: 27:10

So I bring it to conversation later. I'm like all right guys here's the thing, because my team are just like it's too much Andrew.

Speaker 1: 27:16

No, I vomited all to them straight away.

Speaker 3: 27:19

The other, thing that I ask myself often is what question have I not asked?

Speaker 1: 27:24

Yeah, I do that.

Speaker 3: 27:26

And because, you know, we're often quick to give advice or quick to answer when someone asks something, but it's like what question have I not asked yet? What have I not thought about?

Speaker 2: 27:36

I feel like you and I have the same brain. Right here. I'm literally in the process at Illuminate of developing the infrequently asked question handbook, Like what is the stuff that you never actually asked your accountant or your bookkeeper or advisor that you should be asking?

Speaker 1: 27:48

and why and I?

Speaker 2: 27:49

think that's really good. It's like what haven't I asked? Why am I asking the same thing If I'm talking to someone that I've never met before? Why don't I ask the same five questions? Is there something different that I can do to kind of create a better experience, to get a different answer or to have a different perspective as a result of that?

Speaker 1: 28:03

So yeah, what haven't I asked Well all right.

Speaker 2: 28:06

What haven't we asked you, mate, what's something you wish we should have asked?

Speaker 1: 28:10

I know that we didn't, that you didn't talk about, and you really wanted to, I think.

Speaker 3: 28:13

I've talked about everything. I mean I love people. I mean people's my jam. I mean that's the business we're in. We're in helping accounting firms, you know, build teams, and I just love everything about what makes people tick. And I think that the first speaker today really challenged a lot of people because it was about their body and about pushing their limits. I knew you'd love it.

Speaker 1: 28:32

I got so excited, I was so many things, I was right and things down like I can do this and I can do that.

Speaker 3: 28:36

The thing that I really love is that whole biohacking. It's you know we want to. How do we make ourselves the best version so that we?

Speaker 2: 28:42

live longevity.

Speaker 3: 28:43

Longevity is so key and it's you know. I had to look in the mirror six months ago and hang on, you're not going to last long. Longevity is real. How much impact can we make for such a longer period of time?

Speaker 1: 28:54

Yeah.

Speaker 3: 28:55

If we actually focus on looking after ourselves first.

Speaker 1: 28:57

Yeah, push hard, fight harder and just you know, just keep pushing. Yeah, absolutely Never imagine relentless.

Speaker 3: 29:04

I mean she won and she went across the line and cried yeah, not normally, you think it's all about cheering and happiness, but it's not Because she pushed so hard and pushed the limit.

Speaker 1: 29:14

I know and she just doesn't take no for an answer.

Speaker 2: 29:16

Absolutely Love that and I love that people who are listening this have no idea that we're talking about an ultramarathon runner who ran for like a million zeroing kilometers, 140 ultramarathons.

Speaker 3: 29:25

I know Just crazy. Yeah, that was Lisa Tamati, yeah, yeah yeah, amazing, amazing.

Speaker 1: 29:30

And I just need to say, nick, that you say that you love people and it's truly, 100%, authentically true, and the reason that, when we set up all in and we chose Towa was because of that. We wanted to align our values to yours and we knew from every single time that I'd seen you speak for everything that you'd ever held it was always about the people, and that truly is what Towa is about.

Speaker 3: 29:51

It's about the people, it is.

Speaker 2: 29:53

So well done. That's a great way to end it, Nick. Thank you for having the two of us here.

Speaker 3: 29:56

We've had a great day.

Speaker 2: 29:58

Allie will be here tomorrow.

Speaker 3: 29:59

I have to go home and do some family stuff, but it's been Do some plumbing.

Speaker 2: 30:03

Go camping in the bush.

Speaker 1: 30:04

Oh wow, with two kids. So it'll be nice. It'll be nice, no, but you've got to put the family first. Got to do that so thank you.

Speaker 2: 30:09

It's been amazing. I'm sure tonight, I'm sure tomorrow will be fantastic and I don't think you can beat the fire.

Speaker 1: 30:14

Dancing Heads up, it's pretty good.

Speaker 2: 30:16

Cry years, well I just hope that I hear stories from people who are attending the next couple of days, in six or 12 months time, that still reflect on things they learned, things they picked up but, more importantly to your point, things they went and did the next day because of what happened here.

Speaker 3: 30:31

So thank you for putting this on.

Speaker 1: 30:32

Thank you, thanks for being part of it.

Speaker 2: 30:34

Thank you, Allie, for being amazing.

Speaker 1: 30:35

Thank you, andrew. Thank you, andrew, for being you always. Thank yourself, I never get the chance. Got to do what I can Go, get it everyone.

Speaker 2: 30:42

Right on Cheers guys. Who wasn't that a fun adventure. My friends, thank you so much, so incredibly much, for hanging out with us today. Allie, you've been amazing. Andrew, you've been all right. How good is it to be able to have adventures together.

Speaker 1: 31:05

It's, so is, and you know what. Keep following us. We are all over the socials at Accounting Adventures. Check us out on the website. Give us a bit of a like. You know how much we love that stuff.

Speaker 2: 31:17

The best thing about the adventure is the people that we do it with. So thank you so much for listening, thank you so much for hanging out with us, and please bring all the ideas. Keep Rick Heman becoming. We can't wait to share more cool adventures with you. We love you guys.