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Interview with Prosperity Planners - taking steps in the right direction … |
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December 2005 Paul Jansz (PJ) has an open and candid discussion regarding bringing change on board to encourage productivity and an improved culture with Brett Purchase (BP), partner of a 2-partner firm Prosperity Planners in Heidelberg Victoria. PJ: Brett, welcome to our next series of interviews where I’ll look to delve a little deeper into your firm! Maybe you can start by explaining to me your reasons for employing GPL as your business coach? BP: I have known the team behind GPL for a number of years and the knowledge they have in understanding the quirks of the accounting profession was a plus in my view. I recognised that we needed some help from a company that had the understanding, commitment and ability to help us improve. PJ: What changes have you implemented since commencing with GPL? BP: Well, where do I start? We have implemented weekly planning meetings on a Monday morning and partner strategic planning meetings are now done on a Friday afternoon. We have employed a graduate, as GPL supplied us with a graduate & induction program to assist with our training. We took the bold step of going with Viztopia from MYOB, which has consumed a lot of time with training, and we also have introduced a “paperless office” software system that allows us to file electronically. We have introduced quarterly bonus schemes as well as having off site fun activities…we recently went bowling (my team won). PJ: That sounds like a lot in a short period of time! What are some of the mindset changes that you had to go through and how hard was it? BP: An interesting question. Firstly, I think that as the owner, I had to want to change and I had to embrace the change as a positive for the firm. That was not hard, as I have held the view that we should be producing better results for some time. The book, “Who Moved My Cheese” helped to reinforce that change was a good thing! I still feel that until better results start flowing more regularly we have not achieved all that is required at present, but faith and confidence in my partner, my team and GPL give me the knowledge & conviction that we are going down the right path. PJ: What about the team, any resistance? BP: Well yes, I’m sure they have seen or thought that Brett is off his perch again and it will all blow over in a week or two. By now though, seeing that I have not wavered from this drive for continuous improvement they have come on board and I am pleased to say, are making valuable contributions to the entire process of changing our old habits. PJ: Where did you feel the biggest impact would take place? BP: I hoped that the biggest impact has been and will continue to be, on our culture. It’s the people within the firm that have the power to make this happen. Continuously striving for improvement will, I hope, feed on itself by encouraging the team to better themselves as the business improves. The software is just the tool we need to help us reach our goals. PJ: Where do you feel the biggest impact has been? BP: Right now it would have to be our work flow management and debtor control, Viztopia has also helped us there enormously with their upgraded billing capability. PJ: What has been the result for the 2005 financial year close? BP: While we have not done much work with GPL in the 2005-year just closed, the implementation and changing work practices was the most important change for the year. PJ: What has been the result of the first quarter of 2006? BP: I have been encouraged by how the team are understanding, accepting and working with the changes we are bombarding them with. To their credit, they can see that these changes will benefit them, that flows into better rewards and a more enjoyable place to work. I also think that as we are happy for them to contribute to and lead these changes where they can, the team embraces our efforts much better. PJ: What are the goals to close off 2006? BP: Target revenue of $800,000, faster turnaround time of jobs and reducing write off’s. Having a lot more fun is something I’m sure will benefit everyone, more activities, perhaps getting in a masseur every month. Also, I would be happy to reward the team with something they want. Money is not always the reward they want so flexibility there is something I am happy to go with. PJ: Where do you see the firm heading over the next 3 years? BP: Better off than ever before with better information at our disposal, better productivity, higher profits and good revenue growth. Revenue of $1.5m would be great but that’s where GPL is going to assist us to reach our goal! Our focus right now is on the P (profit) & L (liquidity) of GPL! I do place a lot of value and importance on the people here. It is important to enjoy working with those around you so helping the team to get what they want out of spending so much time here I’m sure will be repaid in spades! PJ: What advice would you give to smaller practices looking for positive change? BP: If you have the mindset and the drive, get outside help to assist you to become a bigger and better firm. It can be done! Attending your 2 day leadership workshop on the Gold Coast was certainly a massive driver for us in getting our mindset right. PJ: Brett, thanks for sharing an insight in
to your firm, where it is now, where you would like to take
it and the success you’ve had since commencing the coaching
program with GPL! The GPL Network provides NON technical manager training exclusively for the Accounting Industry. For more information please email info@gplnetwork.com ©GPL Network Pty Ltd 2005 All Rights Reserved You
received this email because you are a client of GPL Network
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