• Episode 166: Accounting Leadership Evolution: Building an Abundance Mindset with Michael Horwitz
    47 mins
  • Episode #165: Leadership Development in Accounting Firms: Beyond Technical Skills with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D
    Mar 25 2025
    In this episode of Thrivecast, Jason sits down with award-winning educator Dr. Scott J. Allen, Ph.D., an expert in leadership development, the future of work, and executive communication, to discuss the crucial distinction between technical expertise and leadership ability in accounting firms. Episode Highlights: - Why the most skilled accountants aren't always the best candidates for leadership positions - How to create appropriate career paths for technical experts who don't move into leadership - Key qualities to look for when identifying potential leaders within your firm - Strategies for leadership development and ""arming yourself"" as a firm leader - How effective leadership directly influences the climate and culture of accounting firms - Practical approaches to measuring leadership effectiveness in your organization This must-listen episode provides valuable insights for firm owners and leaders navigating the challenging transition from accountant to leader. Dr. Allen and Jason explain why leadership is a learned skill that can be developed over time, offering hope and guidance for those looking to strengthen their leadership capabilities. Whether you're currently in a leadership position or planning your firm's succession strategy, this conversation offers practical frameworks to help you build a stronger leadership team and create the right growth paths for all your talented professionals. About the Guest: Scott J. Allen, Ph.D., serves as an instructor in SMU’s Cox School of Business Executive Education and spent more than 18 years as a professor of management. He also serves as a leadership consultant with Winding River Consulting. Allen’s areas of expertise include leader development, the future of work, and executive communication. Scott has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He’s the co-author of several books, including The Little Book of Leadership Development: 50 Ways to Bring Out the Leader in Every Employee; Emotionally Intelligent Leadership: A Guide for College Students; Discovering Leadership: Designing Your Success; and Captivation: Online Presentations by Design. Scott hosts Phronesis: Practical Wisdom for Leaders, ranked among the world's top 2.5% of podcasts. Along with the podcast, he publishes a weekly newsletter. You can connect with Scott at https://www.scottjallen.net/ or find him on LinkedIn.
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    47 mins
  • Episode #164: Enhancing Workflow and Efficiency with Rob Nixon
    Feb 25 2025
    Welcome to Thrivecast! In today’s episode, Jason Blumer sits down with Rob Nixon, a global expert in driving profitability for accounting firms. They unpack the nitty-gritty of critical utilization, productivity, and efficiency concepts. They’ll explore how the pandemic has reshaped virtual work, the historical changes in accounting efficiency, succession planning, and transforming firms into vehicles for wealth creation. Tune in as they uncover strategies for firm owners to balance profitability, efficiency, and personal fulfillment. Whether you’re aiming for practice improvement or transitioning to an investor level, this episode is packed with actionable insights!
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    51 mins
  • Episode #163: Embracing Change in 2025 with Jason Blumer
    Jan 27 2025
    In this solo Thrivecast episode, Jason reflects on opportunities that the new year brings. He shares the sad conclusion of the Businessology Show and said goodbye to make way for new ventures and focused growth. He emphasizes the importance of recommitting to new paths in the services industry and highlights Thriveal’s exciting future plans. He invites listeners to join him in embracing change, growing their businesses, and finding new ways to provide value to clients. Join us as we embark on this journey into the new year with renewed energy and a commitment to growth and innovation!
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    20 mins
  • Episode #162: Modern Leadership in Accounting with Brett Kelly
    Dec 23 2024
    Welcome back to Thrivecast! In this episode, Jason sits down with Brett Kelly, founder, and CEO of Kelly Partners Group, a global accounting firm that went public in Australia in 2017 and is now leading in the US as well. They sit down to discuss the evolving world of leadership and business strategy. Brett highlights the importance of fostering bottom-up leadership, aligning business practices with core values, and creating environments that unlock potential in teams and firms alike. Together, they explore shifting career trends, the power of long-term vision, and how mission-driven strategies are reshaping the business landscape!
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    52 mins
  • Episode #161 Entrepreneurial Growth and Smart Restructuring with Ian Vacin
    Nov 25 2024
    Welcome back to The Thrivecast! Today, Jason sits down for part 2 of his episode with Ian Vacin where they finish their teaching from the highly successful Deeper Weekend conference. This episode is a follow up from Ian’s sessions at Deeper Weekend and they dive into the Qualitative Research they are doing for their upcoming book on Human Capacity. Come learn about the 7 qualitative research findings that help firms reach profitability and firm success.
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    48 mins
  • Episode #160: Boosting Firm Efficiency with Ian Vacin
    Oct 22 2024
    Welcome back to Thrivecast! In today’s episode, Jason chats with Ian Vacin, co-founder and chief customer officer of Karbon. Known for his extensive background in industrial engineering, high tech manufacturing, and an MBA, Ian brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the table. Together, they dive deep into the intricacies of capacity planning and resource management for accounting firms, drawing from their own collaboration history and experiences on road shows. They’ll give us a sneak peek into their latest endeavor: co-writing a book on "human capacity," blending extensive research with anecdotal wisdom to tackle the complexities of scaling service-based businesses. From labor cost challenges to the nuanced art of outsourcing staff, Ian and Jason share invaluable insights that can help any entrepreneur navigate the choppy waters of growth and organizational design!
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    44 mins
  • Episode #159: Strategic Tax Planning and Leadership with Jackie Meyer
    Sep 25 2024
    Welcome back to Thrivecast! In today's episode, Jason and Jackie Meyer, dive into the dynamic world of tax planning and strategic leadership. Holding a doctorate in strategic leadership, Jackie discusses the significance of setting personal boundaries, the value of in-person meetings, and her journey in hiring a CEO to focus on her book and career advancements. We'll explore the high ROI potential of tax planning, the importance of strategic pricing, and how Jackie's SaaS product, Tax Plan IQ, is transforming the accounting industry. Join them as they navigate through the distinctions of tax advisory services, manage a busy schedule, and discover the limitless potential within the profession!
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    44 mins