Meet Chris! In this conversation, Chris Williams, CEO of System 6, shares his journey from finance to leading a successful outsourced accounting firm. He discusses the importance of community, the unique ecosystem of buying small businesses, and the appeal of the accounting industry.

Chris emphasizes the significance of culture and leadership in business growth, as well as the challenges faced during this transformation. He also reflects on his day-to-day responsibilities as a CEO, especially with a newborn at home.

In this conversation, Chris Williams shares his insights on leadership, time management, and the importance of setting clear expectations within a team. He discusses the balance between recurring responsibilities and strategic projects, the lessons learned from his leadership journey, and the significance of hiring the right people for business growth. Chris emphasizes a people-first approach to leadership, advocating for open communication and accountability, while also reflecting on his personal interests and the challenges of balancing work and family life.

Takeaways

- Chris emphasizes the importance of community in both personal and professional life.

- Success is not just about the outcome, but also about the energy you derive from your work.

- The ecosystem for buying small businesses has grown significantly in recent years.

- Recurring revenue models are crucial for stability in business.

- The accounting industry is essential and resilient, even during economic downturns.

- Culture and people are at the core of a successful business.

- Growth often brings new challenges that require strategic leadership.

- Hiring the right people is critical as a business scales.

- Transforming a business involves creating a management layer for sustainability.

- Tracking time can help prioritize high-value tasks in a busy schedule. Half of my time is allocated to strategic projects.

- It's crucial to vocalize expectations to the team.

- Hiring is a core motion for a growing business.

- You should feel like you work with your boss, not for your boss.

- Setting clear expectations leads to better performance.

- Understanding client fit is essential for business health.

- You need to build structure around your work schedule.

- It's important to find peace along the journey.

- Hiring well is as important as delivering services.

- You have to be comfortable being alone as a leader.

Sound Bites

"Life is not just about succeeding."

"Our business is a people business."

"I'm here to serve the team."

"Speak your mind faster."

"It's about what the business needs."

"It's not just about the revenue."

"You have to be comfortable being alone."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris Williams and System 6

03:00 Chris's Unique Path to Accounting

05:48 The Ecosystem of Buying Small Businesses

09:58 The Appeal of Outsourced Accounting

17:03 Transforming System 6: Growth and Culture

23:51 Navigating Challenges in Business Growth

28:07 Day-to-Day Life as a CEO

28:58 Managing Time and Priorities

32:44 Lessons Learned in Leadership

37:36 Setting Expectations and Accountability

40:10 Hiring for Growth

43:20 Short-Term Goals and Business Strategy

46:42 People-First Leadership Approach

49:55 Personal Insights and Interests Connect with Chris:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-williams-68057029/

Meet Molly!

Zane Stevens interviews Molly Varangkounh, the Chief Sanity Officer, who shares her journey from an entry-level accountant to the president of a family-owned tractor parts business. Molly discusses the importance of curiosity, effective communication, and building trust in leadership. She emphasizes the need for businesses to understand their numbers and the value of collaborative leadership. After 20 years in the family business, Molly now focuses on consulting and helping other businesses navigate their challenges and achieve sustainable growth. In this conversation,

Molly discusses her role in helping business owners navigate their challenges, identify sources of anxiety, and facilitate change. She emphasizes the importance of understanding financials, building trust, and measuring impact. Molly shares her insights on leadership qualities, the joy of witnessing 'aha moments,' and her goals for team development. The conversation also touches on personal connections and the importance of perspective in leadership.

Takeaways

- Molly emphasizes that accounting is the language of business.

- She highlights the importance of curiosity and continuous improvement in her career.

- Building a relationship based on trust is crucial for effective communication.

- Molly learned to present financial information in a digestible way for her father.

- She believes in celebrating failures to create a safe environment for mistakes.

- Molly stresses the need to connect with employees on a personal level.

- She advises saying yes to opportunities to discover one's niche.

- Molly's approach to leadership involves asking questions rather than giving orders.

- She emphasizes the importance of follow-through to build trust within a team.

- Molly's consulting work focuses on helping businesses identify and solve their actual problems.

- Building trust is essential when solving business problems.

- Flexibility in problem-solving leads to better outcomes.

- Offering options empowers business owners to make decisions.

- Effective leaders listen and celebrate their team's strengths.

- Understanding multiple perspectives fosters a positive team environment.

Sound Bites

"Accounting is the language of business."

"Curiosity and continuous improvement are key."

"Follow through builds trust."

"I celebrated my failures."

"You need to connect on a personal level."

"I help businesses find their actual problems."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Molly Varangkounh

04:18 Career Development and Family Business

10:06 The Importance of Numbers in Business

15:34 Navigating Difficult Conversations

21:03 Building Collaborative Leadership

25:54 Creating a Safe Environment for Mistakes

27:42 Molly's New Path and Consulting Work

30:49 The Role of a Chief Sanity Officer

32:21 Understanding Business Owners' Challenges

34:14 Identifying Sources of Anxiety

36:51 Navigating Pushback from Business Owners

39:02 Facilitating Change and Decision-Making

41:35 Measuring Impact and Progress

43:30 The Joy of Aha Moments

44:56 Short-Term Goals and Team Development

47:31 Qualities of Effective Leadership

50:25 Advice for New Leaders

51:27 The Importance of Perspective

53:01 Personal Insights and Family Connections

54:08 Rapid Fire Questions

Connect with Molly:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-varangkounh-17440270/

In this conversation, Zane Stevens interviews John Fenton, a seasoned leader in the accounting and coaching sectors. John shares his journey from a 30-year career in accounting to becoming a leadership coach, emphasizing the importance of vision, resilience, and relationship-building in both sports and business.

He reflects on his experiences in Division 1 football, the lessons learned about teamwork and leadership, and how these principles apply to navigating change in the corporate world. John also discusses the significance of staying true to one's values and the necessity of developing resilience in the face of challenges.

In this conversation, Zane Stevens and John Fenton explore the importance of identifying core values, the transition from a CPA firm partner to a coaching role, and the necessity of coaching in the accounting industry. They discuss coaching philosophies, the significance of gratitude in leadership, and provide advice for new leaders. John shares personal reflections on his purpose and the impact of vulnerability in leadership.

Takeaways

- John Fenton emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision in leadership.

- Building relationships is crucial in the accounting profession.

- Resilience and flexibility are essential skills in navigating change.

- Lessons from sports can be applied to business leadership.

- Sticking to one's values is key in decision-making.

- Teamwork and trust are foundational to success in any field.

- The path to leadership requires dedication and hard work.

- Understanding the dynamics of emotions can impact performance.

- It's important to focus on the next best action in challenging situations.

- The grass is not always greener; sometimes perseverance pays off. Many people lack clarity on their core values.

- Reflection is key to identifying personal values.

- Aligning values with work leads to greater happiness.

- Coaching is essential for growth in the accounting industry.

- Building relationships is crucial for effective leadership.

- Gratitude can significantly improve team dynamics.

- New leaders should focus on listening and understanding their team.

- Vulnerability in leadership fosters connection and growth.

- Goal setting should be focused and intentional.

- Continuous self-improvement is a hallmark of effective leadership.

Sound Bites

"You have to rely on other people."

"Vision is very clear."

"Focus on the next best action."

"Peopling is hard."

"Think differently, achieve more."

"What is my purpose?"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Fenton and His Journey

01:40 Early Career in Accounting and Transition to Leadership

05:13 Lessons from Division One Football

11:03 The Importance of Leadership and Vision

15:21 Navigating Change and Resiliency in Business

24:26 Developing Resiliency and Staying True to Values

27:52 Identifying Core Values 34:06 Transitioning to Coaching

39:45 The Need for Coaching in Accounting

43:15 Coaching Philosophy and Style

51:36 Advice for New Leaders

54:04 Personal Reflections and Purpose

Connect with John:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjfentonceocoach/

Get the book, 5 Minute Mastery - https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-J.-Fenton/author/B07JF9LCS3?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true