Life Beyond The Numbers

#18 Letting Go - John Purkiss

"I realised, okay, so I've done all this left-brain clever stuff, you know, like accounting, finance, languages, strategy, marketing, dah, dah, dah. I feel suicidal. So clearly I am missing something.  My father was in sales, my brother is in sales and I realised there were people who were far less academic than me who were leading much happier lives and were not trying to kill themselves." John Purkiss. 
 
John finds himself drawn to anything that helps change the world in a positive way including in business, photography and writing books. Working as a headhunter John uses his training in banking and finance every day and shares the value of going beyond that to be far more effective.  We talk about being present, the power of letting go and how letting go does not mean giving up but helps you become more powerful.  Work-life balance John believes is a misnomer - how can you balance one thing that is part of the other?
 
John Purkiss studied economics at Cambridge University and has an MBA from INSEAD. He began his career with The First National Bank of Chicago, Mercury Asset Management and OC&C Strategy Consultants. John then co-founded a software company and worked in sales and marketing, in the UK, Belgium and France. He joined Heidrick & Struggles, where he set up and ran the CFO Practice in the London office and was promoted to partner. John is now a partner with August Leadership. He is the author of How To Be Headhunted, Brand You and The Power of Letting Go. www.johnpurkiss.com
 
Connect with John
LinkedIn, Twitter, InstagramResources:
http://www.johnpurkiss.com/books/ 
http://nithyananda.org  
A Rich Man's Secret: An Amazing Story For Success, Ken Roberts
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, Eckhart Tolle
https://www.headspace.com/ - Meditation and Sleep Made Simple
 
 

#17 ”Queen of Finance” - Kim Bowden

"...one of the days the security guard said to me, "why weren't you in on Sunday?" It was like, Oh God, I know I haven't got this right."  "...the last couple of months have shown us that spending time, doing things with people you love and being able to take time to read books and go for walks ..... makes you more productive at work."  Kim Bowden.  
 
Kim got into accountancy by accident and has gained considerable experience in both the commercial and non-profit world despite saying she still doesn't know what she wants to do when she grows up!  She talks about psychological safety in the workplace, her specialism in counter-fraud, dream jobs (and job titles) as well as the difference between working in an organisation where you think change will happen and one where you know it won't so you need to go.  She shares openly that being in a senior leadership position doesn't mean you'll always get it right but you are stronger when you work together.
 
Kim Bowden works as Director of Finance and Operations at Friends of the Earth.  Her career spans over 40 years in commercial and non-profit finance.  She has a CIPFA qualification and has recently completed a counter-fraud accreditation.  She lives in London, loves animals and is a keen runner.  
 
Connect with Kim on LinkedIn
 

#16 The Key to Unlock Career Progression - Elaine Lynch

"And it's a real skill to be able to distill your thoughts and message:  what is it that I want to say, what structure is best to put around this and then how you say it. And it's one of those things in life that can be easier said than done." Elaine Lynch.  
 
If you are curious about how you can improve your communication skills this episode is for you.  Elaine and I talk about Toastmasters International - the organisation where leaders are made.  She explains how joining a club is a supportive, enjoyable and affordable way to develop communication and leadership skills.  We chat about the hands-on learning environment as well as the structured educational programs, the format of the meetings and the unique identity of each club.  We also talk about other aspects like mentoring and networking.  Toastmasters International is a global organisation with over 360,000 members across 145 countries - there is probably one near you.
 
Elaine Lynch is a Corporate Treasury Services Manager based in London.  Elaine qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Ireland and relocated to London in 2014. She is also President of a London based Toastmasters Club, City Limit Speakers.
 
Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn
 
Resources:
Toastmasters International https://www.toastmasters.org/ 
 
City Limits Speakers https://www.meetup.com/City-Limits-Speakers/ 

#15 Doing Simple Things Consistently - Marcus Thompson

"Listen, question your assumptions and start with thinking the best of people." Marcus Thompson.  
 
Marcus worked with Oxfam in many roles including emergency and humanitarian response.  Marcus speaks about deploying to Cambodia in 1979 and being in Ethiopia in 1984.  We discuss the individual traits best suited to those who respond to emergencies as well as the need for accountants on emergency response teams.  Marcus shares his view on what is needed to connect with people, whatever the context, and what  good management looks like.  He also fondly recalls his time in India, at 18, as a VSO volunteer. 
 
Marcus Thompson had a career spanning over 40 years with Oxfam.  He worked in many countries in Asia and Africa as well as in Oxford.  He received an MBE for his work in Ethiopia in 1984.  He retired in 2010 but continued to volunteer with OXFAM for a number of years.  He was a Trustee at Asylum Welcome for 10 years and Chair September 2020.  He has now fully retired to his allotment.       
 
Resources:
 
The Coaching Manual, Julie Starr 
 
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey 

#14 The MAGIC Formula - John Hayns

"How can I create a checklist on being kind?  How can I ask in each situation I find myself in, how can I be magic in this situation?" "How can I apply the magic formula? How can I be magic in this situation?" John Hayns. 
 
John and I talk about how important influencing skills are as a magician and in life.  He explains his philosophy of kindness as a choice. Magic, for example, is not about trying to put one over on people, but about lifting people up and trying to make their lives better. It is all done by kindness and that transforms into business. We talk through his MAGIC formula - how to be kind by MAGIC.  We also chat about personality types, Sufi Mystics, taking yourself on a date, baked beans and practical insights for creating work-life magic.  
 
John Hayns is a Speaker, Writer and Entertainer.  Having graduated with a Masters from Oxford University in the early ’90s, John sold web and database solutions to the legal and insurance sectors of the City of London. He is now Managing Director of two companies and the Chair of a leading trade association. He is also Chair of The Magic Circle, the premier magic society in the world, and an acknowledged expert in the fields of persuasion and direction of attention.
 
Connect with John:
https://www.work-life-magic.com/
 
Resources:
https://themagiccircle.co.uk/ 
The Artist's Way, Julie Cameron
To Sell is Human, Dan Pink
https://michaelhyatt.com/ 
https://miraclemorning.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TMM-Journal-Sample.pdf 
https://thisismyera.com/products/thisismyera-planner?variant=45373602568 

#13 Never Think You’re Reaching Too High - Margaret de Valois

"As you go through your career you learn what you're good at. And one of the things I've been very lucky to have been able to do is to choose the things that I'm good at and leave behind the things that I'm not so good at and have the confidence to say, do you know what actually that's not really my bag".  Margaret de Valois.  
Mags and I talk about how sometimes we don't make choices in life but just do what's put in front of us. But how much more rewarding it is to make active choices and really consider what it is that you want to do not what is easy to do. We talk about how she felt as if she was in "a controlling relationship with the City" and her relocation to Cornwall.  We also talk about her love of communication, music and pensions.  
Margaret de Valois is an award-winning seasoned City professional now living in Cornwall. She qualified as an Actuary and works as a Business Coach who helps businesses generate great ideas and plan practical strategies to guarantee business growth. And she is a co-host of the TV show Thinking Women.  
Connect with Margaret:
https://margaretdevalois.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thinkingwomentv/
 
Resources:
 
https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension
 
 

#12 Building Communities - Javed Bobat

"Everyone seems to have some negativity, some frustration, some disappointment, even at times, anger towards recruiters.  And  when you repeatedly hear that, pretty much every conversation, you have to take a step back, which I did a few years ago..."  "And that's where I've made the decision over the last 12, 18 months to research plan and then bring to market something that I hope will bring some humanity back within an industry where I feel it is lacking".  Javed Bobat.  
 
Javed and I discuss his three-part ethical recruitment model for finance and accounting professionals that benefits the candidate, team and business with a focus on employee well-being, engagement and retention.  Javed is also a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor and he talks about his own mental health.  We discuss the recent Pulse Report he produced on the impact of remote working and the stress of lockdown and how extremely relatable people felt it was.  And we chat about 'Written For You, By You' - encouraging finance and accounting professionals to write about their work-life.  
 
Javed Bobat is based in Leeds and has spent his career in finance/accounting recruitment.  He launched Fide Careers late last year.  He is on a mission to prioritise people over profit and Fide is purpose-driven and socially motivated as they take a percentage of every single recruitment fee and reinvest it directly back into the team, candidate and business they recruit for.  He has also set up a community interest company F=@#! Mental Health for mental health and well-being of the industry.  
 
Connect with Javed:
https://fide.careers/ 
https://fmentalhealth.org/
LinkedIn: Javed Bobat
Twitter & Instagram: @fidecareers 

#11 Simplify, Measure & Strengthen - Sarah Whale

"...whether it's your job, your business, your relationships, your personal finances....the decisions you make right now - what's the impact on people, planet and economy? And that's effectively what sustainability is."   Sarah Whale.  
Sarah Whale founder of Profit Impact, and voice of reason, talks about sustainability in plain English.  She shines a light on 5 Pillars for an organisation:  Finance & Governance, Communities, Environment, Employees and Customers.  She talks about 'Sarah's Sustainability Snapshot' and why her mantra is 'Simplify, Measure & Strengthen'.  We also discuss B Corp and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  
Sarah Whale is an experienced finance leader within SME businesses. Her path has not followed a traditional finance career and she has a broad range of experiences across sectors and sizes. She has supported both thriving and struggling businesses but a common thread has been decision making based on short-term financial objectives.  She established Profit Impact with a clear mission - to support SMEs to strengthen their business' financial position through sustainability.
 
Connect with Sarah:
https://www.profit-impact.co.uk/
LinkedIn: Sarah Whale
Twitter: @profit_impact and Instagram: @profitimpact
 
Resources:
https://bcorporation.net/
 
https://sdgs.un.org/goals

#10 This Feeling Business - Steve Haines

“Feelings aren't a beacon of eternal truth. They're a negotiation. They're always real because they are a perception inside of you, but it doesn't mean that they are accurate, useful, or true they're things that need to be negotiated. We can reframe them and construct them differently.” Steve Haines
Steve Haines takes us in-depth on the transformative power of learning to connect with our bodies with the use of some great metaphors. He explains that the biggest decision we're making in a moment is “Am I safe or not?”  Steve explains that everybody gets triggered but we can learn how to reframe our feelings.  We discuss how of the biggest predictors to a happy and healthy life is movement and the good news is “the best exercise, is exercise you're going to do”. 
 
Steve Haines has been a bodyworker for over 20 years, runs regular clinics in London and Geneva and teaches all over the world. He is the author of the award winning ‘Anxiety Is Really Strange’, part of a series of graphic books that include ‘Pain Is Really Strange’ and ‘Trauma Is Really Strange’. Understanding the science of pain and trauma has transformed his approach to healing. He has studied Yoga, Shiatsu, Craniosacral Therapy, and Trauma Releasing Exercises TRE®.
 
Connect with Steve:https://bodycollege.net/ +
https://www.facebook.com/bodycollege/ +
Twitter @stevehaines66
 

#9 More Than the Scorer - Jerry Harris

“I think that phrase is probably the tipping point where I was saying to myself, ok, I am not going to just keep the score I'm gonna make the numbers happen.” Jerry Harris
Jerry began his career with KPMG and tells us about various roles as an FD, a FD-COO hybrid, a commercial director and as a Non-Exec. He explains the importance of the human touch in recruitment and managing first impressions when you are interviewing. He shares his thoughts on three types of finance people and how accounting is a fantastic way to formulate a career.  He also introduces me to the phrase 'appropriate selfishness'. 
Jerry Harris is an experienced professional service business leader and adviser. He is currently working as a Non-Exec Director at various professional service and other types of businesses.
Connect with Jerry:LinkedIn @ Jerry Harris