In the final episode of 2024, Amanda C. Watts reflects on a transformative year for accountants and service professionals. She discusses the journey from overworked practitioners to empowered, confident business advisors who are creating both financial success and personal freedom. Sharing highlights and achievements, Amanda celebrates the community’s accomplishments. Looking forward, she sets the stage for 2025 by focusing on building "Freedom Practices," empowering accountants to generate significant revenue while reclaiming their time and redefining their roles as trusted advisors. With gratitude, Amanda signs off for the year, encouraging listeners to embrace freedom and prepare for an impactful new year.

Key Takeaways

• Freedom as a Core Goal: Success isn't just about more clients or revenue; it's about creating a practice that serves your life and provides freedom.
• Transformational Results in 2024: Over £47 million in additional revenue was collectively generated by clients, with many transitioning to high-value advisory roles.
• Signature Accomplishments: Launch of the Business Advisor Academy, Certified Professional Business Advisor™ program, and The Freedom Tribe community.
• Invitation to join The Freedom Tribe: Amanda invites all listeners to join the thriving global community that she launched earlier this year. Click here to visit.
• Advisory Model Success: Clients shifted from charging low fees for compliance work to commanding premium fees for advisory services.
• Looking Ahead to 2025: Focus on creating "Freedom Practices," where professionals can earn £500k annually while working only 10 hours a week.
• Gratitude and Reflection: Amanda expresses deep appreciation for her listeners and the transformative journeys they've undertaken.

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In this episode of The Business Advisor Podcast, Amanda C. Watts dives into the transformative power of audacity in business. Audacity - often described as guts, spunk, or boldness - is the secret ingredient that sets top business advisors apart from the rest. Drawing on personal experiences, client success stories, and her VITAL Operating System framework, Amanda reveals how embracing audacity can help business advisors face adversity, challenge the status quo, and create meaningful impact. By fostering courage, resilience, and authenticity, service professionals can evolve from technical experts to industry leaders who generate higher income, drive client success, and build lucrative, impactful advisory firms.

Key Takeaways: 

• Audacity Redefined: It’s not about being loud or extroverted. Audacity is about having the courage to stand firm in your convictions and lead with authenticity.
• Resilience and Agility: Overcoming adversity builds resilience, and agility is key to staying ahead in a rapidly changing business environment
• Overcoming Adversity: True audacity means using adversity as fuel to grow stronger, not as an excuse to quit.
• Bold Action Breeds Success: Success doesn’t come from playing it safe. Amanda emphasizes the importance of bold, calculated risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
• The VITAL Operating System: Amanda’s unique framework (Value, Impact, Trust, Agile, and Lucrative) is a roadmap for business advisors to create lasting success. Audacity fuels every part of the VITAL system.
• The Daily Dozen Routine: Amanda’s daily reflection and planning process to stay VITAL, measure progress, and prepare for bold action.
• Constructive Conflict is Crucial: Don’t shy away from challenging client assumptions and lead with conviction, not deference. This is where the most growth happens for you and your clients.
• Shift from Compliance to Advisory: Transition from compliance-focused work to advisory-first services to create a more lucrative, sustainable business model.
• Action-Oriented Mindset: Success requires action, not passive observation—embrace bold, calculated risks to achieve growth

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked aspect of business success: your own internal transformation. By focusing on personal growth and development, you can unlock your full potential, and create a thriving practice and lasting impact.

Key Takeaways:

• The Importance of Self-Awareness: Understand your strengths, weaknesses, and limiting beliefs.
• The Power of Leadership: Develop your leadership skills and inspire your team.
• The Impact of Mindset: Shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance and embrace a growth mindset.
• The Benefits of Emotional Intelligence: Learn to manage your emotions and build strong relationships.
• The Power of Purpose: Align your actions with your values and goals.
• Practical Practices for Internal Growth: Implement daily practices to cultivate self-awareness, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
• The Ripple Effect of Internal Transformation: Your personal growth will positively impact your business and those around you.

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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It is all too easy to feel invisible in the world, even when you're an expert in your field. In this episode, we'll explore the Value Visibility Framework, a proven approach to break through the noise, be seen, and attract your ideal clients and team members.

Key Takeaways

• The Importance of Visibility: Your business advisory expertise and value need to be visible to attract ideal clients and team members.
• The Value Visibility Framework™: This unique framework from Amanda C. Watts helps you construct content in a way that ensures it resonates will your audience, no matter where they on their journey with your business
• Expertise Demonstration: Share your knowledge and skills through practical tips, case studies, and tutorials.
• Results Documentation: Highlight your successes and the positive impact you've made on your clients.
• Insight Generation: Offer unique perspectives and valuable insights that differentiate you from competitors.
• The Power of Consistency: Consistently create and share high-quality content to build a loyal following.
• Authenticity: Be yourself and share your genuine passion for your work

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In today's fragile and competitive business landscape, trust is more important than ever. In this episode, we explore the three pillars of trust: Personal Trust, Product Trust, and Company Trust. By building trust in these areas, you can establish strong relationships with your clients, increase customer loyalty, and drive business growth.

Key Takeaways:

• The Importance of Trust: Trust is the ultimate currency. It is the foundation of strong business relationships, and will significantly impact your business's success.
• Pillars of Trust: The 3 Pillars Of Trust each support your business growth in different ways, and all are essential for lasting success, 
• Personal Trust: Build trust through authenticity, empathy, and accountability by following the S.T.A.B.L.E. framework
• The Role of Transparency: Being honest and open with your clients and team can strengthen trust and solidify relationships.
• Product Trust: Deploying the C.A.P. Framework will allow you to deliver high-quality products and services that meet customer expectations.
• Company Trust: Using the Trust Equity Model in your business enables you to establish a strong brand reputation through transparency, consistency, and community engagement.

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In this episode, we explore the VITAL framework, a powerful tool developed by Amanda C. Watts for building a thriving business. The VITAL acronym stands for Value, Impact, Trust, Agility, and Lucrative. In this episode, we'll delve into each of these components and explore how you can apply them to your business, life and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pareto Principle: Understand how the 80/20 rule impacts your business and focus on the vital few areas that drive significant results.
• The VITAL Framework: Learn how to implement the five pillars of VITAL - Value, Impact, Trust, Agility, and Lucrative - to create a thriving business.
• The Power of Value: Provide exceptional value to your clients and go beyond just delivering services.
• The Importance of Impact: Focus on creating meaningful change in your clients' lives and businesses.
• The Foundation of Trust: Build strong relationships with your clients and team members based on trust and reliability.
• The Need for Agility: Great businesses have the ability to adapt to changing market conditions, to new technology and industry advancements. All decision making needs to be swift and complete. 
• Aim To Be Lucrative: Ensure your business is profitable and sustainable. You can’t help anyone if you don’t make a profit. Your work should help your clients to increase profit and be lucrative.
• Apply Everywhere: The VITAL framework is not just relevant to your business. The concepts can be applied to everywhere; life, relationships, health, family. 

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In this episode, we delve into the common fears and doubts that hold many financial professionals back from transitioning to advisory services. We'll discuss the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success and the power of consistent action in overcoming obstacles.

Key Takeaways:

• Failure Is Inevitable: Every successful advisor has failed. It's about learning from those failures and refining your approach.
• Fear Is A Sign Of Growth: Don't let fear paralyze you. Resistance is a sign that you're onto something big.
• Start Small: Take small, consistent steps towards your goals, rather than trying to do everything at once.
  Build Relationships: Focus on building strong relationships with clients and other professionals in your industry.
• Develop A Strategy: Focus on one niche, create valuable content, and nurture relationships through consistent action.
• Take Ownership: You are the key to your success. Stop waiting for permission and start taking action.
• You Are Enough: You have the knowledge, skills, and client relationships needed to begin. Be your own hero.
• Start Now: This is the perfect moment to create your own opportunities and transform your practice.

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In this episode, Amanda explores the importance of marketing for business advisors, and advisory services. Discover how clearly defining your ideal client, understanding their needs, and communicating your value proposition can lead to more effective marketing and attract high-value clients

Key Takeaways:

• Define Your Ideal Client: Clearly identify the specific type of client you want to attract and develop and an understanding of their unique needs and challenges.
• Articulate Your Value Proposition: Clearly communicate the unique value you offer to your ideal clients, focusing on the benefits they receive and the transformations you enable.
• Focus Your Marketing Efforts: Target your marketing efforts towards your ideal client, avoiding generic messaging that dilutes your brand.
• Share Real Stories: Use storytelling to showcase the impact of your services and build trust with potential clients.
• Build Strong Relationships: Prioritise building genuine relationships with your clients and potential clients.
• Invest in Your Marketing: Allocate time and resources to your marketing efforts, as it's a crucial component of business growth.

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In this episode, we explore how to handle rejection in the world of business advisory. Leads don’t always turn into clients, and that can be hard. But, it also presents you with a great opportunity. Discover strategies for understanding the reasons behind rejection, responding gracefully, and using rejections for growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the Reasons: Seek to understand the underlying reasons for rejection, whether it's timing, budget, or a mismatch in needs. Understanding them could lead you to overcoming them, now or in the future. 
• Maintain a Positive Attitude: While easier said than done, be sure to approach rejection with a growth mindset, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Ask for Feedback: Request feedback from the prospect to gain valuable insights into your marketing, proposal and presentation. This will mean you can adapt and evolve to achieve better results next time. 
• Stay Connected: Maintain a professional relationship with the prospect, even if they decline your services. There are many easy ways to achieve this in our digital world. 
• Learn from Rejection: Analyse the rejection objectively to identify areas for improvement in your approach and offerings.
• Build Resilience: Develop a strong mindset to handle rejection gracefully and bounce back from setbacks.
• Keep the Conversation Going: Even if the initial proposal is rejected, continue the dialogue to explore future opportunities.

NOTE: In this episode I refer to 'Platinum Clients' which we discussed in Episode 56. If you haven't listened to that one yet, you can find it here. 

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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When developing your business advisory skills and practice, 80% of success is showing up consistently, even when facing challenges. Discover how the simple act of showing up can create opportunities and build a strong foundation for your business.

Key Takeaways:

• Consistency is Key:Showing up consistently, even when it's difficult, is essential for building momentum and achieving long-term success.
• Motivation is Fickle:Rely on discipline and commitment rather than motivation to drive your actions.
• Create Opportunities: Showing up consistently increases your visibility and creates opportunities for growth and development.
• Build Trust and Reputation:Consistency builds trust and establishes your reputation as a reliable and dependable business advisor.
• Small Actions, Big Impact: The cumulative effect of consistent effort can lead to significant results.
• Master the Fundamentals: While quality, strategy, and continuous improvement are important, they are built upon the foundation of consistent action

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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