Amanda Wilkie, Consultant at Boomer Consulting, Inc., has a computer science background, but she’s not your average geek. With two decades of technology experience, Amanda has spent 13 years driving change and process improvement through innovative technology solutions working across firms of varying sizes in the public accounting profession. She has held strategic leadership positions in firms ranging from Top 50 to Top 10 including her most recent role as CIO of a Top 30 firm.

Jacques Decarie has been a Vice President of Sales and Marketing at INDUSTRIOS Software, Inc. since June 2013. Jacques has over 20 years of experience in software sales and over 10 years of applied sales leadership. He has direct responsibility for Opportunity Management, Pipeline development and, Corporate Relations at INDUSTRIOS Software, Inc. He has a wealth of experience in software sales. Jacques served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Opta Minerals Inc.

In the glorious tradition of afternoon naps and Taco Tuesday, we are fast approaching the last Friday of the month which can only mean one thing…Free-Rider Friday! As many know, our typical show is “topic” driven. We dive deep into one subject for the length of the show, usually with a guest or two. Free-Rider Fridays are designed to be “event” driven, whatever issues are in the news that we (or you) find worthy of commentary.

In economics, free riding means reaping the benefits from the actions of others and consequently refusing to bear the full costs of those actions. This means Ed and Ron will free ride off of the news, and each other, with no advanced knowledge of the events either will bring up. 

Mark Koziel is Executive Vice President – Firm Services for the American Institute of CPAs. He leads the Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), Firm Relationship Management, Small Firms, Diversity & Inclusion, Young Member Initiatives, Technical Hotline and Center for Plain English Accounting. His teams build and manage firm relations with all size firms, promoting awareness and value, including advocating for CPA firm success and ongoing relationships with public accounting influencers. His team creates innovative programs and engagement strategies to engage a diverse pipeline of current and future CPAs. He frequently speaks on CPA issues around the United States.

Growing up in a family of six kids, Christine Hollinden, CPSMknew how to stand out at an early age. As the founding principal of Hollinden | marketers + strategists, she’s passionate about helping professional services firms distinguish themselves from the pack. Her energetic and forward-thinking approach has earned her industry recognition and status as a sought-after speaker on marketing topics.

John Hoyt enjoys helping clients optimize their enterprise software tools to increase business and financial efficiencies.  With a strong focus on software programs from Sage Software, John collaborates with clients, reviews their systems and procedures, and identifies solutions.  These solutions often include increasing top-line revenue and decreasing overall expenses.  He performs business process reviews and is familiar with a variety of software platforms.  John focuses on strategic consulting and has respected project management skills.  Clients value his candid demeanor and his proficiency in technology support.         

With more than 35 years of business, management and systems experience, John is knowledgeable in problem-solving with application software tools.

In this excerpt, Ron Baker shares his thoughts on the best way for an organization to fire a customer. To listen to the entire episode, visit TheSoulofEnterprise.com. 

With over 25 years of experience in technology and over 15 years of leadership experience in the accounting industry at Karbon, Xero and Intuit, Ian Vacin is passionate about helping accounting professionals be as successful as possible in order to positively impact the small businesses that they serve. He was named 'Top 20 under 40' by CPA Practice Advisor (2016) and a 'Marketer That Matters' (2013) by the Wall Street Journal. Ian has MEM and MBA degrees from Northwestern University (Kellogg School of Management).

What she does best—differently from others—is energize people while she shows them how to do the hard stuff. She clarifies the complicated. She sheds new light and instills confidence. She sets you up to make big progress possible.