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Alexis Kingsbury interviews Ron Baker, author and founder of VeraSage Institute, about why tracking time and billing by the hour harms professional services firms by distorting behavior, reducing margins, and undermining innovation. Ron explains the “transformation economy” as a shift beyond services and experiences toward guiding clients from a current state to a desired future identity. He argues firms should market and price around transformation rather than tasks. He describes how subscription models change pricing, KPIs, and financial thinking toward lifetime value, recurring revenue, and churn. He says the biggest barrier is unlearning cost-accounting and timesheet mentalities. They discuss how AI reduces rote compliance work, increases pressure on hourly models, and frees up time for deeper client relationships. They also explore alternative metrics such as net promoter score, turnaround time, and “high satisfaction days,” as well as the need for specialization and stronger referral networks. Timestamps 00:00 Timesheets Kill Innovation 01:13 What Is Transformation 03:33 Selling the Outcome 05:38 Subscription Done Right 08:27 Why Leaders Resist Change 13:38 Compliance AI and Opportunity 15:21 The Case Against Time Tracking 16:50 Four Timesheet Myths 18:46 Cost Accounting Is Broken 23:03 Pricing Value, Not Cost 24:21 Timesheets Kill ROI 25:07 Upfront Pricing and Cashflow 26:00 Better KPIs Than Utilization 27:07 Leading Indicators That Matter 28:44 High Satisfaction Days 29:52 Managing for Outcomes 34:10 Transformation Economy for Compliance 35:52 AI Commoditization Pressure 37:07 Specialize and Build Networks 38:17 Quickfire and Closing Takeaways 43:47 Resources and Farewell Links • Ron Baker – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldbaker/ • Ron Baker – X (Twitter): https://x.com/RonBaker • Ron Baker – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonaldJBaker • VeraSage Institute: https://verasage.com/ • The Soul of Enterprise Podcast: https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/ • Threshold Now: https://thresholdnow.com/ • Time’s Up! The Subscription Business Model for Professional Firms (Ron Baker & Paul Dunn): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119578881 • The Firm of the Future (Ron Baker & Paul Dunn): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118354807 • Implementing Value Pricing – Ron Baker: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118096301 • Pricing on Purpose – Ron Baker: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119120842 • Wealth and Poverty – George Gilder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594034010 • AirManual Resources & Playbooks: https://airmanual.co/resources

Six months ago, Alexis built a 100% AI accountancy practice called Accrual Intentions. He called it an experiment. What he didn't say at the time: he was hoping it wouldn't work. In this honest follow-up to Episode 164, Alexis shares what he's processed since — the board meeting that ran in eight minutes, the failures that turned out to be management errors rather than AI errors, and the data that suggests professional services firms have about eighteen months before the compliance work their juniors do today is largely automated. The question isn't whether AI will change your firm. It's whether you'll be ready to manage it when it does. Links: Episode 164 of De-stress Your Business, "I Built a 100% AI Accountancy Firm. It Nearly Put Me in Prison.": https://youtu.be/Q3pBqi9bexU Matt Shumer's article, Something big is happening: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/something-big-happening-matt-shumer-so5he/ METR charts on AI ability: https://metr.org/blog/2025-03-19-measuring-ai-ability-to-complete-long-tasks/ Accrual Intentions, the book: https://www.accrualintentions.com/book

Alexis shares the full behind-the-scenes story of building Accrual Intentions — a 100% AI-powered accountancy firm with 11 AI team members. The AI team completed a 7-month roadmap of 91 tasks and 107 deliverables in just 4 hours, with only 7 requiring human decisions. But the experiment also revealed serious dangers: a £43,000 profit-and-loss error stated with total confidence, terms of business that would have constituted a criminal offence, and every client-facing document pointing to someone else's website. The episode explores what this means for the future of accounting and the emerging skill of managing AI teams rather than doing the work yourself.

Mergers and acquisitions can spark exciting growth — but they also bring chaos, uncertainty, and a lot of stress.   In this episode of De-stress Your Business, we’re joined by Alex Black, Director of Client Services and Innovation at Ad Valorem, a fast-growing accountancy firm now part of the ETL Group.   Alex shares how he’s helped teams navigate the stress of change — from integrating cultures and standardising processes, to preparing teams for powerful innovations like AI.   You’ll learn: What causes stress during mergers — and how to ease it How to overcome resistance when introducing change Why standardising workflows is critical for innovation What leaders often get wrong about growth and acquisitions This episode is packed with real-world lessons from someone who’s been at the frontline of fast change — and still kept the team engaged, productive, and open to the future.   What’s your approach to handling stress during periods of change? Let us know in the comments!   #DeStressYourBusiness #Leadership #MergersAndAcquisitions #ChangeManagement #TeamAlignment #AlexBlack #Innovation #AIAdoption     Helpful resources: Ad Valorem: https://www.advaloremgroup.uk/ ETL Global: https://www.etl-global.com/ Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexblackacca/

In this episode of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury delves into the often unexpected and challenging people problems every business leader faces.    From marital disputes to sudden resignations, Alexis emphasizes the importance of strong line management in navigating these issues.    He shares practical advice on building trustful, open relationships between managers and their teams, and highlights the significance of regular one-to-ones and creating a no-blame culture.    Learn how to prepare for crises and support your employees effectively, ensuring your business remains resilient even when life throws curveballs.   ---   Helpful resources:   Playbook for Managing Employee Performance (including guidance on great 1-2-1 meetings): https://discover.airmanual.co/resources/unsatisfactory-performance-playbook

Catherine Morgan was a financial adviser with all the right credentials. She had the qualifications, the clients, and years of experience helping others manage their money.   But in her own life, money felt unsafe. She was stuck in cycles of overspending, shame, and fear. Not because she didn’t know how to manage money, but because her nervous system was reacting to something deeper.   That’s when she realised the problem wasn’t knowledge. It was trauma.   So she stepped away from the traditional finance world, retrained in trauma healing, money psychology, and coaching, and started doing the work that had been missing all along.   Today, she’s an award-winning coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and host of the global top 0.5% podcast It’s Not About the Money, with more than 600,000 downloads and a mission to help one million women feel safe and empowered around money.   In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Catherine shares:   Why so many smart, successful people still sabotage themselves financially How money trauma hides in patterns like undercharging, overspending, and avoidance What it means to feel safe with money — especially for ADHD and neurodivergent minds The internal stories that keep us stuck, and how to rewrite them Real transformations Catherine has witnessed — including her own   If money stress keeps showing up in your life or business, even when you’re doing everything “right,” this episode will give you a new way to understand it — and a path forward.   #destressyourbusiness #CatherineMorgan #moneytrauma #financialstress #adhdawareness #neurodivergentleaders #emotionalresilience #businessgrowth #healingjourney #entrepreneurship ---   Helpful resources: Website- https://catherinemorgan.com/ LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-morgan/ Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/catherinemorganmoney/?hl=en Book- “It’s not about the money”- https://catherinemorgan.com/free-book-its-not-about-the-money/ Podcast: It's Not About The Money: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/its-not-about-the-money/id1449065629 Money Quiz: https://catherinemorgan.com/quiz

What separates good managers from truly great leaders?    In this episode, Alexis Kingsbury sits down with leadership expert William C. Davis, who brings over 38 years of experience across corporate America, the military, and government. Together, they dive deep into the mindset shifts that transform leadership—from focusing on tasks to building genuine relationships and trust.   William shares powerful stories and practical advice on: The difference between managing, leading, and “being the boss” Why self-awareness and emotional intelligence are essential for modern leaders How to build a culture of trust and ownership in your team The challenges and opportunities of leading new generations, including Gen Z Real-life examples of leadership failures and how to fix them The keys to retaining top talent and reducing stress for everyone Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with confidence, empathy, and impact.   If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, and share! Leave a comment with your favorite takeaway or question for William.   #Leadership #Mindset #Teamwork #DeStressYourBusiness #podcast #LeadershipDevelopment   ---   Helpful resources: Website: https://www.williamcdavis.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573023334183 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamcharlesdavis64/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamcharlesdavis/

In Episode 159 of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury shares simple yet impactful ways to enhance your employee onboarding process.    He emphasizes the significance of first impressions, providing actionable advice on how to make new hires feel excited, valued, and ready to contribute. From pre-start communication to thoughtful touches on the first day, Alexis highlights the importance of making new employees feel welcome.    This episode is packed with practical tips, including setting up tools, personalizing the experience, and fostering early connections.    Learn how to turn your onboarding process into a memorable and efficient experience, ultimately improving retention and creating brand ambassadors.    Access the full employee onboarding playbook at airmanual.link/playbooks for more detailed templates and checklists.   ---   Helpful resources:   Playbook on how to Onboard a New Employee: https://discover.airmanual.co/resources/onboard-a-new-employee-playbook (it is tailored to Accountancy firms, but the principles apply to all businesses)

In this episode of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury explores how professional services firms can easily create compelling case studies using AI.    Despite the value of case studies, firms often avoid them due to the time and effort required. Alexis introduces a streamlined approach using a simple checklist and AI prompts to convert rough notes into polished case studies.    Learn the steps to gather essential information, prompt AI for drafting, and finalize case studies efficiently, enabling even junior staff to handle the task.    ---   Helpful resources: Accountancy Playbook - Win More Ideal Clients: https://discover.airmanual.co/resources/win-more-ideal-clients Alexis speaking at Accountex 2025: https://www.accountex.co.uk/london/event/how-to-get-the-best-out-of-your-people-even-if-theyre-terrible/ Example of a case study created using this approach: https://airmanual.link/case-study/tennick More Playbooks: https://www.airmanual.co/resources

In this episode of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury explores why great technology often fails in businesses despite its potential for significant impact.    He breaks down common myths and excuses for tech adoption failures and introduces a seven-step tech adoption process designed to ensure your team not only has the tools but uses them effectively to solve real business problems.    Alexis also shares insights on how to align processes with technology, obtain cross-business buy-in, and provide structured training to achieve long-term success.    ---   Helpful resources:   - Get the playbook and interactive checklist at airmanual.link/das25 for step-by-step guidance.

In this episode of the De-stress Your Business podcast, Alexis Kingsbury shares insights from his ACCA Roadshow presentation on how to build scalable systems, delegate work, and enhance client experiences in accountancy practices.    Using real-life examples, Alexis discusses the necessity of processes, common pitfalls, and strategies for improvement.    Learn how to effectively onboard new clients, improve recruitment, and create a thriving business environment with less stress.    Get actionable tips and hear inspiring stories of how effective process implementation can transform lives and businesses.   00:00 Introduction and Importance of Processes 01:40 Challenges in Recruitment and Onboarding 03:47 Personal Journey and Business Success 07:12 Common Struggles in Accountancy Practices 11:22 Strategies for Hiring A Players 14:37 Making It Easy to Do a Great Job 20:47 Client Onboarding Process 25:09 Key Takeaways and Conclusion   ---   Helpful resources: Participate in the research and get your FREE playbook: https://airmanual.link/get-your-SOP

Are you overwhelmed by the thought of selling your business?   It’s a lot—confusing valuations, succession plans, and tax pitfalls may be keeping you up at night.    Maybe you feel trapped by the legal and financial headaches that turn what should be a smooth transition into a nerve-wracking ordeal.    Or maybe the mere idea of letting go leaves you anxious about your future and the legacy you’ve built. If all of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and it’s time to rethink how you approach your exit.   Today we have Richard McMullan on the podcast. He’s the brilliant mind behind The Business Exit Blueprint. He’s also guided 130+ business owners to transform their exit strategies—helping them scale companies from £1M to £20M and boost value by an average of 40%—and turn overwhelming challenges into clear opportunities for a more relaxed and profitable future.   In today’s podcast you’ll:   Discover how to break down the exit process and tackle the parts that stress out business owners Hear real-life stories of pivoting strategies and spotting early warning signs Get practical tips on balancing day-to-day operations with long-term exit planning Learn offbeat advice that cuts stress and unlocks new opportunities   If you’re ready to flip the script on exit headaches and set yourself up for a smoother, smarter transition, you won’t want to miss this conversation!   #DeStressYourBusiness #BusinessExits #ExitStrategy #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #RichardMcMullan   ---   Helpful resources: Richard’s LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-mcmullan/ Richard’s website- https://aurelius-advisory.com/ Richard’s book- https://aurelius-advisory.com/the-business-exit-blueprint-book/ Book recommendation- Living at the summit, by Tom Hill: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Summit-Novel-Approach-Exceptional/dp/0966782135

In this episode of De-stress Your Business, host Alexis Kingsbury discusses how to effectively manage conversations about employee performance issues.    He outlines a three-step framework to address underperformance without causing stress, awkwardness, or defensive reactions. Through specific feedback, clarifying the impact of mistakes, and setting clear expectations for improvement, Alexis provides actionable steps to enhance employee performance and maintain team morale.    01:08 Why Leaders Avoid Performance Conversations 01:29 The Consequences of Avoidance 02:17 Setting Clear Expectations 02:59 Giving Specific Feedback 04:07 Focusing on the Impact 04:58 Setting Clear Expectations for Improvement 06:01 Handling Pushback Calmly 07:24 Reinforcing Accountability 08:00 Conclusion and Next Steps   ---   Helpful resources:   - Get a playbook for resolving unsatisfactory performance available at www.airmanual.co/resources

In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury dives into assessing and resolving employee underperformance.    He discusses the importance of using performance data over gut instinct, signs that indicate potential improvement, and when to consider firing an employee.    Alexis also covers the significant costs of keeping underperformers, creating structured improvement plans, and the consequences of inaction. Tune in for practical advice on maintaining high team morale and productivity.   ---   Helpful resources:   - Get the playbook for resolving unsatisfactory employee performance at https://www.airmanual.co/resources

For many business owners, dealing with HMRC and tax compliance is one of the most stressful parts of running a business. The fear of making mistakes, the pressure of deadlines, and the complexity of the system can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Aplin OBE, a trailblazer in tax and business strategy. With decades of experience and a leading role in the Making Tax Digital initiative, Paul shares practical advice for reducing tax-related stress and avoiding common pitfalls. We cover: 👉 How to simplify your tax processes and save time. 👉 Practical tips for confident communication with HMRC. 👉 Tools and strategies to reduce the anxiety of compliance. Whether you dread tax deadlines or want to feel more in control of your business finances, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss! What’s your approach to managing tax stress in your business? Let us know in the comments! #DeStressYourBusiness #Leadership #TaxCompliance #BusinessStrategy #HMRC --- Helpful resources: - Paul Aplin OBE on Twitter / X: https://x.com/PaulAplinOnTax - Paul Aplin OBE on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/paulaplinontax.bsky.social - Paul Aplin OBE on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-aplin-obe-a799bb13/ - Resources on how to get your processes sorted: https://www.airmanual.co/resources