Up and Adam - A BerganKDV Podcast

Podcast Notes: Wealth Management with Thomas Pargett  For this episode of Up and Adam, Adam is joined by Thomas Pargett, Senior Wealth Advisor and Managing Director of Private Clients at BerganKDV. In their conversation, the two discuss the responsibilities of being a senior-level advisor of the firm. They dive into the private client experience at BerganKDV, the mission behind the firm's wealth offerings, and the strong tie that exists between our wealth and tax teams that allows us to provide tax-efficient advisory all under one roof. If you have ever wondered what it's like to engage with a financial advisor, this episode is for you! If you have additional questions about BerganKDV's wealth management solutions, contact us and set up an introductory call with our Wealth Management team to discuss how we can best accomplish your financial goals. 

In this episode of Up and Adam, Adam talks with Lorilei Christner, Director of Process Improvement at BerganKDV. In their discussion, Lorilei shares with Adam a brief history of LEAN and how she's leading the LEAN implementation journey at BerganKDV. Lorilei explains the “why” behind embarking on the journey; wanting to improve processes to help increase the bottom line, employee engagement and client satisfaction.Lorilei shares that BerganKDV has experienced early success with the process including cost and time savings. The firm's mid-term goal is to ensure the LEAN culture is invigorated so it becomes a natural way of thinking. Instead of focusing on metrics, asking how can we look at the process differently and rally the team to focus on how to get to the desired outcome. The long-term magic of LEAN is that it's ongoing improvement, it's never really complete as you strive to constantly strengthen all areas.Lorilei concludes with a piece of advice for companies that are looking to implement LEAN; the most important factors are strategy and approach. The first step is to build a framework which consists of three pillars: people, process and technology. Ensure that people are involved and have a voice, construct solid processes that are integrated into the LEAN framework and utilize technology to facilitate communication, idea sharing and efficient management of process.Want to learn more about BerganKDV's LEAN journey? Connect with Lorilei Christner on LinkedIn!

In this episode of Up and Adam, Adam talks with Laura Gebauer, Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics (BIA) at BerganKDV. In their discussion, Laura shares with Adam how BIA insights allow clients predict versus react to financial data and give a more comprehensive view of their business.The essence of BIA is leveraging technology to transform financial data into actionable insights, which helps organizations set smart goals and make more confident and timely decisions. It takes them on a journey from hindsight to insight to foresight using real time data.BIA can include a variety of solutions to achieve results, but the BerganKDV team uses the following to deliver meaningful advisory to a client's organization:KPI and MetricsBudgeting/Financial ModelingWorkforce PlanningCash Flow AnalysisComparison ReportingWant to learn more about how utilizing BIA can transform the way your organization views its financial data and evolve your business procedures? Contact our team today!

In this episode of Up and Adam, Adam sits down with Lee Roberts, the Director of Sales at BerganKDV to talk about how to best launch a sales team at an organization. To begin their conversation, Lee talks a bit about his journey at BerganKDV. When he started at the firm 16 years ago, there were only 60 team members, and he was the only salesperson. Lee talks about his personal experience of being the initial salesperson and what he needed to do to build a successful sales solution.Lee and Adam then discuss how the sales process has changed over the years and what selling looked like before the technology advancements we have today. A lot of times it involved the business owner conducting sales by networking, word on the streets, or cold calling. Lee shares how important it is for a business owner to change their mindset and be more of an educator and coach when they begin building out a sales team, rather than the doer. He talks about the biggest mistakes he sees when businesses start a sales team and how to avoid them.What does modern-day discovery look like? Lee discusses the two major components of the current discovery process. He talks about how crucial it is to have an educational component as part of the process and what steps a sales team can take to establish credibility and trust with their prospects. To wrap up their conversation, Lee emphasizes the time and effort required to kick start a solid sales team. It's a full-time endeavor that requires at least a 12–18-month commitment to start seeing results and to set the foundation for a successful future. Have additional questions regarding sales team best practices? Connect with Lee on LinkedIn and send him your questions, he would be happy to assist you! 

Cori Power, BerganKDV's Learning and Development Manager comes on the show to talk to Adam about everything employee development and how organizations can help their team members further their job skills and careers.To begin their conversation, Cori discusses the impact that a remote work environment has had in the learning and development (L&D) landscape and how she has adjusted her training to be virtual but remain engaging.  Cori also talks about the process of launching L&D efforts at BerganKDV a couple years ago, and what considerations organizations should make before launching a program of their own, including timing, vendors, available resources, intended audience and more.Adam and Cori dive into what factors can drive a business owner to start focusing on learning and development. These factors can vary, but a common one is growth. They then talk about how an L&D program is a great recruiting and retention tool because it can demonstrate to team members that your organization is invested in their future and continuous improvement. L&D programs also have the potential to define your organization's culture and can unite team members with a common idea or theme.The two wrap up their conversation by sharing what next steps an organization can take to evaluate their current L&D offerings. It's key to identify what is working and what is not working within your program so that it can evolve with your workforce. Contact us if you'd like to learn more about learning and development programs.

In this episode of Up and Adam, Adam sits down and talks with Derek Hoyt, Chief Investment Officer, and David Peyton, Portfolio Manager, with the BerganKDV Wealth Management Solution's Investment Team to reflect on 2021 market activity and results. 2021 was a great year for risk assets. The S&P gained 28.7% while hitting a record high 70 times throughout the year and volatility was relatively absent. Domestic markets led global returns and narrow leadership pulled indexes higher in the second half. Adam asks David and Derek to explain the discrepancy between domestic and international returns. David talks about how domestic returns have outpaced international returns for a long time. There are some instances where international will catch up, but over the long haul that hasn't happened in a while.The three then pivot to discuss fourth quarter market activity in 2021 and how it looked different compared to earlier in the year.  Adam goes on to ask about price to earnings (PE) ratio, where it sits right now and if 2022 could be a little quieter compared to last year.  Derek gives his insight on why PE is tough to use as a predictor. Adam transitions the conversation to discuss tax reform, a common topic on the minds of his clients. Adam asks David and Derek how might potential tax reform and changes to capital gain structure impact the market. He then asks the two about midterm elections and if they have an effect on market activity.If you have additional questions about investment strategies and mitigating risks for your investment portfolio; BerganKDV can help. Contact our team to set up an introductory call with our Wealth Management team to discuss your financial planning needs.To wrap up their conversation, Adam asks Derek and David to make predictions on what 2022 may bring to the market. They share how the new year brings new uncertainties as inflation remains elevated, markets are fully valued, the Fed looks to pivot, mid-term elections are approaching, and taxes changes remain a question. These dynamics make returns in the coming year a challenge, but not impossible.   

Get the episode notes hereIf you have additional questions about investment strategies and mitigating risks for your investment portfolio; BerganKDV can help. Contact our team to set up an introductory call with our Wealth Management team to discuss your financial planning needs.

To kick off the conversation, Adam asks Jake about the recent large-scale ransomware attacks in the news and how they illustrate the importance of having cybersecurity protocols and prevention tactics in place at an organization. Jake talks about the security gaps he often sees at organization during he discovery phase of managed IT implementation including old credentials and former employees still having access to private information. He also shares how most cyber-attacks aren't about your business specifically, it's all about how much information they feel like they can gather from your organization. Adam and Jake emphasize the importance of being proactive instead of being reactive based off the stories being shared in the news. Jake encourages listeners to consider the investments they are making to protect their company data, including the caliber of their current technology, what cybersecurity training measures they have in place and having a business continuity plan just in case. Jake then dives into the details of having a business continuity plan so that you can mitigate and limit the exposure of a potential cyber-attack and how these plans often work. Finally, Adam and Jake touch upon utilizing cyber liability insurance and the advantages of having a policy for an extra layer of protection and how polices have evolved to become more robust to account for the growing number of attacks. If you have additional questions about cybersecurity strategies and mitigating security risks at your organization; BerganKDV can help. Contact our team to learn more about what cybersecurity solutions we offer to protect your organization.

To kick start their conversation, Adam asks the two about their perspective on where the economy is sitting currently and the state of the current market. David talks about how the market is rebounding as compared to where it was at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, especially with the COVID-19 vaccine being rolled out. He also emphasizes that while the overall market is stable and supportive of equities as of now, that the main risk driver of potential volatility is stemming from of inflation and changes in federal policies. The conversation is then transitioned to the booming of the housing market, even with the increased prices of materials. Adam asks the group for their views on the housing market and if they suspect it to slow down any time soon. They talk about the key differences in the housing market today as compared to the 2007-2009 recession. After discussing the markets, they shift gears and dive back into inflation metrics and how it will be impacted as unemployment benefits start to wear off and people start returning to the workforce. Derek discusses how differently the government printed additional funds due to the pandemic through stimulus packages as compared to the recession in 2007-2009 and what that means for the markets. For the remainder of the episode, Derek and David discuss the daily processes of the Wealth Management team at BerganKDV and how they execute their allocation strategies and maintain portfolios to account for market expectations.If you have additional questions about investment strategies and mitigating risks for your investment portfolio; BerganKDV can help. Contact our team to set up an introductory call with our Wealth Management team to discuss your financial planning needs.Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

To begin their conversation, Chris gives a refresh on what state and local taxes are and specifically how sales taxes have become the main area of focus due to the Wayfair ruling. He then explains what the Wayfair ruling is and how it has greatly impacted countless business who sell goods online to varying states since passing in 2018. Andrew and Chris talk about how before the ruling, the internet was the “wild west” of sales tax where many companies had loopholes to avoid addressing it and many states simply weren't collecting on it. Since the ruling, many online retailers have had to rethink how they file their taxes to ensure they are compliant to the tax policies of the various states they sell goods in. Chris also gives insight into the different types of online sales including marketplace facilitators such as Amazon and the sales tax laws that have been created for these types of companies. Later in the episode, Adam asks Chris about other taxes that have added to the complexity of sales tax such as BNO (Business and Opportunity) taxes in Washington state and gross receipts taxes which are all in addition to standard sales taxes but need to be handled in specific ways when it comes to filing.  He further discusses the intricacies of sales taxes and how his team helps clients calculate their taxes and navigate the complexities with the help of robust technology. Chris then gives his recommendations on the best software out there to help calculate state and local tax and the benefits of utilizing technology and an advisor to avoid missteps in tax filing.If you have additional questions about sales tax compliance and are not sure where to start; BerganKDV can help. Contact our team to discuss how our team of tax experts can assist you and your unique needs. 

Melinda talks about the importance of supervisors using guidelines and company policy as reference when dealing with problem employees and how the definition of problematic depends on employee behavior. Whether that is being toxic to co-workers, not following company values or not treating clients well, the way an employee can be problematic often varies and there's not one singular fit. Melinda then goes on to share how many times employers procrastinate when managing problem employees because they are worried about escalating the situation or being sued. Melinda encourages employers to document and address the situation in a timely manner to avoid escalation. Melinda stresses that equipping managers and supervisors with proper protocol and guidelines is key to dealing with problem employees so they have the right tools at hand to get the employees up to speed or moving on. She mentions other strategies that employers can utilize to work with difficult employees, and tactics her firm uses when partnering with employers to handle potential lawsuits if termination is the solution. For the remainder of the episode, Melinda talks about resources and preparation plans employers should have to ease the overall process of terminating problem employees and the importance to having an attorney at hand to collaborate with if needed.

To kick off their discussion, Andrew gives an update on the PPP and discusses how the program is coming to a close soon and urges those who haven't applied to move quickly. He and Adam then talk about what the ERC is and how it will be used to help companies who can show that they tried to retain their employees during the past year's events. Andrew goes into more detail on the eligibility requirements for applying to the ERC so businesses know if it's something they can consider. He clarifies that the application process and calculating the credit amount isn't as simple as it appears and how there are elements to the process that are complicated. Adam then asks Andrew about how much the credit looks like to companies and how they can roughly calculate so that they know the impact of the credit for their needs. For the rest of the episode, Andrew dives into the combination of the PPP and the ERC and how they overlap and what methodical approach companies can take to effectively make use of both. 

Bonus episode of Up and Adam, the Cut Through Fraud week is a dedicated week aimed to support businesses with tools and education to better protect their organization from fraud risks. Join Steve Wischmann, CPA, CFF, MAFF, CGMA and Michael Bösl, CPA, CFE to learn more about the impact fraud has on organizations. What can organizations do? Be Proactive. Adopt a code of ethics for management and employees. Evaluate your internal controls for effectiveness and identify areas of the business that are vulnerable to fraud. Establish Hiring Procedures. When hiring staff, conduct thorough background investigations. Check educational, credit and employment history (as permitted by law), as well as references. Train Employees in Fraud Prevention. Do workers know the warning signs of fraud? Ensure that staff members know basic fraud prevention techniques. Implement a Fraud Hotline. Fraud is still most likely to be detected by a tip. Providing an anonymous reporting system for your employees, contractors and clients will help uncover more fraud. Increase the Perception of Detection. Communicate regularly to staff about anti-fraud policies, ways to report suspicions of misconduct, and the potential consequences (including termination and prosecution) of fraudulent behavior. If you have questions about implementing any of the above learn more on our website and reach out to our forensic team!   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation. Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

The SBA issued a notice regarding its intent to release two new forms regarding loan necessity for borrowers of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  The SBA is now creating these forms (known as Loan Necessity Questionnaire) that lenders will be required to distribute to PPP borrowers who together with their affiliates, received loans greater than $2 million.  The questionnaire forms have not been officially released by the SBA, which means they may change, remain the same, not be used at all, or could be replaced.     We sat down with Andrew Howe, CPA with BerganKDV and Steve Dickinson, Attorney with Cozen O'Connor Law Firm to discuss what we anticipate to happen with Form 3509 and what organizations should be doing to prepare.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation. Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Adam is joined today by BerganKDV resident expert in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Andrew Howe. Adam and Andrew sit down to discuss a brief history of the PPP, covering how it was rolled out with the first two rounds of funding. Many questions still surround forgiveness and there are also many uncertainties around how future stimulus legislation could change the PPP including a new round of funding. Andrew explains some of the known and unknowns surrounding forgiveness and what businesses should take note of to maximize their opportunities for forgiveness. At timestamp 22:39 they discuss the "Certification of Need" which has been noted as a requirement of loan forgiveness that borrowers of 2 million or more will likely need to provide including: proof of quarterly revenue loss, the need to significantly reduce operations due to COVID, and several qualification questions that may make it difficult for borrowers to retain forgiveness eligibility. BerganKDV will continue to monitor the legislation and will keep you informed on the provisions impacting businesses and individuals in addition to the PPP. Please reach out to discuss strategies to ensure your business is making the right decisions as changes continue to be made to this program. Contact Our Team.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation. Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

This week on Up and Adam, Marie Primus, CPA, CGMA, joins to give us the scoop on nonprofits. She is a Shareholder in the St. Cloud office and works solely with nonprofit clients and leads the nonprofit team. Marie talks about current hot topics surrounding nonprofits, including how different organizations are accounting for PPP loans, grants given by local governments, and the impact of government funding.   Marie tells the story about how she fell in love with nonprofit work and why she loves her current clients. She includes questions to ask yourself to help understand if you are happy with the quality of your current audit, and if not, how BerganKDV can help.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation. Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Bonus episode of Up and Adam, the Cut ThroughIf you have 5 minutes you have time to learn from Robin Nelson, IT security expert, about best practices employees should follow to keep their organization protected. Listen to our full podcast with Robin here where we go into detail on the risks and opportunities that are facing organizations in today's information security landscape. If your organization doesn't have ongoing cyber training, we can help design an effective security awareness program that ensures your last line of defense, your employees, are equipped to keep your organization protected.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation. Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Bonus episode of Up and Adam, the Cut ThroughIf you have 5 minutes you have time to learn from Steve Wischmann, an IAPE trained professional, about best practices surrounding police evidence room processes and assessments.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation. Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Loren Viere, BerganKDV Shareholder and Director of Mergers and Acquisitions and Gary Hawkins, BerganKDV Shareholder and Kansas City Market Leader join Adam to discuss the 2018 acquisition between BerganKDV and HSMC Orizon and the overall landscape of M&A in the industry. BerganKDV has been on a strong growth path for many years, and in addition to organic growth, a prong of this growth is participating in strategic merger and acquisitions. A key strategy when identifying M&A can be market driven, as the firm looks to expand into additional geographies, but at the end of the day the culture fit between the firms is the driving factor. They share that the question all organizations should ask themselves on the cusp of a merger or acquisition is: "is this decision going to make us better". Once that question is answered, the rest has an opportunity to fall into place. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation. Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

If you have 5 minutes you have time to learn from Derek Hoyt, BerganKDV Chief Investment Officer on how to manage your investments throughout a presidential election season. Learn more about investing during a presidential election in our on-demand webinar.    

Kristin Roberts, President and CEO of United Way of East Central Iowa and Nicole Mead, Market Sales Leader in ICR join the podcast today to talk about the amazing work that the United Way is doing to support the local community through the impacts of COVID and the Derecho weather event that hit the area in August. The community was impacted heavily by the Derecho storm, the entire county was out of power for multiple days. The United Way of Central Iowa quickly organized to set up the emergency volunteer center to connect to larger state and national resources. Kristen shares the inspiring actions she saw from the local teams mobilizing to help each other, but also the amazing help received from the volunteers through the emergency volunteer center. Philanthropic campaigns may look different this year with many of the in-person events coming to a halt due to COVID, but communities are still in need and many organizations are stepping up and getting creative with their giving campaigns. Learn more about the United Way of Central Iowa, how they help, and how to get involved here. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation. Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Adam sits down with guests Michael Bösl, CPA, CFE and Steve Wischmann, CPA, CFF, MAFF, CGMA to talk about BerganKDV’s newest service, Forensic and Data Services. Steve and Michael explain that the Forensic and Data Analytics service is two pronged, the proactive side and the reactive side. Steve and Michael talk about their (many) certifications, the importance of the ongoing training and education, and how it translates to actionable results for their clients. The formation of this new service really started decades ago as they both worked on audits and found their niche in fraud cases, the team is excited to bring more focus and awareness to this important area for organizations. On average a case of fraud lasts about 18 months and costs organizations $150,000 (or 5% of your organization's revenue), taking a look at internal controls and ensuring proper task management segregation and management review of any controls in place is key to preventing and catching fraud. For more information on Forensic and Data Analytics service, check out our press release The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Jim Stelten, Shareholder in charge of Value Creation and Growth and Spencer Barron, CFO at WAND Corporation join Adam to talk about CFO forums. What started as a way to connect with like minded people and have a sense of community, has grown to be a major cornerstone in professional development and growth for the members. Spencer and Jim both share their perspectives on why they stay involved in CFO forums, how to get the most out of these peer groups, and some key things to keep in mind if you are seeking to start or join a group.     The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Heather Gunderson, CPA and Shareholder in Cedar Valley, Iowa joins Adam to talk about estate planning. At the end of the day, we all have stuff, and estate planning in its simplest terms is helping clients determine where their stuff will go when they pass away. Heather and Adam spend some time breaking down how everyone needs to have these planning conversations to ensure a person's assets are allocated how they wish and their financial picture is considered to maximize tax savings. An additional element of estate planning complexity enters when considering taxes and other regulations surrounding gifting, estates and exemptions. And of course the political climate plays a big role in the landscape of estate planning and what kind of taxes and regulations are put into place. Heather spends some time walking through what a typical estate planning engagement could look like when bringing all of your advisors together including auditors, financial advisors, lawyers and CPAs. Thanks for listening! For more information you can contact our team at bergankdv.com/contact.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Adam sits down with Robin Nelson, Team Leader of the IT Security Team at BerganKDV. There was no shortage of topics to talk through and they started off by diving into the evolution of technology security and how far the industry has come in a short amount of time. Robin breaks down physical risk VS data risk and gives a real-life example of an attack that took place on our own organization. Robin recently shifted into the role on the security solutions team and talks about how businesses should evaluate and prioritize IT Security. We wrap up the episode talking about how COVID has impacted technology. Habits have changed and that's the reality! Robin talks about how company owned devices can still be monitored safely in a remote environment and some important things to take into consideration as your employees start to migrate their devices back to the office. In short: the machines need a bath before you let them back on your network. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Season 2 kicks off with Adam visiting with Human Capital Management Consulting Manager Micah Zirnhelt and how he helps people solve their HCM challenges by using our K-Pay platform for payroll, timekeeping, benefits, and other HR needs. Things have certainly changed from his first job adding up timecards with a ten-key. Adam and Micah talk about how technology and artificial intelligence is changing the landscape for HR professionals and helping organizations be more effective in managing their talent. They chat about how HCM is a core piece of BerganKDV’s business and how the firm is staying at the forefront. They dive deeper into the K-Pay platform, powered by Kronos. It’s so easy to use, even Adam can figure out how to interact with the software and its self-service capabilities to take care of his HR needs. Which gives our HR team and other leaders to be more strategic and data driven. As the podcast wraps up, Micah shares the key question people should think about for the future of human capital management. And the joy of ditching spreadsheets.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

In the last episode of season one, it is a dynamic Adam duo when Adam Heathcote visits Market Leader Adam Tillman in Des Moines. They chat a bit about the new Des Moines office space, the success of the first client event in the new office and how the new space reflects the open environment we have for clients and staff alike. The topic then shifts to recruitment and retention and Adam T. shares that he spent a hot minute in the private sector internship before moving over to public accounting where he found his stride. They visit about finding the right talent mix for the firm in such a competitive market and showcasing what all the firm has to offer for career development. Adam H. shifts the conversation to the importance of being a trusted business advisor for clients and truly understanding their pain points and figuring out ways to solve those challenges. And the importance of being heads up instead of heads down. Both Adams agree that is where the real fun is. And they agree it’s fun to throw a pie in the CEO’s face every now and then.

Payroll Implementation Manager Lorilei Christner and Adam go toe-to-toe on who has the best team morale, the payroll team or the wealth management team. Both agree the key to having great morale is a team who can count on each other when the chips are down. While Lorilei didn’t have payroll experience when she took on her role at BerganKDV, she is an expert on process improvement and project management. And, she has been on the client side of a payroll implementation, so she is sensitive to the fact that it is a major undertaking to transition HCM and payroll software platforms. She is all about making the process as easy and smooth as possible for all involved. This podcast episode was recorded pre-COVID-19 but is foretelling about how remote work teams function well with the technology provided by BerganKDV in conjunction with making sure the virtual time spent together is beneficial to all. And how important it is to mute yourself, especially when your office is next to railroad tracks and a fire station.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

When two extroverts like Adam and Director of Client Service Leighton Smith get together, look out! But seriously, Adam learns from Leighton that while he started out in a more technical role in his career, he found that he is drawn to people and building relationships which suits him well to help the BerganKDV team provide clients with wow experiences. Leighton gets energy by helping team members go above and beyond and building trust with those we serve. He explains how our ENGAGE process is key to creating value for our clients. Leighton and Adam talk about Leighton’s love for his community and his ability to use his extroversion to connect people together to make a difference. And how he learned a lot early in his career from a group of fearless and strong United Methodist women about how to get things done.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

During his time with ICR Shareholder and Board Chairwoman Becky Morgan, Adam learned that even though Becky isn’t a fan of public speaking, when you get her talking about her teammates and clients, the time flies by. Becky is a testament to the fact that a person’s career progression isn’t always a straight line. With her love for numbers, she started out as a high school math teacher but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. Segue to helping her in-laws operate and run a turkey hatchery. Encouraged by her mother-in-law to pursue an accounting degree, Becky found her true passion as a tax accountant and hasn’t looked back. Adam and Becky talk about their shared passion to become a client’s trusted advisor or counselor, no matter the subject. From not having hot water at the cabin to financial planning, Adam and Becky strive to be the first person the client calls when he or she runs into a challenge.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Cedar Valley Market Leader Crystal Ford provided Adam a boost in energy during his time in the Waterloo office. Crystal’s drive, passion and enthusiasm is contagious. She is all in when she tackles something and won’t let obstacles stand in her way. Adam finds out this is true even with landing her job at BerganKDV. She is a goal setter and a go-getter. Creating a wow experience for our clients isn’t enough for her, she is going for a razzle dazzle experience! Both life-long residents of their communities, Adam and Crystal visit about the perks and the downsides to being a “lifer” from having the support you need to succeed to having everyone remember how you flubbed up in the fifth grade play. Tune in and get your dose of energy and enthusiasm!   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Adam hit the road and headed to Kansas City to not only enjoy the BBQ but to also connect with Kansas City Sales Leader Reid Graham. Reid explains why his mantra is “BerganKDV modernizes the workplace” by helping Adam understand the Internet of Things (IoT) and how that plays into how the firm can help companies harness its power. Reid also shares that he has enjoyed learning about the breadth and depth of software platforms the firm offers and then wrapping the service around them to help clients. Adam also learns he and Reid share a common passion: community involvement. A Kansas City native, Reid talks about his involvement with the Kauffman Foundation and their support of entrepreneurs who dream big and solve problems together.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Adam sits down with Britt Von Roden, Director of the People First team at BerganKDV. Not necessarily a title you hear every day. With People at the center, the Marketing and Talent teams at BerganKDV have combined under Britt’s leadership to drive better engagement and results both internally and externally. Britt talks about the future, what’s to come and how she is looking forward to seeing the vision of the new team really come to life. Adam also fires some shots at some fellow co-workers who are self proclaimed basketball superstars and mentions that he thinks Britt probably makes people cry on the court (no comment).   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.  

Chris Gallo joins Adam for episode 2! Adam heads down to our Des Moines office and talks with Chris about his background in SALT (State and Local Tax) and what brought him to leading FAAST (Financial Accounting Advisory Services Team) at BerganKDV, the challenges and fun of having a national presence. Chris talks about the current “sales tax” buzz word and how SALT means more than just sales tax, the advantages that a business can see by outsourcing their accounting functions, Gallo’s nomination for Innovative Practitioner of the Year Award, and the complexities that now exist around state and local tax legislation.   BerganKDVInvestment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Join Adam Heathcote for his first episode of Up and Adam! Don't pay any attention to his comment on minimum qualifications, he was clearly born for this. Dave Hinnenkamp joins us today to talk about his journey from CPA intern, to intrapreneur, to now CEO of BerganKDV. Lessons learned from turning the organization on its side, embracing disruptive technology and preparing ourselves to ensure our clients and our people benefit from the changes we're implementing. Dave talks more about gap versus gain thinking and how business leaders can adopt this way of thinking to focus more on progress made and measuring how far you've come. Thanks for checking out the first episode. Stay tuned!   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of BerganKDV Wealth Management and are subject to change at any time. The content herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.  We recommend that your consult with an attorney, tax or investment professional regarding your specific situation.  Investment advisory services and fee-based planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Up and Adam Introduction