Podcasts about scaling new heights

Blake and David return from Sage Future 2025 with insights into how AI is reshaping accounting—from eliminating the financial close to real-world use cases. They also cover Elon Musk and Donald Trump's public breakup, the latest in Deel's corporate spying allegations, Deloitte's unapologetically intense work-life balance ad, and a billion-dollar “AI” startup that turned out to be powered by humans.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperTeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamup Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (01:02) - AI in Accounting: Real-World Examples (05:08) - Sage Intacct Roadmap and AI Innovations (12:02) - AI's Impact on Accounting Jobs (18:33) - AI in Auditing: Tools and Trends (26:54) - Internal Audit and AI Adoption (32:36) - Elon Musk and Donald Trump Fallout (35:43) - Impact of Tariffs and Political Alliances (37:03) - Rippling vs. Deel: Allegations and Legal Battles (40:45) - Deloitte's Work-Life Balance Ad Controversy (43:10) - Accounting Profession's Retention and Salary Issues (46:43) - CPA Title Removal Debate (49:23) - 150-Hour Rule and Master's Degree Debate (52:56) - Trump-Musk Fallout and Its Implications (01:01:07) - Alliant Group and IRS Commissioner Controversy (01:05:14) - AI Startup Fraud Exposed (01:07:08) - Conclusion and Announcements  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:  What happens when Congress votes to eliminate the watchdog that's overseen public company audits for two decades? In this episode, Blake Oliver sits down with three leading accounting academics—Maureen McNichols from Stanford, Nemit Shroff from MIT, and Daniel Aobdia from Penn State—to examine the research behind the PCAOB's effectiveness and what elimination could mean for audit quality. You'll discover why companies with clean audit inspections can raise capital more easily, how the infamous "40% deficiency rate" actually works, and why these researchers believe dismantling the PCAOB could undermine trust in U.S. capital markets. The conversation reveals the hidden economics of audit oversight and explains why there hasn't been a major public company fraud since Enron and WorldCom.Chapters(00:00) - Welcome to the Show (01:10) - Meet the Experts (02:59) - Discussion on PCAOB's Elimination (08:17) - Research Insights on PCAOB's Effectiveness (20:11) - Deficiency Rates and Audit Quality (24:50) - Economic Impact of Fraud and PCAOB's Role (25:20) - Regulatory Model of the PCAOB (25:59) - Incentive Structure and Audit Quality (26:59) - Inspection Deficiency Rates (28:54) - Restatement Rates vs. Deficiency Rates (30:23) - Auditor-Client Relationship Tensions (31:42) - Documentation Issues in Audits (35:15) - Effectiveness of PCAOB Inspections (37:49) - Impact of PCAOB on Financial Reporting Quality (40:33) - Potential Elimination of the PCAOB (44:00) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests:Maureen McNicholshttps://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/maureen-mcnicholsNemit Shroffhttps://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/directory/nemit-shroffDaniel Aobdiahttps://directory.smeal.psu.edu/dza5396Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

On this episode Joe speaks with Geni Whitehouse about overcoming internal obstacles like perfectionism and imposter syndrome to create meaningful change in both life and career. Geni shares her journey from being a high-achieving CPA to finding fulfillment as a keynote speaker, urging listeners to pause, reflect, and ask themselves what they truly want. Her keynote at Scaling New Heights 2025 will challenge professionals to embrace self-awareness, trust their instincts, and courageously chart a new path that aligns with their values. About Geni Whitehouse Geni is a keynote presenter, winery consultant, author, advisory trainer, and President of the ITA. You can learn more about her at GeniWhitehouse.com Thank you to our show sponsor, Canopy! Unclunk your firm with Canopy, the fully integrated practice management that helps accountants build the firm they always wanted. The suite includes client and document management, workflow, time and billing, engagements and proposals, and more. Check out getcanopy.com. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

In Part 1, we're joined by Dave Horrocks from Peak 4, who shares his extensive experience from the world of elite sport. Together, we unpack the intangible nature of performance and how it's influenced by everything from mindset and culture to technology, data, and generational change.

Solo episode with Kristen Corey!

Billions in federal funds for nonprofits were abruptly frozen by the Trump administration, leaving organizations scrambling to stay afloat. Blake speaks with Jerilyn Dressler and Harriet "Hatsy" Cutshall from YPTC about how these freezes disrupted essential services, the complex flow of federal grants, and the rigorous compliance requirements nonprofits must meet. With a judge ordering the funds to be reinstated, they discuss what's next for nonprofits and the ongoing challenges of government funding oversight.Meet Our Guests: Jerilyn Dressler, CPA : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerilynkeitdresslercpacfeHarriet "Hatsy" Cutshall, CPA : https://www.linkedin.com/in/hatsycutshallcpa-yptcGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAd

SponsorsCPA.com - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cpaRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casRho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/rhoChapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (00:54) - Chaos Created by Doge (01:32) - Top Stories of the Week (02:17) - Listener Mail and Additional Topics (05:09) - Live Stream Interaction (06:42) - DOJ and Treasury Payment Freeze (17:40) - Young Engineers at DOJ (24:15) - Automation Features for Seamless Transactions (24:44) - Addressing Viewer Questions on Treasury Policies (25:34) - Debate on Federal Fund Vetting and Spending (27:57) - Government Bureaucracy and Political Battles (33:31) - The Role of Young Auditors in Government Agencies (40:38) - Adobe's Tax Tips: Helpful or Harmful? (43:54) - Final Thoughts on Government Efficiency and Partisanship  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casRho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/rhoChapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (03:37) - Government Employee Buyout Offer Update (09:24) - Undergraduate Accounting Enrollment Surge (12:38) - Illinois Proposes New CPA Pathways (14:25) - Elon Musk and IRS Direct File Controversy (18:16) - Doge's Access to Treasury Systems (26:53) - Tax Exemption on Tips: A Double-Edged Sword (30:19) - The Hidden Costs of Automation (38:03) - AI in Accounting: Current Innovations (47:03) - BDO Lawsuit: Inflated Revenues and ESOP (50:57) - Closing Remarks and Announcements  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Join us in a compelling conversation with Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, and a renowned leader in the event industry.This episode of the Events Demystified Podcast dives into Carina's journey from marketing director to CEO, her passion for sustainability and mentoring future leaders, and her adventurous pursuits in rock climbing.Discover how Carina integrates personal passions into her professional life, drives innovation at IMEX, and champions diversity and inclusivity in the industry. Learn about strategic event management, resilience building, and the future of event design, all from one of the most influential figures in the business events sector.Tune in for insights on leadership, culture, and making a meaningful impact in the events world.00:00 Introduction to Carina Bauer and IMEX Group03:46 Carina's Journey and Passion for Rock Climbing06:27 The Role of Fitness and Wellness in Leadership08:19 Pivotal Moments in IMEX's Growth10:50 Building and Maintaining Company Culture16:53 Mentorship and Developing Future Leaders20:57 Sustainability Initiatives at IMEX30:38 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Events38:39 Balancing Professional and Personal Life50:29 Future of the Event Industry53:50 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Leaders--------------------------------------------------------------Sponsored and Produced by Tree-Fan Events LLC.Discover the future of events: https://ai.treefanevents.comLet's change the way we plan, produce, and experience events together!--------------------------------------------------------------Connect with your Podcast Host at the links below:LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancatrifan/⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/treefan_events/⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eventsdemystifiedpodcast/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/fit.mindful.maven/⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------------------⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Original Podcast Music written and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fable Score Music.⁠⁠------------------------------------------------------------⁠⁠“Events: demystified” Podcast ⁠⁠is brought to you by ⁠⁠Tree-Fan Events⁠⁠, a leading woman-owned boutique event planning and production agency offering a comprehensive approach to event management and production, with a focus on enhancing the attendee experience with the #FIT4EVENTS framework for a holistic event cycle in order to create memorable events.

Episode 247FACULTY: Principal Ron BakerCLASS: #TheGuideIn this episode, Scott is in the office again with Accounting High Principal Ron Baker to discuss the future of accounting and the shift towards the transformation economy. Ron outlines the evolution of economic eras and how firms can position themselves to offer superior value by focusing on transformations rather than just services. They also touch on examples from various industries, and discuss the potential of subscription models.

In today's episode of the Fingerprints on Success podcast, Bill is joined by R.T Custer, founder of the Vortic Watch Company.During this inspiring conversation, R.T. shares his path from humble beginnings to spearheading a venture that blends history, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Along the way, he reflects on the significance of preserving tradition while embracing innovation, offering a glimpse into the values and mindset that fuel his success.You'll hear about the challenges and triumphs that define a business's evolution, including a high-stakes legal battle that tested the founder's resolve and principles. The discussion highlights the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity, guided by a deep belief in one's mission and an unwavering commitment to ethics and creativity.The conversation also touches on the joy of collaboration and the energy that comes from surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals. The excitement of building something bigger than oneself shines through, as does the dedication to leaving a lasting legacy. With an emphasis on fun, purpose, and the power of proximity, this episode serves as a testament to the transformative potential of entrepreneurship and a reminder that every challenge is an opportunity to innovate and inspire.Don't miss another episode of the Elevate Your Career podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:The lack of American-made products, particularly watches, and the decision to explore the possibility of making watches in the USA. The initial launch of Vortic on Kickstarter in November 2014, where they raised $41,000, far exceeding their $10,000 goal.The marketing strategies for both Vortic and the Colorado Watch Company, focusing on the unique process of converting pocket watches. The legal battle with the Swatch Group, which accused Vortic of trademark infringement and counterfeiting for using antique Hamilton pocket watches. And much more...Resources:Vortic Watch CompanyR.T.'s LinkedIn

Summary:  In business, leadership isn't just about taking charge — it's about enabling others to thrive. As companies grow and stakes rise, fostering trust and collaboration becomes essential. Today's guest has embraced a leadership style rooted in empowerment, driving innovation, and turning ambitious visions into tangible success. Today we're sitting down with Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, a leading global manager of alternative investments. Under his leadership, Investcorp has grown its assets under management from 10 billion to 53 billion in just nine years, all while diversifying and expanding its global footprint. Mohammed leads the firm's activities across its global network in New York, London, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Mumbai, Delhi, Beijing, Singapore, and Japan. He is a retired Air Vice Marshal and was the youngest and longest-serving Chief of the Omani Air Force, having joined the Royal Air Force of Oman in 1978. In addition to his role at Investcorp, Mohammed also serves as Chairman of the Muscat Stock Exchange. He sits on several boards, including the International Advisory Board of the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C., the Eisenhower Fellowship in Philadelphia, The World Economic Forum's Community of Chairpersons, and the Harvard Kennedy School's Dean Council, among others. Mohammed is the author of three published books, the most recent is Connecting to the Future, which became a U.S. bestseller in 2023.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Science from the Royal Air Force U.K. Staff College and a Master's in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is also a graduate of the Royal Air Force Military Academy in the U.K. and the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. In this episode, we discuss how Mohammed redefined his leadership style at Investcorp, blending military precision with visionary strategy to scale operations, foster innovation, and create lasting impact on a global stage. Highlights:How Mohammed spearheaded Investcorp's transformation plan (5:36)Mohammed describes his military experience and how it informs his approach to business (7:47)Situational awareness, and its application to work environments (9:39)How Mohammed views investment decisions on a global scale (11:27)Mohammed's leadership style (12:21)How challenging the status quo helped Investcorp set growth and transformation goals (13:50)What Mohammed has learned from navigating high-profile deals (17:58)How to balance short-term results with long-term strategic planning (19:15)Breaking free of nostalgia in business (20:40)How the Investcorp team maintained internal stability amid substantial growth (22:34)Navigating cultural and economic environments on a global scale (25:19)Investcorp's outlook and goals for 2025 (26:27)Incorporating AI into Investcorp workflows (29:33)Investcorp's influence on corporate social responsibility (30:37) Links:Mohammed Alardhi LinkedInInvestcorp on LinkedInInvestcorp WebsiteBook: Connecting to the Future by Mohammed Alardhi (2023)ICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

As 2025 unfolds, it marks a pivotal year for the implementing the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The year, China-Africa cooperation is set to reach new heights, driven by renewed momentum and shared goals. Three experts provide key insights into the future of this evolving partnership.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Incubator, hosts Betsy Crouch and David McCulley welcome Dr. Judy Aschner, a prominent neonatologist and physician scientist. Dr. Aschner shares her journey building a research career and emphasizes the importance of mentorship, determination, and collaboration across disciplines. She discusses her personal experiences that shaped her research focus, particularly in pulmonary hypertension and environmental health in neonatology. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of a career in medical research, underscoring the significance of intellectual curiosity and the impact of personal experiences on professional paths. Dr. Judy Aschner discusses her groundbreaking research on manganese levels in parenteral nutrition and its uptake into the brain of infants with prolonged exposure to TPN. She highlights the importance of understanding metal environmental exposures in the NICU and the collaborative efforts that led to successful grant writing for research projects. Dr. Aschner emphasizes the need for inclusivity in research, particularly for children with disabilities, and the significance of longitudinal studies in assessing long-term health outcomes. Additionally, she shares her passion for rock climbing as a means of maintaining mental and physical health amidst her demanding career.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Here's what to expect on the podcast:Michelle's transition to becoming a personal growth coach.Mount Kilimanjaro preparation process, challenges, and crucial decision-making during the climb.The lessons learned from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro that can be applied to personal and professional growth.SMART goals approach and how to implement it.Michelle's book Stop Doom Scrolling and her coaching programs.And much more! About Michelle:Michelle Gruening has worked in customer service for over 20 years, from scrubbing floors at Sonic to managing Thanksgiving Day Parades at Walt Disney World. Through her decades of dedication to helping people achieve their goals, Michelle reached what many would consider the summit of success: working for Disney's Fairytale Weddings, managing store operations for Starbucks during Super Bowl 46, and, despite the toxic work environment, building the first customer experience team for a global SaaS company.Despite all this, Michelle felt unfulfilled, overwhelmed, and like an imposter in her own life. She was building other's dreams instead of her own, so she stopped making excuses and chose to break free from the BS to live her own life on her own terms. Within the next 12 months, she decided to train for and ultimately reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Now, she's bringing her insights of discipline, discovery, and resilience to the world.Since her successful summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, she has released her first book, titled Stop Doom Scrolling, that helps people break free from their phone addiction and get back to living their life with mindfulness and personal growth activities. As a personal growth coach to business leaders, Michelle helps women stop making excuses and start getting real results in their life and business, one step at a time. Connect with Michelle Gruening!Website: https://www.michellegruening.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellegruening/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelleegrueningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellegrueningBook: Stop Doom Scrolling: The Adventure-Inspired Book With More Than 200 Mindfulness Activities To Help You Get Off Your Phone And Back To Living Your Life https://bit.ly/3ZtjvVi Connect with  Anne Zuckerman!Websites: https://annezuckerman.com/ | https://justwantedtoask.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnneInPinkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annezuckerman/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annezuckerman/Bezi Woman:  https://beziwoman.com/ | https://www.beziwoman.shop/two-step-order1591558404525Bezi Bra Discs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bezibradiscs

Join me as I chat with Brian Keane, a health and fitness expert, about what really works when it comes to nutrition and fitness. We dive into building a fitness routine that's sustainable, focusing on nutrient-dense foods rather than just counting calories. Brian explains that nutrition isn't about sticking to strict diets like Paleo or low-carb but finding what works best for your unique goals, whether it's building muscle, boosting energy, or staying healthy. He also shares lessons from his extreme athletic experiences and offers advice on mental toughness, goal setting, and overcoming challenges. This episode is packed with valuable tips for anyone looking to take a more personalized, holistic approach to health. Key Takeaways: Discovering a personalized nutrition plan is crucial, focusing on sustainability and individual goals rather than rigid diet plans. Nutrient density should take precedence over calorie counting in a well-rounded nutritional strategy. Mental toughness and confidence are not inherent traits but can be developed by keeping consistent promises to oneself. An integrated approach to fitness—considering sleep, nutrition, and exercise is more effective than isolating each health element. Setting clear, attainable goals with processes aligned toward them enhances the likelihood of successful health transformations. More About Brian Keane: Brian Keane, widely known as Brian Keane Fitness, is a REPs-qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer, certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Sports Nutritionist. Over the past seven years, he has transitioned from being a full-time primary school teacher to becoming one of Ireland's most prominent thought leaders in health, fitness, and nutrition. His expertise has earned him mainstream media features in outlets such as the UK and Irish Daily Mail, Star, Mirror, and Men's and Women's Health magazines. Beyond traditional media, Brian has built a thriving presence online with social media platforms boasting over half a million followers combined. Brian also hosts one of Ireland and the UK's top health podcasts, consistently ranked #1 on the iTunes Health Charts. Through his online fitness programs, which graduate over a thousand participants annually, he helps individuals achieve weight loss, fitness, or body composition goals. His approach focuses on sustainable fitness plans and reshaping mindsets around food, emphasising that mindset is more critical than any specific diet plan. He advocates for personalised nutrition rather than one-size-fits-all approaches like low-carb, vegan, or paleo diets. In addition to his online programs, Brian is the bestselling author of The Fitness Mindset, which spent 16 weeks on the Amazon bestseller list, and Rewire Your Mindset, another bestseller published in December 2019. He has become one of the most recognisable figures in the Irish health and fitness industry, speaking at renowned wellness events like Wellfest and serving as a keynote speaker at Google HQ in Dublin during their 2018 wellness event. As an athlete, Brian has achieved remarkable milestones, transitioning from professional fitness modeling to ultra-endurance sports. He has tackled some of the world's most challenging environments, including running through the Sahara Desert, braving the Arctic, and completing a 100-mile ultra-marathon. His passion, expertise, and holistic approach to health and fitness make him a true leader in his field. Website Instagram Connect with me!: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube

At the University of Nevada, Reno, one student group is scaling new heights—literally. Nevada Climbing, the university's rock climbing team, is not just a place to test your strength and endurance; it's a tight-knit community where students come together over a shared passion for climbing. Juliet Ojeda reports.

Blake and David discuss Trump's proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its potential impact on tax filing and federal remote work policies. They analyze the Pentagon's seventh consecutive failed audit and examine Intuit's ambitious plans to expand its enterprise offerings. The duo also explores a groundbreaking study showing ChatGPT-4 outperforming human doctors in medical diagnoses, highlighting AI's growing capabilities in professional decision-making.SponsorsRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relaySuralink - http://accountingpodcast.promo/suralinkSmartVault - http://accountingpodcast.promo/smartvaultArtiffex - http://accountingpodcast.promo/artiffexChapters(00:00) - Welcome to the Accounting Podcast (01:52) - DOGE's Impact on H&R Block and TurboTax Stocks (02:57) - IRS Free File Program (04:49) - Intuit's Response to DOGE Initiative (10:43) - Remote Work for Federal Employees (16:25) - Pentagon's Audit Failures (22:36) - AI Outperforms Doctors in Diagnosing Illnesses (32:12) - Boosting Productivity with ChatGPT (36:09) - Salesforce's AI Irony (38:15) - Anthropic's AI in Action (45:34) - Intuit's AI Strategy and TurboTax (48:36) - Intuit Enterprise Suite and Market Expansion (55:27) - Closing Remarks and Future Topics  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsClient Hub - https://clienthub.app/Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Blake and David dive into the economic implications of Trump's election victory, including proposed tariffs that could significantly impact businesses and inflation. They explore potential tax changes under a new Trump administration, from corporate rate reductions to the elimination of the SALT cap. They also examines an alarming $47 million IRS fraud scheme targeting tax practitioners and debate the future of Bitcoin as speculation grows about a potential national Bitcoin reserve.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpaySuralink - http://accountingpodcast.promo/suralinkCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casArtiffex - http://accountingpodcast.promo/artiffexChapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (03:05) - Avalara Crush Conference Insights (07:48) - AI and the Future of Tax Compliance (13:21) - Trump's Economic Impact (17:26) - Tariffs and Global Trade (25:40) - Tax Proposals and Implications (36:53) - Bitcoin's Meteoric Rise and Market Speculations (47:43) - AI Adoption in the Workforce (49:53) - IRS PPS Fraud: A Deep Dive (01:00:49) - PCAOB Drama and Audit Deficiencies (01:06:49) - BOI Reporting and AICPA's Response (01:10:33) - Closing Remarks and CPE Information  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsCoefficient - http://accountingpodcast.promo/coefficientexpoForwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/Client Hub - https://clienthub.app/Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Join Taran Armstrong and Chappell as they unravel the latest twists and turns of "The Summit" in episode 5.

We discuss growth strategies from Sweden to South Africa as we meet the CEO of Peak Performance to hear about the importance of bricks-and-mortar retail for building communities. And: why creating meaningful touchpoints with customers in physical retail spaces can help new brands flourish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textPat Sperry is a seasoned yoga instructor deeply rooted in the lineage of Iyengar Yoga, holding a notable certification that underscores his dedication to rigorous practice and teaching. Based in Mount Helix, San Diego, he is not only a practitioner but also a facilitator of enriching experiences. Pat is the founder of Flourish, a company that orchestrates transformative retreats and events worldwide. With extensive experience in yoga and meditation, Pat combines his athletic background and spiritual pursuits to create enlightening journeys for his participants.Visit Pat on his website here: https://www.peaceloveflourish.com/?aff=nativeyogaFollow him on his IG @beflourish here: https://www.instagram.com/beflourish/Key Takeaways:Pat Sperry highlights the transformational power of yoga, particularly Iyengar Yoga, even as it resonates differently with diverse individuals.Men's retreats run by Pat offer a safe space to explore masculine archetypes and grounding yoga practices.Todd and Pat explore the balance between rigorous discipline and relaxed spirituality, revealing insights into the ebb and flow of personal meditation practices.Insights are shared on how cultural, energetic, and spiritual experiences are integrated into Flourish's transformative retreats.Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out:

In this thought-provoking episode of the Ohio Exopolitics Show/Higher Density Living, join Mark Snider and Alexander Ramsey McCaig as they traverse a diverse landscape of topics, from personal growth and the allure of rock climbing to the complexities of global finance and the looming shadow of institutions like BlackRock. They delve into the controversial world of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, questioning the ethics of quick fixes and advocating for the enduring power of lifestyle changes. The conversation takes a philosophical turn as they explore the profound impact of honesty on personal evolution and the intricate dance between thoughts and feelings. Finally, they dissect the current economic climate, discussing the potential decline of the US dollar, the rise of BRICS nations, and offer practical advice for navigating an uncertain financial future. Prepare to be challenged, enlightened, and inspired as they unravel the hidden connections between personal growth and the global forces shaping our world.   Scaling New Heights   Alexander shares his exhilarating experiences with rock climbing – what can we learn about conquering fear and pushing our limits? The surprising connection between outdoor climbing and improved heart health – is nature the ultimate healer?   Ozempic: Miracle Drug or Dangerous Deception?   From Gila monster venom to weight loss sensation: The shocking origin story of Ozempic The dark side of Ozempic: Unmasking the concerning side effects and the potential for vagus nerve damage Beyond the quick fix: Why lifestyle changes are crucial for long-term health and well-being.   Honesty: The Foundation of Personal Growth   Unveiling the wisdom from page 48: Why honesty is the cornerstone of true personal evolution The high cost of dishonesty: How lying to yourself sabotages your growth and happiness   Consciousness & the Power of Thought   The thought-feeling loop: Understanding the cyclical nature of our inner world Mastering your mind: How to break free from negative thought patterns and create a more empowering reality.   Global Finance: BlackRock, the Petrodollar & the Future of Money   Larry Fink & BlackRock: Meet the financial giant with more power than many nations The Petrodollar's Demise?: Are BRICS nations shifting the balance of global economic power? Protecting Your Financial Future: Practical tips for navigating uncertain economic times   Closing Thoughts: The Matrix of Money   Are financial institutions the new organized crime? Unmasking the hidden power structures controlling our world   Call to Action:   Share your thoughts in the comments below! Have you tried Ozempic or other weight loss drugs? What are your strategies for financial preparedness? Want to explore these topics further? Check out our curated resource list in the description!   Remember: Knowledge is power. Stay informed, stay empowered, and keep climbing the mountain of truth.

This week we're climbing The Ladder of success with Terry Pettigrew-Rolapp and Tommy Wallach of Hatch Escapes in Los Angeles as we talk about The Ladder, their long in development new game that turns escape game conventions on their ear and establishes itself as a new can't miss immersive attraction. SHOW NOTESThe LadderHatch EscapesThe Immersive Industry Report SurveysThe Next Stage Summit ScholarshipsGhostRave (Use code GRPG for 10% off) Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this show, Heather Satterley and Joe Woodard discuss courageous journeys within the accounting profession. Caleb Jenkins: Starting his career in accounting at just 13, Caleb Jenkins began attending conferences early and excelled from a young age. His work expanded into mission trips where he provided accounting aid to organizations in Haiti. Monica Davis: After a demanding corporate accounting job and personal health crisis, Monica courageously shifted to a bookkeeping role, eventually starting her own firm. Despite initial setbacks including job loss due to COVID-19 layoffs, she utilized continuous learning and networking opportunities to successfully build her business. Michelle Mitchell: Michelle shared her journey of returning to the workforce and starting her own firm while managing multiple sclerosis. She chose to keep her condition private while building her practice, demonstrating strength and resilience. Joe and Heather also discussed their regular show segments. TV and Movie Segment: Joe recently watched Dark Matter on Apple TV+. It's a deep sci-fi show for those who are fans. Heather has gone back into the catalog and really enjoyed re-watching The Fellowship of the Ring. Book Segment: Joe discussed "David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants" by Malcolm Gladwell Social Media Segment: Both Joe and Heather talked about ALL of the amazing posts from Scaling New Heights and how many of them are focused on community and contain words of encouragement. Woodard Report Article Recommendation: Heather recommended the "Top 50 Accounting Services Practices" Thank you to our show sponsor! Rightworks — All your accounting apps, unified in the cloud Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

This week on the KORE Women podcast, Dr. Summer Watson welcomes Susanne Mueller, who was born and raised in Thun, Switzerland and now resides in New York. She has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, completed 26 marathon races, one Ironman triathlon race, is a certified running coach, TEDx Speaker, blogger, author, and podcast producer and host of "Take it From the Ironwoman."  Susanne has developed an incredible passion for cross-cultural and mindfulness awareness, global talent management, and executive coaching for global business leaders throughout her 20+ year professional career. Her profound expertise in cross-cultural awareness comes mostly through her experience working in Sales and Marketing with Swiss Airlines and having exposure to customers from all over the world and traveling to 50+ countries. She deepened her knowledge in leadership development, team building, leading change initiatives together with executive coaching, while working for Nestlé, a Fortune 100 company. She has been coaching leaders in various industries from finance, pharma, manufacturing, media, and sports. You can follow Susanne Mueller on: Facebook at: susannemuellerconsulting, on LinkedIn at: Susanne Mueller, MA, on Instagram at: Susanne-Mueller-NYC, and at her website: www.susannemueller.biz. You can also find her podcast on most podcast platforms and her TEDx on YouTube.   Thank you for taking the time to listen to the KORE Women podcast and being a part of the KORE Women experience. You can listen to The KORE Women podcast on your favorite podcast directory - Pandora, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, JioSaavn, Amazon and at: www.KOREWomen.com/podcast. Please leave your comments and reviews about the podcast and check out KORE Women on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also learn more about the host, Dr. Summer Watson and KORE Women at: www.korewomen.com You can also learn more about Dr. Summer Watson, MHS, PhD, KORE Women, LLC, the KORE Women podcast, and her Community Empowerment and Cross-Generational Consultation Services by going to: www.korewomen.com. Thank you for listening to the KORE Women podcast! Please share this podcast with your family and friends.

Speakers: - Michael Fanning (Host) - Shelly Bean (Guest) - Designated Windermere Summit trainer, coach, and content creator - Beth Kellen (Guest) - Real estate veteran with 20 years of experience, former Ninja Mastery leader In this episode of Ask a Coach Windermere, Michael Fanning interviews Shelly Bean and Beth Kellen about the innovative Summit office concept and real estate training. Key points discussed: 1. Introduction to the Summit office: A new concept in real estate training 2. The Summit program's structure and goals 3. Linear approach to real estate education and skill-building 4. Importance of accountability and coaching in agent development 5. Adapting to changes in the real estate landscape 6. Benefits for new agents and experienced agents looking to reset their careers 7. The value of community and "hive mind" mentality in real estate 8. Retention challenges in the industry and how Summit addresses them 9. The importance of being purposeful and systematic in building a real estate business 10. Encouragement for agents to show up, engage, and continually learn The podcast emphasizes the unique approach of the Summit office in providing comprehensive, structured training for new and experienced agents alike, setting them up for long-term success in the real estate industry. Contact Information: - Shelly Bean: shelly.bean@windermere.com, LinkedIn, Summit-specific website and social media pages - Beth Kellen: bethkellan.com, email available on windermere.com Both speakers will be attending the Windermere Symposium on October 1-3 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/askacoach/support

In this episode, Mick Hunt delves into the exhilarating life of Dianette Wells, whose mountaineering and adventure-racing feats mirror her dynamic approach to life and parenting. Dianette discusses the drive behind her daring pursuits and how her experiences have influenced her role as a mother and author, inspiring listeners to embrace challenges with courage and determination. Dianette Wells' Background: Celebrated for conquering the world's highest peaks and embracing extreme adventures while balancing the demands of motherhood. Defining Moments: Reflections on personal challenges and a spirit of adventure have shaped her life's philosophy and parenting style. Discussion Topics:Dianette's accomplishments include summiting the highest peaks on each continent and her profound experiences in adventure racing.The inspirations and motivations behind her relentless pursuit of extreme challenges.Insights into her recent book release, capturing her life's adventures and the lessons learned.Key Quotes:"Facing the summit is like facing life's challenges: daunting yet rewarding.""My adventures taught me resilience, which I pass on to my children."Next Steps:Explore: Check out Dianette Wells' latest book for a deeper dive into her extraordinary journeys.Reflect: Consider your summits and how to conquer them with resilience and vigor.Engage: Share how Dianette's story motivates you to tackle your challenges using #MickUnplugged.

In this episode, we sit down with Chidi Egbujie, a seasoned Business Growth and Profit Advisor for tech businesses. Chidi brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive experience in supporting startups and established companies. We delve into the intricate world of business growth strategies, exploring how companies can accelerate their growth while maintaining financial stability. Chidi demystifies the complexities of tax efficiency, offering actionable tips and strategies that can help business owners optimize their tax planning and save money. We discuss common pitfalls in business growth plans and how to avoid them, the crucial differences between profit and cash flow, and the importance of strategic goal setting. Listeners will also learn about leveraging technology for business expansion, the role of accounting software, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that tech businesses should track. Chidi shares valuable insights on maintaining financial health, choosing the right accountant, and staying compliant with financial regulations. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to scale your business, or a seasoned business owner aiming to refine your financial strategies, this episode is packed with expert advice and practical tips to help you succeed. Tune in and get inspired by Chidi's journey and expertise! Disclaimer: Not advice. Educational purposes only. Not an endorsement for or against. Results not vetted. Views of the guests do not represent those of the host or show. Do your due diligence. Click here to join PodMatch (the "AirBNB" of Podcasting): https://www.joinpodmatch.com/drchrisloomdphd We couldn't do it without the support of our listeners. To help support the show: CashApp- https://cash.app/$drchrisloomdphd Venmo- https://account.venmo.com/u/Chris-Loo-4 Buy Me a Coffee- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chrisJx Click here to schedule a 1-on-1 private coaching call: https://www.drchrisloomdphd.com/book-online Click here to purchase my books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PaQn4p Follow our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/chL1357 Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/drchrisloomdphd Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereal_drchrisloo Follow us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thereal_drchrisloo Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drchrisloomddphd Follow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NkM6US7cjsiAYTBjWGdx6?si=1da9d0a17be14d18 Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://substack.com/@drchrisloomdphd1 Subscribe to our Medium newsletter: https://medium.com/@drchrisloomdphd Subscribe to our email newsletter: ⁠https://financial-freedom-for-physicians.ck.page/b4622e816d⁠ Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6992935013231071233 Join our Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=87512799 Join our Spotify Community: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-loo/subscribe⁠ Thank you to our advertisers on Spotify. Financial Freedom for Physicians, Copyright 2024

Episode 217 FACULTY: Chayton Farlee CLASS: #TheGuide Join us in this enlightening episode where young accounting professional Chayton Farlee shares his journey of discovering the vibrant side of accounting beyond the classroom. Tune in to hear his insightful conversation on breaking free from the traditional 'Big Four' mindset, the importance of real-world experience, and his passion for making accounting both fun and impactful.

Join us on this episode of The CJ Moneyway Show as we dive into the extraordinary adventures of Mic, a fearless mountain climber and desert explorer. From conquering towering peaks to navigating the vast, arid landscapes of the desert, Mic shares his thrilling experiences, the challenges he's faced, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Tune in to hear about his incredible journeys, the mental and physical preparation required for such feats, and the inspiration behind his relentless pursuit of adventure. Don't miss this captivating conversation with a true explorer at heart.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-c-j-moneyway-show/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Send us a Text Message.In the latest episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Erik Nieves, CEO of Plus One Robotics. The company, known for integrating advanced robotics into warehouse operations, recently surpassed a significant milestone of one billion picks, marking a major achievement in warehouse automation. Tune in and hear how Plus One Robotics is addressing labor shortages and enhancing warehouse operations with its groundbreaking robotics and AI technology. Get your free demo of SEnS+ right here. Free floor tape and floor sign samples from Mighty Line! Get yours here.Follow us on LinkedIn here for more content.Support the Show.

Episode 211 FACULTY: Andrew Lassise CLASS: #TechTime In this podcast episode, Scotty interviews Andrew Lassise, the founder of Tech 4 Accountants, now integrated with Rightworks. Andrew shares his journey through the tech industry, focusing on IT solutions for accountants and the integration of AI in business operations. Andrew discusses his personal transformation from battling addiction to building a successful tech company that was recently acquired by Rightworks. He delves into the significance of cybersecurity for accounting firms, the evolution of AI, especially ChatGPT, and its applications in enhancing business efficiency. Andrew emphasizes the importance of embracing AI to stay ahead in the tech landscape.  Shout Outs: Rightworks, ProSeries, Drake, TechGuru, UltraTax, Zapier, ChatGPT, Excel, TurboTax, QuickBooks Online, LiveFlow, Practice Protect, Randy Johnston, Mike Rosedale, Randy Crabtree, Scaling New Heights, Bridging the Gap, Blake Oliver Chapters: 0:00 Teaser 01:41 Introduction 02:44 Getting into Tech 07:30 Focusing on Accountants 13:20 WISP 16:59 Being Acquired by Rightworks 18:50 The Podcast for Marketing 23:46 Using AI for Answering the same Questions 28:55 Ways to Use AI 35:47 Replacing Yourself with AI On Purpose 47:24 AI and Parodies 53:18 Conclusion Connect With Us On Linkedin! Andrew Lassise https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lassise/ Rightworks https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightworks/ https://www.rightworks.com/ Scotty OKR Scarano https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: AI Tech, Accountancy AI, Andrew Lassise, AI Jobs, Tech Accountants, Cybersecurity, AI Integration, AI Marketing, Automation, WISP, ChatGPT, Human Workforce, AI Cybersecurity, Tech Startups, Customer Support, Enhanced Productivity, SMEs AI, Knowledge Management, AI Tools, Tech Companies --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/accountinghigh/message

“We are in a supply/demand economy that favours the suppliers. And it's economics 101, if you have a supply shortage that can't meet all the demand of the market, then you increase price.” -Joe Woodard Compliance is one of the biggest realms of challenge for bookkeepers, but it also provides consistent opportunity. The rules and regulations change so frequently that it can be hard to keep up, and if we feel that way, just imagine how non-bookkeeping businesses feel about it. Supply and demand rule the market, and there is always going to be a supply of potential clients who would rather just pay someone to take care of the books for them. Despite this, we have to be careful not to fall into the trap of undercharging and over-promising.  Having hundreds of clients might feel like a success, but it probably doesn't to the clients who barely get any of our time and, of course, if you're overworked for long enough, burnout will likely be in your future. Joe Woodard, acclaimed speaker and trainer, is this spotlight episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping businesses solve their complex operational needs and scale to new heights. In this episode, Joe and Louie Prosperi explore the importance of pricing, how to value your skills and experience and the role practice, planning and AI have in your business.  If you are taking on more and more clients but are starting to fall behind your promises, then this is the episode to get you focused on building connections and pricing based on your unique abilities, not just how many people you can get on board. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of having a solid plan & sticking to it How to value your skills & experience The importance of knowing your worth when it comes to pricing To find out more about Joe, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. To buy your tickets for the upcoming Scaling New Heights conference, check out this link. Time Stamps 01:30 - Getting to grips with compliance  04:35 - Making the best of engagement letters  06:55 - Staying on track  09:54 - Knowing your price  18:25 - Thinking long-term  24:40 - Valuation & profitability  29:58 - Practice, planning and AI

Join us for an inspiring episode of Your HR Business Partner podcast as we sit down with Ashley Whaley, co-founder of Pod Shark Media. Discover how Ashley transitioned from running a successful cleaning business to launching a digital marketing company that helps home service businesses with podcast production and social media management. Hear about the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way, and get insights into how podcasting and strategic social media can transform your business. Don't miss this engaging conversation packed with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs! Connect with Ashley Website: www.podsharkmedia.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleytwhaley/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-about-that-action/id1603091417  

Join host John Quick on the "United States of Small Business" podcast for an inspiring conversation with Ron Earley, founder of Greywolfe Investing. Renowned for their expertise in scaling wholesale FBA stores, Greywolfe Investing has sold an astonishing $1.4 billion in products for their clients. In this episode, Ron shares the secrets behind their success, from meticulous market analysis and prime product selection to immaculate warehousing and optimized operational processes. Discover how Greywolfe Investing sets unparalleled standards in the e-commerce world and learn valuable insights to elevate your own business. Tune in for an episode filled with innovation, expertise, and actionable advice. Check Grey Wolfe out here: https://www.greywolfeinvesting.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/usofsmallbusiness/message

Welcome to Hamilton House. This episode's guest is Darla Worden, V.P. of Weisner Media; Editor-in-Chief of Mountain Living and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles; Founder of the Left Bank Writers Retreat; and Author of Cockeyed Happy: Ernest Hemingway's Wyoming Summers, Denver, Colorado. From the Tetons to the Rockies to the Eiffel Tower, Editor Darla Worden continues to literally, figuratively, and creatively scale new peaks with ease and grace while imparting enormous wisdom, exceptional insight, and dazzling talent along the way.

Welcome to a new episode of Get Creative. In this episode, we'll go through the world of business transformations. I'm joined by Cody Barton, an expert in acquiring and turning around struggling businesses for massive profits. We unpack the secrets to real estate success, share insider tips on creative financing, and discuss the important role of leadership and culture in reviving business operations.    Highlights:   "If you can understand the financials and the money aspect of the business, managing the money, where it goes, how to track it, you have a 99% edge over everybody else."   "The difference between businesses that succeed and those that don't often comes down to leadership—removing the wrong people and empowering the right ones."   "We're not just buying businesses; we're solving real problems, turning pain into profit, and transforming challenges into opportunities."   Timestamps: 00:42 - Creative Financing in Real Estate 04:09 - A Successful Property Turnaround 06:27 - Failing Business into a Profitable Venture 09:01 - Challenges in Businesses and Acquisition Opportunities 12:44 - Exploring Business Acquisition Platforms 19:00 - Financial Mismanagement in Business Purchases 24:21 - Effective Delegation on Business Scaling 33:28 - Introduction toScale with Pros Platform 51:36 - Scaling New Heights in Business Join Our Free Facebook Group: https://paceapproves.com/fbg-pod

Joe Woodard is back to discuss entrepreneurship, accounting tech, and what it takes to boldly go forward up your path and reach your goals.       Want to meet Eric, Joe and the TRN team at this year's Scaling New Heights conference? Go to https://woodard.com

In this episode of the Well-Oiled Operations™ podcast, Stacy explores the journey of scaling new heights by tackling strategies for overcoming a plateau in business growth. With her extensive entrepreneurial experience, she dives into the common challenges business owners encounter as their growth stalls and offers actionable techniques to reignite momentum and push their enterprises to new levels of success. Stacy discusses the different growth trajectories businesses may experience and emphasizes the importance of identifying whether your business has hit a plateau. With a framework laid out in clear, engaging language, Stacy illustrates how even a successful business needs continual reevaluation and strategic pivoting to maintain and enhance growth.   Also in this episode: Your current success may require a model rework to sustain and grow further. Unique strategies from different sectors can provide innovative growth opportunities. Sometimes, the key to overcoming a plateau is to reconnect with the reason you started your business. Ensure you're not overwhelming your business with mediocre services by honing in on what works best.   Work with Stacy Tuschl: Click HERE to Book A Call With Stacy Increase Your Profits While Getting Your Time Back: Join My Free Masterclass - Protect Your Profit Join Well Oiled Operations ™ Live: A 3-Day Virtual Conference Designed to Help You Build & Maximize Your Team to Increase Profit While Reducing Your Workload. Subscribe To Well-Oiled Operations™ with Stacy Tuschl: Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify Connect With Stacy Tuschl: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram   About Stacy Tuschl And Well-Oiled Operations™: As a best-selling author, speaker, and successful business owner, I empower small business owners to thrive. Through my Well-Oiled Operations™ approach, I assist entrepreneurs in attracting customers, increasing profits, and finding personal happiness. My proven process helps students overcome challenges, reach their full potential, and establish self-sustaining ventures—all while maintaining a balanced life. You shouldn't sacrifice your well-being for your business; your business should enhance your life. I understand the worries and doubts you face but trust me, your dreams can be realized. Let me guide you in transforming your local business into your ultimate vision, fostering tranquility, prosperity, and fulfillment.   This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

Ron and Ed welcome for an unprecedented sixth time, Joe Woodard. As always this will be a wide-ranging conversation but likely topics include: plussing your offering, why people don't value your offering and what to do about it, the future of CAS, and, maybe, just maybe, Apple Vision Pro.

In this week's podcast Heather Satterly, the Director of Education and Media for Woodard sits down with Eric to discuss the highlights of this year's conference, and she and Eric discuss why the conference is such an unbelievable experience for both training and software solutions.   Want to check out Scaling New Heights in 2024? It's here: SNH 2024

In this week's podcast Heather Satterly, the Director of Education and Media for Woodard sits down with Eric to discuss the highlights of this year's conference, and she and Eric discuss why the conference is such an unbelievable experience for both training and software solutions.

In this re-kick episode, Cassie Niekamp recounts her transition from the startup world to purchasing and running Bowden Fence Company. Cassie discusses the growth of the company, including revenue details, employee expansion, and system improvements. With a strong background in sales and recruiting for startups, Cassie provides valuable perspectives on business acquisition, scaling strategies, and effective management practices.Episode Host:John Wilson: @WilsonCompaniesEpisode Guest:Cassi Niekamp: @cassiniekampSpecial thanks to our sponsor: Service Scalers: Looking to scale your home service business? Service Scalers is a digital marketing agency that drives success in PPC and LSA. Discover more growth strategies by visiting Service Scalers.Check out Owned and Operated Weekly Insights: a newsletter where John discusses topics ranging from recruiting and marketing to the growth of your home service business.  Subscribe to the newsletter here.Contact us:Youtube: @OwnedandOperatedPodcastX: @ownedoperatedcowww.ownedandoperated.cominfo@ownedandoperated.com

On Episode 149 of The Unique CPA, Joe Woodard joins Randy to discuss hot topics like the Private Equity revolution in accounting and the Scaling New Heights conference coming up in Orlando in June. Joe introduces the Woodard Ideal Practice Model, a multi-partite plan for firms to both determine and differentiate their services, and he offers wisdom about the difference between management and leadership. They discuss Scaling New Heights in some detail, mentioning the talk Randy will be giving on firm growth and culture at the event. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

On today's episode, we have special guest is Dr. Summer Kassmel, a seasoned dentist with an impressive track record of merging practices to create successful group ventures in Colorado's picturesque mountain regions. Dr. Kassmel is not just an accomplished practitioner; she's an innovator in dental education, founding both Dental Assistant Schools Delivered and the Dental Career Academy. In this episode, Dr. Kassmel shares her journey from solo practice to overseeing grand-scale operations and how her unique business models address staffing challenges in the dental industry. Listeners will get a firsthand account of how Dr. Kassmel crafted two innovative training programs that have become cornerstones of her practice's success and a beacon for dental professionals nationwide. For those driven by the allure of transforming challenges into triumphs, Dr. Kassmel's story is a testament to what's possible with vision and tenacity. Her approach blends the nurturing of new talent through rigorous, accessible training programs with an entrepreneurial zeal, setting a new standard in the dental community. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.castlepeakdental.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In this episode of Franchising 101, Tim Parmeter interviews Zach Peyton, Brand President, and Pete Trexler, the Director of Franchise Development of Superior Fence and Rail, a home service franchise that provides fencing solutions to homeowners and businesses. They discuss the unique aspects of their franchise model, the type of franchisees they typically look for, and the commitment required for success. They also emphasize the importance of their customer-focused approach and the benefits they've experienced since being part of the Empower Brands network. If you're interested in learning more about the potential growth opportunities within the home service industry, especially for franchisees, tune in now!  Episode Highlights:  About Superior Fence and Rail, services, and business model Franchise details and expectations of franchise owners Initial business resources and size The importance of marketing strategy and support mechanisms The owner's role and day-to-day  What sets Superior Fence and Rail a part and the benefits of a large parent company   Want to know more? Go ahead: Schedule a call with one of our franchise coaches! Links and resources mentioned in this episode:  Schedule a call https://meetings.hubspot.com/tim17  Franchising 101 podcast website with a library of past episodes http://franchising101.net/  Superior Fence & Rail website https://www.superiorfenceandrail.com/  Reshift Media's Brand Amplifier https://www.brandamplifier.io/  Visit Entreprenuer.com for a wealth of information for people just like you! https://www.entrepreneur.com/   NEW Franchising News site https://www.franchisingnews.net/  Interested in franchise ownership? Schedule a call with one of our coaches today! FranCoach is connected with over 500 franchises and we walk you through the process of finding the perfect franchise for you. Our services are always free and we commit ourselves to helping you find your better tomorrow. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds and it really makes a difference in getting our message out to more people who can use it. Sign up for our email newsletter at FranCoach.net Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Contact us at info@francoach.net Follow FranCoach: Twitter: twitter.com/FranCoach4U Facebook: facebook.com/francoach4u/ YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC1GtG31hWoecEONdScIJOsQ 

At just 22 years old, Natalia Grossman's incredible track record of success includes winning Gold and Silver at the 2021 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Climbing World Championships, 19 podium finishes at World Cup events and, most recently, qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Today, this rapidly rising superstar sits down with Laura to candidly discuss a number of topics, including her awe-inspiring journey to the pinnacle of her sport, the trials of relocating for climbing, facing online criticism, and the transformative experience of turning pro. Diving into the complexities of competitive athletics, Laura and Natalia illuminate the mental fortitude required to navigate the highs and lows of elite sports. From the weight of expectations to the quest for balance and mental well-being, they dissect the emotional journey with honesty and vulnerability. The episode unfolds with a raw exploration of the toll of external scrutiny and the healing power of open communication within a strong support network while also offering insights on discipline, resilience, and the profound joy of pursuing one's passion. Sharing her experiences here today, Natalia joins Laura in taking listeners on an inspirational journey of self-discovery that embraces the pursuit of excellence with renewed determination and purpose, serving as a beacon of inspiration for all those seeking to conquer their own challenges and achieve greatness in their endeavors. Episode Highlights: Natalia's remarkable journey Balancing training, competitions, and schooling Natalia's shift from gymnastics to climbing Confronting online criticism Finding joy in climbing Natalia's triumphs amid setbacks Looking ahead to the Olympic Games and beyond Managing expectations and public scrutiny Quotes: "I was just training for fun, and I ended up winning. Then I thought, 'Well, now I have to keep doing them!'" "I think one of the biggest things that drew me to the sport was how the community was so close and it's a lot smaller of a sport." "It was just new to me to be going to new countries every month with my team and just getting to compete." "You never forget your first World Cup win. It was just so cool having everyone there." "Don't google your name... I think having people around you that have got your back is a big deal." "Getting it out and talking to people who, you know, love and care about you no matter what, I think that's really important." "I'm a lot more than just a climber.” "You can't control what the other person is doing, especially if it's not like a combat sport. You know what I mean? You're not really like controlling the other person necessarily." "When you go, I guess, pro, and then you have sponsors and you feel like you're supposed to perform to their wants and your income can be based on performance, that can sometimes add another layer of pressure." "What's done is done. We can't go back and change it, right. So now this is a new opportunity." "Just listen to your body and if you feel tired, take that rest day. It's okay to take rest days." "If I'm not having fun, it's not worth it. And if I'm not having fun, I'm not going to perform very well." Links: The Pursuit of Gold Website Top 10 Mental Skills Guide Laura's Social Media: Laura's Instagram Laura's Facebook Connect with Natalia: Natalia's Instagram Natalia's Website

In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, we're thrilled to welcome Lisa Besserman, a luminary in both the technology and venture capital worlds. Lisa, the Founder of Startup Buenos Aires—which was successfully acquired—has made remarkable strides in the tech industry, earning her a spot among Business Insider's "Top 100 Most Influential Women in Tech," alongside notable figures like Sheryl Sandberg and Arianna Huffington. It's worth noting, with a humble chuckle, that she ranked #94 on this illustrious list.Currently, Lisa serves as the Head of Innovation at JP Morgan Chase Operations. In her role, she collaborates with startups and leverages emerging technologies to address complex challenges within the world's leading financial institution. Before this, she was the Managing Director at Expa VC, a venture fund and startup studio with a $350M investment focus ranging from pre-seed to series A startups.Lisa's entrepreneurial spirit was sparked as the Founder and CEO of Startup Buenos Aires, an accelerator program designed to nurture and connect startups across Latin America. Her influence and insights have been recognized by NBC, Bloomberg TV, Reuters, Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, and CNN, and she's shared her knowledge through guest lectures at prestigious institutions like NYU, MIT, Northwestern, Harvard, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania.Aside from her professional accolades, Lisa shares her personal journey to Everest Base Camp in this episode. She delves into the essence of mountaineering versus hiking, the value of setting finite goals, and the emotional rollercoaster of nights spent on the mountain. Lisa's story is a testament to the power of living in the moment, embracing challenges, and the profound impact of pursuing meaningful goals.TakeawaysMountaineering offers a unique sense of completion and achievement, unlike many other pursuits.Embracing the present and the journey itself is key to personal fulfillment and happiness.Success in reaching challenging goals demands perseverance, effort, and an open mindset.The investment in meaningful experiences yields lasting benefits.Chapters00:00 The Dream of Everest03:20 Mountaineering as a Finite Goal05:22 Atelic Activities06:22 Finding Calm in the Midst of a Daunting Goal08:57 The Moving Goalpost of Success11:21 The Challenges of Nights on the Mountain13:41 Type 1 Fun vs Type 2 Fun15:42 The Desire to Achieve17:04 Living in the Present19:44 Stepping Out of the Future and into the Present22:02 The Positive Benefits of Bucket List Achievements23:23 The Impatience of the Impulsive World27:14 Investing Time for Energy33:16 Feeling Nothing at the Destination39:48 The Trainer Who Took a Chance42:07 Closing RemarksLisa's multifaceted life—from her accolades in tech to her adventures in the great outdoors—inspires us to pursue our passions, tackle formidable goals, and cherish the moments of tranquility along the way.

In this episode of the "Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots" podcast, host Victoria Guido delves into the intersection of technology, product development, and personal passions with her guests Henry Yin, Co-Founder and CTO of Merico, and Maxim Wheatley, the company's first employee and Community Leader. They are joined by Joe Ferris, CTO of thoughtbot, as a special guest co-host. The conversation begins with a casual exchange about rock climbing, revealing that both Henry and Victoria share this hobby, which provides a unique perspective on their professional roles in software development. Throughout the podcast, Henry and Maxim discuss the journey and evolution of Merico, a company specializing in data-driven tools for developers. They explore the early stages of Merico, highlighting the challenges and surprises encountered while seeking product-market fit and the strategic pivot from focusing on open-source funding allocation to developing a comprehensive engineering metric platform. This shift in focus led to the creation of Apache DevLake, an open-source project contributed to by Merico and later donated to the Apache Software Foundation, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and community-driven development. The episode also touches on future challenges and opportunities in the field of software engineering, particularly the integration of AI and machine learning tools in the development process. Henry and Maxim emphasize the potential of AI to enhance developer productivity and the importance of data-driven insights in improving team collaboration and software delivery performance. Joe contributes to the discussion with his own experiences and perspectives, particularly on the importance of process over individual metrics in team management. Merico (https://www.merico.dev/) Follow Merico on GitHub (https://github.com/merico-dev), Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/merico-dev/), or X (https://twitter.com/MericoDev). Apache DevLake (https://devlake.apache.org/) Follow Henry Yin on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-hezheng-yin-88116a52/). Follow Maxim Wheatley on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximwheatley/) or X (https://twitter.com/MaximWheatley). Follow thoughtbot on X (https://twitter.com/thoughtbot) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/). Become a Sponsor (https://thoughtbot.com/sponsorship) of Giant Robots! Transcript: VICTORIA: This is the Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots podcast, where we explore the design, development, and business of great products. I'm your host, Victoria Guido. And with me today is Henry Yin, Co-Founder and CTO of Merico, and Maxim Wheatley, the first employee and Community Leader of Merico, creating data-driven developer tools for forward-thinking devs. Thank you for joining us. HENRY: Thanks for having us. MAXIM: Glad to be here, Victoria. Thank you. VICTORIA: And we also have a special guest co-host today, the CTO of thoughtbot, Joe Ferris. JOE: Hello. VICTORIA: Okay. All right. So, I met Henry and Maxim at the 7CTOs Conference in San Diego back in November. And I understand that Henry, you are also an avid rock climber. HENRY: Yes. I know you were also in Vegas during Thanksgiving. And I sort of have [inaudible 00:49] of a tradition to go to Vegas every Thanksgiving to Red Rock National Park. Yeah, I'd love to know more about how was your trip to Vegas this Thanksgiving. VICTORIA: Yes. I got to go to Vegas as well. We had a bit of rain, actually. So, we try not to climb on sandstone after the rain and ended up doing some sport climbing on limestone around the Blue Diamond Valley area; a little bit light on climbing for me, actually, but still beautiful out there. I loved being in Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas. And I do find that there's just a lot of developers and engineers who have an affinity for climbing. I'm not sure what exactly that connection is. But I know, Joe, you also have a little bit of climbing and mountaineering experience, right? JOE: Yeah. I used to climb a good deal. I actually went climbing for the first time in, like, three years this past weekend, and it was truly pathetic. But you have to [laughs] start somewhere. VICTORIA: That's right. And, Henry, how long have you been climbing for? HENRY: For about five years. I like to spend my time in nature when I'm not working: hiking, climbing, skiing, scuba diving, all of the good outdoor activities. VICTORIA: That's great. And I understand you were bouldering in Vegas, right? Did you go to Kraft Boulders? HENRY: Yeah, we went to Kraft also Red Spring. It was a surprise for me. I was able to upgrade my outdoor bouldering grade to B7 this year at Red Spring and Monkey Wrench. There was always some surprises for me. When I went to Red Rock National Park last year, I met Alex Honnold there who was shooting a documentary, and he was really, really friendly. So, really enjoying every Thanksgiving trip to Vegas. VICTORIA: That's awesome. Yeah, well, congratulations on B7. That's great. It's always good to get a new grade. And I'm kind of in the same boat with Joe, where I'm just constantly restarting my climbing career. So [laughs], I haven't had a chance to push a grade like that in a little while. But that sounds like a lot of fun. HENRY: Yeah, it's really hard to be consistent on climbing when you have, like, a full-time job, and then there's so much going on in life. It's always a challenge. VICTORIA: Yeah. But a great way to like, connect with other people, and make friends, and spend time outdoors. So, I still really appreciate it, even if I'm not maybe progressing as much as I could be. That's wonderful. So, tell me, how did you and Maxim actually meet? Did you meet through climbing or the outdoors? MAXIM: We actually met through AngelList, which I really recommend to anyone who's really looking to get into startups. When Henry and I met, Merico was essentially just starting. I had this eagerness to explore something really early stage where I'd get to do all of the interesting kind of cross-functional things that come with that territory, touching on product and marketing, on fundraising, kind of being a bit of everything. And I was eager to look into something that was applying, you know, machine learning, data analytics in some really practical way. And I came across what Hezheng Henry and the team were doing in terms of just extracting useful insights from codebases. And we ended up connecting really well. And I think the previous experience I had was a good fit for the team, and the rest was history. And we've had a great time building together for the last five years. VICTORIA: Yeah. And tell me a little bit more about your background and what you've been bringing to the Merico team. MAXIM: I think, like a lot of people in startups, consider myself a member of the Island of Misfit Toys in the sense that no kind of clear-cut linear pathway through my journey but a really exciting and productive one nonetheless. So, I began studying neuroscience at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I was about to go to medical school and, in my high school years had explored entrepreneurship in a really basic way. I think, like many people do, finding ways to monetize my hobbies and really kind of getting infected with that bug that I could create something, make money from it, and kind of be the master of my own destiny, for lack of less cliché terms. So, not long after graduating, I started my first job that recruited me into a seed-stage venture capital, and from there, I had the opportunity to help early-stage startups, invest in them. I was managing a startup accelerator out there. From there, produced a documentary that followed those startups. Not long after all of that, I ended up co-founding a consumer electronics company where I was leading product, so doing lots of mechanical, electrical, and a bit of software engineering. And without taking too long, those were certainly kind of two of the more formative things. But one way or another, I've spent my whole career now in startups and, especially early-stage ones. It was something I was eager to do was kind of take some of the high-level abstract science that I had learned in my undergraduate and kind of apply some of those frameworks to some of the things that I do today. VICTORIA: That's super interesting. And now I'm curious about you, Henry, and your background. And what led you to get the idea for Merico? HENRY: Yeah. My professional career is actually much simpler because Merico was my first company and my first job. Before Merico, I was a PhD student at UC Berkeley studying computer science. My research was an intersection of software engineering and machine learning. And back then, we were tackling this research problem of how do we fairly measure the developer contributions in a software project? And the reason we are interested in this project has to do with the open-source funding problem. So, let's say an open-source project gets 100k donations from Google. How does the maintainers can automatically distribute all of the donations to sometimes hundreds or thousands of contributors according to their varying level of contributions? So, that was the problem we were interested in. We did research on this for about a year. We published a paper. And later on, you know, we started the company with my, you know, co-authors. And that's how the story began for Merico. VICTORIA: I really love that. And maybe you could tell me just a little bit more about what Merico is and why a company may be interested in trying out your services. HENRY: The product we're currently offering actually is a little bit different from what we set out to build. At the very beginning, we were building this platform for open-source funding problem that we can give an open-source project. We can automatically, using algorithm, measure developer contributions and automatically distribute donations to all developers. But then we encountered some technical and business challenges. So, we took out the metrics component from the previous idea and launched this new product in the engineering metric space. And this time, we focus on helping engineering leaders better understand the health of their engineering work. So, this is the Merico analytics platform that we're currently offering to software engineering teams. JOE: It's interesting. I've seen some products that try to judge the health of a codebase, but it sounds like this is more trying to judge the health of the team. MAXIM: Yeah, I think that's generally fair to say. As we've evolved, we've certainly liked to describe ourselves as, you know, I think a lot of people are familiar with observability tools, which help ultimately ascertain, like, the performance of the technology, right? Like, it's assessing, visualizing, chopping up the machine-generated data. And we thought there would be a tremendous amount of value in being, essentially, observability for the human-generated data. And I think, ultimately, what we found on our journey is that there's a tremendous amount of frustration, especially in larger teams, not in looking to use a tool like that for any kind of, like, policing type thing, right? Like, no one's looking if they're doing it right, at least looking to figure out, like, oh, who's underperforming, or who do we need to yell at? But really trying to figure out, like, where are the strengths? Like, how can we improve our processes? How can we make sure we're delivering better software more reliably, more sustainably? Like how are we balancing that trade-off between new features, upgrades and managing tech debt and bugs? We've ultimately just worked tirelessly to, hopefully, fill in those blind spots for people. And so far, I'm pleased to say that the reception has been really positive. We've, I think, tapped into a somewhat subtle but nonetheless really important pain point for a lot of teams around the world. VICTORIA: Yeah. And, Henry, you said that you started it based on some of the research that you did at UC Berkeley. I also understand you leaned on the research from the DevOps research from DORA. Can you tell me a little bit more about that and what you found insightful from the research that was out there and already existed? MAXIM: So, I think what's really funny, and it really speaks to, I think, the importance in product development of just getting out there and speaking with your potential users or actual users, and despite all of the deep, deep research we had done on the topic of understanding engineering, we really hadn't touched on DORA too much. And this is probably going back about five years now. Henry and I were taking a customer meeting with an engineering leader at Yahoo out in the Bay Area. He kind of revealed this to us basically where he's like, "Oh, you guys should really look at incorporating DORA into this thing. Like, all of the metrics, all of the analytics you're building super cool, super interesting, but DORA really has this great framework, and you guys should look into it." And in hindsight, I think we can now [chuckles], honestly, admit to ourselves, even if it maybe was a bit embarrassing at the time where both Henry and I were like, "What? What is that? Like, what's Dora?" And we ended up looking into it and since then, have really become evangelists for the framework. And I'll pass it to Henry to talk about, like, what that journey has looked like. HENRY: Thanks, Maxim. I think what's cool about DORA is in terms of using metrics, there's always this challenge called Goodhart's Law, right? So, whenever a metric becomes a target, the metric cease to be a good metric because people are going to find ways to game the metric. So, I think what's cool about DORA is that it actually offers not just one metric but four key metrics that bring balance to covering both the stability and velocity. So, when you look at DORA metrics, you can't just optimize for velocity and sacrificing your stability. But you have to look at all four metrics at the same time, and that's harder to game. So, I think that's why it's become more and more popular in the industry as the starting point for using metrics for data-driven engineering. VICTORIA: Yeah. And I like how DORA also represents it as the metrics and how they apply to where you are in the lifecycle of your product. So, I'm curious: with Merico, what kind of insights do you think engineering leaders can gain from having this data that will unlock some of their team's potential? MAXIM: So, I think one of the most foundational things before we get into any detailed metrics is I think it's more important than ever, especially given that so many of us are remote, right? Where the general processes of software engineering are generally difficult to understand, right? They're nuanced. They tend to kind of happen in relative isolation until a PR is reviewed and merged. And it can be challenging, of course, to understand what's being done, how consistently, how well, like, where are the good parts, where are the bad parts. And I think that problem gets really exasperated, especially in a remote setting where no one is necessarily in the same place. So, on a foundational level, I think we've really worked hard to solve that challenge, where just being able to see, like, how are we doing? And to that point, I think what we've found before anyone even dives too deep into all of the insights that we can deliver, I think there's a tremendous amount of appetite for anyone who's looking to get into that practice of constant improvement and figuring out how to level up the work they're doing, just setting close benchmarks, figuring out, like, okay, when we talk about more nebulous or maybe subjective terms like speed, or quality, what does good look like? What does consistent look like? Being able to just tie those things to something that really kind of unifies the vocabulary is something I always like to say, where, okay, now, even if we're not focused on a specific metric, or we don't have a really particular goal in mind that we want to assess, now we're at least starting the conversation as a team from a place where when we talk about quality, we have something that's shared between us. We understand what we're referring to. And when we're talking about speed, we can also have something consistent to talk about there. And within all of that, I think one of the most powerful things is it helps to really kind of ground the conversations around the trade-offs, right? There's always that common saying: the triangle of trade-offs is where it's, like, you can have it cheap; you can have it fast, and you can have it good, but you can only have two. And I think with DORA, with all of these different frameworks with many metrics, it helps to really solidify what those trade-offs look like. And that's, for me at least, been one of the most impactful things to watch: is our global users have really started evolving their practices with it. HENRY: Yeah. And I want to add to Maxim's answer. But before that, I just want to quickly mention how our products are structured. So, Merico actually has an open-source component and a proprietary component. So, the open-source component is called Apache DevLake. It's an open-source project we created first within Merico and later on donated to Apache Software Foundation. And now, it's one of the most popular engineering metrics tool out there. And then, on top of that, we built a SaaS offering called DevInsight Cloud, which is powered by Apache DevLake. So, with DevLake, the open-source project, you can set up your data connections, connect DevLake to all of the dev tools you're using, and then we collect data. And then we provide many different flavors of dashboards for our users. And many of those dashboards are structured, and there are different questions engineering teams might want to ask. For example, like, how fast are we responding to our customer requirement? For that question, we will look at like, metrics like change lead time, or, like, for a question, how accurate is our planning for the sprint? In that case, the dashboard will show metrics relating to the percentage of issues we can deliver for every sprint for our plan. So, that's sort of, you know, based on the questions that the team wants to answer, we provide different dashboards that help them extract insights using the data from their DevOps tools. JOE: It's really interesting you donated it to Apache. And I feel like the hybrid SaaS open-source model is really common. And I've become more and more skeptical of it over the years as companies start out open source, and then once they start getting competitors, they change the license. But by donating it to Apache, you sort of sidestep that potential trust issue. MAXIM: Yeah, you've hit the nail on the head with that one because, in many ways, for us, engaging with Apache in the way that we have was, I think, ultimately born out of the observations we had about the shortcomings of other products in the space where, for one, very practical. We realized quickly that if we wanted to offer the most complete visibility possible, it would require connections to so many different products, right? I think anyone can look at their engineering toolchain and identify perhaps 7, 9, 10 different things they're using on a day-to-day basis. Oftentimes, those aren't shared between companies, too. So, I think part one was just figuring out like, okay, how do we build a framework that makes it easy for developers to build a plugin and contribute to the project if there's something they want to incorporate that isn't already supported? And I think that was kind of part one. Part two is, I think, much more important and far more profound, which is developer trust, right? Where we saw so many different products out there that claimed to deliver these insights but really had this kind of black-box approach, right? Where data goes in, something happens, insights come out. How's it doing that? How's it weighting things? What's it calculating? What variables are incorporated? All of that is a mystery. And that really leads to developers, rightfully, not having a basis to trust what's actually being shown to them. So, for us, it was this perspective of what's the maximum amount of transparency that we could possibly offer? Well, open source is probably the best answer to that question. We made sure the entirety of the codebase is something they can take a look at, they can modify. They can dive into the underlying queries and algorithms and how everything is working to gain a total sense of trust in how is this thing working? And if I need to modify something to account for some nuanced details of how our team works, we can also do that. And to your point, you know, I think it's definitely something I would agree with that one of the worst things we see in the open-source community is that companies will be kind of open source in name only, right? Where it's really more of marketing or kind of sales thing than anything, where it's like, oh, let's tap into the good faith of open source. But really, somehow or another, through bait and switch, through partial open source, through license changes, whatever it is, we're open source in name only but really, a proprietary, closed-source product. So, for us, donating the core of DevLake to the Apache Foundation was essentially our way of really, like, putting, you know, walking the talk, right? Where no one can doubt at this point, like, oh, is this thing suddenly going to have the license changed? Is this suddenly going to go closed-source? Like, the answer to that now is a definitive no because it is now part of that ecosystem. And I think with the aspirations we've had to build something that is not just a tool but, hopefully, long-term becomes, like, foundational technology, I think that gives people confidence and faith that this is something they can really invest in. They can really plumb into their processes in a deep and meaningful way with no concerns whatsoever that something is suddenly going to change that makes all of that work, you know, something that they didn't expect. JOE: I think a lot of companies guard their source code like it's their secret sauce, but my experience has been more that it's the secret shame [laughs]. HENRY: [laughs] MAXIM: There's no doubt in my role with, especially our open-source product driving our community we've really seen the magic of what a community-driven product can be. And open source, I think, is the most kind of a true expression of a community-driven product, where we have a Slack community with nearly 1,000 developers in it now. Naturally, right? Some of those developers are in there just to ask questions and answer questions. Some are intensely involved, right? They're suggesting improvements. They're suggesting new features. They're finding ways to refine things. And it really is that, like, fantastic culture that I'm really proud that we've cultivated where best idea ships, right? If you've got a good idea, throw it into a GitHub issue or a comment. Let's see how the community responds to it. Let's see if someone wants to pick it up. Let's see if someone wants to submit a PR. If it's good, it goes into production, and then the entire community benefits. And, for me, that's something I've found endlessly exciting. HENRY: Yeah. I think Joe made a really good point on the secret sauce part because I don't think the source code is our secret sauce. There's no rocket science in DevLake. If we break it down, it's really just some UI UX plus data pipelines. I think what's making DevLake successful is really the trust and collaboration that we're building with the open-source community. When it comes to trust, I think there are two aspects. First of all, trust on the metric accuracy, right? Because with a lot of proprietary software, you don't know how they are calculating the metrics. If people don't know how the metrics are calculated, they can't really trust it and use it. And secondly, is the trust that they can always use this software, and there's no vendor lock-in. And when it comes to collaboration, we were seeing many of our data sources and dashboards they were contributed not by our core developers but by the community. And the communities really, you know, bring in their insights and their use cases into DevLake and make DevLake, you know, more successful and more applicable to more teams in different areas of soft engineering. MID-ROLL AD: Are you an entrepreneur or start-up founder looking to gain confidence in the way forward for your idea? At thoughtbot, we know you're tight on time and investment, which is why we've created targeted 1-hour remote workshops to help you develop a concrete plan for your product's next steps. Over four interactive sessions, we work with you on research, product design sprint, critical path, and presentation prep so that you and your team are better equipped with the skills and knowledge for success. Find out how we can help you move the needle at tbot.io/entrepreneurs. VICTORIA: I understand you've taken some innovative approaches on using AI in your open-source repositories to respond to issues and questions from your developers. So, can you tell me a little bit more about that? HENRY: Absolutely. I self-identify as a builder. And one characteristic of builder is to always chase after the dream of building infinite things within the finite lifespan. So, I was always thinking about how we can be more productive, how we can, you know, get better at getting better. And so, this year, you know, AI is huge, and there are so many AI-powered tools that can help us achieve more in terms of delivering software. And then, internally, we had a hackathon, and there's one project, which is an AI-powered coding assistant coming out of it called DevChat. And we have made it public at devchat.ai. But we've been closely following, you know, what are the other AI-powered tools that can make, you know, software developers' or open-source maintainers' lives easier? And we've been observing that there are more and more open-source projects adopting AI chatbots to help them handle, you know, respond to GitHub issues. So, I recently did a case study on a pretty popular open-source project called LangChain. So, it's the hot kid right now in the AI space right now. And it's using a chatbot called Dosu to help respond to issues. I had some interesting findings from the case study. VICTORIA: In what ways was that chatbot really helpful, and in what ways did it not really work that well? HENRY: Yeah, I was thinking of how to measure the effectiveness of that chatbot. And I realized that there is a feature that's built in GitHub, which is the reaction to comment. So, how the chatbot works is whenever there is a new issue, the chatbot would basically retrieval-augmented generation pipeline and then using ORM to generate a response to the issue. And then there's people leave reactions to that comment by the chatbot, but mostly, it's thumbs up and thumbs down. So, what I did is I collect all of the issues from the LangChain repository and look at how many thumbs up and thumbs down Dosu chatbot got, you know, from all of the comments they left with the issues. So, what I found is that over across 2,600 issues that Dosu chatbot helped with, it got around 900 thumbs ups and 1,300 thumbs down. So, then it comes to how do we interpret this data, right? Because it got more thumbs down than thumbs up doesn't mean that it's actually not useful or harmful to the developers. So, to answer that question, I actually looked at some examples of thumbs-up and thumb-down comments. And what I found is the thumb down doesn't mean that the chatbot is harmful. It's mostly the developers are signaling to the open-source maintainers that your chatbot is not helping in this case, and we need human intervention. But with the thumbs up, the chatbot is actually helping a lot. There's one issue where people post a question, and the chatbot just wrote the code and then basically made a suggestion on how to resolve the issue. And the human response is, "Damn, it worked." And that was very surprising to me, and it made me consider, you know, adopting similar technology and AI-powered tools for our own open-source project. VICTORIA: That's very cool. Well, I want to go back to the beginning of Merico. And when you first got started, and you were trying to understand your customers and what they need, was there anything surprising in that early discovery process that made you change your strategy? HENRY: So, one challenge we faced when we first explored open-source funding allocation problem space is that our algorithm looks at the Git repository. But with software engineering, especially with open-source collaboration, there are so many activities that are happening outside of open-source repos on GitHub. For example, I might be an evangelist, and my day-to-day work might be, you know, engaging in community work, talking about the open-source project conference. And all of those things were not captured by our algorithm, which was only looking at the GitHub repository at the time. So, that was one of the technical challenge that we faced and led us to switch over to more of the system-driven metrics side. VICTORIA: Gotcha. Over the years, how has Merico grown? What has changed between when you first started and today? HENRY: So, one thing is the team size. When we just got started, we only have, you know, the three co-founders and Maxim. And now we have grown to a team of 70 team members, and we have a fully distributed team across multiple continents. So, that's pretty interesting dynamics to handle. And we learned a lot of how to build effective team and a cohesive team along the way. And in terms of product, DevLake now, you know, has more than 900 developers in our Slack community, and we track over 360 companies using DevLake. So, definitely, went a long way since we started the journey. And yeah, tomorrow we...actually, Maxim and I are going to host our end-of-year Apache DevLake Community Meetup and featuring Nathen Harvey, the Google's DORA team lead. Yeah, definitely made some progress since we've been working on Merico for four years. VICTORIA: Well, that's exciting. Well, say hi to Nathen for me. I helped takeover DevOps DC with some of the other organizers that he was running way back in the day, so [laughs] that's great. What challenges do you see on the horizon for Merico and DevLake? MAXIM: One of the challenges I think about a lot, and I think it's front of mind for many people, especially with software engineering, but at this point, nearly every profession, is what does AI mean for everything we're doing? What does the future look like where developers are maybe producing the majority of their code through prompt-based approaches versus code-based approaches, right? How do we start thinking about how we coherently assess that? Like, how do you maybe redefine what the value is when there's a scenario where perhaps all coders, you know, if we maybe fast forward a few years, like, what if the AI is so good that the code is essentially perfect? What does success look like then? How do you start thinking about what is a good team if everyone is shooting out 9 out of 10 PRs nearly every time because they're all using a unified framework supported by AI? So, I think that's certainly kind of one of the challenges I envision in the future. I think, really, practically, too, many startups have been contending with the macroclimate within the fundraising climates. You know, I think many of the companies out there, us included, had better conditions in 2019, 2020 to raise funds at more favorable valuations, perhaps more relaxed terms, given the climate of the public markets and, you know, monetary policy. I think that's, obviously, we're all experiencing and has tightened things up like revenue expectations or now higher kind of expectations on getting into a highly profitable place or, you know, the benchmark is set a lot higher there. So, I think it's not a challenge that's unique to us in any way at all. I think it's true for almost every company that's out there. It's now kind of thinking in a more disciplined way about how do you kind of meet the market demands without compromising on the product vision and without compromising on the roadmap and the strategies that you've put in place that are working but are maybe coming under a little bit more pressure, given kind of the new set of rules that have been laid out for all of us? VICTORIA: Yeah, that is going to be a challenge. And do you see the company and the product solving some of those challenges in a unique way? HENRY: I've been thinking about how AI can fulfill the promise of making developers 10x developer. I'm an early adopter and big fan of GitHub Copilot. I think it really helps with writing, like, the boilerplate code. But I think it's improving maybe my productivity by 20% to 30%. It's still pretty far away from 10x. So, I'm thinking how Merico's solutions can help fill the gap a little bit. In terms of Apache DevLake and its SaaS offering, I think we are helping with, like, the team collaboration and measuring, like, software delivery performance, how can the team improve as a whole. And then, recently, we had a spin-off, which is the AI-powered coding assistant DevChat. And that's sort of more on the empowering individual developers with, like, testing, refactoring these common workflows. And one big thing for us in the future is how we can combine these two components, you know, team collaboration and improvement tool, DevLake, with the individual coding assistant, DevChat, how they can be integrated together to empower developers. I think that's the big question for Merico ahead. JOE: Have you used Merico to judge the contributions of AI to a project? HENRY: [laughs] So, actually, after we pivot to engineering metrics, we focus now less on individual contribution because that sometimes can be counterproductive. Because whenever you visualize that, then people will sometimes become defensive and try to optimize for the metrics that measure individual contributions. So, we sort of...nowadays, we no longer offer that kind of metrics within DevLake, if that makes sense. MAXIM: And that kind of goes back to one of Victoria's earlier questions about, like, what surprised us in the journey. Early on, we had this very benevolent perspective, you know, I would want to kind of underline that, that we never sought to be judging individuals in a negative way. We were looking to find ways to make it useful, even to a point of finding ways...like, we explored different ways to give developers badges and different kind of accomplishment milestones, like, things to kind of signal their strengths and accomplishments. But I think what we've found in that journey is that...and I would really kind of say this strongly. I think the only way that metrics of any kind serve an organization is when they support a healthy culture. And to that end, what we found is that we always like to preach, like, it's processes, not people. It's figuring out if you're hiring correctly, if you're making smart decisions about who's on the team. I think you have to operate with a default assumption within reason that those people are doing their best work. They're trying to move the company forward. They're trying to make good decisions to better serve the customers, better serve the company and the product. With that in mind, what you're really looking to do is figure out what is happening within the underlying processes that get something from thought to production. And how do you clear the way for people? And I think that's really been a big kind of, you know, almost like a tectonic shift for our company over the years is really kind of fully transitioning to that. And I think, in some ways, DORA has represented kind of almost, like, a best practice for, like, processes over people, right? It's figuring out between quality and speed; how are you doing? Where are those trade-offs? And then, within the processes that account for those outcomes, how can you really be improving things? So, I would say, for us, that's, like, been kind of the number one thing there is figuring out, like, how do we keep doubling down on processes, not people? And how do we really make sure that we're not just telling people that we're on their side and we're taking a, you know, a very humanistic perspective on wanting to improve the lives of people but actually doing it with the product? HENRY: But putting the challenge on measuring individual contributions aside, I'm as curious as Joe about AI's role in software engineering. I expect to see more and more involvement of AI and gradually, you know, replacing low-level and medium-level and, in the future, even high-level tasks for humans so we can just focus on, like, the objective instead of the implementation. VICTORIA: I can imagine, especially if you're starting to integrate AI tools into your systems and if you're growing your company at scale, some of the ability to have a natural intuition about what's going on it really becomes a challenge, and the data that you can derive from some of these products could help you make better decisions and all different types of things. So, I'm kind of curious to hear from Joe; with your history of open-source contribution and being a part of many different development teams, what kind of information do you wish that you had to help you make decisions in your role? JOE: Yeah, that's an interesting question. I've used some tools that try to identify problem spots in the code. But it'd be interesting to see the results of tools that analyze problem spots in the process. Like, I'd like to learn more about how that works. HENRY: I'm curious; one question for Joe. What is your favorite non-AI-powered code scanning tool that you find useful for yourself or for your team? JOE: I think the most common static analysis tool I use is something to find the Git churn in a repository. Some of this probably is because I've worked mostly on projects these days with dynamic languages. So, there's kind of a limit to how much static analysis you can do of, you know, a Ruby or a Python codebase. But just by analyzing which parts of the application changed the most, help you find which parts are likely to be the buggiest and the most complex. I think every application tends to involve some central model. Like, if you're making an e-commerce site, then probably products are going to have a lot of the core logic, purchases will have a lot of the core logic. And identifying those centers of gravity just through the Git statistics has helped me find places that need to be reworked. HENRY: That's really interesting. Is it something like a hotspot analysis? And when you find a hotspot, then would you invest more resources in, like, refactoring the hotspot to make it more maintainable? JOE: Right, exactly. Like, you can use the statistics to see which files you should look at. And then, usually, when you actually go into the files, especially if you look at some of the changes to the files, it's pretty clear that it's become, you know, for example, a class has become too large, something has become too tightly coupled. HENRY: Gotcha. VICTORIA: Yeah. And so, if you could go back in time, five years ago and give yourself some advice when you first started along this journey, what advice would you give yourself? MAXIM: I'll answer the question in two ways: first for the company and then for myself personally. I think for the company, what I would say is, especially when you're in that kind of pre-product market fit space, and you're maybe struggling to figure out how to solve a challenge that really matters, I think you need to really think carefully about, like, how would you yourself be using your product? And if you're finding reasons, you wouldn't, like, really, really pay careful attention to those. And I think, for us, like, early on in our journey, we ultimately kind of found ourselves asking, we're like, okay, we're a smaller earlier stage team. Perhaps, like, small improvements in productivity or quality aren't going to necessarily move the needle. That's one of the reasons maybe we're not using this. Maybe our developers are already at bandwidth. So, it's not a question of unlocking more bandwidth or figuring out where there's kind of weak points or bottlenecks at that level, but maybe how can we dial in our own processes to let the whole team function more effectively. And I think, for us, like, the more we started thinking through that lens of, like, what's useful to us, like, what's solving a pain point for us, I think, in many ways, DevLake was born out of that exact thinking. And now DevLake is used by hundreds of companies around the world and has, you know, this near thousand developer community that supports it. And I think that's testament to the power of that. For me, personally, if I were to kind of go back five years, you know, I'm grateful to say there isn't a whole lot I would necessarily change. But I think if there's anything that I would, it would just to be consistently more brave in sharing ideas, right? I think Merico has done a great job, and it's something I'm so proud of for us as a team of really embracing new ideas and really kind of making sure, like, best idea ships, right? There isn't a title. There isn't a level of seniority that determines whether or not someone has a right to suggest something or improve something. And I think with that in mind, for me as a technical person but not a member of technical staff, so to speak, I think there was many occasions, for me personally, where I felt like, okay, maybe because of that, I shouldn't necessarily weigh in on certain things. And I think what I've found, and it's a trust-building thing as well, is, like, even if you're wrong, even if your suggestion may be misunderstands something or isn't quite on target, there's still a tremendous amount of value in just being able to share a perspective and share a recommendation and push it out there. And I think with that in mind, like, it's something I would encourage myself and encourage everybody else in a healthy company to feel comfortable to just keep sharing because, ultimately, it's an accuracy-by-volume game to a certain degree, right? Where if I come up with one idea, then I've got one swing at the bat. But if us as a collective come up with 100 ideas that we consider intelligently, we've got a much higher chance of maybe a handful of those really pushing us forward. So, for me, that would be advice I would give myself and to anybody else. HENRY: I'll follow the same structure, so I'll start by the advice in terms of company and advice to myself as an individual. So, for a company level, I think my advice would be fail fast because every company needs to go through this exploration phase trying to find their product-market fit, and then they will have to test, you know, a couple of ideas before they find the right fit for themselves, the same for us. And I wish that we actually had more in terms of structure in exploring these ideas and set deadlines, you know, set milestones for us to quickly test and filter out bad ideas and then accelerate the exploration process. So, fail fast would be my suggestion at the company level. From an individual level, I would say it's more adapting to my CTO role because when I started the company, I still had that, you know, graduate student hustle mindset. I love writing code myself. And it's okay if I spent 100% of my time writing code when the company was, you know, at five people, right? But it's not okay [chuckles] when we have, you know, a team of 40 engineers. So, I wish I had that realization earlier, and I transitioned to a real CTO role earlier, focusing more, like, on technical evangelism or building out the technical and non-technical infrastructure to help my engineering teams be successful. VICTORIA: Well, I really appreciate that. And is there anything else that you all would like to promote today? HENRY: So if you're, you know, engineering leaders who are looking to measure, you know, some metrics and adopt a more data-driven approach to improving your software delivery performance, check out Apache DevLake. It's open-source project, free to use, and it has some great dashboards, support, various data resources. And join our community. We have a pretty vibrant community on Slack. And there are a lot of developers and engineering leaders discussing how they can get more value out of data and metrics and improve software delivery performance. MAXIM: Yeah. And I think to add to that, something I think we've found consistently is there's plenty of data skeptics out there, rightfully so. I think a lot of analytics of every kind are really not very good, right? And so, I think people are rightfully frustrated or even traumatized by them. And for the data skeptics out there, I would invite them to dive into the DevLake community and pose your challenges, right? If you think this stuff doesn't make sense or you have concerns about it, come join the conversation because I think that's really where the most productive discussions end up coming from is not from people mutually high-fiving each other for a successful implementation of DORA. But the really exciting moments come from the people in the community who are challenging it and saying like, "You know what? Like, here's where I don't necessarily think something is useful or I think could be improved." And it's something that's not up to us as individuals to either bless or to deny. That's where the community gets really exciting is those discussions. So, I would say, if you're a data skeptic, come and dive in, and so long as you're respectful, challenge it. And by doing so, you'll hopefully not only help yourself but really help everybody, which is what I love about this stuff so much. JOE: I'm curious, does Merico use Merico? HENRY: Yes. We've been dogfooding ourself a lot. And a lot of the product improvement ideas actually come from our own dogfooding process. For example, there was one time that we look at a dashboard that has this issue change lead time. And then we found our issue, change lead time, you know, went up in the past few month. And then, we were trying to interpret whether that's a good thing or a bad thing because just looking at a single metric doesn't tell us the story behind the change in the metrics. So, we actually improved the dashboard to include some, you know, covariates of the metrics, some other related metrics to help explain the trend of the metric. So yeah, dogfooding is always useful in improving product. VICTORIA: That's great. Well, thank you all so much for joining. I really enjoyed our conversation. You can subscribe to the show and find notes along with a complete transcript for this episode at giantrobots.fm. If you have questions or comments, email us at hosts@giantrobots.fm. And you can find me on Twitter @victori_ousg. This podcast is brought to you by thoughtbot and produced and edited by Mandy Moore. Thanks for listening. See you next time.