Grassi’s Post

2 years ago, I attended a meeting in London with Samuel Hurley and Antonio Wedral where NOVOS officially became an Employee Owned company. Sam and Antonio had given me the fantastic opportunity to be the Employee Representative on the new Board of Trustees at NOVOS. Not only was this a great experience in itself to see the inner workings of lawyers offices, but I was able to see first hand what a transfer of a company ownership looked like (lots and lots of legal language)! My time is now up on the Trust (it rotates), and I'm delighted to be handing over the role to Nine van Strydonck who I know will absolutely thrive in this position ⭐️ Here are the top 5 things I learnt during my experience as the employee representative: 1. I learnt what EBITDA stands for 'Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortisation (this took a little while) 😅 2. I learnt how to run a People Committee within the company and worked hard to ensure every voice was heard. 3. I learnt to ask 'How does this impact the employees' when important business decisions were being made in Trust meetings. 4. I learnt how to understand the inner workings of a balance sheet, and what to look out for. 5. I attended the Employee Ownership Associations 'Representing and Developing Employee Voice' course where I had to opportunity to hear from other Employee Owned companies and how they run their own People Committees alongside what it means to be the employee representative. 6. I learnt what everybody on the People Committees top 3 ranked cereals, chocolate and crisps were (a great icebreaker). Who knew that Monster Munch would be in so many people's top 3 🤷♀️? 7. Finally, I gained so much more understanding around business decisions and why they were made. Context is everything and this really was incredibly insightful from an employees point of view. There is so much more I could put in here but it would be a very very long post. Thank you so much to Sam and Antonio for the opportunity, and to Olivia Royce for helping me navigate the People Committee. Nine van Strydonck, over to you 💜 #employeeownership #employeetrust #thisisnovos #seoagency

Over the coming weeks, we will spotlight each of the 2024 Business Excellence Awards Categories! Introducing the HomeTown Hero Award, sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP! This award recognizes an exceptional organization or individual whose unwavering commitment and dedication to the spirit of Halton Hills have made a profound impact to our community. Their selfless efforts and passion for making a positive difference have strengthened community bonds, bringing transformative initiatives and inspiring collaborative partnerships. This prestigious accolade celebrates their visionary leadership and lasting contributions, making Halton Hills a better place for all. Nominations are now open for all categories. You can even nominate yourself! If you've got someone in mind, or you're proud of a team member's remarkable achievements, it's time to let their brilliance shine. Nominate now for the prestigious 2024 Business Excellence Awards: https://bit.ly/3SnOz6b Categories for this year include: - Business of the Year: 10+ Employees - Business of the Year: 1-9 Employees - Environmental Sustainability Award - Emerging Business of the Year (less than 5 Years in Business) - Employee of the Year - HomeTown Hero - Community Excellence: Business - Association of the Year: Not for Profit - Innovation in Business Award #HaltonHillsChamberofCommerce #HaltonHills #HaltonHillsChamber #BusinessSupport #BusinessExcellence

In last week’s episode of the pod, Wade A. Runge, CPA, CVA and I dug into what sets Porte Brown LLC apart as a firm for them to be winning so many top employer awards. Some of the key elements are - Compensation - Benefits - Having a culture that puts employees first - Allowing for flexibility when it makes sense to do so - Trusting employees to own client interactions earlier in their careers Full episode is linked in the comments, check it out below 👇 #Accounting #CPA

Why are job titles important? They tell us who we are, but more importantly they tell others who we are. But how do you describe a seasoned professional who: operates at a partner level without seeking equity, has walked among industry giants, doesn't fit traditional titles like director or consultant, brings significant influence to the table, and shares your core values of people-first, selfless, and customer-centric practices? We call him 'Principal.' As introduced by Bruce Sheppard, meet Gilligan Sheppard's Principled Principal, Arran Boote. #PrincipledPrincipal #MeetTheTeam

“Board refreshment” is a genteel term for the rough business of replacing corporate directors when they’re no longer the right fit for a company. Perhaps boards use the euphemism because they’re still reluctant to oust directors when it’s necessary. As a result, the rate of change on board is famously slow. Here's how to embrace board turnover—and do it the right way: https://lnkd.in/eARKGT-y

In the dynamic landscape of corporate governance, addressing board refreshment is crucial for sustained effectiveness. The PwC survey’s revelation of a 7% turnover rate at S&P 500 companies against a backdrop where 45% of directors recognize the need for change underscores the challenge. Implementing term limits and mandatory retirement ages are common strategies, but their impact is often diluted by exceptions. A more meaningful approach lies in robust board evaluations, where candid assessments become the catalyst for necessary changes. Setting a 10-year term limit, as practiced in non-profit boards, could provide structure. Leadership accountability is pivotal in this process. Board leaders must act decisively based on evaluation outcomes, fostering an environment where objectively substantiated decisions about board membership changes are embraced. Instituting clear expectations for offboarding and communicating the serious consideration of evaluations with new members can further normalize this aspect of corporate governance. Self-awareness among directors is equally important. Encouraging board members to reflect on their engagement levels and potential vulnerability to activist shareholder demands can empower them to recognize when it might be time to step down. A proactive and transparent approach to board refreshment aligns with evolving expectations from investors and contributes to the resilience and adaptability of corporate boards. #corporategovernance #BoardRefreshment #leadershipaccountability

Prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a choice—it's a leadership imperative. Zach D., CAE, President & CEO of MassCPAs, recently shed light on the transformative power of DEI in the accounting profession. Check out his Accounting Today article where he shares how embedding DEI can combat talent shortages and foster thriving workplaces: https://lnkd.in/eHGHWAwV

Hear what industry leaders are thinking.

Executive Insights, in association with KPMG Ireland. Watch the interview with Imelda Hurley, CEO of Coillte and Colm O’Se, KPMG, for insights into how Coillte's CEO has transformed the company. #LeadershipExcellence #SustainableInnovation #KPMGInsights #BusinessTransformation To read more click here: https://hubs.ly/Q02cN4Cr0