Reflection: Passion to Help

Once upon a time there was a small consulting firm, let’s call it International Solutions for Internal Controls. International Solutions for Internal Controls was a provider of internal audit department outsourcing and co-sourcing services. And once upon a time, they were really good at it. The primary reason… the people.

The CEO was heard repeatedly describing his team as the “land of misfit toys.” The employees, CEO included, were corporate rebels with a passion for helping people. They exercised this passion as internal auditors by dedicating themselves to helping those they served, their clients. They helped by providing their clients with the knowledge and tools to make their companies more secure and perform better. It worked.

They were undeniably corporate rebels, meaning they opposed the hierarchy and red tape that was burdensome and counterproductive at the traditional corporation. They sought the freedom to operate independent of bureaucracy to provide tangible value to those they served. They demanded an environment that embraced individuality and stimulated creative thought.

It worked well for International Solutions for Internal Controls. Whether it was a “land of misfit toys” is based on one’s frame of reference. I personally thought it was an inaccurate and unjust description. In my opinion, we were simply a collection of diverse individuals who shared a common interest, a collective passion for helping people become better. Truly remarkable people worked for that company. And the company provided an environment and culture that allowed them, or better put, enabled them to succeed at the highest level.

Until one day it didn’t… the day the earn out was made.

International Solutions for Internal Controls was acquired. A five-year earn out plan was put into place. Everything shifted. Priorities changed. The culture morphed. Profits were more important than people. A tunnel vision pursuit of revenue acquisition emerged, trumping the long held commitment to client retention and supreme client service. Creativity was thwarted. Individuality was discouraged. Morale destructed. It was no longer a haven for “misfit toys.” Employees rushed to the exits. Clients left for the competition. And now the company ceases to exit.

Fortunately, that’s not the end of the story… Vonya Global rose from the ashes

Having lived through this experience, watching the destruction, and thirsting for a chance to reincarnate the environment that once was, I created Vonya Global with two of my former colleagues. What was Vonya Global? A textbook would state: Vonya Global was a consulting firm that provided internal audit department outsourcing and co-sourcing services. And while that describes the services, it doesn’t describe the company. So, what really was Vonya Global? Some may want to label it as a new “land of misfit toys.” Not me. Vonya Global was a safe haven for corporate rebels who shared a passion for helping people and longed for an opportunity to fulfill that passion. It was an environment that embraced individuality and stimulated creative thought.

Vonya Global provided a platform for internal audit professionals to live their passion for helping people. They were given the freedom and flexibility to execute their responsibilities that best served the client. They provided clients with the knowledge and tools necessary to make their companies more secure and perform better. Relationships grew, deepened, and intensified, blurring the traditional definitions of client and service provider. Maintaining a level of independence, yet also developing a mutual reliance on each other. They were really good at it.

And then it got better… enter Sikich

Vonya Global is no more. The firm was acquired by Sikich LLP on January 1, 2023. Sikich’s interest in Vonya Global was in part because the services Vonya Global provided filled a gap in Sikich’s platform and completed the menu of client services. But that wasn’t the only reason. The primary reason for Sikich’s interest in Vonya Global was the Vonya Global team. The collection of individuals, the team of corporate rebels with a passion for helping others. The interest was not because the Vonya Global culture was different from Sikich. Sikich was not looking for a change. The interest was because the Vonya Global culture aligned with what Sikich has been developing over 40 years. The cultures seamlessly dovetail. It resonates from the top down.

Collectively we remain an organization that attracts corporate rebels who share a passion for helping others. While the passion manifests itself differently depending on which department someone works, be it internal audit, tax, audit, benefit plan audit, transaction advisory, vCISO, cybersecurity, site selection and tax incentive, human capital management, etc.; the collective passion is deep rooted and easily identifiable. It is an environment that embraces individuality and stimulates creative thoughts.

From a technical perspective, we’re pretty impressive. Are we the best technicians? I don’t know, I’m sure it could be debated. What is not debatable is the passion for helping others. We’re really good at it.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of any parties mentioned. The name International Solutions for Internal Controls was changed and is not intended to refer to any company currently operating. My opinions reflect my personal experiences which could be inconsistent with others from that company. This is not intended as a slight on any individuals. Truly remarkable people worked for that company.