Why Business Advice Matters

For accounting firms, the task of delivering quality business development services to their clients is something that often takes a back seat to compliance, or is given on an ad-hoc reactive basis. 

In this Podcast episode we are joined by Mark Jenkins, co-founder of The Gap - a NZ based firm that bridges the gap between traditional compliance work and business development or business advisory, by providing enduring value to clients through products, services and relationships. 

The Gap is a valued commercial partner of Business Link Pacific, that we’ve teamed up with so that our business advisors can gain subsidised access to The Gaps comprehensive and proven resources. 

We are currently offering a limited number of free annual subscriptions to The Gap for approved BLP business advisors. Contact the BLP team for more information as soon as possible - you could access one of the free subscriptions available now. 

Host: Emma Crawford-Falekaono

Emma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan.  In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. 

Credits:

Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.

Music credit: Alex Khaskin

Business Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. 

For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/ 

Chapters

• 0:00 Guest Introduction
• 1:17 Tell us about The Gap - what does the firm do? What inspired you to create it?
• 6:58 What is the difference between business development and business advisory? How does it relate to accounting services?
• 10:02 Why is it important for accounting firms to facilitate the growth and personal development of the business owner?
• 11:40 What are the 3 Business Development 'bridges' that you highly recommend for small-medium sized accounting firms in the Pacific?
• 21:05 Can you tell us about your current work with BLP? How do envision your working relationship with BLP in the future?
• 24:27 What's the best way for people to contact The Gap?
• 27:42 Summary of Podcast and final thoughts from our Guest