Getting to know the real Alex von Schirmeister

Dayle Rodriguez, Systems Advisory Manager from Kreston Reeves tells Xero’s Marcus Bambridge how leaning into technology has enabled them to free up time for more advisory conversations and expand what staff at the practice do on a day to day basis.   Kreston Reeves is over 200 years old, but they’re constantly finding new ways to evolve with Xero’s tools and ecosystem partners. They often review their choice of software and communicate this decision internally, so any member of staff  can be “on message” with clients about why they’re using a particular piece of tech. Talking Practice Efficiency is a podcast mini series where our partners share how Xero products drive efficiency in their firms, helping them do more of what they love. Learn more about the formula to become a high performing practice with accountants and bookkeepers who are leading the way, exploring how they have used the Xero platform to get them there. Catch up on some of the key takeaways from the UK Roadshow 2023 and dive into resources to help you implement these at your practice here.   You can find more stories from our Xero partners here. Transform your practice with Xero by replacing manual processes with automated, integrated workflows that benefit your staff, and clients. Learn how here. This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Dave Forrester from TaxAssist Accountants, Skipton maximises the potential of technology to simplify processes and improve client experience. He tells Xero’s Kat Bond how retaining staff and clients is key to this.    Based in West Yorkshire, Dave Forrester’s practice is one of over 200 TaxAssist franchises in the UK, providing accountancy and bookkeeping services to small businesses and individual clients. Since Dave started the practice in 2009 his high performing firm has added a member of staff every year for the last fourteen years - which is no mean feat considering the economic turbulence we’ve seen over the last decade.   Talking Practice Efficiency is a podcast mini series where our partners share how Xero products drive efficiency in their firms, helping them do more of what they love. Learn more about  the formula to become a high performing practice with accountants and bookkeepers who are leading the way, exploring how they have used the Xero platform to get them there. Catch up on some of the key takeaways from the UK Roadshow 2023 and dive into resources to help you implement these at your practice here.   You can find more stories from our Xero partners here.   Transform your practice with Xero by replacing manual processes with automated, integrated workflows that benefit your staff, and clients. Learn how here. This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

How do you know if your business is high performing? For Dave Gibson and Josh Sanghera of Blu Sky in North Shields, their mantra is “Measure what you treasure”. That simply means don’t get lost in too many stats but focus on what’s important to you. Dave is the company’s co-founder and CEO and Josh is their Client Relationship Director, they tell Xero’s Kat Bond how Xero has helped them transform their practice.    Started in 2008 in North Shields, Blu Sky now has 30 staff across three UK locations and they make it their mission to be a forward-facing firm. With a client base that includes many tech start-ups and ambitious small businesses, Blu Sky uses Xero’s online accounting software to automate routine tasks, streamline workflows and improve collaboration.  Talking Practice Efficiency is a podcast mini series where our partners share how Xero products drive efficiency in their firms, helping them do more of what they love. Learn about the formula to become a high performing practice with accountants and bookkeepers who are leading the way, exploring how they have used the Xero platform to get them there. Catch up on some of the key takeaways from the UK Roadshow 2023 and dive into resources to help you implement these at your practice here.   You can find more stories from our Xero partners here.   Transform your practice with Xero by replacing manual processes with automated, integrated workflows that benefit your staff, and clients. Learn how here. This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

When Adam Pritchard set up the accountancy practice Linford Grey Associates from a barn in Leicestershire, he told his clients they would only be using Xero to work together - in order to ensure the company was able to work remotely, run as efficiently as possible and provide the best client service. He tells Xero’s Ian Phillips about sticking to his guns with Xero and what it’s meant for his bottom line. For a practice that only started life five years ago, Leicestershire’s Linford Grey has already emerged as an industry leader. The winner of the 2021 Total Xero Award — given to a firm demonstrating outstanding vision and ambition — Linford Grey embraces technology to empower their practice and deliver fantastic results for clients.    Talking Practice Efficiency is a podcast mini series where our partners sharehow Xero products drive efficiency in their firms, helping them do more of what they love. Learn more about the formula to become a high performing practice with accountants and bookkeepers who are leading the way, exploring how they have used the Xero platform to get them there. Catch up on some of the key takeaways from the UK Roadshow 2023 and dive into resources to help you implement these at your practice here.   You can find more stories from our Xero partners here.   Transform your practice with Xero by replacing manual processes with automated, integrated workflows that benefit your staff, and clients. Learn how here. This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

The question of whether or not digital technologies improve productivity is a hot topic at the moment and the great news in accountancy and bookkeeping is that they absolutely do -  and there are plenty of stories to prove it. Llyr Davies from PJE Chartered accountants in Lampeter, Wales tells Xero’s Ian Phillips about his practice’s digital transformation journey and why it’s been a game changer for both profitability and client service. As a platinum Xero partner, PJE Chartered Accountants are specialists in online accounting with over 50 years combined experience. They operate four offices in mid and west Wales. Talking Practice Efficiency is a podcast mini series where our partners share how Xero products drive efficiency in their firms, helping them do more of what they love. Learn more about the formula to become a high performing practice with accountants and bookkeepers who are leading the way, exploring how they have used the Xero platform to get them there. Catch up on some of the key takeaways from the UK Roadshow 2023 and dive into resources to help you implement these at your practice here.   You can find more stories from our Xero partners here.   Transform your practice with Xero by replacing manual processes with automated, integrated workflows that benefit your staff, and clients. Learn how here. This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Alasdair McGill is a co-founder of the award-winning accounting firm Ashton McGill based in Dundee, Scotland. They won Small Firm of the Year at the Xero Awards in 2020, and were finalists in the Mid-Size Firm category for 2023. Alasdair’s firm is really unique in that he and his son Andy founded first as a consulting business specialising in service design and customer experience, and eventually recognised an opportunity to take what they’d learnt and apply it to accountancy.  With a clear passion for design thinking, Alasdair shares in this episode how they’re using service design principles to improve the client experience for their accounting firm.    Beyond Numbers, hosted by Ash Gibson, is a platform for pacesetters within Xero's community to chat candidly about the issues and topics that crop up at work. It's about exploring the challenges and talking through the tips, tricks and insights together. It's not about educating accountants on how to do their job, but more on how to win at work.  This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Andrew van de Beek is the founder of Australian accounting firm Illumin8 and has been pushing the boundaries of the industry since 2012, when he – at the age of just 26 – founded what is now a multi-award-winning firm. Illumin8 has been 100% Xero, 100% digital since day one and they’ve never looked back. In this episode, he talks about accounting stereotypes, the difference between the industry here in the UK vs Australia, how he’s juggling family and work, neurodiversity and much, much more.   Beyond Numbers, hosted by Ash Gibson, is a platform for pacesetters within Xero's community to chat candidly about the issues and topics that crop up at work. It's about exploring the challenges and talking through the tips, tricks and insights together. It's not about educating accountants on how to do their job, but more on how to win at work.  This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Alexander von Schirmeister talks about life, leadership and his journey so far as Xero’s UK & EMEA managing director.  Bringing more than 25 years of senior leadership experience to the role, he joined Xero at the beginning of 2022, taking the reins from Gary Turner who had been steering the ship for the previous 12 years. Taking over a business like Xero is no mean feat, but Alex expertly leads with confidence and a real human spirit.    Beyond Numbers, hosted by Ash Gibson, is a platform for pacesetters within Xero's community to chat candidly about the issues and topics that crop up at work. It's about exploring the challenges and talking through the tips, tricks and insights together. It's not about educating accountants on how to do their job, but more on how to win at work.  This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

We delve into the fascinating journey of multi-award winning firm Ad Valorem. Husband and wife duo Nigel and Nikki Adams are joint managing directors, and along with marketer George Bruce, they share their impressive story of growth and reveal some of the secrets behind their thriving business.   We explore Ad Valorem’s unique team structure and focus on culture, their approach to sales and marketing, and their digitisation journey. Nigel, Nikki and George also share their experience acquiring firms to grow, including the valuable lessons learned along the way.   Beyond Numbers, hosted by Ash Gibson, is a platform for pacesetters within Xero's community to chat candidly about the issues and topics that crop up at work. It's about exploring the challenges and talking through the tips, tricks and insights together. It's not about educating accountants on how to do their job, but more on how to win at work.  This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Liz Noble shares her truly personal story about what motivates her to build a thriving business, live her life to the absolute fullest, all while helping others.    Liz Noble is from Providence Financial and in 2022 won the Community Impact Award at the Xero Awards for her initiative to support vulnerable members of her local community during the peak of Covid lockdowns, organising Covid-safe grocery and prescription deliveries with an army of 250 volunteers.    For more information on Providence Financial, click here. Beyond Numbers, hosted by Ash Gibson, is a platform for pacesetters within Xero's community to chat candidly about the issues and topics that crop up at work. It's about exploring the challenges and talking through the tips, tricks and insights together. It's not about educating accountants on how to do their job, but more on how to win at work.  This podcast is brought to you by Xero and produced by Bird Lime Media.