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EPISODE #511: TOP TEN (OR SO) PRICING PRINCIPLES
In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed dive into the transformative world of pricing strategies. Pricing is more than just setting a number—it’s about understanding and conveying the true value of outcomes. Together, they explore the common pitfalls of cost-based pricing, the importance of focusing on utility, and how consultants can command higher prices by focusing on transformations rather than time spent. They’ll discuss the need to apply the same creativity to pricing that consultants apply to solving business problems, and why having the courage to walk away from negotiations can actually increase your pricing power.
EPISODE #510: AI POLICY AND INNOVATION — SECOND INTERVIEW WITH ADAM THIERER
Ron and Ed welcome Back Adam Thierer, now with the R Street Institute, to talk about government regulation and AI. Adam has written extensively about how government regulation potentially affects the progress of innovation, especially with regard to new technology. This episode promises to be a wide-ranging and timely conversation.
EPISODE #509: THE GAP IN GAAP — ACCOUNTING’S DETERIORATING PARADIGM
Since Luca Pacioli’s 1494 invention of double-entry bookkeeping, accounting has seen little innovation. GAAP, designed for an industrial economy, is outdated in a world where intellectual capital drive business success. Dr. Margaret Blair’s research shows that by 1998, only 30% of a company’s value could be attributed to tangible assets, leaving 70% unaccounted for in GAAP financial statements. We’ll dive into the deteriorating paradigm of accounting and examine audit failures through the lens of a system that has become obsolete.
EPISODE #508: TAMING TECHNOLOGY POLICY — INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER HUDDLESTON
Ron and Ed welcome another CATO Institute scholar, Jennifer Huddleston, to the show to discuss the effects of technology policy on innovation and economic growth. Jennifer will also share her insights about the anti-trust case against Google as well and the effects of technology regulation at the state, federal, and even international level.
EPISODE #507: INTERVIEW WITH BRAND SCIENTIST, REILLY NEWMAN OF MOTIF BRANDS
In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed sit down with Reilly Newman to explore his manifesto: the powerful intersection of science and strategy in business. Reilly emphasizes the importance of clarity as a driver of growth, helping business leaders make confident decisions that align with their vision. He discusses how simplifying complex processes can uncover opportunities for pure progress and ensure that your business remains a cornerstone of your life.
EPISODE #506: BANTERING WITH BASTIAT: TIMELESS TRUTHS FROM A FREE-MARKETER
In this unique episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed embark on a journey through time as they "interview" the legendary 19th-century French economist, Frédéric Bastiat. Thanks to AI technology, ChatGPT will bring Bastiat back to life, offering insights in his signature style on some of today’s pressing economic issues. From his famous concept of “the seen and the unseen” to his sharp critiques of protectionism, this virtual conversation delves into how Bastiat’s timeless ideas apply in our modern world. Join us for a thought-provoking dialogue that blurs the lines between history, economics, and technology in ways you’ve never heard before!
EPISODE #505: PURSUING PURPOSE WITH PETER BLOCK
In this episode, Ed and Ron delve into the profound insights from Peter Block's book The Answer to How is Yes, especially his How? vs. What Matters questions. We'll explore these six pivotal questions that Block argues keep us trapped in our current way of thinking and prevent us from embracing true change. These questions, often disguised as practical concerns, subtly hinder our ability to innovate, take risks, and transform both ourselves and the world around us. Join us as we unpack the deeper meaning behind each question and discuss how shifting our mindset can open up new possibilities for leadership, creativity, and personal growth.
EPISODE #504 PREVIEW: DEBUNKING DEGROWTH
In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed explore the themes presented in "Doughnuts and Degrowth" by Andrew Stuttaford. The article delves into the growing ideological shift from economic growth to a focus on sustainability, as advocated by figures like Olivier De Schutter and Kate Raworth. Ron and Ed provide a critical analysis of the so-called "degrowth" movement and its potential impact on democracy, innovation, and individual freedoms.
EPISODE #503: MORAL INJURY — INTERVIEW WITH WENDY DEAN, MD
Co-hosts Ron Baker and Ed Kless talk with Dr. Wendy Dean, author of If I Betray These Words. Dr. Dean, a psychiatrist and co-founder of the nonprofit Moral Injury of Healthcare, explores the profound ethical dilemmas faced by professionals today. Through the lens of her groundbreaking book, Dr. Dean discusses the concept of moral injury—the psychological distress that occurs when individuals feel unable to act according to their ethical and moral values.
EPISODE #502: GERALDINE'S GUIDE TO GREATNESS FOR CPAS
Join Ed and Ron for an enlightening interview with Geraldine Carter, a consultant to CPA firms and author of the transformative book "Down to 40 Hours: A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Giving Up Revenue." Geraldine's mission is to help overworked CPAs reclaim their time and create the accounting firms and lives they've always dreamed of.
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Ron Baker
Ronald J. Baker started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute—the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionals internationally—and a radio talk-show host on the www.VoiceAmerica.com show: The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy, and the Chief Value Officer at Armanino LLP.
As a frequent speaker, writer, and educator, his work takes him around the world. He has been an instructor with the California CPA Education Foundation since 1995 and has authored over twenty courses for them, including: You Are What You Charge For: Success in Today’s Emerging Experience Economy (with Daniel Morris); Alternatives to the Federal Income Tax; Trashing the Timesheet: A Declaration of Independence; Everyday Economics; Everyday Ethics: Doing Well by Doing Good; and The Best Business Books You Should Read.
He is the author of seven best-selling books, including: Professional’s Guide to Value Pricing; The Firm of the Future: A Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional Services, co-authored with Paul Dunn; Pricing on Purpose: Creating and Capturing Value; Measure What Matters to Customers: Using Key Predictive Indicators; Mind Over Matter: Why Intellectual Capital is the Chief Source of Wealth; Implementing Value Pricing: A Radical Business Model for Professional Firms; and his latest book The Soul of Enterprise: Dialogues on Business in the Knowledge Economy, co-authored with Ed Kless.
Ron has toured the world, spreading his value-pricing message to over 220,000 professionals. He has been appointed to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s Group of One Hundred, a think tank of leaders to address the future of the profession; named on Accounting Today’s 2001 to 2007, and 2011 to 2019, Top 100 Most Influential People in the profession; voted among the Top Ten Most Influential People in the profession in 2012—2019; selected as one of LinkedIn’s Influencer Bloggers; inducted into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018; and received the 2003 Award for Instructor Excellence from the California CPA Education Foundation. He graduated in 1984 from San Francisco State University, with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a minor in economics. He is a graduate of Disney University and Cato University, and is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society. He presently resides in Petaluma, California.
Ed Kless
Ed Kless joined Sage in July of 2003 and is currently the senior director of partner development and strategy. He develops and delivers curriculum for Sage business partners on the art and practice of small business consulting including the Sage Consulting Academy, Business Strategy and Customer Experience Workshops.
Ed hosts the Sage Advice Podcast and co-hosts the VoiceAmerica TalkShow Network’s The Soul of Enterprise with Ron Baker, founder of the VeraSage Institute where Ed is also a senior fellow. They coauthored The Soul of Enterprise: Dialogues on Business in the Knowledge Economy, a compendium of a few of the episodes.
Prior to joining Sage, Ed worked with Tipping Point Advisors, an organization dedicated to the growth and development of software implementation partners. In 1996, he co- founded Third Wave Business Systems, a Microsoft Dynamics GP partner that grew to 20 team members and $5 million in revenue. At Third Wave, Ed developed the implementation methodology and led the CRM and ERP consulting teams.
Ed is a contributor to industry publications and has spoken at many conferences worldwide on project management, pricing, and knowledge workers. He is also active in the Information Technology Alliance (ITA) and has been named to Accounting Today’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in Accounting numerous times including 2019. Additionally, Ed is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society.
He lives north of Dallas with his wife and two children and ran for Texas State Senate in 2010 and 2012 as a Libertarian.
Follow him on his blog at www.edkless.com or on Twitter @edkless.
Time’s Up NOW AVAILABLE
We have some great news!
In 2003, Ron Baker and Paul Dunn published The Firm of the Future: A Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional which revolutionized the business model of professional firms worldwide.
Now they are back with Time’s Up: The Subscription Business Model for Professional Firms which once again upends the business model.
