Become one
"When the Invercargill firm merged with another equally large firm, 200 people were thrown together and the wobbly wheels started," he says.
They were still operating like separate businesses and Phil's list of problems got longer every day. His lightbulb moment came in bed one night, when he realised he was still treating it like it was the same business, just twice the size.
"I realised there was actually not one-plus-one business, but there was just one completely new organisation that had to forge its own culture and engage the people."
Phil then embarked on a massive one-on-one consultation process with all 200 people in the firm, asking them what they wanted for the practice and what they needed from their jobs. "These questions, along with open and honest conversations, meant a number of people left the firm, and led a huge cultural shift that drove a very successful large national accounting practice."
One brand with one message
"Going from six separate regions and 24 offices competing for work and not sharing IP, to one business, one strategy and one culture was a real success. This change meant our people got opportunities to change roles or move locations too," Phil recalls.
"Being one firm also meant that we were totally aligned, so change was quicker, rather than fragmented staggered changes over time that damaged the brand. This gave us one clear, consistent message with all the same offerings available from all 24 offices."
Phil believes this approach is a tried-and-tested recipe for success.
"Have a vision, make a plan, deliver it successfully and be accountable for the outcomes." As well as this, Phil thinks some of the other key lessons are:
Making money should not be the goal, but the outcome.
"You get that outcome by delivering value to clients and ensuring your internal people believe in what you do and trust you as a leader.
Don't be afraid to be transparent.
Create an environment where people feel safe enough to be honest, have fun and be respectful.
Tom O'Neil is an award-winning business speaker, best-selling author and MD of both www.TomONeil.com