Some people get all 'star struck' when they encounter a celebrity, be that an actor like Mel Gibson, or a singer like Olivia Newton-John, a Golfer like Greg Norman, a model like Elle Macpherson, or even a mathematician like Terence Tao. By the way did you notice the pattern in this group? They are all native Australians.
Well, 'star struck' is kind of how I feel in light of this week's Women in Accounting Wednesday participant, who is another native Australian, and who just happens to also be our 2016 International ProAdvisor of the Year, Diane Lucas. I don't know how much time you have spent in the company of any Australians, but pretty much the entire clan are a bunch of firecrackers, and Diane is no different. You could say she has a beautifully explosive personality...she is a real 'firecracker.'
I met Diane at an Intuit VIP event a few years back, and just happened to get assigned to a table full of Australians who were attending the event. Each table had a group of projects to complete, and by the end of those 2 or 3 days I had become an 'honorary Aussie'.
You might think life in the accounting, bookkeeping and business advisory profession would be different 'down under' than here in the U.S. but I think you will find out from reading this article that they are mostly the same, and that's especially true for women in the profession who must also handle the responsibilities of family and home life.
So I began by asking Diane to simply describe her professional practice. She told me, "Call it foresight, but when I first started Direct Management in 2006 I had in mind bookkeeping but also more. Hence the business name doesn’t include any reference to bookkeeping. Today, bookkeeping comprises around 60% of the business with the balance made up of training and consultancy services.
From a solopreneur to a 6 person practice, I have always aimed to drive a firm based on integrity, a desire to embrace change, nurture development and provide a positive and supportive environment.
Our team is comprised of myself, the chief ideas person; my office manager Jackie, who is the real boss, and four others. Karen is my right hand, who has stepped up in to training and consult activities. Kelley is our bookkeeper extraordinaire. Linda is our constant reminder that being nice to clients is effective, and Leanne is our newbie sponge."
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Then I ask Diane to tell me 'what one or two thing' make the biggest difference in helping her accomplish both work and personal commitments? She replied, "...my phone, it's my everything...calendar, banking access, emails, receipt uploads, flight schedules, social media, camera, weather, Google, music, and much more...my phone is my access to it all. It's extraordinary to think that it's only been 15 years since I bought my first cell phone, which was a flip-phone. I wouldn't know what I was doing without it, not tomorrow or in the next hour; I wouldn't even know what to wear without my smart phone. It's the first thing I check in the morning, and the last thing I check at night."
"The second is my car....I think you must have a car that you enjoy driving. I drive a new Honda Civic RS and I really enjoy it, even though I have to be in it as long as I do, at least driving it, means I can enjoy my commute. Not to mention, a 'zippy car' gets you everywhere faster."
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We have been asking all of our Women in Accounting Wednesday participants to select two words that best describe their daily life in relationship to family and home life, Diane selected 'Absent and Proud' saying "...the reality is that to run your own business with a growth mindset makes a huge impact into family life. Becoming a bookkeeper as a lifestyle choice for optimizing income with family time wasn’t quite my motivation when I started Direct Management.
As a consequence, my availability to be a home mum perhaps didn’t meet the expectations of some. However, now that my three children are adults (19, 21, 23) I can say that I am extremely proud of the independent, resilient and self-motivated people they have become."
In looking at here business, home and family obligations Diane told us, "...I am in a fortunate stage of my life where I can finally start to be a little more selfish (or feel less guilty for being selfish) about working for my Why. By being who I am and doing what I love, I feel that I am in the best position to be the best person I can be.
Distractions are my choice, it means that I am present for my family and my team. By being present, I am available to support and nurture but I also make it my aim to be an enabler. Some would call it ‘tough love’.
I call it creating people who understand action, reaction and consequence using it to make choices. And by the way, 'my Why' well that's to encourage others to embrace change so that their lives become a continual journey of learning and inspiration to those around them."
Diane told Insightful Accountant that she considered a conducive work environment to be one of the biggest benefits of her situation, especially in terms of 'mental stimulation.' She went on to say, "Being in a motivational environment means that you are more likely to avoid distractions. Less distraction means more time for inspirational activities that you enjoy. Or at the least, faster completion of those activities that need to be finalized."
As I said earlier, Diane has a 'bubbly personality' that seems to be on-fire whenever she is around people. She gives a new meaning to terms like 'robust and outgoing', she is always at the top of her game. At least when I have been around her, she seems to be a never ending source of energy, so I had to wonder 'does she ever relax, and if so how'? I just had to ask her to tell us how she treated herself to some 'me' time? Diane told me, "...my definition and understanding of what is leisure and relaxation has changed as the person I am has changed. A simple Friday evening, relaxed with a bottle of ‘bubbly’ and a dozen fresh oysters caps off a perfect week.
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But also, keeping the greys at bay with a regular hairdressing appointment keeps me feeling my brain age.
My body doesn’t enjoy getting older so my newest ‘treat’ is to workout. Not exactly relaxing but it is a leisure activity overlooked for far too long."
Long-distance between Oklahoma and Australia makes for perhaps a shorter interview than some of our other Women in Accounting Wednesday features, but I did give Diane the opportunity to kind of 'sum things up'. She told me, "...when it comes to the readership for this new Insightful Accountant feature, there are a couple of things to consider as it relates to gender. Overarching is the emphasis on female focus.
As young females entering this industry, they need to be aware that they are there to do a job – gender should not be relevant. At the same time, these young females are hired to do a job – there is a specific outcome required.
The focus is not on gender but on outcome. So in all cases the focus should be on the objective, the desired outcome, and the best person should be hired accordingly.
But there is another important step as well, and that is to allow our young females to FAIL. It is OK. We must be available to nurture and encourage then but not micromanage them, because mistakes must be made for real learning to occur.
In terms of advice I would provide to the young female reading this feature - Be strong on standing up for what you believe in – often you will do so in the face of adversity as you stand up to narrow minded and self-preserving individuals."
I personally would say that's good advice for anyone, 'female or male' who are entering the accounting, bookkeeping or professional consulting profession.
I want to thank to my 'firecracker from down under', Diane Lucas, for taking the time to visit with me and share her story.
As a women in accounting, bookkeeping or business consulting, Insightful Accountant want's to tell your story as well. If you are interested in participating simply post 'Count me in' within the commend section of this, or any future Women in Accounting Wednesday article.
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