In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Mike Goodfriend, the founder of Goodfriend & Associates in Houston, Texas.
From Audit to HR
Mike was a Senior Auditor with PwC (he had some great assignments!) when he had the opportunity to conduct a training class for the audit team. While he enjoyed auditing, this class lead him to the realization that he wanted to explore some other options. He returned to school to pursue a Masters in Educational Psychology and while there started a consulting business as well. The first year in that consulting business had its challenges, so when the opportunity to return to PwC in the HR department this time presented itself, he decided to return.
Goodfriend & Associates
In the late 1980’s, with much more business experience at this point, Mike founded his present consulting firm – Goodfriend & Associates. He works with clients basically as a ‘teamwork engineer’ to maximize their teamwork systems and their business results. This includes training to align roles and responsibilities, and leading teambuilding activities. He uses the Birkman method to facilitate these sessions.
Mike also coaches leaders and provides leadership and communication skills training. Leadership technology is ever-changing, and Mike can help organizations navigate those changes. Some of the topics he assists clients in understanding are data analytics, platform disruption, building trust, how to accept others, human factors, and process automation.
Another interesting tidbit that came from this interview was the discussion of “Teamwork Sharks”. Teamwork Sharks is a fun activity that help teams learn how to communicate, plan, and discuss business opportunities. You can learn more about Team Sharks here.
Mike also has published a book as well – Breakthrough Time. This book will teach you how to advance your business using the same practices demonstrated in this lesson-filled novel about a client that is commercializing a revolutionary technology.
Lesson learned: People will only change if they have a strong enough reason to change.
You can learn even more about Mike Goodfriend and his consulting business here.
Other podcasts mentioned: Donny Shimamoto CPA – Tech, BI, AI, & Public Speaking!
To listen in on this interview with Mike Goodfriend, please use the player below:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
