We interviewed Stephen Bushell, DFK International President, Cheree Woolcock, VP DFK Asia Pacific, and Gary Nugent, DFKANZ Chair about their recent attendance at the DFK Global Conference that was held in Sydney.
You can watch the full interview below, or scroll down and read the key discussion points.
The discussion with Stephen Bushell, DFK International President, Cheree Woolcock, VP DFK Asia Pacific, and Gary Nugent, DFKANZ Chair, vividly demonstrates the value of being a member of DFKANZ. From building deep, trusted relationships to gaining access to global knowledge and providing enhanced services to clients, these are advantages that solo firms cannot replicate, making a strong case for considering DFK membership.
Relationships and trust building
Stephen emphasised the importance of building trust and relationships within the association, which are deepened through face-to-face interactions at conferences. He shared how these connections often develop beyond purely professional relationships, evolving into friendships that are invaluable for collaboration and support.
Cheree echoed this sentiment, noting that relationships built at these conferences are not only beneficial professionally but also personally enriching. She pointed out that being part of DFK allows members to form bonds that are strengthened over time and across vast geographical distances.
Gary explained the role these relationships play when promoting their firms’ services. Unlike larger groups that might rely on directories, DFK members have the advantage of genuine, trusted connections with colleagues worldwide, something a solo firm cannot offer.
Access to global knowledge and perspectives:
Stephen and Cheree highlighted the world-class calibre speakers, such as Jonathan Payne and Gihan Perera, DFK secures for conferences. Their powerful presentations on global economic trends and future technologies equipped association members with knowledge that can be directly applied to client engagements, providing a tangible competitive edge.
Gary also emphasised the significance of these global perspectives, noting that the national and international conferences our members and their teams can attend provide a broader understanding and innovative thinking that can be missing from local seminars. The fresh ideas and strategies members are exposed to can be used to improve their service offerings.
Stephen mentioned how the insights on rising economies like India and NVIDIA have already informed his client discussions. These sort of insights, in turn, can help DFKANZ clients make better decisions, especially when exploring new markets or investment opportunities.
Collaboration and synergy:
Gary explained how being part of the DFKANZ association allows firms to present themselves as part of a larger, powerful entity while retaining their unique culture and independence. He emphasised that this collective strength provides a significant advantage over solo firms. For example, his firm, which does not offer audit services, can still provide this to clients through their trusted connections within the DFK family.
Stephen added that the synergy among DFK firms enables them to offer a broader range of services and expertise to clients. This collective capability is something that solo firms simply cannot match, making DFK membership a compelling proposition.
This combination of autonomy and global reach is a powerful draw for firms considering membership.
Staff engagement and development:
Cheree shared how the conference in Australia provided a unique opportunity for her team to engage with global leaders, which contributes to enhanced engagement and ultimately, retention.
Prestige and recognition:
Stephen mentioned how Australia’s DFK firms are seen as innovators within the global network, with marketing and leadership initiatives started by DFKANZ being adopted/adapted by other member firms. Hosting the global conference in Sydney further enhanced the reputation of the association and member firms which may open more cross-country referrals.
