The CEO’s Desk

The CEO’s Desk A thought-provoking podcast series featuring business leaders, financial and other experts

It might sound like you have to say yes when a client asks for something urgently, but you don’t.First, check if you’re ...
02/05/2025

It might sound like you have to say yes when a client asks for something urgently, but you don’t.

First, check if you’re in a position to deliver without letting other important clients down. If you can’t, be honest about your capacity and, if possible, suggest someone else who can help.

It’s not about saying no — it’s about managing your priorities while still being helpful.

02/05/2025

Saying "yes" to everything can lead to burnout and missed opportunities. Master the art of saying "no" with confidence and professionalism, without compromising relationships. Discover how setting boundaries can actually strengthen your business and reputation.

A Story of Two Tales: Sacrifice, Legacy, and Leadership Without a TitleThis photo tells a story most leadership books do...
29/04/2025

A Story of Two Tales: Sacrifice, Legacy, and Leadership Without a Title

This photo tells a story most leadership books don’t—but Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek comes close.

In 2012, I graduated. Behind the gown, certificate, and smile stood a quiet giant—my mother. She was right there beside me, just as she’d been through every late night, financial sacrifice, and prayer.

She gave up her own education so I could pursue mine. She made the choice to delay her dream to fund mine. No leadership title was ever given to her—but make no mistake, she led. Authentically. Selflessly. With conviction.

Four years later, in 2016, the roles reversed. My mother wore her own cap and gown, and I had the honour of standing proudly by her side this time. She returned to college, then university—and graduated. Her dream was fulfilled.

That’s what The CEO’s Desk podcast is all about—real leadership. Leadership without applause. Leadership in action, not title. The kind that shows up, sacrifices, supports, and inspires.

My mother’s story is not just special—it’s transformational. And it’s shaped the way I lead in business and in life. Today, I apply the same principle in every boardroom and with every team:

True leaders don’t rush to the front. True leaders make sure others are fed first.

As we prepare to launch The CEO’s Desk, I honour the woman who taught me that you don’t need a position to lead—you only need love, courage, and purpose.

Every phase of business demands something different from you. Early on, it might mean long hours and client visits. Late...
28/04/2025

Every phase of business demands something different from you. Early on, it might mean long hours and client visits. Later, it could be lead generation and team building. The key is knowing where you are right now and showing up for what your business needs at that stage.

How are you showing up for your business today? 👊

28/04/2025

Everyone wants the shortcut to success but the truth is, there isn’t one!

When Ishmael Bangura started his accountancy practice, it meant late nights, client visits, and endless hustle. He knew exactly where his business was at every stage and adapted as it grew.

👉 Focus.
👉 Put in the hours.
👉 Deliver great service.
👉 And handle challenges head-on.

That’s how you build something that lasts.

Tag a business owner who needs this reminder today. 💪🔥

Building a strong team isn’t just a task; it’s an ongoing process that requires patience, trust, and the right people. F...
25/04/2025

Building a strong team isn’t just a task; it’s an ongoing process that requires patience, trust, and the right people. From senior management to functional teams, success comes when everyone shares the same vision and commitment. It’s not always easy, but with the right foundation, great things are possible. 💪

25/04/2025

Team building isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about finding the right people who align with your vision and values. 🔍

In this clip, we talk about what it really takes to build a strong team from the top down—why it’s rarely perfect on the first try, and how trust, patience, and empowerment play a major role in the process.

✅ It’s not easy.
✅ It takes time.
✅ But when you get it right, everything flows better—from decisions to ex*****on.

Whether you’re scaling a startup or leading a growing department, this reminder hits home: team building is a journey, not a checkbox.

Have you experienced the trial and error of building a team? Let us know in the comments👇

When & How to Pivot in a Financial CrisisBefore COVID-19 hit, my business was doing well.We had clients. We had momentum...
24/04/2025

When & How to Pivot in a Financial Crisis

Before COVID-19 hit, my business was doing well.
We had clients. We had momentum. Things were on track.

Then the pandemic came—and like many others, I watched half of my client base vanish almost overnight.

It wasn’t because they made bad decisions.
It was because their industries couldn’t survive the shock.
And when they went under, it hit my bottom line too.

I had two options:
Sit tight and hope things bounce back
Or pivot fast and find new relevance

I chose to pivot.

👉 I restructured my offering.
👉 I shifted from compliance-focused services to advisory work.
👉 I reached out to fellow accountants and said:

"Let me help you support your clients. I can provide loan financing, BBL applications, and government support documentation."

I registered with platforms like Capitalise and other loan-sourcing solutions.
I became a connector and problem-solver—not just a numbers guy.

And that pivot didn’t just keep my business alive…

It positioned me for long-term growth.

📌 The lesson?
You don’t wait for a perfect time to pivot.
You pivot when the need is clear and your relevance is at risk.
You pivot when your clients are shifting—and you shift with them.

🎙️ This is the kind of story we unpack on The CEO’s Desk Podcast—where we talk about real leadership, the messy middle, and the strategies behind the headlines.

✨ The secret to sustainable business growth? People.When you align the right talent with the right roles at the right ti...
23/04/2025

✨ The secret to sustainable business growth? People.
When you align the right talent with the right roles at the right time, success becomes a natural byproduct. 🚀

This quote from Lucinda Reader hits home.

🎧 Catch more wisdom like this on The CEOs Desk where business leaders and entrepreneurs share what truly moves the needle.

23/04/2025

From skills mapping to succession planning, expert Lucinda Reader breaks down the ingredients of Business Success. 💼✨

✅ Know the skills your business actually needs
✅ Identify the gaps and upskill your team
✅ Create a culture where people want to stay

Because when you've got the right people in the right place at the right time, business success follows. 👏

A Reflection on Leadership, Faith, and the Legacy of Pope FrancisToday, I join millions around the world in mourning the...
22/04/2025

A Reflection on Leadership, Faith, and the Legacy of Pope Francis

Today, I join millions around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a man whose humility, wisdom, and unwavering moral compass brought the global Church closer together during one of its most complex chapters.

His leadership was never loud or forceful—but it was steadfast, authentic, and incredibly powerful. Whether confronting internal challenges or advocating for the poor and marginalised, Pope Francis led with a rare kind of courage: the courage to be consistent in compassion.

His legacy brings me back to my early years at St. Paul’s and later St. Anthony Boys, where I was deeply immersed in the Catholic faith. It was in those classrooms and chapels that I learned about integrity, service, and discipline—values that have remained with me through every stage of my life.

Though I am now Baptist, the roots of my Catholic upbringing still shape the man I am today. It’s why, to this day, I’ve chosen to abstain from smoking and drinking, not out of pride, but from a deep sense of self-awareness, spiritual grounding, and personal conviction that I developed in those formative years.

As I reflect on Pope Francis’ passing, I am reminded that leadership is not about control—it's about conviction. It's about being unshaken in your values, even when the world is shifting around you.

This principle is at the heart of The CEO’s Desk, a podcast I’m excited to launch soon. It’s a space where we’ll explore leadership that is authentic, values-driven, and human. The kind Pope Francis modeled on a global scale—and the kind I believe every business leader should aspire to.

Let us honour his memory by not just remembering his leadership, but by living it—in our boardrooms, our homes, and our everyday decisions.

Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Your light endures.

Building confidence isn’t an overnight process. It’s a journey that requires patience, self-belief, and the right suppor...
21/04/2025

Building confidence isn’t an overnight process. It’s a journey that requires patience, self-belief, and the right support. Whether it’s through learning, mentorship, or staying consistent, every step forward counts. 🌱

Stay committed to your growth, and watch your confidence grow with time.

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