How did your business journey begin?
Sitting in hospital in early 2019, after going through a marriage breakdown and finding myself out of work just a few months later; I had what I now call my “entrepreneurial moment”. I decided it was time to put almost two decades of working to serve the commercial aims of corporates and consultancies behind me, and start doing things my way. Starting my own business consultancy was something I'd wanted to do for some time. This was my time.
The name ToBe Advisory came about serendipitously, and all-importantly, the domain name was available so I jumped on it. All I needed to was figure out how to differentiate in the market, and how it would help me live my purpose… whatever it was.
It took a good 18 months of personal reflection and strategic thinking, press coverage of large companies behaving badly, and a global pandemic. Then the "ah-ha" moments started flowing. My journey of 'self-discovery' reinforced what I already felt: I just want to help people make their world a better place, and make the world a better place for all of us. It also became apparent that despite many companies having a purpose, or at least honourable values, there was a significant opportunity to assist businesses to balance profit and purpose, and prove it to themselves and stakeholders.
So, ToBe Advisory's mission is to “instil ‘for-purpose’ as a key reason for profit in all organisations”. It’s services are to implement systems and processes for boards and business owners to holistically manage performance across their numbers, people and environment (my take on ‘triple bottom line' reporting). This enables them to feel confident about their organisation’s profitability, sustainability and impact. Through that, ToBe Advisory helps to make the world a better place!
What are you working on at the moment?
I am developing and delivering a range of services based on triple bottom line approaches to management and reporting; what I call "holistic business management". This includes:
- A holistic business management maturity model and diagnostic tool, to help business leaders quickly get a sense for where they can shift the dial towards a more holistic approach to managing their businesses' profitability, sustainability and impact.
- Systems and processes for triple bottom line reporting; enabling boards and business owners to see the most relevant information on the numbers, people and environmental performance of a business regularly and on an ongoing basis.
- As a 'B Consultant', assisting businesses to navigate B Corporation certification; demonstrating their commitment to driving positive environmental outcomes and social impact.
What do you love about being a part of the Spacecubed community?
I don’t fully know yet, as I've only just joined! However, I have several colleagues here and have been in/around the various spaces a few times, so have a bit of familiarity. I love the way Spacecubed lives its purpose, and the genuine commitment to positive social outcomes that people in the community have. I'm excited to be here, and meeting many more great people to work with.
Can you share with us one of your favourite success stories?
Getting ToBe Advisory to where it is today has taken many years of hard work. Initially, to gain the ‘desirable’ skills and experience without really knowing what I was doing it for, just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other to “pay the bills”. Then more recently, to hone 20 years of knowledge and experience into business and operating models that provide a platform by which I can 'walk the talk' of running a business for a purpose beyond profit.
I’m able to do what many people can only ever dream of; I am able to live what I feel is my purpose: helping people make to their world a better place, and make the world a better place for all of us. I consider getting to a position to be able to do that, in a potentially high impact and meaningful way, as a pretty big success! Oh, and I leant to kitesurf recently – a seriously dangerous sport but so much fun!
To find out more about Michael and ToBe Advisory, check out his website here, or if you want to join the Spacecubed community and see if a shared workspace is the right option for your business in 2021, discover our trial options! We're offering $200 for 30 days - find out more, and sign up for this great offer here.
