An insightful article from one of our esteemed partners – UHY M.L. Aguirre & Co., CPAs
Every busy season, firms like ours run like a machine: deadlines, filings, and other client requests—so stepping away from the routine, even for a day, can feel like a luxury. That’s why the UHY Managers and Partners Retreat in 2026 showed why the best companies make time to slow down and pause.
The retreat brought together key members across the UHY M.L. Aguirre & Co., CPAs network for one goal: to brainstorm where the firm is taking its path and what leaders should do to get there.
Leadership Is Not About Titles
The day began with opening remarks from the firm’s managing partner, Michael Aguirre, CPA, MBA, MST, who discussed the importance of prompt client response and the firm’s revenue growth, highlighting upcoming alliances and expansion plans, including offices in Dubai, Pakistan, and Iran.
Subsequently, one of the keynote speakers and a partner of the firm, Dr. Eliseo Aurellado, CPA, MBA, opened by reminding the members that leadership is not just about titles; rather, it is actualized by knowing when to lead, when to serve, and how to help the next generation in becoming a better version of what is in the present.
Moreover, his session compared transformational leadership and servant leadership, in which the former inspires people in pursuing a bigger vision while the latter puts the growth and well-being of the team first before anything else. Also, it tackled a question that many firms face—how to lead a younger generation of professionals who value purpose, flexibility, and growth, as well as compensation.
The takeaway is that leaders do not have to choose between high standards and genuine care for their people, as the strongest teams usually have both.
Strategy Cannot Be Built on Wishful Thinking
Proceeding to the 2nd keynote speaker, who was Dean Danny Cabulay, a message stood out: a good strategy cannot be built on wishful thinking without its necessary elements. As such, it demands research, ethics, good governance, sound judgment, and a clear understanding of where the team truly wants to go.
His session on strategic planning brought out a few practical ideas, such as:
- Planning during mid-year, not at year-end: As December comes, budgets are commonly fixed, and the energy is low. Thus, by planning earlier, there is room for proper budgeting and the capacity to execute.
- Involving the people who will carry out the plan: Strategies should be accompanied by the people who will carry them out and actualize them, so that it does not remain a “plan” in itself.
- Let data lead: good decisions rely on how research, competitor, and market analysis is done, not just on the gut feeling that leaders have.
- Set SMART goals: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals turn a vision into a to-do list.
Furthermore, ethics and good governance are not to be considered as side topics, as they will serve as the foundation of any strategy—especially in a profession built on trust.
Leadership is also Communication
As the program continued in the afternoon, a Toastmasters International demonstration program was held, led by Director Ian Cortez, intended to improve the firm members’ public speaking. The participants saw the full format applied in action, whether it was a prepared speech, impromptu table topics, or structured evaluations.
Apart from the leadership theme of the retreat, it emphasized the essence of communication. The demo program showcased the need to listen better, think clearly, speak with courage, and tell stories that empower people, not just give them instructions.
Also, the segment evaluates how useful the speeches were. The evaluators commended the strong openings, good body language, and proficient storytelling, and suggested ways to reduce filler words, make better eye contact, and connect with the audience so they feel the speaker is present with them.
Before We Lead, We Must Be Present
With the great Raju Mandhyan, he gave the simplest reminder that was also one of the most meaningful: before we can lead others, we first need to be fully present.
Thus, he led the group via a short meditation on presence. Indeed, for people who spend most of their days handling client calls, deadlines, and notifications, it was a gentle reminder that attention is a professional skill. Truly, it can affect clients, as they can tell whether they have your full attention, and so can colleagues.
The takeaway was that presence improves the overall quality of a conversation, which truly matters in a business where professional advice is one of the main products.
Responsiveness is a Competitive Advantage
All throughout the retreat, one message was considered a key component: being prompt in responding to clients. Without a doubt, in a market where many firms offer almost the same service, speed and attentiveness are the crucial way to stand out. Thus, clients remember who answered their questions the same day and who took a very long time.
Besides, technology has increased its capabilities to support responsiveness. Teams across departments have discussed automation, digital monitoring tools, and AI-assisted workflows, such as BETH version 2.0—Babylon2k’s AI Chatbot, designed as a pre-sale concierge to help business owners find the right specialist much faster. Also, the discussion emphasized that these tools are only as good as the accuracy of what they are taught, especially with Philippine regulations changing often. Ultimately, technology should make professionals do the higher-value work and not replace professional judgment.
Protecting the People Behind the Work
Above all, the retreat also addressed work-life balance and managing a multigenerational workforce. Truly, busy season is an inherent part of the profession, but it should not come at the expense of experiencing burnout. As a remedy, transparent calendars, realistic workloads, and genuine care for the members help keep us firm and resilient. Additional non-monetary factors such as trust, recognition, and a caring leadership culture are often what keep good people.
Final Thoughts
In summary, “Unplug, Harmonize, and Yield” is more than a retreat theme; it describes how a firm grows by stepping back from the noise and aligning factors as a team to achieve overall objectives. At Babylon2k, we carry these lessons into how we serve MSMEs, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, helping them stay compliant, make sound decisions, and grow with confidence.
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