Rick Yvanovich: Beyond Digital Distractions

Bio:
Rick Yvanovich is an accountant, techie, author, speaker, and CEO, CFO, and coach. A highly accomplished business coach, he helps companies and individuals achieve outstanding success through actionable strategies. As a serial entrepreneur, Rick has built a multimillion-dollar company serving clients in 80 countries, including Fortune 500 firms.

In Vietnam, Rick is a prominent figure and long-serving expat, involved in various organizations. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, he addresses topics like talent, technology, and digital transformation. Combining his coaching passion, certifications, and business expertise, Rick empowers others to reach exceptional milestones

Links: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickyvanovich/
• Website: https://www.rickyvanovich.com/

Quotes:
"We all have the potential to be architects of change."

"We’re not just participants in this ever-changing world; we’re architects shaping the course of our own lives, careers, and the world around us."

Episode Highlights:
Rick shares invaluable insights on how to thrive amidst digital distractions by balancing technological advancements with interpersonal skill development. His reflections on navigating cultural differences from the UK and Switzerland to Vietnam highlight the complexities and growth stemming from living abroad. Through his resilience and experiences as an expat, Rick offers a unique perspective on the importance of community and continuous learning, as well as overcoming cultural dissonances in diverse settings.

Childhood Incidents:
Rick faced challenges during his teens, failing to achieve university-required grades and working in a supermarket instead. This experience fuelled his drive to succeed. Earlier in school, he disliked being overlooked due to his last name, which placed him at the end of alphabetical lists.

Influential Groups:
Rick has actively participated in various networking and business groups, promoting his accounting designation in Vietnam and building strong ties within the accounting community. While in the oil industry, he connected with its specialized network. He also co-founded the British Business Group in Vietnam, where he has contributed for over 20 years, serving on its board and playing a key role in its growth and influence in the business community.

Personality and Temperament:
Rick values independence and enjoys entertaining himself, finding contentment in his own company. He describes himself as introverted, noting that he recharges through solitude rather than social interaction, which can be draining. Nowadays, Rick enjoys being with others as long as he isn’t in charge of the gathering.

Cultural Epiphanies:
In Vietnam's early days, Rick observed the country's underdevelopment and admired the resilience and optimism of its people, who thrived despite earning very little compared to wealthier nations. This contrasted with the UK, where complaints about minor issues were common. As an expat with a multinational company, Rick experienced a stark cultural divide, enjoying a luxurious lifestyle of housing, cars, and maids, which sharply contrasted with locals' modest living conditions.

Soapbox Moment:
Rick's book, "Business as Unusual: How to Thrive in the New Renaissance," offers tools to develop mindset, habits, and purpose, aligning internal goals with external success. It includes assessments and exercises to help readers choose effective strategies for personal growth.