XLNC Focus Groups
- read the latest updates
Discover what's new in our Focus Groups and read what to expect during the upcoming Focus Group meetings in Oslo.
Focus Groups have been listed in alphabetical order by group name. For those meeting in Oslo, we have only listed the Meeting Chair(s) rather than the Global Chair(s).
Meeting Chair Laurens Nijssen
An informal meeting, where participants will get the opportunity to get to know each other. Laurens will discuss working with the network and then touch upon recent developments in the field.
Global Chair Richard Kleiner
In pursuit of finding the most efficient ways to foster collaboration and interaction between XLNC member firms, XLNC Steering Committee members and I meet regularly to and explore suitable projects and tools that member firms worldwide can leverage.As the network continues to grow, we have discussed ways to bring together decades of experience in our respective specific professions, so that each XLNC member can both benefit from the knowledge of fellow member firms and access real-life experiences regarding operational issues they may confront. In order to address this objective, we have launched the XLNC Best Practices Focus Group.The goal of this Focus Group is to foster ongoing exchange between members across countries and professions on several topics, such as remuneration for team members, staff retention, how to tackle inflation, cybersecurity, financial issues including protocols around billing and credit control, HR matters, and so on. These are all topics we continuously deal with in our professional lives, so why not openly discuss them and learn from each other’s experiences via the XLNC platform?The first in-person meeting of the XLNC Best Practices Focus Group took place at the XLNC Summer Conference in Dusseldorf this June. The session was very productive and many new ideas and topics came up as suggestions for further focused discussion at the upcoming XLNC Autumn Conference in Oslo this October.
Some topics for discussion in Oslo include:
How to use AI, bots, and other tools in our day-to-day business to reduce manual workloads;
How to expand your practice to target new mandates and clients;
Business development – how do we define it, and why we should all engage in it;
Use of fixed pricing/value pricing with three-tiered package pricing;
Sales and marketing in professional services in order to gain long-term clients (recurring services);
Additional services beyond basic bookkeeping, accounting, and tax work;
Staff retention, bonus plans, and similar benefits for non-partners.
If you are interested in contributing to this focus group and particularly to the upcoming in-person session in Oslo, please email Richard Kleiner, or Marco Izzo. I look forward to welcoming you to the XLNC Best Practices Focus Group and to working together on fostering the exchange of knowledge and professional experiences within our global network.
Global Co-Chairs Christian Scali & Prof Jo Vanbelle
Scali Rasmussen and XLNC are pleased to announce the appointment of Prof Jo Vanbelle as the Global Co-Chair of the XLNC’s Legal Focus Group (LFG). This key leadership role reflects Prof Vanbelle’s distinguished career and commitment to excellence in the legal profession. Jo Vanbelle will serve alongside Christian Scali, Managing Shareholder at Scali Rasmussen, P.C.
Prof Vanbelle is the Managing Partner at Vanbelle Law Boutique, a firm he founded in 1995. Under his leadership, Vanbelle Law Boutique has consistently earned recognition as the best firm in Belgium in international tax and corporate law, winning prestigious awards annually since its inception. His expertise and vision have positioned the firm as a leader in these fields, both nationally and internationally.
Together, Messrs. Vanbelle and Scali will steer the LFG in advancing legal practice within the XLNC community, fostering collaboration, and setting strategic priorities for the group.
The LFG will convene its next meeting at the upcoming XLNC Autumn Conference in Oslo.
What to expect in Oslo:
The LFG session will feature presentations from members about "Navigating International Legal Landscapes: Unique Legal Features and Strategies for Client Preparedness". Participants will spotlight unique legal features within jurisdictions around the world that will educate members in further understanding international legal landscapes, so they can best prepare their clients when the need arises.
Meeting Chair Marco Izzo
The XLNC M&A & Corporate Finance Focus Group will hold its next in-person meeting during the upcoming XLNC Autumn Conference in Oslo.The programme for the session will feature presentations from representatives of XLNC member firms active in M&A transaction: Richard Kleiner (Gerald Edelman, UK) will provide a corporate finance update from Gerald Edelman. Jo Vanbelle (Vanbelle Law, Belgium) will update the audience on share deals versus asset deals. Alexander Kern (TrustConsult, Monaco) will share insights on navigating M&A in the UAE, and last, but not least, Bert Rasmussen (Scali Rasmussen, USA) will discuss employing AI in due diligence.
XLNC members are encouraged to take advantage of the M&A and Corporate Finance Focus Group, and of the various networking opportunities during the conference in Oslo to discuss active deal prospects and opportunities to collaborate with fellow members. Members are also supported by efficient tools such as the XLNC Deal Sharing platform.
Have you joined the XLNC Deal-Sharing Platform?
All XLNC members can request log-in details to access the XLNC DSP.
The DSP enables users to find existing deals, post new opportunities and communicate with M&A and corporate finance professionals within XLNC and worldwide. The DSP helps make the complex world of M&A deals simpler, more efficient and cost effective, and provides an efficient website internal area with private forum, events information and documents sharing area.
The Global Opportunities Focus Group database is also accessible from the DSP under the menu tab "External data".
Global Chairs Dr Benjamin Cortez & Sonal Shah
The XLNC Tax Focus Group (TFG) has set its goal to generate a strong and lasting bond amongst XLNC’s tax-centric members. We strongly believe that the strongest bonds are created through personal interaction. XLNC in-person conferences offer a unique environment to get to know fellow colleagues, exchange views, and foster an understanding of how members can help one another to provide exceptional cross-border service to our clients. Many lasting bonds have been established over the past few years and we are convinced that the TFG session in Oslo will offer another such opportunity to broaden and strengthen the network amongst XLNC members.
We have developed an interesting and inspiring agenda for the Oslo TFG session that will provide a basis for discussion on current and relevant tax topics. After introductions, we will discuss how AI will impact how we work and provide our services in taxation. We will discuss the impact the shortage of qualified staff in tax areas will have on our services. We will also identify the key areas of taxation that we believe will be of the highest relevance for our practices.
Not a member of the TFG yet? Not a problem. Take the opportunity to join the TFG session in Oslo or reach out to Sonal or Ben at the conference to discuss what the TFG can offer you and what opportunities exist to broaden your network within XLNC. If you would like to contribute to the TFG session in Oslo or would like to provide an article to the upcoming TFG newsletter please feel free to reach out to Sonal and Ben.
We look forward to seeing you in Oslo for what surely will be a fantastic conference.
Meeting Chair Cécile Civiale Vuillier
During this meeting, Cécile Civiale Vuiller will discuss “Beyond Borders: Wealth Management and Estate Planning for Global HNWI and UHNWI Clients in Uncertain Times”.
Meeting Chairs Louise Lecanda & Sonal Shah
Inspired by the need to create role models, the Women in Business Focus Group was created as a platform for like-minded female professionals and entrepreneurs to share their stories, achievements and challenges to inspire each other and create deep connections. We launched the focus group in May 2023.
In follow up to the successful in-person session in Dusseldorf, which was co-chaired by Sonal Shah (Partner at Gerald Edelman, UK), Louise Lecanda (Partner at Advodan, Denmark) and Inmaculada Pineda (Partner at B Law & Tax), we look forward to welcoming you to the next session in Oslo.
For our session in Oslo, we have a booked lunch at a restaurant called Ekebergrestauranten, located in the hills just above Oslo, with a stunning view of the inner Oslo fjord, the city, and the Oslo Opera House.
We have decided to keep this session informal, whereby like-minded individuals are able to enjoy a beautiful lunch with stunning views whilst sharing personal experiences, getting to know each other better, and allowing members to connect on a one-on-one basis to encourage and promote greater business opportunities amongst us.
Sharing personal experiences in such a close-knit group is a great benefit, and we look forward to welcoming you in Oslo.
