that we have supported this event for years and plan to continue is the best indicator that we believe the investment is worth- while,” says Whitmore, adding that several of Deloitte’s partners have participated in bands, and he’s even made a “cameo appearance” with his bass. The bands go through 10 weeks of rehearsals (Deloitte pro-
vides rehearsal space at a professionally equipped studio, along with pizza and beer during jam sessions to sweeten the deal), culminating in a performance for 600 of their colleagues, friends and family members, who vote for their favourite group.
“There’s a perception that golf is how you do business. I don’t like golf. League of
Rock has really expanded my network,” says D’Ugo
The winners then compete for Team Deloitte at the Big Four Battle of the Bands — a huge concert in October that sees groups from PwC, KPMG, EY and Deloitte face off in front of more than 1,500 fans for the title of supreme rockers. Raj Kothari, managing partner and national asset manage-
ment leader at PwC Canada, attributes the popularity of Big Four Battle of the Bands — an idea that was conceived when two partners from Deloitte and PwC were sharing their passion for music over drinks — to the variety of ways in which people can participate. “[It doesn’t matter] whether you’re a rock star at heart, someone who enjoys listening to music or someone who’s out to support a friend or colleague,” he says. “What makes the program so compelling is its inclusive nature in a non-boardroom setting. It adds colour to our firm’s culture and reminds us that we’re all unique people under our black suits.” Assistant assurance and advisory manager Vivi Wang, who
signed up for Deloitte’s League of Rock when she transferred to Toronto from the Halifax office last year, says the program has been a good opportunity for her to branch out, meet people and do something fun with coworkers outside of the office. Not ready to make her debut on stage, Wang landed a gig as Half
Way to Disco’s band manager, and is responsible for coordinat- ing the musicians’ schedules for practices and shows and man- aging ticket sales and promotions. (Ticket proceeds go to charity: in the past five years Deloitte’s League of Rock has raised more than $100,000 for the United Way and the Big Four showcase has been used as a rallying tool to help each firm raise millions in their overall annual United Way campaigns.) “We’ve had tremendous support from partners, colleagues, friends and families. It’s all for a good cause, but it’s also a great way to engage everyone and build relationships,” says Wang. The program definitely struck
a chord with Half Way to Disco’s bassist, David Tang, senior con- sultant in the firm’s enterprise risk services practice. “Getting to go up on stage in front of a packed house lets you experi- ence what it’s like to be a rock star — even if it’s only for one night,” he says. “It also let me see the other accountants in the office in a new light. Anthony is
a perfect example. The first time I saw him shred that solo from ‘Beat It,’ my jaw dropped to the floor.” For D’Ugo, who joined League of Rock three years ago when
his business travel schedule allowed him the time to make rehearsals on Thursday nights, the program has not only given him the chance to get back to his musical roots — he has played the guitar since he was 12 and was part of a band until he had to put it aside to concentrate on accounting courses and work at 24 — but also to interact with colleagues from other departments and schmooze with partners. “There’s pressure to network when you’re a senior manager, and there’s a perception that golf is how you do business. I don’t like golf. This has really expanded my network.” He credits the program’s success — and the fun he’s had
jamming with Half Way to Disco, which, incidentally, was last year’s victor at the Big Four Battle of the Bands — to the firm’s pledge of inclusion. “Supporting the program is obviously a big commitment,” he says. “But the executives love it and so do we.”
LISA VAN DE GEYN is a Toronto-based freelance writer and a contributing editor to CPA Magazine
APRIL 2015 | CPA MAGAZINE | 29
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