Globetrotters: Timon Does Fort Worth

This spring Weaver had four visiting staff members participate in the Weaver Secondment Program. See what Timon Spasovski from Staples Rodway had to say about his experience at Weaver and in the United States.

Name: Timon Spasovski
Position: Senior Associate I, Fort Worth
Dates: January – April 2017
Local Firm: Staples Rodway (New Zealand)

What were the objectives of the secondment?

I view the objectives of the secondment as being cultural, social and professionally enriching. It’s an opportunity to explore new places, meet new people and gain a different perspective of things in general, but especially professionally.

Briefly detail your secondment experience.

My secondment experience has been amazing and one I will not forget. While I was fortunate to go to many places in and outside of Texas, it’s the people I met that made my secondment so fun and memorable. I know those connections will continue into the future.

What have you learned as a result of the secondment experience?

From a social perspective, I’ve learned a lot about American culture and the way of life here. Professionally I got a chance to work on industries I haven’t worked on at home such as hedge funds and healthcare. I also worked on a client that manufactured ropes, lassoes, saddles and other equestrian-rodeo equipment and accessories. I probably won’t get a chance to audit a company like that in New Zealand!

What was something that surprised you about the local culture?

The work ethic and focus of the people in audit at Weaver is phenomenal and is something that has inspired me. Shout out to Jason Turpin.

What was a challenge you had to overcome while being in Fort Worth?

I would say living by myself in a foreign land. It was a different kind of challenge because I’m used to the routine and environment of home, but it was awesome at the same time. I met so many new people and saw so many different places.

Did you pick up a local phrase or habit while there? 

Bifurcate. James Fitts, one of the Partners in Audit, asked me if we had “bifurcated our sample,” and I looked at him and said, “Say what?” So yeah, the noun bifurcation: “the division of something into two branches or parts.” I envision fun times messing with the new hires back home.

Name a favorite experience from the trip. 

There have been too many – from Mardi Gras to Nashville to Austin.

However, I think some of the smaller moments will also stay with me. For example, I enjoyed driving an hour each way to the town of Granbury for an engagement for a few weeks. I got locked in on the client’s premises on my first day there after work (the last person leaving for the day couldn’t see me in my car). Funny enough, I actually really enjoyed that experience. I got to see the sun set over the vast Texas fields with the big American flag waving in the wind and couldn’t help but to think, “That’s cool.”