Posts Tagged ‘growth’
Staying Focused in 2015
The beginning of the year is time of renewal for everyone. We set resolutions and goals and swear this will be the best year yet. Then reality sets in. Day-to-day pressures take over, and we get derailed. Your well-intentioned goal to get out there during tax season is stifled by the client work and the…
Read MoreWhy are you Changing?
I recently had the honor of presenting on the topic of change management, with my friend and fellow industry consultant Guy Gage of Partners Coach, at the Accounting Today Growth and Profitability Summit. For those who know me well and have been following my writing over the last seven years, I often like to combine…
Read MoreWhat Will You Give Up in 2015?
When New Year’s Eve rolls around every year, I get energized about the new version of me that will emerge in the next year. Yes, I am one of those annoying people who do this. I am always open for a chance at a new beginning. I am just wired that way. I did the…
Read MoreBuilding Your Bench For Succession
Thousands of firms are working through the succession and retirement of senior partners and deciding along the way whether or not they can pull it off internally and stay independent. The single most important factor for success is what we see when we look over our shoulder – is the bench of people there to…
Read MoreCan You Afford to Buy-out the Retiring Partners of Your Firm?
Many firms are struggling with the prospects of paying retirement buyout payments for their senior partners who will be retiring in the next few years. In some cases, several partners will be receiving retirement buyouts simultaneously. The financial burden can seem daunting. As we have emphasized in earlier blogs, make sure you first have the…
Read MoreDo You Know What Your Clients’ Silence Means?
When I teach topics like deepening client relationships and delivering exceptional client service, I discuss the importance of proactively meeting with clients outside of your regular engagement to further your relationship, identify any potential service issues and uncover new opportunities to add value. Participants nod their heads in agreement and some even approach this discussion…
Read MoreWhy You Must Fail Before You Can Grow
While I don’t believe there is a ‘silver bullet’ to growth, I do believe there are certain things that significantly impact growth within an accounting firm. One of those destructive ingredients is failure – and more importantly, the attitude around failure. As an accountant, you are taught to find mistakes and correct them. Detail-oriented, precise…
Read MoreThe Concept of Privilege
Recently in working with a group of senior leaders in an accounting firm, one of the baby boomer white males said to me: “I have learned in my journey of understanding regarding diversity in our profession that I was born on third base, yet all my life I have thought I hit a triple”. This…
Read MoreDeveloping a Culture of Growth in Your Firm
Many firms we talk to struggle to determine the best business development approach. Does it make sense to hire full-time sales people? Can’t we expect our marketing director to make sales for us? How will we compensate a full-time sales person? Here are some ideas to keep in mind when embarking on the process of…
Read MoreReluctant Leadership?
Partners often tell me that one of their number one succession concerns is who will ascend to partner. The perception is that “there is no one interested in becoming a partner these days.” Yet, when I talk to managers and senior managers (and even staff!), they are interested, but they don’t really know what means…
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