Archive for the ‘Reading’ Category
Monday, February 6th, 2012
During 2011, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with a few CPAs who, to me, represent what the future is going to look like. I’m beginning to think of them as the accounting rebels.
Also, in 2011, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with hundreds of traditional, conservative, highly-skilled CPAs who are embracing change at a snail’s pace. They represent what the CPA profession still looks like, for the most part.
We need more rebels. And, all of those highly-skilled, traditional accountants CAN become one!
If you follow this blog, you know that my world is all about the massive change barreling toward the accounting profession. It has been rolling down the track for several years but the majority of practitioners haven’t actually heard the loud whistle on the train of change.
This whole “keeping up with change” thing has been on my mind more than ever recently because I have had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of CPAs during the last few months and most of them were from small to mid-size firms.
When I speak at conferences, I always try to attend as many of the other session as possible. The questions that CPAs ask during these various sessions helps me better understand their challenges. This fall some of the questions surprised me and helped me see that many practitioners are yet aware of the rapidly changing management, marketing and technology trends in the profession.
For example, during a social media presentation, three highly-qualified professional service firm marketers were discussing the merits of Pull marketing. As they were talking, one partner attendee slowly raised his hand and inquired, “what is Pull marketing? I don’t understand what you are talking about.” I truly admired the panel, they immediately refocused and turned their discussion toward a more educational theme. I also truly admire the CPA, he asked the question that many in the room wanted to know.
How do YOU become an accounting firm rebel? You, like the CPA mentioned above, must be curious, rather than complacent. You must begin reading everything you can about the current trends in the profession. But, that is not enough. You must read everything you can about trends in business, in general, especially small business if that is your firm’s focus. Plan now to attend MAP conferences and sessions, state society meetings, join a CPA firm association and, most importantly, talk to your own clients. Ask them questions about the challenges they are facing.
The most important thing you can do, if you are an owner or work inside a CPA firm, is to speak-up. Ask the dumb question. Question the status-quo. Embrace change and thrive. Avoid complacency. Too many CPAs just go along with the pack doing what other firms are doing, rather than being creative and unique.
Urban dictionary – A rebel is a person who stands up for their own personal opinions despite what anyone else says. True rebels know who they are and do not compromise their individuality or personal opinion for anyone.
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes – the ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing that you can’t do is ignore them – because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” ~ Jack Kerouac (1922 – 1969)
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A populace never rebels from passion for attack, but from impatience of suffering.
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Edmund Burke
Friday, January 27th, 2012
Today, I’m providing you with a link to a book review of The E-Myth Accountant by Ron Baker of the Versage Institute. He posted it back in September but I just recently became aware of it via one of my valued clients.
I think you will find it interesting and informative.
We are living in a knowledge era and I like Baker’s mention of the following from Steve Jobs: Does it really make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do? Apple hires smart people so they can tell Apple what to do.
This reinforces my message to all of you – involve everyone in shaping your firm. Seek out the opinions of all generations and all levels, including new hires and the administrative team. What do they think leaders could do to make the firm more awesome?
The era of CPA firm leaders trying to evolve to a one best way of doing things (meaning all of the benchmarking CPA firms do), is not working. Focus on the relationship side of things with your people and with your clients. What do your people and your clients really think? – - Ask them!
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Information is not knowledge.
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Albert Einstein
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
In Aquila Global Advisors‘ January newsletter, August Aquila offers this advice:
- Beef up your sales and marketing efforts.
- Look for new niches.
- Think merger.
- Add new services.
Read his explanation of each one and the entire article. As he notes – - Don’t play defense. Make it happen in 2012.
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Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.
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John F. Kennedy
Monday, January 9th, 2012
First of all, if you still haven’t signed-up for iShade – do it now.
Secondly, I want to thank Rob Nance, iShade Curator, for his recent blog posts titled, Pulse of The Profession: Conversations with Rita Keller, Part I and Part II.
I hope, after you have signed up for iShade, you will read Rob’s blog posts.
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Conversation should touch everything, but should concentrate itself on nothing.
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Oscar Wilde
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
The January issue of Keller Solutions for CPA Firm Leaders MAP Newsletter went out yesterday morning.
If you are wondering or worrying about succession, follow the link below to read the first article titled:
- It All Begins “At Home” – Developing Future Leaders
Did you lose a great performer in 2011? Top talent inside CPA firms is getting restless and we will probably see even more movement in 2012. Whenever you lose someone, it is very important to part on good, even great, terms. Follow the link below to read more about how in this article:
- Did Your Firm Lose A Superstar in 2011?
You can receive the newsletter directly if you sign-up on my website. To read this month’s issue click here.
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In case of news, we should always wait for the sacrament of confirmation.
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Voltaire
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
In most CPA firms a huge number of the CPAs are Baby Boomers and they are aging!
In your firm, you need to learn all you can about the Millennials, they are the ones who will be dominating the profession in just a few short years.
Here’s a great infographic from the good folks at Online Graduate Programs:
Created by: Online Graduate Programs
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No one can avoid aging, but aging productively is something else.
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Katharine Graham
Monday, January 2nd, 2012
A while back I was reading a Starbucks cup. Yes, I told you I read a lot, but even for me that’s pretty pathetic.
But wait, the simple message on a cup “spoke” to me. I adapted it for a CPA audience and wanted to share it with you as you enter yet another NEW year.
I invite YOU to LISTEN to your DESIRES and to renew your hope to SEE your firm not as it is, but as it could be. Go ahead. WISH. It’s what makes the NEW YEAR exciting and NEW.
While wishing is fun, it is only the first step. Take the time to wish and dream so you can visualize where you want to be. Then you must take action.
During 2011, most accounting firm leaders invested money into partner retreats and strategic planning meetings. Perhaps you have already identified the “wishes” and drafted a plan for 2012 to accomplish your strategic goals. Do not waste this investment, beginning tomorrow, take ACTION to make 2012 exciting and NEW (and rewarding).
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While wishing and hoping makes you a dreamer, acting and doing makes you someone who can turn dreams into reality.
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Nan Russell
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011
Rob Nance, is that you with Rita?
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Rob Nance for lunch. Rob is the new Curator of iShade and was key in helping roll out the new iShade Bulletin that provides “headlines from around the profession.”
If you haven’t set up your account yet on iShade, this would be a good week to get it taken care of. Then you can customize Bulletin to fit your desires, needs and interests relating to the accounting profession. I have my channels set-up and am tracking Firm News, Young Accountants and The M.A.P. Channel. There are 14 or so channels to choose from.
Rob has his own blog on iShade and I really enjoyed his post last week about “Time to trim the unwanted e-mail.”
Did you know that spam is no longer the cause of e-mail overload? Per Rob’s post, bacon has taken its place. It’s a true battle of the e-meats. So what is bacon It’s the messages you signed up for (newsletters, sale offers) but now you don’t want. It’s estimated that bacon makes up roughly 55% of unread email. Read the entire post here.
When we got together last week, Rob brought his camera and we did two pictures that I can use on my “Is that you with Rita?” collection.
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A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.
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Eleanor Roosevelt
Sunday, December 25th, 2011
How cool. ParenteBeard has written and released a story book for children about counting. I’m always talking to you about being unique, here’s a wonderful example.
As noted in the Philadelphia Business Journal, the Philadelphia-based Top 25 accounting firm is taking a different approach to the holiday season. They’ve got a message for the elementary school set.
The firm has published a charming children’s book called “Making the Holidays Count,” a story about a little girl who fears and hates math untill she meets up with a Christmas Carol-like “Countess” who shows her that numbers are really important and cool.
Last week the Parente Beard team members read the book and donated copies to the a local Boys and Girls Club in Philly.
Check out the PDF copy via the firm’s website. Oh yeah, the little girl’s dad is an accountant.
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To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries.
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A. C.. Grayling
Friday, December 23rd, 2011
In CPA firms, in accounting departments and in business in general, time is the focus.
In the vast majority (although we are seeing some progress towards value pricing – be sure to read Ron Baker’s new book Implementing Value Pricing), time is the focus of what everyone does and employees must account for every minute of every day. As I talk with CPAs around the country, I hear, “If I only had more time.” “I’m too busy to give attention to a lot of things at the firm.” “If I had more time I would….(fill in the blank).”
One of my favorite quotes comes from the late Jim Rohn, motivational speaker and personal development guru:
“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.”
I not only want you to find a way to get some spare time, I want you to USE it to think and re-energize. Read this post, Free Time Ain’t Free Unless You Use It, on the Inc. site by John Baldoni.
Mr. Baldoni had to spend some time recuperating from foot surgery and could not “work.” Of course, I was extremely pleased that he used the time to read plus, he took some important management lessons from his reading.
During this extremely busy holiday season (at home and at work), please try to find some down time, just for yourself, to think and read even if it is only for TWO hours.
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Time is money, especially when you are talking to a lawyer or buying a commercial.
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Frank Dane
