How’s business? – Don’t fall into the easy trap when you reply

By |2023-07-31T10:36:03+01:00August 1st, 2023|Accountants, Business messaging and branding, Networking, Referrals, Reputation, Sole practitioners|

If you’re either a busy accountant and/or a regular at networking events, you probably get asked this question (How's business?") all of the time. You may also be asked by friends and family, ex-colleagues and prospective clients as well as by suppliers, associates and potential advocates. How carefully have you thought about the way

What is the key to accountants’ survival in the AI era?

By |2023-06-13T10:09:07+01:00June 13th, 2023|Accountants, Client servikce, Dependability and trust, Experience and expertise, Key Business skills, Networking, Referrals, Reputation, Sole practitioners, STANDING OUT|

One of the biggest changes to be heralded by the introduction of AI so far as accountants are concerned, links to one of my long-term messages for accountants. How can you stand out from the competition? And, as a result, win more of the business you really want? Even before the launch

Some accountants undermine their credibility. Do you?

By |2023-04-03T18:03:32+01:00April 4th, 2023|Accountants, Business messaging and branding, Experience and expertise, Networking, Referrals, Reputation, Sole practitioners|

One of the accountants I mentor has long been proud of how efficiently they look after their own business affairs. Others though are embarrassed at their inefficiencies. And there are some who do not appear to give any thought as to how they are perceived. Some of the accountants in this category may, unintentionally,

Why you should stop trying to build brand awareness for your firm

By |2023-02-28T11:56:48+00:00February 28th, 2023|Accountants, Business messaging and branding, Marketing and promotion, Recruitment, Reputation, Sole practitioners, Websites|

My advice here re building and promoting your firm's brand is controversial. And of course there will be some exceptions. But I would urge you to read this post with an open mind before deciding whether or not YOUR firm really is one of those exceptions. Let's start with ten top accountancy brands. As

Boost your referrals with more of the right kind of testimonials

By |2022-10-03T11:56:21+01:00October 4th, 2022|Accountants, Marketing and promotion, Reputation|

I'm not normal. Normal people, apparently, don't buy anything online these days without first checking for online reviews. I do. Maybe you do too. But, apparently, even when most people are in shops, they will have a quick google to see what other people say about electrical items, furniture and toys. And this informs

Being Known, Liked and Trusted is not enough!

By |2022-03-15T11:11:06+00:00March 15th, 2022|Accountants, Key Business skills, Lead generation, Marketing and promotion, Networking, Reputation, Social Media, STANDING OUT|

You have probably heard the suggestion that it’s important to help people get to 'know, like and trust' you. Only then will they buy from you. Only then will they even consider becoming your client. This idea originated in the book ‘Endless Referrals’, written by Bob Burg, who said: “All things being

What do you REALLY need to sell as an accountant?

By |2022-02-22T11:27:29+00:00February 22nd, 2022|Accountants, Business messaging and branding, Dependability and trust, Experience and expertise, Marketing and promotion, Pricing, Reputation, Sole practitioners, STANDING OUT|

What do you really need to sell as an accountant? This is a simple enough question, and knowing the right answer could make a profound difference to the success of your practice. Let’s start with what you’re NOT selling. As I explained in a 2018 blog post, You are NOT selling your time.

What has the biggest influence on your ability to retain clients?

By |2021-10-18T15:20:50+01:00October 19th, 2021|Accountants, Client servikce, Dependability and trust, Reputation|

Accountants have a distinct advantage over most other service professionals. Your clients need your help on an ongoing basis, at least once a year and often more frequently than this. This leads some accountants to be a little complacent about client retention - certainly as compared with most solicitors and financial advisers.

What can you do if you want to attract a better type of client?

By |2021-09-10T18:48:26+01:00September 7th, 2021|Accountants, Business messaging and branding, Experience and expertise, Marketing and promotion, Networking, Referrals, Reputation, Sole practitioners|

When I ask accountants what they would like to be different in their practice, one theme is more common than any others. They frequently express the desire to have better quality clients, to increase their average fees and to be doing more interesting work.One sole practitioner accountant I was mentoring expressed this quite

Why you need to build your personal brand – and how to make this work for you

By |2021-07-19T10:28:07+01:00July 20th, 2021|Accountants, Business messaging and branding, Dependability and trust, Experience and expertise, Networking, Reputation|

What do people say about you when you’re not in the room? What would you like them to say? Few accountants seem to think this through. If you are clear about what you want people to say though you are likely to find success a lot faster than anyone who is ‘just

My most popular blog posts EVER

By |2023-08-15T19:11:47+01:00December 22nd, 2020|Accountants, Reputation|

My last post of this year we called 2020 contains a celebration of the most popular posts on my blog since 2006 when I started sharing insights, tips and advice here. If I could have predicted which posts would be on the list I might have written more of them! Over the

What’s your ‘And’?

By |2020-09-21T11:25:01+01:00September 22nd, 2020|Accountants, Networking, Reputation|

What's your 'And'? Yes, we know you're an accountant. But what else are you? What else do you do? What else interests or fascinates you? A new book, written by my friend, John Garrett, explores how sharing your personal passions improves work performance, builds culture, and strengthens relationships with colleagues, clients and

They’re not ‘soft skills’ for accountants, they’re Key Business Skills

By |2021-04-13T11:01:40+01:00November 13th, 2018|Accountants, Business Strategy, Key Business skills, Reputation, Speaking skills|

I know that my own career success owes more to the development of non-technical skills than it does to my knowledge and application of accounting and tax law. How do we gain our technical skills? No one is born a great auditor, tax adviser or accountant. We learn by working alongside experienced

How to short-cut the Networking process

By |2018-05-22T23:06:51+01:00February 27th, 2018|Accountants, Networking, Reputation|

Networking is not for everyone. Whilst some accountants enjoy attending regular networking events, I regularly hear tales of woe from those who find it a frustrating waste of time.  There are also plenty of accountants who do not like the idea of chatting with strangers very appealing. You will rarely meet someone at a networking

The 3 factors that will determine your social media success

By |2023-07-02T11:10:08+01:00June 30th, 2015|Accountants, Business messaging and branding, Linkedin, Productivity, Reputation, Social Media, STANDING OUT|

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the game of chasing followers, likes, connections and social media klout. It may be fun to keep track of these metrics and to keep increasing them. But, in real life, they are not important by themselves. There is little point in simply pursuing these metrics.

What makes you or your firm stand out?

By |2013-05-14T09:46:08+01:00May 14th, 2013|Reputation, STANDING OUT|

I'm often struck by the difficulty many accountants have when trying to identify what's special about them or their firm. When asked, almost everyone uses the same adjectives, the same aspirational service levels and the same so-called distinguishing features. What's really special? What really makes you stand out and memorable? Not a lot, it would

Go to Top