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Boring is optional? Don't get it

15th Jun 2013
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I am in Starbucks enjoying my favourite drink and I have been leafing through now out of date Accountex 2013 magazine.

Mark Lee has written an introduction as a guest editor. All okay, till I saw what I would call Mark's tag line - boring is optional. It just winds me up!

I think we are now living in a world where we do not see people as stereotypes. We make judgements about people not through what they do but what they are like by talking to them. Or through exchange of emails, Facebook, twitter etc.

How can you say because a person does a certain type of work he or she is boring? Isn't Mark's tag line an apology for being an accountant?

My view is if someone sees me as boring it really is not my problem. It is to do with them and their narrow perception of people. I will not try to be different in order to be less boring for them.

Mark you are a talented and a helpful person. I have a lot of respect for you. Please drop the boring accountants lark. This is now very outdated.

Have I got all this wrong?

Edit: Sorry for not editing this blog earlier. I hope it is okay now. It is good of you not to point this out. I need to read before pressing post! This is a forum for professionals. I need to take account of this.

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Replies (26)

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By petersaxton
16th Jun 2013 08:09

Agreed

You are so right. As you say, Mark is a talented and helpful person but I think he has got it wrong here but then again he is just trying to get noticed and remembered.

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Heather Townsend - accountant's coach
By Heather Townsend
16th Jun 2013 20:05

Remembered and noticed for the right thing?

Like both of you, I totally agree that Mark is a highly talented and helpful person. 

However, in my opinion, "the boring is optional" tag does Mark no favours. It doesn't tell anyone who meets him for the first time the real value he brings. 

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FT
By FirstTab
16th Jun 2013 23:58

Accountants boring
Thanks for the response.

My point is not so much about the tag. It is about the outdated perception that accountants are boring. This means that we have to make changes to be less boring. This is just not right.

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By petersaxton
17th Jun 2013 00:05

I have an example

Steve Davis changed his image totally once he presented himself as:

Steve "Interesting" Davis

I'm sure Mark would get his point across very well if he chose something similar to the following:

Mark "Exciting" Lee

Mark "Barrel of Laughs" Lee

The possibilities are endless.

I've had a subtle change of brand for a long time:

From: Peter Saxton

To: Peter " " Saxton

Some people will think of that as no change at all. Others will think it creates an element of mystery. Yet more might not care.

I'm sure I could pad this out into an article. Just add a snappy title, a few anecdotes and cobble together some statistics that could be passed off as academic research. Where should I send the invoice?

 

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John Stokdyk, AccountingWEB head of insight
By John Stokdyk
17th Jun 2013 16:51

A new avenue for Peter Saxton?

@Peter Saxton - Maybe you'll have to start a blog and become a personal branding expert.

I'm slightly amused (and not so much at Mark Lee's expense) to see such a show of unanimity for a post that FT might have thought was going to be controversial. Who'd have thought it?

We have long kicked around the "Born Dull?!" trope on AccountingWEB, but over time our post-modern show of outrage on the profession's behalf attracted less and less interest. It was probably around the time of Enron, when midnight shredding activity at Andersen really did make people sit up and realise wherever there was money, there was usually an accountant - and people remain fascinated by money.

Mark Lee does have a serious message for the profession, but as we occasionally note he does put himself about a lot and it may be that FT and the other people commenting here have surfaced a bit of message fatigue. Having banged on about some of the related topics at Accountex myself (need for client focus, using tech to meet their needs and streamline processes etc etc) I know how difficult it can be to keep coming up with fresh, new motivational messages for an audience that is not always ready to leap on the latest bandwagon.

So what slogans do appeal to you? In my recent talks, I've been dishing up "change is a constant, get used to it" and "get big, get niche or get out", but neither of them achieves the zen-like clarity of "boring is optional", or even better " ".

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By petersaxton
17th Jun 2013 17:17

No way

English was never my forte so I would struggle even if I had something useful to say. I prefer to slip in, criticise somebody and then disappear into the night.

I think the problem with "slogans", "taglines" and such is that people don't respect them after a while - even if they are good.

On a slightly different topic, I remember 2020 Group would suggest that when a client or contact asked you if you were busy or how's business you shouldn't say "I'm snowed under" or suchlike. You should say: "Business is good, but we are looking for more!". Now that's much better I would admit and may avoid people refraining from giving you extra work or referring their friends, etc., to you. Try saying that to the same person twice and they will soon form a less flattering view of you.

Mark's "Boring is optional" may make people think that he doesn't really understand what point he is trying to get across.

I prefer something that I've seen on an email signature (as well as other places) and I will always like it because it is making a serious point as well as being humorous:

Curiosity didn't kill the cat, ignorance did - curiosity was framed!

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FT
By FirstTab
17th Jun 2013 21:52

Mark Lee
Hi Mark,

I am sure you know by now I just tend to say what I think without going through proper processing of information.

I think John has made a good point, I was expecting some controversy on my blog post. That's just me. At times I am a real wind-up merchant. All done in the best possible taste!

I would like to reiterate the point that I find many of your articles helpful. I hope you will continue to contribute.

You are a highly experienced and a well known blogger in the accountancy world. I have no doubt you are well used to comments like mine.

If I have in anyway offended you I am sorry.

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By petersaxton
17th Jun 2013 23:28

I wonder if they will ever sort out these comment boxes?

"I am sure you know by now I just tend to say what I think without going through proper processing of information."

Isn't that an oxymoron?

I would suggest you say what you feel without "thinking about it" because, in this case, that is "processing of information".

"I hope you will continue to contribute."

I doubt that you have shattered Mark's confidence to that extent.

"If I have in anyway offended you I am sorry."

Aren't we all?

I've raised the point for a long time about the comment boxes. I think they would have been sorted out now if they had anybody with the requisite skills.

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Teignmouth
By Paul Scholes
18th Jun 2013 08:14

Just be

In a world full of taglines and an obsession with creating the next clever one-off phrase of wisdom, it feels like OCD and ADHD will soon be the norm, and is becoming, dare I say, boring.

I can't avoid the fact that much of what I do is boring and so the art is to not let on to clients or the outside world, just get the boring stuff done without a fuss and they will be none the wiser.  So when I have contact with them 20% of the time might be about the boring stuff and 80% about anything else, even my bad back.

 

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By petersaxton
18th Jun 2013 08:38

Pure genius

Paul "Bad back" Scholes.

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By User deleted
18th Jun 2013 13:56

I thought ...

... it was spitting image created Steve "Interesting" Davies?

May be I should become Old "Greying" Accountant, or O"G"A

I subscribe to the notion that "boring" is more of a reflection of the person, than the task.

Myself, I could stand and watch a waterfall all morning, or sit and watch the waves rolling in and out as the sun dips over the horizon whilst listening to the hiss of the shingle up and down the beach, or lie for hours watching the patterns in the clouds - but others would be bored rigid within thirty seconds, but the same person could dance all night listening to the same incessant rhythm beating on and on and on ...    ... and on whilst talking endlessly about nothing - I would be reaching for the Nurofen within 10 minutes and retreating to a darkened sound-proofed room!

 

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Replying to Paul D Utherone:
By slipknot08
19th Jun 2013 12:49

or "Original Gangsta

or "Original Gangsta Accountant"?  (I live in hope) 8-)

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By petersaxton
18th Jun 2013 13:42

You are right

It was Spitting Image but didn't he join in with the joke after a while?

I know Paul likes to mention that the accounting work he does is boring but I think it's exciting seeing how quickly I can solve problems.

I remember when I had jobs in business years ago.

I went into a friend's office and he had papers all over his desk and was moaning because it was taking him ages to reconcile something. I looked at an upside down document on his desk and told him an entry was the wrong way round. You should have seen him dance around in celebration.

Another time I heard two people shouting and screaming at each other nearly ready to come to blows. I asked what the problem was and they were both blaming the other for an inter company difference. I took a look at the figures and in a few seconds I explained how to rectify the difference.

I see my role as more akin to an international peacekeeper on occasions.

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By User deleted
20th Jun 2013 14:42

not sure about that ...

... might make the "Original Gangnam Accountant" if you ply me with enough Moretti ;oP

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Mark Lee headshot 2023
By Mark Lee
23rd Jun 2013 19:29

Disappointed - for so many reasons

1 - Online etiquette

I am disappointed because no one who has contributed comments above has communicated with me on the topic. It's not hard. My blog address, email address and indeed my AccountingWeb member inbox are all easily accessible.

I think some people who should know better, need to consider carefully their online etiquette. ;-(

If I was inspired to comment on a blog like this I would at least have the curtesy of communicating directly with the  person concerned directly - if only to let them know of the blog post - and possibly to explain my comments. This blog and the comments thereon are akin to talking about someone behind their back - albeit that I could stumble across the thread - as I have done (thanks only to Google Reader).

FT compounds the error by posting a follow up message TO me on here seemingly unaware that I didn’t know about the blog post. 

2 - Not current?

I am also disappointed because FT's initial comments (and some of those that follow) may well be biased by the way that AccountingWeb editors have sometimes referred to me as 'Mark ("Boring Is Optional") Lee'.   It is not a tag line I have sought or that I welcome, although it is obviously derived from my message for accountants.  

It was last September that I started to reference 'Boring Is Optional' as the title of my keynote talk at Accountex in November last year. More recently I evolved the concept to make clear that it actually has a positive constructive message: You need to STANDOUT to succeed. This is clear on my website and at the end of my weekly articles on AccountingWeb in recent months.

3 - Unrepresentative

I am NOT discounting the views above although I have not had ANY negative feedback from the thousands of accountants who have read my blog, received my weekly newsletters or attended my talks. "Boring Is Optional - You have to STANDOUT to succeed" has featured prominently in all of them for many months.

Perhaps the value of my advice, tips, articles and blogs is such that everyone else has ignored the issue. Perhaps the above views are unrepresentative. Perhaps not though.

The reason I do not discount the observations above is because I accept that you may have a fair point.

4 - Sad

What is most disappointing therefore is the fact that no one has felt able to say any of this to my face or in any other form of direct communication to me.

I have been offering help, advice and tips to accountants for many years. I thought I was recognised as being open and willing to help and support accountants in practice at all stages of their career. For over 4 years I have written regular, constructive and popular articles on AccountingWeb. And yet, those who have commented on this thread seem to have the impression that I would not welcome them contacting me directly. That makes me sad.

5 - A way forward

As indicated above I am open to the idea that the concept could evolve further. At some point I will post a new blog here and seek constructive feedback on my current focus. That is to help accountants appreciate that Boring is Optional - you have to stand out to succeed. My blogs, ebooks, articles and talks are all focused on helping accountants who want to stand out and be more successful in practice, online and in life. 

Mark

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FT
By FirstTab
23rd Jun 2013 20:36

Not behind your back

Hi Mark

You are a public figure in the accountancy world. As a public figure you have to expect people to discuss the points you make or your persona in a public forum. 

The point you make about this blog same as going behind your back I do not think is justified. 

As I have said earlier  I appreciate your contribution. I hope to see more from you. 

The reason people may have not come to you may be because they did not feel comfortable addressing this subject on a one to one basis. 

Believe me standing out with Boring is optional just does not work. I understand the point you make as regards to how it came out. 

 

 

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By slipknot08
24th Jun 2013 08:38

sorry Mark

... I was only on here teasing OGA, not commenting on your blog (which I read avidly - and generally to agree with your thoughts), so I'm hoping to slip past the edges of your ire...

;-)

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By petersaxton
24th Jun 2013 09:10

Before getting down to serious work

1 Start

People were just replying to FTs blog POST.

2 Middle bit

I don't think it's necessary to send a message to somebody mentioned in a blog every time there's a comment about that person.

Many comments are made about people without them wanting a message sent about what has been said.

3 End

At least Mark "Boring is Optional" Lee may have been demolished and I hope if anybody starts calling you Mark "Tantrum" Lee they have the decency to contact you first.

4 Bit more

Don’t take all of this too seriously. It’s just a bit of fun or a cry for help or attention seeking or maybe something else ….

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FT
By FirstTab
24th Jun 2013 09:32

Let the work and our clients do the talking
I would go as far as saying, the moment we try and stand out by making that extra effort, be it tag lines or whatever, we have failed to standout.

Let our clients and our work do the talking. People just swtched off when start blowing our own trumpet.

Mark I am not saying you blow your own trumpet, it is general point I am making.

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By petersaxton
24th Jun 2013 11:58

Totally agree

By all means use videos to explain accounts and tax and get noticed. 

What's so exciting about being exciting anyway? It sounds a lot of hard work. Wimbledon has started and the best players there will do a lot of boring practice. Same with chess players and snooker players. By all means have a bit of fun when you meet clients but there's no need to go out of your way to act exciting - that's just so boring!

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Mark Lee headshot 2023
By Mark Lee
24th Jun 2013 14:09

Simply disappointed - nothing more, as I said.

FT and I will have to agree to disagree. I would not write a blog post to or about a third party who is clearly an accessible member of the same community group as me - without first trying to communicate directly with them.

I do find it amusing when I read opinionated views from smaller practitioners who make it clear in their blog posts that they have yet to build a sustainable profitable practice. By all means adopt an alternative stance; your contrary approach may work for you and may inspire others too.  

Do bear in mind though that learning from experience can be a faster route to success. I know I'm constantly learning and never assume that what has worked before will work again. But it's more likely to be a good indicator than advice from a struggling novice.

FT - I'm not suggesting this applies to you. It's a general point I am making.

Mark

 

 

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FT
By FirstTab
24th Jun 2013 14:17

Thanks Mark
You just made me smile.

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By petersaxton
24th Jun 2013 14:21

"sustainable profitable practice"

Many accountants are just wanting a lifestyle business. I accept FT doesn't seem to want this but he's only been in practice a few years. Mark has been thinking about accounting for a lot longer so his views should be useful. But not all his advice will be what people want to use.

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FT
By FirstTab
24th Jun 2013 14:45

My blog is not advisory

I  am honest about the ups and downs of my day to day life.

I have never claimed to be an expert or advice anyone on how improve their profit margins/client levels. I just do not see myself in that way. I very far away from other successful people here. 

My blog, as most know, is about my views, feeling and frustrations of day to day life. I am wrong so many times. Readers have correctly brought me down to earth many times.

At times my blog comments are just a wind up. Have a look at Heath and Fitness discussion group. There is a thread on obesity - not my fault? This really is wind-up post by me. Intentionally putting a view I do not agree with. It was also on a day, I had enough on my diet. 

Mark all I did was expressed opinions on your boring is not optional phrase. You clearly have taken this personally. Once again I am sorry for causing you any offence. 

 

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Mark Lee headshot 2023
By Mark Lee
24th Jun 2013 21:49

Not taken it personally.

But apology accepted anyway

Thanks

Mark

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