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My Week – The Day to Day

24th May 2015
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If you read My Day blogs, you will know that it was my employee’s last day on Friday. I have not made a decision as regards to the way to replace his post. One of the reasons for this is because it would force me to get involved in the day to day.

For the past 12 months, I was too much hands off on the day to day. It was needed. It was important that I concentrated on business building activities. This was not easy. It demanded my time.

The measurable results of my time on business building activities are:

  • We now have a clear, distinctive brand.
  • A website, that beats the competition and more importantly is generating leads.
  • A transparent fee structure that is clearly outlined on our website.
  • We are now number 1 on accountants in xxxx google ranking. I know the competition is trying to get us off that ranking. I would not be any different.
  • Regular weekly blog on our website. Fresh unique content, as you know, is vital for Google rankings.
  • Digital and Paper brochure now completed
  • Branded compliment now designed and sent for printing
  • Branded mugs- these are well received 
  • Office move and branding of the office. A bigger office means we with expansion, we will not have to move again. 

I think it is now time for me to review and where necessary improve our internal systems and procedures. With my employee now gone, my intern and I will be involved with the day to day. There is likely to be a substantial reduction of my time on this business building activities.

On improving our internal systems, I am thinking about the following:

  • Design and implement Google forms to gather new client data. I mean UTR numbers, etc.
  • Sort out and improve electronic filing system
  • Sort out and improve all templates
  • Sort out and improve the use of Gmail’s Canned Response. A real time saver
  • Better use of Boomerang for Gmail
  • Sort out Gmail shared contacts!
  • Further improve the use of Xero Practice Manager
  • Encourage just a few remaining clients to go on monthly Direct Debit
  • Spend time with the intern. She needs my time. Before it was my employee training her.

There is a fair amount of work that I need to sort out that can be put under the category of personal. I may deal with this during my work time.

The question I am asking myself is where does it leave me with my blogs? To blog about routine matters would be terribly boring for you and me. I think we will take each day as it comes.

Once I have a clear idea the way I want my next employee to work, I will know what I am looking for from him/her. I will then decide what would be the best way to start the recruitment process. 

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Replies (16)

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By tom123
25th May 2015 09:28

Recruit the intern?

Is there a compelling reason why you cannot 'recruit' the intern? After all, I assume that is why she is working for free in an accountancy setting?

That could give continuity. If I was her, and you then recruited another 'outsider' I would be looking to move on quick sharp.

You do seem to have a lot of 'plates' spinning in the air. Is it better to concentrate on a couple of items first and fully complete them before moving on.

I know, when we were planning a trade show for our business, it was sometimes difficult to actually complete any one task as there seemed to be so many.

Maybe pick one 'client facing' task and one 'housekeeping' task at any one time?

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By Roland195
25th May 2015 09:40

In summary

So, things are going swimmingly except you have no one to do the actual chargeable work and you would rather be designing mugs?

You cannot seriously intend to operate your practice with no-one to service clients other than an unpaid "intern"?

 

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By ShirleyM
25th May 2015 11:25

I don't envy you

Doing all the work, managing the practice, and somehow finding the extra time needed to train a replacement or an intern would not appeal to me ... but then I'm old, tired, bored and ready for retirement now.

How capable is your intern? I think they have been with you a few months (but please correct me if I am wrong), so should be able to 'step into the breach'. If they haven't made the grade by now do you think they ever will? 

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FT
By FirstTab
25th May 2015 13:54

Thank you for the response. It is all under control. 

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By cheekychappy
25th May 2015 15:54

Hiring mugs ... sorry, I meant designing mugs is where First Tabs true skills lay.

As soon as the intern realises what they have got themselves into or they find genuine emploment (whichever is quickest) they will be out if there with absolutely no notice.

This leaves a practice that seems should have a minimum of one employee with no employees.
All that hard working building a client base could diminish overnight because of their inability to control recruitment in a moral, efficient manner.

Judging from First Tabs response to their blog, one can only assume that Tom, Roland and Shirley are also not valued or respected. Welcome to the club.

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By mrme89
25th May 2015 16:17

Poor Intern

I was hoping FT would come to his senses and take on the intern as an employee. 

 

The intern has probably grafted and tried to impress in the hope that it will turn into employment at some stage. On hearing the news that the employee was leaving, the intern must have really thought they had a good chance of receiving a job offer.

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Replying to Southwestbeancounter:
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By Roland195
25th May 2015 17:03

Based on the blogs so far

mrme89 wrote:
 On hearing the news that the employee was leaving, the intern must have really thought they had a good chance of receiving a job offer.

It seems more likely that the intern will be interviewing the prospective employees and making any offers while FT organises the placement of his sandwich board but we live in hope.

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Glenn Martin
By Glenn Martin
26th May 2015 11:22

Where do you find these people

who come and do all the graft for no payment. I am currently struggling with running my business and also doing the work, and could do with one of these people to help me out. From next week I have decided Friday is practice development day and Mon to Thurs is when client work actually gets done. that will probably last until about 9.15am next Friday.

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FT
By FirstTab
26th May 2015 17:03

Interns

They find me. 

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By ShirleyM
26th May 2015 17:21

I know that FT advertised for an intern

I saw the ad.

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FT
By FirstTab
26th May 2015 17:27

Yes

Thanks for keeping such a close eye on my business affairs. I know you like to keep a close eye on what I do. 

Yes I did advertsise for social media intern and finance intern once. 

All other times interns find me. Like many others here, I receive many CVs. 

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By ShirleyM
26th May 2015 17:49

You told me (and everyone else) about the ads

In your blog! 

Likewise, I looked at the photos you published of your flat after your designer had refurbished it. Love the brand new red kitchen and your new bathroom! Is it all finished now? 

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By cheekychappy
26th May 2015 17:56

Design Intern?
First Tab was probably at Heathrow with a sign reading "labourer wanted".

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FT
By FirstTab
26th May 2015 17:59

WordPress blogs
Interesting you want out of your way to read my WordPress blog. Why?

Red kitchen is great.

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Replying to Wanderer:
By ShirleyM
26th May 2015 18:04

Your blogs are very entertaining, and educational

FirstTab wrote:
Interesting you want out of your way to read my WordPress blog. Why? Red kitchen is great.

I am sure I have mentioned that before.

Yes, your kitchen looks great. I am having my kitchen redone this year if I can get the time off to get it organised. I have already chosen the high gloss cabinet fronts ... a pale grey to match my hair. :)

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By ShirleyM
26th May 2015 17:59

Now, now, cheekychappy

FT has an Italian designer. Top job. I'm fairly sure Italian designers won't work for free.

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