The 5-50 Coach
Member Since: 7th May 2013
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Jon Baker is a specialist in supporting firms to get greater productivity from the introverts they employ. Two thirds of introverts believe that they are at a disadvantage in business and Jon helps correct that issue by working with leaders and individuals.
If you employ introverts (and you're likely to), or you are an introvert, you'll find strategies to help you improve productivity and grow your firm at www.IntrovertInBusiness.co.uk
Subscribe to "Activate Your Introvert" a weekly podcast, for discussions, tips and ideas to help.
Since moving from the corporate sector I've trained and coached nearly a thousand professionals and business owners, from a wide range of small business types, as well as working in professional practices and larger firms.
My answers
Do you appear trustworthy?
If you are looking to grow your small practice and want to know what some of your prospects are saying about Accountants, Jon Baker, co-author of The Go-to Expert, speaker and coach is in the middle of a new research project that you may find interesting.…
If you are working with SMEs (of many sectors), it seems that appearing trustworthy is beneficial if you are growing your firm. Yes, I can already hear you saying "What a stupid statement, that's obvious" and you're right.
But it's one of the bits of feedback I'm getting and I'd love to hear what you think. I’m in the middle of interviewing about 300 SME business owners, where I am talking to them about their experiences of and thoughts on Accountants, and their (unnamed) Accountant. I am only half way through the survey at the moment, so not ready to share all of the results.
Do you assume you're trustworthy?
Many of those surveyed viewed appearing trustworthy as important. They went on to say that they sometimes get the feeling that Accountant's think they are trustworthy, simply because they're Accountants.
Trustworthy?
What is trustworthy, and what is the appearance of being trustworthy?
The distinction is important because it's a lot easier to prove trustworthiness to those you are working with, than those you hope to work with. For those that you hope to work with the most important phrase could be "appear to be trustworthy"as that's the one I've heard several times
For some it was about talking in simple terms and short words, saying which cloud packages you do and don't use came up a few times. Then there were some of the standard points about eye contact, genuine smiles and looking comfortable to talk to people.
What makes you feel somebody is trustworthy and how does that vary from actually being trustworthy?
If you want a copy of the summary, when it’s complete, email me.
Written by Jon Baker, of Growing Your Firm. The 5-50 Coach, who helps professionals to grow their practice from 5 to 50 employees, profitably, sustainably, while they still have a life and Co-Author of The Go-To Expert
I agree - but as I read your points my mind drifted in two directions.
1- thinking about politicians - and I kept agreeing with you
2 - about many people I've met that run their own firms. It made me reflect on the way some people manage their team (and clients). One wonders how they survive, but like politicians they seem to!
Not good in that the money is still missing, but my first reaction (after many years of retail management) was "oo, a sob story that's actually true"
That's an interesting point JSK, There are many people that thrive in the glory of being rushed off their feet, both in and out of the profession. Many people thrive when there is a crisis and some create their own (subconsciously or consciously). But everybody in the accounting profession knows when January will occur, albeit really hard to get all clients behaving properly.
I hate the things too, although did like the video you left.
I guess I know why they were invented, but they simply remove any meaning that was left.
A great point, which certainly made me smile. I had to suggest an SME clsed his doors a few years ago and a box of Thornton's would have been useful (I'd only got a box of tissues, which were needed)
If you're looking for transactional work, with similar clients (e.g. annual tax returns for SME) then why not? In reality there's likely to be a menu of options, rather than one price, with some form of advice as an additional option?
Great article, totally agree and have been getting frustrated at all the over engineering that's been added ever since excel 4!
Get out and play is always the way.
Interesting and links to something else I often think about in society. So, rather than your one word Apathy (which I'd agree with), I might add that in today's society it's always somebody else's fault!
The price one often seems to work well, but I also love Or's thought - train them to be a good client.
If you've put the price up to the point where you're happy for them to stay, as it's worth you dealing with them - is everybody happy - yes!
On a similar vein I know three practices who had an open discussion amongst their team about sacking clients and drew up a shortlist from there. Initially the teams were very cautious, but later they found it a good "team bonding" exercise leading into process improvements, less d list clients and a closer knit team.