The Magic of Success and: Does size matter?

This week, in addition to another batch of practical ideas and insights, you'll find a list of my virtual talks on lead generation and, finally another fun item to make you smile - as a reward for reading to the end of this article ;-)

3 practical tips I shared recently in 1-2-1 sessions

1. Go beyond binary choices: Don’t fall into the trap of assuming your options are simply to do either 'this' or 'that'. That’s a binary choice. There are often other options and that’s one reason why you work with me. To help you go beyond the binary (or, as some people put it, to think outside the box).
2. SNUP review: What are you doing that Serves No Useful Purpose? Spot it, Note it and Stop it.
3. Take the challenge: My advice, our discussion and you thinking about things will not change or improve your performance or results. That will only happen if you take action! Try what we’ve discussed in the coming weeks and then reflect on what works for you and what doesn’t. We can talk about it next time.

What are you talking about Mark? --> Lead generation

At the headline level the accountants I work with want more clients who are willing to pay decent and fair fees. But for what work? The same old tax returns, accounts and compliance work you have done for years? Or do you want good leads who need something more than that?

Virtual sessions you can book me to present include:

MMMMM – Mastering the 5 Ms for you and your firm – Ideal if your business development activities are a little unfocused and you are struggling to win the new clients and work you really want to be doing.

How to be remarkable and more than ‘just another accountant’ – Explore the options and choose how you want to stand out and be better remembered, referred and recommended.

Creating a MAGIC Linkedin profile – Even if you do not plan to be active on Linkedin, this is a necessary step to getting any real value from this online business networking platform

Linkedin success in 15 minutes a day – Stop wasting time on random activities and focus on doing what will ensure you get the best return on your time.

Lead generation using Linkedin – Basic and advanced opportunities to use Linkedin effectively to source the leads you really want.

Debunking the social media hype for accountants – You can only hope to get success from social media when you understand what does and what doesn’t work and how each platform operates in real life – beyond the hype

Please get in touch if you want to consider engaging me to speak.

Does size matter? Are you pretending to be bigger than you are?

I have lost track of how many sole practitioners and two-partner accountancy practices pretend to be bigger than they really are.

This approach of pretending to be bigger than you are is a common mistake, in my view, as I explain in this week's blog post. I also explore the reasons why accountants do this and why it's misguided in my view.

You will also see the positive feedback I have had from accountants who have made related key changes to their websites by reference to my advice on this issue.

You can read the full blog post here >>>

The 3 Rs - Remembered, Referred and Recommended

Another way to be better Remembered than your competitors:

Identify and share the key reason that clients choose you and stay with you.

Examples: One accountant explains that "I give my clients the opportunity to spend more time with their family".

Another tells everyone that she helps her clients to pay MORE tax. Although this generates a shocked reaction initially, she explains that her focus is on helping clients to grow their top line and their profits. That's why they end up paying more tax; because they are making more money.

A question to ponder

What feels like unfinished business that you would like to pursue in the coming year?

You could ask your clients to think on this too.

When should we talk?

You will probably want to discuss mentoring or strategic support if:

You want to get unstuck: The end of Lockdown is in sight. You know you need to do some serious planning to ensure that you avoid the mistakes and overcome the problems you have faced in the past.

You’re ready to move to the next level: You see the end of lockdown as a great opportunity and need to capitalise on it – but aren't confident you can do it on your own.

You’re looking to change a specific behaviour: You know that something (doing everything yourself?) has been holding your business back. You're fed up failing to make the changes you know are necessary - and realise you're not even sure exactly what you should be doing differently. You just need some help and encouragement.

Further details, charges and payment terms are here >>>

How could I best help you?

Strategic support calls: Book a 2 hour zoom strategy call as a one-off, or as a series, in blocks of 6. All such calls include related follow up within reason.

One-off calls: There's no charge for the shortest of calls. You can also book a longer focused call for a fixed fee. I'll help you prioritise and get motivated.

Flexi-Mentoring programme – with ‘P’ calls: This programme gives you up to 12 calls where we focus on you making Progress as we resolve your Problems, establish your Priorities and your Possibilities. Our conversations will be focused, flexible and fun. There are 3 options as regards this programme. The middle one is the most popular.

Further details, charges and payment terms are all set out here >>>>

Fun time

I knew a firm of accountants who employed a chimpanzee as a trainee

......It just didn't add up!

Did you hear about the accountant who became a chef?

.....It wasn't long before he cooked the books!

My friend just became a full time accountant

.....From now on, his days are numbered!

An accountant goes into a department store and asks if they have any net curtains, the assistant says "sorry sir, all our prices include VAT."

Old accountants never die. They just lose their balance.

An accountant went to a cake shop and asked the baker "Why does that one cake cost so much more than all the other?" The baker replied "That's madeira cake".

There's plenty more on the Accounting and tax fun blog >>>

* When something funny happens to you or you see something that might be suitable for the Accounting and tax fun blog, please let me know.

Final thought

Here's hoping that you, your family, friends, staff, colleagues and clients soon get your vaccinations and that we can all enjoy a steady return back to the normality that disappeared this time last year!

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Mark Lee FCA provides strategic advice, talks and mentoring to accountants and tax advisers who want to improve their reach, referrals and results. He is also Chairman of the Tax Advice Network, the UK’s largest network of independent tax advisers.

Mark has long been a popular speaker for UK accountants both on stage and online. Informed, entertaining and commercial he also debunks hype and misconceptions. Earlier in his career he was a partner in two top firms. He has a number of voluntary roles including being Treasurer of The Magic Circle.

In addition to his frequent posts on Linkedin, Mark writes a weekly blog and a popular weekly 'Magic of Success' email. His website is: BookMarkLee.co.uk