The Value of Brand, Community and Post-Pandemic Success

We are now in week 17 of the full impact of the #COVID19 pandemic and I am amazed at all the ways our community has come together to survive and thrive this crisis. CPAs, finance, and accounting professionals have proven their value as 'essential workers' again and again by helping businesses and individuals navigate the dynamics of a pandemic and immediate shutdown of our economy along with the financial complexities of keeping business running.

This reminded me of one of our youngest past-Chairs, Byron Patrick who was so passionate about his involvement at MACPA he had the Maryland CPA tattooed on his forearm! This got me thinking about a quote by Richard Teerlink, retired CEO of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles speaking at a CFO Conference I was at years ago.

"You know you have a killer brand when your customers tattoo it on their bodies"

- Richard Teerlink, retired Chairman & CEO

Harley-Davidson? 

The key to that quote and the video above is all about the emotional impact of the brand, our brand. Byron's story was also my story. MACPA and the connections I made was also my mentor and accelerated my career from the earliest days as a new CPA. A brand is a promise and products and services are artifacts of the brand, what's yours?

These amazing members of the Maryland Association of CPAs talk about the value of being connected, even in this #COVID-19 era and they, in turn, make our community even stronger by their involvement. It is what we mean by Connect - Protect - Achieve. That is our brand, our promise, what's yours?

Hear Byron's story on Episode 40 of the Breaking Belief's podcast: Don't Fear The Next Chapter: Be Open To What Is Next With Byron Patrick then who wants to go get a superman/woman Maryland tattoo?

TOM HOOD, CPA, CITP, CGMA is one of the most influential thinkers in the global CPA Profession. He was named the Second Most Influential Person in Accounting by Accounting Today Magazine for the past seven years and a member of the Accounting Hall of Fame by CPA Practice Advisor. He is also one of the Top 100 Influencers on LinkedIn. Tom is also a member of Forbes Finance Council.

He is the CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) and CEO of the Business Learning Institute, the innovation, strategy, and learning subsidiary of the MACPA, leading strategic planning, and talent development and training organization for CPAs, finance and accounting professionals in the world.