Fire your Accountant & Hire a Partner

Increase your small business profit by turning your accountant into a partner

Why did you come to work today in your small business?

Posted on | July 19, 2010 | 2 Comments

Yes I am really asking, why are you here today?  Did you come in because you need to make money? Maybe you want to smash the competition? How about, just because this is what you do……..?

OK, I’ll get to it.  If you don’t know why you are in business, then you should not be. When disaster hits, or the water gets to deep, you will duck and cover or run for the hills.  Unless….. you know why!

This is not a philosophy blog, it’s a business blog.  Its why is simple, “to be a guide for small business that leads them to a better relationship with their accountant”.  “To lead you… Mr or Ms small business entrepreneur to greater profits through relationship and knowledge.”

So now it’s your turn, why are you here.  No, not what do you do, or why are you better or how much money can you make, WHY.

The difference between a good business and a great one is that both the customer and the employee know why they are interacting in a transaction.  Everyone is clear why they are here and the benefits become obvious.

Everyone knows Volvo means a safe car, somewhere, someone decided that making the passenger safe from accident was important.  So when you think safety you think Volvo.  How about quality, do you think of Ford or Toyota? Well where I live it’s pretty clear.  My mechanic says to me “if you want less repair bills, buy a Toyota”.  Is he crazy? no just honest.

You need to know your why just as much as you need to know your What and How.  In previous blogs I mentioned unique selling propositions and positioning statements.  They must have the Why attached or they are meaningless.  People can be manipulated into buying the What and the How but if you really want a true customer, tell them the Why.

Vision statements, do you have one? I know, they are pas-say, dime a dozen, most of them are cheesy slogans that are poor representations of the business that uses them. But, and I mean a Big But, they are why you come to work.  They may change, they may grow, they always remind you, your customer and your employee, why they get out of bed in the morning.

Your “Why” is what attracts customers and employees, faster than any marketing campaign.

Why on Earth are You Here?

For example, Clydesdale Services is one of the few businesses that we recommend on this site. Why? because they are clear about why they are here: “To Strengthen Your Business”. How do they do that? “By combining their strength with yours to pull more!” And that’s why they are “Clydesdale” Every member of the Clydesdale team is clear, their purpose is to help small business entrepreneurs grow their business.

Now go and get your Why!  Come back and share it here, post your why in the comments, add your web address and I promise not to delete your comment. Just make sure you say Why!

Go ahead declare yourself to the world!

On your team,

Mark

  • Share/Bookmark
Category: Small Business advice
Tags: > > > > > > >

10 steps to better decision making in your small business.

Posted on | June 28, 2010 | 2 Comments

Every day you make decisions; small ones big ones, important ones, casual ones. They don’t all require careful thoughts, planning or process.  When a big one comes up, how will you handle it? Follow these steps to ensure your small business success.

  1. Identify the decision that needs to be made.  Many times the REAL decision is covered up by distractions, false decision, and “red herrings”. When you know what the real issue is, you can focus, cut your time and get to results faster.
  2. Break it down. No I don’t mean dance…. I mean, break the problem down into its components.  The critical issues that can be resolved as opposed to the issues that you don’t control.  Focus on what you can DO, then do it!
  3. Identify what you know and what you don’t.  If you need more information get it.  Don’t guess use your resources and hone in on what is essential to know to make the right decision. Many people are afraid to admit they don’t know, that is pride.  Pride cannot make a decision for you, facts and analysis can!
  4. Know who to get advice from. Many will go to friends, family and others who don’t understand your business or your problem.  Get a good team, lawyers, accountants, financial advisers, specialty consultants, these are your source for solid advice. Recognize when you need professional advice and make sure you get it. Who’s on your team?
  5. Identify unpredictable results. In other words, do you know that you are guessing? Or using your imagination to get the answer? Don’t! working with facts helps you make a confident decision. You will sleep better knowing facts.

    You can make the right decision.

  6. Trust your gut instinct. What?  Didn’t I just say focus on the facts.  Don’t discount your emotions, you have an instinct that got you into business, that create your success and will continue to drive your growth. You can trust your emotional content to a certain extent.  You will need this emotion to overcome problems that come up you didn’t see.
  7. Focus on your long term goals. Does this decision support your long term plans? If not ask yourself, with this short term gain benefit me long term.  Slow down……never sacrifice your long term plans for short term gains.
  8. Don’t make the decision until you have to.  Know your break point, gather information until you are at the moment of creating the best results.  Sometimes procrastination can be your friend, if you are in control of it.
  9. Know your fears. What scares you, is it real? Are you just projecting past failure or past hurt into the future.  Don’t let the past dictate your future. Decide this issue by itself, not based on what happened yesterday.
  10. Have a plan “B”, always have a back door that will allow you to get the next best thing. Protect your investment of time, mind and money. Don’t feel that a plan B is weak or fear motivated, it’s for you to feel confident that you can’t loose.  So go and get it!

Your good decision making is important to all your stakeholders; employees, family, vendors, and customers all count on you.  Take your time, practice the 10 steps and find your small business success.

On your team,

Mark

  • Share/Bookmark
Category: Small Business advice
Tags: > >

What is Your Small Business Time Crunch Solution?

Posted on | June 21, 2010 | 1 Comment

Becky Lee

Do you need  “Virtual Office Assistance”?

These days, virtual office assistance is a must for companies or self-employed individuals who can’t afford to hire a full-time receptionist or personal assistant. Yes, we charge a bit more per hour than the average employee with a similar title but why pay for a full-time employee when all you have is 6 hours of office work that needs done in the span of a week?

Have you ever had this though: “As a business owner, I would very much like to expand this side of my business but it’s hard to find good people who can think on their feet, who are fast and efficient, and who are ready to commit to a job with questionable amount of hours per week compared with the lure of a full-time job with benefits and the works.”  That’s where a Virtual Office Assistant comes in! For example, my company provides virtual office assistance to Clydesdale Services on an as-needed basis. This means I am available 24/7 to do all office work, book appointments, filter phone calls, and coordinate meetings, amongst other things.

The job? Pretty rewarding and fun. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart because you have to be good at logistics to juggle between all your clients at the same time. You also have to be okay with not getting a steady pay cheque week after week as well as maybe put on a smile for a client that you’re not very fond of. That’s pretty rare though. Most clients are so grateful for the help that they’re overly nice!

The reward? Satisfaction in seeing your clients happy and able to enjoy life more. Is it expensive? Not compared to hiring a full time employee.

To be a good Virtual Assistant….All that’s needed is a servant heart.

Becky Lee is the founder of  Agape Concierge Services Located in Vancouver BC, you can contact her at: becky@agape-concierge.ca

*taken from www.agapeconcierge.wordpress.com with permission*

  • Share/Bookmark
Category: Small Business advice
Tags: > >
keep looking »