Soar Like a Swan: Accounting Firms Taking Flight
Why don’t swans ever get lost?
Because they always “swan-der” in the right direction!
We live on a lake up here in Canada. And on our lake, we have an abundance of waterfowl, including swans.
Watching our swans attempting to take off - hugely awkward and challenging at first - reminds me of people launching a new firm or trying to modernize one.
They circle around, wondering if they should give this a go, puttering and overthinking it and when they finally decide to take flight, it’s all flappy and noisy for a long while. But once in the air, they are really quite magnificent flyers, much like progressive accounting firms that overcome initial struggles to thrive.
Awkward Beginnings:
It's not the smoothest process.
Stumbling over getting clients
Selecting or honing service offerings
Getting pricing set (ugh!)
Navigating the tech stack maze
Talk about daunting initiations. But even swans, with their start-up flailing, eventually get the get in the air.
Building Momentum:
Like a swan practicing wing flaps, your accounting firm will feel the lift.
Craft up some marketing
Ask for referrals and attend networking events
It's not easy to get off the water, but you must get on with getting on, and soon enough, you will begin to gain confidence.
The Ascension:
Once your accounting firm gets over that initial awkward phase, it's time to soar.
Hone your services and prices
Cultivate your 5-Star Client Profile
Put deeper processes and policies in place
Define your tech stack more tightly
This is the exciting phase. You are off the ground, you are setting a course, and you can feel the wind beneath your wings.
Navigating the Skies:
Once in the air, swans navigate the skies effortlessly.
Stay current with tech
Embrace the necessary regulations
Collaborate with those you admire who are ahead of your journey
Staff up - through hiring or outsourcing
Your firm will sail. Now it will feel less like a daring skydive and more like a steady flight.
Sustaining Flight:
To keep your accounting firm flying high, adopt a swan-like commitment to improvement.
Regularly evaluate and enhance your practices
Make friendies with technology
Foster a culture of innovation
Check-in on performance, client satisfaction, and internal processes
Always be iterating to keep your firm smoothly cruising through the skies!
Starting an accounting firm is a lot like watching a swan take off, only with fewer feathers and more spreadsheets.
But, by flapping through those initial awkward moments, refining your skills, and adapting to the wild business skies, your accounting firm can be the majestic swan of the financial world— soaring with style, precision, and a commitment to progress.
Side note: swans are territorial, mean and intense fighters. Unlike any of the accounting professionals I know, who are kind, caring and immensely collaborative - go us!
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I am taking a little breather from events until the spring, except for two fun, small-group masterminds in Jason Staat’s Realize Community. We will be working a Firm Evaluation Form and setting up actionable steps to start building your dream firm.
Swiping Right: Analyzing your firm to build a profile you would swipe right on.
Tuesday, January 16th, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
Swiping Left: Evaluating what needs to be kicked to the curb to make way to build your ideal firm.
Tuesday, February 20th, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
These are live sessions and will not be recorded due to the sensitivity of some of the sharing (and caring) that will happen. Fixing your firm is personal and scary! And necessary!
Simply yours, Kellie :-}
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