“I’m practicing being somebody. Because you can be a somebody or just someone. You know, someone who is just passing by.” – Nicholas
Funny how the subtlety of language – somebody versus someone – resonates at an early age. Then, I wonder what he meant by the last part.
I guess sooner or later I’ll have to stop tinkering around and get going.
The boy scouts are set up at various retail outlets around town today.
Stop by and lend support if you can.
I think mom spent more time on the sign than the kids are scheduled to sell.
Moms can be like that.
Keeping with our theme of patronizing local restaurants when we can. Here is a picture of a large 1/2 pepperoni 1/2 sausage from my favorite nearby pizza place, New York Pizza at Broadway and Camino Seco. Quality is usually quite consistent and price is reasonable. Nice job NY.
A few years back, we discovered that could no longer find this soup. My wife contacted the Campbell Soup Company who informed her that “due to changing consumer tastes” this particular variety was discontinued. We had a problem since this was the base ingredient for one of our favorite dishes, enchilada pie. Then, yesterday she came back from the store with a bag full of cans of cream of onion soup. My wife said she bought all they had because she didn’t know if it was some sort of fluke. I hope it’s back to stay. My rough attempt at the recipe for enchilada pie (apologies to my friend Stan Strom) is under the recipes page menu on my site.
One thing I have learned so far is that long posts are time-consuming and real pain to proofread and fact check.
My colleagues sometimes accuse me of being a little indecisive. True, I don’t often see things as black or white. The world is a complex place and quick, simple answers don’t usually measure up over the long-term. But on the topic of why clients leave, most fail to understand that there is an easy answer – value. Perceived benefit – cost = value.
In a May 2011 article for the AICPA’s Insider, Jean Marie Caragher cites a Bay Street Group LLC study claiming that the top reason clients change CPA firms is poor client service and inattentiveness. The study apparently held Continue reading
So, I found my children playing. My son, with his sister’s urging, had started his own tax practice.
Now, even at this young age, they knew they needed a tag line and a way to differentiate their business. Interesting that we as adults just can’t seem to grasp this simple technique. We tell ourselves it isn’t necessary. Well, even with the second-grade spelling, we get the point.
Tonight Venice Restaurant & Pizzeria
Not fancy – but a very comfortable and family restaurant
www.7848venice.com/
Clients who come in at the last-minute deserve just as high quality service as those who show up timely, but quality is so hard to provide at the last-minute. We try, but they don’t give us much room for planning or correction. I lecture them and hope they understand. It’s frustrating to see clients with so much potential who either believe they can’t afford the service or simply don’t see the value. Now, we file and then look to amend if items like the small employer health insurance credit or other opportunities seem promising.
Our accounting manager spent the day with a payroll provider and a client looking into amending 2010’s payroll for some critical errors – the payroll service agreed that we would be a lower cost choice. Now that is scary. We’re less expensive than the major payroll provider and it’s their error!
How do we make the clients see value in things they don’t understand. Trust is the key. They need to believe that you know their pain and that you have their best interest at heart. It’s tired but true….They won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.