7-year old wisdom

“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.

First rule in sales – smile!

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.

Good Job on the Pie NY!

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.

Is Campbell’s Cream of Onion Soup Back?

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.

Do clients leave over fees? Of course and of course not.

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

Where you can count on us!

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.