In my day to day practice in strategic human resource management I often come across customers looking for a 'good' accountant or 'good lawyer'. As an accountant myself the common thread for a 'good acountant or lawyer' seems to be 'I want someone who can explain things in plain english without the jargon'. This simplicity of service and communications can grow your business and ensure that you never need to look for more work! And the sad fact is that there are many practioners that just don't deliver.
So what makes a 'good accountant / lawyer'? People from all walks of life are looking for someone they can trust with their hard earnt money and that gives advice that can be understood. They aren't interested in Part IVA, debt defeasance, estopel and other industry terms or jargon and they are willing to pay for the service.
From Professionals to Blue Collar Workers it is a common question that I am asked 'Where can I go for common sense advice, where can I go and who can I trust?
Sadly, even amongst the largest service firms to the private practitioner there appears to be a dearth of pratical practitioners.
More information at http://www.biz-momentum.com
Where are they you ask? Where indeed!
The sad fact is that many hide behind their memberships and qualifications. Before you think this is all esoteric may I remind you that I am a qualified accountant and a beleiver in the profession having worked in banking, finance and commerce for 20 years before strategic human resource advising.
Here are some points to ponder and ask yourself if you are in the accounting or professional field ?
1. What do my customers really want? - In my experience, most customers want reassurance, want to be listened to and feel that you are there to help them and they will pay for this service.
2. Do you care? - you show you care by how you resond to their questions and to how you remember even the small things that are important to them.
3. Do you give them time? - we are all working at a hectic pace today, however customers want your time and will pay for it.
4. Do you follow up with them? - I recently engaged a firm of lawyers for a customer of mine. They rang me after seeing the lawyer and said how impressed they were. Why? - they hadn't seen the principal (this firm had 30 partners), however the principal had rung the next day to see whether they were being looked after. The firm now has a client for life.
5. Be practical - send a card, ring occasionally and you factor this in to your pricing.
In a world of rapid change the one thing that people appreciate is the personal touch. Your business, accounting, law or other services business can be exciting, inspiring and profitable.
Its' really not that hard - it just takes some effort, kindness and a customer focussed outlook.
You can build your practice and enjoy the journey and the fruits of your labor. The choice is mine, the choice is yours.
Philip Lye is Director of Biz Momentum Pty Ltd providing professional services in strategic human resource management, training your people to work with you and grow your business, and 'coaching you' to be a better executive.
More information at http://www.biz-momentum.com
Philip holds qualifications in Accounting, Leadership, Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations and is a qualified accountant.
Philip started his working career as the 'postage clerk' in banking and finance rising through various business opportunities to CEO and CFO of two companies before leaving to start his own business in 2002.
One of the mantras we hear repeatedly in business is... Read More
Have you ever wondered why you often find a coupon... Read More
A few weeks ago we conducted our annual "Customer Experience... Read More
Running a successful business takes a lot of energy and... Read More
"Every company's greatest assets are its customers, because without customers... Read More
After years of flying below the radar in the magazine... Read More
Customer retention is vital to a business. If you cannot... Read More
Which is more important the technology or the customer?The one... Read More
If you're a pet owner, you know the stress of... Read More
It's never too soon to start saying thanks to your... Read More
Sure, all clients are different. They have different kinds of... Read More
I got it into my head sometime in December 2004... Read More
Periodically every sales person encounters the customer who refuses to... Read More
Quest for new clients shouldn't ignore those who pay the... Read More
Customer service and customer service training are vital for any... Read More
One of the basics of acting taught to me in... Read More
Many organizations tackle to the issue of customer service by... Read More
What have you done for your existing customers lately? Probably... Read More
Clients? they are the most important influence in the success... Read More
While most companies talk about consumer friendliness, customer centricity, customer... Read More
"Mountains are built one pebble at a time and climbed... Read More
1. Hire people who have a service attitude. Some people... Read More
A growing number of individuals are finding themselves called to... Read More
Evacuation, "E-Vac" Oil System for Oil ChangingHow do most mobile... Read More
Why do some businesses offer points, stamps or every tenth... Read More
Another sad fact of life is that these days, very... Read More
Given the choice of dealing with a positive, upbeat employee... Read More
Some time ago a major UK food retailer decided to... Read More
Whether in a restaurant, a retail establishment, or the local... Read More
Every business owner should have a picture of his or... Read More
First of all let's look at what customer service is... Read More
We all know the old adage, "The Customer is Always... Read More
Your opportunity to build a stellar client relationship starts with... Read More
Those of us in home based and small businesses are... Read More
Do you remember the last time you went into a... Read More
"Society is always taken by surprise at any new example... Read More
According to customer service studies by marketing gurus of the... Read More
Sure, all clients are different. They have different kinds of... Read More
The Reason Why Direct Internet Marketers Have To Work So... Read More
A client recently said to me: "Most days things seem... Read More
Service can be described as a "performance" of some kind... Read More
A few months ago, I wrote about ingenious styles of... Read More
You probably think I am going to say something like,... Read More
The other day while at the book store, I came... Read More
Why is it that Microsoft wants you to buy its... Read More
Customer service is the most vital asset for Business either... Read More
I hate to sound like one of those cheesy get-rich-quick... Read More
If you want to learn how to get your clients... Read More
"Right, People. Let's blast out that mail campaign we've been... Read More
What have you done for your existing customers lately? Probably... Read More
Customer Service Customer Service |