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onmyown
Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject: Don't make my mistake |
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Anyways that's how you learn. Now I know better.
I presently am well-employed as a Controller for a company. But only having settled after many downsizings and other things out of my control.
As you never know, I still have a desire to start "something" on the side.
Last September I had a guy install new garage doors and obviously asked him about who does his books. I gave him my personal accounting business card and have kept in touch since via emails and a couple of phone calls.
He eventually indicated that probably pays too much for having an CA firm (CPA in the U.S.) file his yearly corporate tax return. Finally I offered to cut that rate almost in half.
In the end, he decided to stay with his current deal, citing that he knew them a lot better, and felt uncomfortable to make a change.
Obviously I goofed up by not meeting again face-to-face after such a long period or did not even take him out to lunch to develop a relationship, etc.
Well, now I know better. |
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Richard Noot
Joined: 20 Aug 2005
Posts: 912
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:34 am Post subject: Re: Don't make my mistake |
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onmyown wrote: Anyways that's how you learn. Now I know better.
I presently am well-employed as a Controller for a company. But only having settled after many downsizings and other things out of my control.
As you never know, I still have a desire to start "something" on the side.
Last September I had a guy install new garage doors and obviously asked him about who does his books. I gave him my personal accounting business card and have kept in touch since via emails and a couple of phone calls.
He eventually indicated that probably pays too much for having an CA firm (CPA in the U.S.) file his yearly corporate tax return. Finally I offered to cut that rate almost in half.
In the end, he decided to stay with his current deal, citing that he knew them a lot better, and felt uncomfortable to make a change.
Obviously I goofed up by not meeting again face-to-face after such a long period or did not even take him out to lunch to develop a relationship, etc.
Well, now I know better.
was it because you did not take him out to lunch or that he saw no added value in your services. |
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onmyown
Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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I did offer ongoing support throughout the year, Quickbooks support, etc as an all-inclusive package.
Obviously if I had met again face-to-face, would have driven the message
more effectively.
But I learned. :wink: |
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David
Joined: 16 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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OnMyOwn,
Did you offer him a business assessment? I have found that a benchmarking report is very useful when a prospect has a CPA already. I find that most have never had any benchmarking done to comoare them to their industry... Great information and makes you look great.
When I find someone who has NOT had a business assessment, I can then say "I wonder what else they aren't doing for you?" |
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JerryWeygandt
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
Posts: 86
Location: Brentwood, TN
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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David,
You mentioned a business assessment. Is that a form that I am overlooking? How are you going about conducting the business assessment?
Thanks,
Jerry |
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David
Joined: 16 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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Jerry,
As business assessment is also referred to as benchmarking. We use it to attract prospective clients and is one of the tools you should use once you get in the door. It is a great tool that helps you compare a business with its competitors by size and NAICS code.
If your a student of UAC email me and I will give you a sample business assessment. We do these for our students as an added value for customers. |
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belknasm
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 11:31 am Post subject: Learning process |
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| It's all a learning process. The important thing is that you were able to look back and determine what you could have done better. Now you know so it won't happen next time. Good luck! |
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mardig
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject: Lost client? |
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You have looked back and evaluated your actions with this client. Good, but don't beat yourself up about not landing this fish. You won't get them all and often it may have nothing to do with what you've done. No matter what you did he may not have changed.
I was in the massage field and heard this true story: A woman who also had been seeing another MT came to my friend for a massage. She raved about it and said it was the best massage she had ever had. But she never came back. My friend fretted about it. She ran into the woman many months later and asked why she never came back.
The woman said she liked the massage and it was much better than the other therapist's, but the other therapist's office was much closer so it was more convenient!
Never try to figure out a clients motives. Just keep looking for the clients that do want you.[/b] |
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