convergence coaching research suggests eight steps to take.
by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research
the covid-19 pandemic has been many things for many people.
for the wise, it’s been an education.
more: the future is blended: combining remote and office work
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or, to put it another way, the mother of invention.
cpa firms have been quick to invent. what the wise have realized is that the inventions aren’t temporary measures destined to disappear when no longer needed. many are here to stay, and the accounting industry will be better off with them.
what’s been invented?
- the technology that enables long-term remote teamwork
- home offices, often in the middle of family life
- a merging of home and office lives
- the dispensability of central offices
- flextime and flex jobs as viable alternatives
- flextime and flex jobs as perks and benefits
- policies, procedures, guidelines, and strategies for flex time, flex jobs, and remote work
- new communication practices
- culture in a decentralized work environment
the future is a blend
add these all together and you will reach the same conclusion that convergence coaching did in its anytime, anywhere work survey.
the survey’s conclusion: the future is a blend.
that blend, of course, is the interweaving of remote work and traditional office work.
that said, the subsequent/consequent question is how to turn the blend into strategy.
woe unto the cpa office that goes on using these new inventions as temporary, ad hoc, jury-rigged, make-do, limp-along solutions that only perpetuate an antiquated way of doing business.
and cheers unto the cpa office that converts these inventions into the building blocks of advanced strategy.
eight steps into the future
the anytime, anywhere work survey suggests a few ways to implement a few more.
use blended work as the core of a new strategy.
- reassess how much real estate you really need, whether to shrink or find a new use for unused office space.
- use blended work to brand your firm as innovative, adaptable, and streamlined.
- use it to attract and hold on to talent.
- use it to expand your geographic reach – for clients and talent.
develop new metrics.
- how should you measure hours?
- how should you assess results?
- how should you set deadlines?
- how should you measure performance?
- how should you determine standards?
embrace the future.
- take anytime, anywhere work as the new normal, not the old add-on.
- decentralize not just the office but managerial control.
- assess personnel in light of the integral importance of remote work.
- formally define your firm as a blended workplace.
accommodate the home office.
- people who work at home must deal with various challenges – space, hardware, children, family expectations – so help them do so. if your office is in their home, their home is in your office.
- adjust your expectations.
- monitor what’s happening at home offices. ask about problems; offer solutions.
- facilitate communication for not only the exchange of information but the nourishing of culture.
exploit technology.
- as you save on real estate, spend on tech.
- extend technology to help clients not only work with your firm but within their own operations.
- monitor tech developments and keep updating.
formalize the blend.
- redefine the firm.
- develop all-new guidelines, training procedures, policies, procedures.
- communicate what’s new with personnel, candidates and clients.
nurture culture.
- recognize that decentralized culture is still culture. aim to make it a good one.
- identify what makes your remote folks cohesive, and nurture that.
- keep in touch with everybody, and not just to exchange data.
- nominate a chief culture officer.
- schedule events – online and in person.
bring clients on board.
- help clients become comfortable with remote contact.
- monitor client feelings about and frustrations with remote participation.
- help clients learn to do what your firm is doing.
- look for ways to use “remote expertise” to offer new services.
- nominate a client development officer.
if covid-19 gave you lemons, don’t just make lemonade. plant a grove.