shop for what you need.
by gabrielle fontaine
our profession is officially in disruption. technology is starting to automate much of what we provide clients for compliance services, including bookkeeping and tax functions. is this a threat or an opportunity?
more: how to set a profitable price every time
exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.
it depends on how you see it. i see it as an opportunity to provide more value to our clients and automate the drudgery. it can help us get more done more accurately, faster and cheaper.
how do we leverage this technology for the best results?
first, let’s start with the wrong way because this is the way most of us start out.
the most common way that apps are chosen in the vast majority of accounting and bookkeeping firms is the wrong way. it’s a big reason why so many of us struggle with trying to get the streamlined results we want most.
here’s how it usually goes: we see a new app demo, maybe at an accounting technology conference, or we attend a webinar. we get all excited about the possibilities. what the app can do is so cool and we see the possibilities for our firm. we then attempt to jump on board by signing up with a view to getting the magic to work in our practice, because as the salesperson showed, it’s going to immediately solve all our problems.
i call this phase the bright shiny app trap. this is how we get caught up in the excitement of the marketing messages and lose touch with reality. it’s what happens almost every time we focus on an app first.
the reality is that we’ll end up struggling, trying to make our workflows and clients conform to what is needed to fit in with how the shiny new app works. sadly, it usually doesn’t turn out to work the magic we expected. finally, after much hair pulling and wasted time and money, we finally admit that the app just might not be the best fit for our practice. there must be a better solution out there, right? so then we’re in hot pursuit of the next shiny new technology that will save the day.
this endless cycle is a losing battle. it wastes a ton of money, time and resources that could be invested much more deliberately and profitably. let’s stop the madness right now!
the first step is to stop jumping from app to app to app in search of push-button online magic. stop listening to what others are saying about the latest and coolest new app. cover your eyes and skip the software demo. when we begin by shopping for apps to upgrade our systems, we’re really putting the cart before the horse, or as i like to say, doing it app backwards.
don’t start the process by shopping for apps!
instead, focus on the kiss method: keep it simple, sweetie.
first consider the specific results that are needed to streamline your processes. your processes are based on your workflow. your workflows, when they’re effective and efficient, are the standardized simple systems in your practice.
so before any type of app automation can be used effectively, your workflows must be defined and then standardized for your client base, especially your best clients.
automation is implemented to save time on low-value, time-consuming tasks. the savings can then be invested in either serving more clients or digging into deeper, high-value services with your existing clients. that’s how you get high-impact growth the quickest.
the progression: documented workflow > standardize core services > automate low-value processes.
so, the question to ask before you sign up for that next nifty new webinar demo is, do you have defined workflows and processes for your core client services?
in truth, documenting workflow, especially for an established firm, can be a formidable task to tackle. but it can be started simply and quickly using basic flowcharts or checklists for a top-down approach.
once you are able to see visually how information and services are actually flowing through your practice, you’ll more easily see specific bottlenecks and sticking points that could be streamlined using apps that work the way you need them to and fit your practice functions.
so what’s the best way to leverage app technology to streamline your services? start with your workflow needs and not with the marketing messages from the app vendors!