back to basics with client service

three rock-solid principles.

by rick telberg

it shouldn’t take an economic downturn and cutthroat competition for accounting firms to rekindle their interest in optimizing client service, satisfaction and retention.

“it should be at the top of the agenda all the time,” sandra wiley, coo at boomer consulting was telling me.

but with the economy of the new normal, client service has become a hot topic.

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the three big how-to’s for client satisfaction surveys

what you need to know to get started today.

a record number of accounting firm professionals joined last week’s webinar on client service, satisfaction and retention, produced by the seven keys to successful cpa firm management.

co-presenter jean caragher of capstone marketing summed it up at one point, saying, “the bottom line: every cpa firm claims to deliver excellent client service.”

but, she added, “how does your firm support that claim?  do you have a formal client satisfaction and retention program?”

if not, today is the day to start.

here’s how: read more →

five ways to shift from cross-selling to cross-serving your clients

tracy crevar warren
tracy crevar warren, ceo, the crevar group

how to embrace a new advisory role and really deliver value.

in the new book, “bull’s-eye! the ultimate how-to marketing and sales guide for cpas,” business development veteran russ molinar discusses a concept he calls “cross-serving.” according to tracy crevar warren, writing in the latest aicpa cpa insider, cross-serving offers an alternative to cross-selling, while highlighting the importance that the trusted advisory role plays in serving clients.

she cites the bay street group research showing 63% of clients indicate that proactive advice and consultation is an important criterion in selecting a cpa firm. however, 44% noted problem-solving ability as a top factor.

for more on the research findings and how to put them to use in your accounting firm, visit “the seven keys to successful cpa firm management” and click on client service+satisfaction.

and then she lays out five steps to shift from cross-selling to cross-serving:    read more →

do your clients really want to talk to you?

or would they rather text? it may depend on their age. or yours. new data from nielsen suggests that today’s twenty-somethings text more than they talk on the phone. maybe it’s time to redefine the rules of office communications and … continued