What I’m writing to you about today is much easier said than done.
Like me, you probably have to be the one in your firm to keep eyes focused in on what you do BEST.
In fact, I was thinking about this very much over the weekend, as we continued to serve our growing ranks of clients. Final extended tax returns were due on Monday the 17th, and we’ve been busy as bees. Our inboxes are bursting, our file folders are swelled, but I still need to be focused on the one big thing.
I like to keep things simple. And it always helps to get some inspiration in doing so.
Keep It Simple Stupid: Three Areas Newtown Square, PA Business Owners Should Simplify
“A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline.” -Harvey Mackay
Tuesday nights, America can just about get an MBA in small business. The Profit with Marcus Lemonis (CEO of Camping World) is a great primer for any business owner or executive because of how it shines a good spotlight on how we over complicate things unnecessarily in life and business.
There are so many different issues that Lemonis addresses, and watching it is something I highly encourage my clients to do as much as possible.
Because everything is edited for TV, things are obviously simplified. But watching it is, in fact, to see the “KISS principle” played out right in front of you. KISS is an acronym for “Keep it simple stupid” and it was coined by U.S. Navy engineers in 1960 to stress the importance of building aircraft that could be repaired on the battlefield by a regular mechanic using only basic tools. Essentially, the KISS principle states that most systems work better when they are simple rather than complex.
So, inspired by this concept, here are a few things you would do well to keep in mind. I know I try to do so, as I run our busy tax firm…
1.) Identify the need you fulfill. Whether you sell homes or financial services you are fulfilling a need for your clients that has nothing to do with real estate or stocks and bonds — rather than the commodity or service you bring, try to think of the psychological need you fulfill.
2.) Build your plan to serve that need. You may have the ability to offer other services that don’t serve the core need of your market, but avoid the temptation to use them if possible. The likelihood of confusing your prospects and customers is too high to justify the value you might think you’re creating.
3.) Don’t get too elaborate with systems. Especially the ones that impact customer service. You can see this in some of these restaurants on the show. While every business should have processes for everything, the more common sense they are, the better. If yours are intuitive and easy to perform for both staff and clients, they are going to be win-win.
Check out the show, and thank me later.
So I’m simply grateful for our chance to serve you and your business– and we are dedicated to every part of its success.
Feel very free forward this article to a Newtown Square, PA business associate or client you know who could benefit from our assistance — or simply send them our way? While these particular articles usually relate to business strategy, as you know, we specialize in tax preparation and planning for Newtown Square, PA families and business owners. And we always make room for referrals from trusted sources like you.
Warmly,
Stephen Venuti
610-353-0686
Stephen J. Venuti, CPA, MST, LLC
