Why isn’t that client opting for the higher level of service? Why hasn’t that prospect accepted my proposal? Why can’t these people see the value in what I do? Can’t they see I’m an investment, not a cost? Oh, sorry—I’m not talking about your clients and prospects. I’m speaking for your current and potential vendors, i.e., that means you, but from someone else’s perspective. In this article, the author prop ...

From week to week, we need to work on making our practices better and more effective. It can be hard. It takes a commitment of time and effort, energy, and thought. But what IS easy is making small improvements from week to week that, over the course of say, a month, make a dramatic difference in the efficiency or effectiveness of our practice processes and procedures—by identifying and getting rid of drag ...

Has Work-Life Balance Changed After COVID-19? In this article, the author shares a personal story regarding how the COVID-19 outbreak affected her role as a professional and mother. The story shared is about perseverance and focus, and emerging emotionally stronger as a mother and valuation professional. Like many valuation analysts, I began my career at a CPA firm. Several years into my career, I became a ...

We all need to get everyday work stuff done. Often though, doing the everyday work stuff leaves little time to get the big work stuff done. Stuff that can make a huge difference in your practice (and your life). In this article, the author describes six rules he follows to get those important matters done. We all need to get everyday work stuff done. Often though, doing the everyday work stuff leaves little ...

This article builds on the author’s May 11, 2022 “Being Different is More Profitable Than Being Better” article. In this article, the author provides five questions that my enable one to differentiate oneself from the competition. How do your clients think you’re doing? You don’t know unless you ask. Because knowing what they want and then giving it to them is the easiest (if not the best) way to stand out. ...

There are two ways to set ourselves apart from the competition—be different or be better. Being different is more effective, but it takes some effort to demonstrate how we are different. Being better is less effective, but it takes almost no effort to draft the usual platitudes. The author shares his views on the respective choices and rewards. There are two ways to set ourselves apart from the competition: ...

Alternative Means to Effectively Gauge Business Operations and Assist Owners Three ratios that are widely used have validity because they are either used in business valuations, loan covenants, reports to stockholders in Form 10-Ks, used when financial statement analyses are performed, or have familiarity because they have become entrenched in the system. The author of this article considers reliance on the ...

Most of us want big results with our practices. We want to be sought after in our industry and have a line of prospects waiting to become clients. We want fees that reflect our value and not our time. The question is: What are we doing to make that happen—taking risks or doing the hard work? In this article, Rob Burkert discusses the consequences of each choice. Most of us want big results with our practice ...

Part II of II This is the second of a two-part article (read Part I) related to the proposed (mostly) GAAP-based income tax in the (perhaps fatally wounded) Build Back Better Act. While the Build Back Better Act may be dead, the GAAP-based income tax is a polarizing concept that may be resurrected soon. The first part focused on why there is a push by some—and pushback by others—on such a tax. The second pa ...

Delicate Balancing (and a Backbone) Required Rarely does a week pass in white collar and investigation or SEC-regulatory outside counsel life that an auditor or government enforcement attorney does not request some form of interim or final read-out or update. These requests for information can encompass investigative process and factual findings, lists of search terms, interview outlines, or similar investi ...

What You Should Know About Them The world as we know it is rapidly changing and the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the pace of that change. Some experts estimate the pandemic advanced the digital transformation timeline by seven years. These changes have opened many new opportunities for cybercriminals who have adeptly exploited these vulnerabilities. This article will summarize the trends that have create ...

A Transition Planning Tool Kit This is an abridged article published by the author. The original article is longer and contains forms referenced but not included here. The author has prepared a tool kit to assist sole practitioners and smaller partnerships with a method of having their practice sold or continued in the event of an untimely death or disability. This tool kit has been prepared to assist sole ...

Rather than reacting to developments on Monday, take action earlier to jumpstart the week. In this article, Rod Burkert shares five things he does to remain active and plan the week ahead. Our RV travels cause us to keep some pretty weird hours. But one thing I never alter is how I prep for the coming week. I’m a fussy to-do list maker. And a meticulous scheduling planner. These two habits intersect every S ...

We sometime make decisions that seem right, but in hindsight, we wonder what we were thinking at the time. Over committing is exhausting. In this article, Rod Burkert shares his thoughts on how to get back on track and focus on the main priorities. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I look at an event on my schedule and think: Why did I agree to do this/write that/be there? I’m sure it made sense at the ...

In this article, the author shares with readers that a number of practitioners expect a slow 2022; this is a departure from the current work frenzy. He shares his advice regarding what to do in anticipation of that fear. I have been talking to many of my colleagues lately—mainly, those who specialize in tax purpose valuations. Collectively, they have been, and they are up to their a$$es in alligators—result ...

Not all referral opportunities pan out. And there are two reasons why. This article explains those two main reasons. I want that new client. I need that new client. I am perfect for that new client. I deserve that new client. Dang! Why didn’t I get that new client?! Unfortunately, not all referral opportunities pan out. And there are two reasons why. Reason #1: Your Referral Source Didn’t Refer You Ouch! Hi ...

Last month, Rod Burkert wrote about the four worst ways to generate new clients. Well, then there has to be the four best ways—right?! Read on! Here, Rod Burkert describes what you must do more of to get new clients. Last month, I wrote about the four worst ways to generate new clients. Well, then there has to be the four best ways—right?! Read on! For most businesses, getting referrals is usually a top mar ...

Post Closing Task List This article provides readers with a checklist used at a business transaction that just closed. The list was adapted from e-mails sent by the author to clients immediately after the closing. The list includes what they can and should do following the closing and is a way to further involve oneself in post-closing activities. The list collects all the different things (personal, invest ...

That You Think Still Work What are the most effective ways to market professional services? In this article, Rod Burkert shares the four worst ways to get new clients. We all know the “generally accepted” marketing techniques to create referral opportunities that can lead to new clients. We also know the mileage of different techniques can vary. What if I could tell you the worst (and best) ways? Backed up ...

Diversify the Revenue Sources Valuation consultants usually have training and experience with the process of normalizing owner compensation. They may also have access to compensation comparability data, which is a collection of actual amounts paid by other employers which can be sorted. Therefore, valuation specialists may already have what they need to begin adding compensation consulting services to their ...