Top 10 Quotes I Hear From My Clients

This is a light hearted blog on the top 10 things I hear from clients.Its abit of fun - well mostly.

1. "But I've given you everything" - When asked for missing paperwork, typically missing bank statements- no you haven't, if you had we wouldn't need to ask for it!

2. "My mate pay less tax/fees/" It seems everyone is an accountant . I never knew there were so many around, willing to give oodles of advice for the price of a pint!

3. "Deadline-what deadline?" - The deadline we reminded you of numerous times, along with HMRC, and Companies House, by text, email, letter!

4. "My accounts are simple" - Ahh, my heart fills with dread everytime I hear this as it usually means nothing of the sort!

5. "I just want a quote on the phone" - Bad luck because we dont do them. Firstly you may be a competitor fishing for our charges. Secondly we never get a full picture of the work involved and you as a client, so cannot give an accurate quote. Thirdly we waste alot of time giving free advice on the phone, as you ring several accountants, getting non like-for-like quotes which are meaningless in comparison because the service levels are different. Fourthly, I could go on but you get the picture!

6. "How much tax do I have to pay?, but I haven't got the money to pay it."- maybe not now, but you did, unfortunately you've spent it!

7. "I need my accounts done quickly because I'm going on holiday, so want to get them signed off before I go"- Well if you'd let us have the information when requested, some 3 months ago, instead of 2 weeks before your holiday they'd be done by now.

8. "When will I get my tax refund?" - We are not HMRC, once we submit we have no idea, it maybe 2 weeks or 2 months.

9. "Why cant I claim my mortgage/rent/utility bills/food as expenses?" - because they aren't business expenses!

10. "Its not fair-Starbucks, Amazon, Facebook don't pay any tax." -Write to your MP.

They think its all over...Football & Business Parallels

My son plays for a local football team. In this particular match he was asked to play upfront, when he's more used to playing in central midfield. He didn't have a very good game, and he seemed to lose heart.

After the game I asked him why he didn't have a good game.

Firstly he complained that he was played out of position, so was less comfortable. Also when  he was in good positions the ball wasn't played to him, which left him isolated.

It seemed that there are many parallels between football and business.

Too many businesses/clients are waiting for the ball to come to them. They get in the right positions - but are then waiting for things to happen. If they don't, then they lose heart.

So I asked my son what could he have done differently?

He said he should have dropped deeper- to try and get more involved in the game and find space. 

"Good-what else?". He pondered. So I said "What about shouting you want the ball?, letting your teammates know you are available and you want the ball?

That way you could have linked up and get more service from your team."

In the same way if in business things aren't going your way-your not getting the sales you want -what do you do? Stay where you are in your comfort zone and blame and complain?, or do you change strategy and try alternative marketing strategies?

Do you drop deep and go to the ball-be more proactive-could you increase your marketing-do more networking-communicate you want more business?

Could you let existing clients know you want more business-working on referrals-let them know you want the ball?

Could you link up with other non-competing businesses and create joint ventures/marketing -linking up the play?

Of course you could stay where you are in the hope you get a lucky break-but do you want to rely on that?

When things aren't going your way-its hard, and its not easy to keep positive. But I'm reminded of a Winston Churchill quote "If your going through hell-keep going"

Business is about calculated risks. If you do all the right things then you increase the odds you succeed.

In order to succeed you need to push yourself, Get out of your comfort zone -and if things aren't going your way-adapt and change your approach.

My son took this and board and played much better in his next game.

Could you play better in yours?