Summer is Here, Now What?
You did it! You made it through busy season and you deserve a round of applause.👏 Now that you have some breathing room, it's time to start strategizing about how to finish 2023 strong.
Here are some ideas to get you thinking about how to maximize the summer months.
Adopt an integrated team solution
You need staffing resources at a time when talent is hard to come by. In addition to making your open roles more enticing, it might be a good idea to reach out to a company that can help bridge the talent gap and handle assurance, tax and accounting. Bringing in an outsourcing partner will let you and your people focus on what you do best instead of spending valuable time on mundane tasks and basic prep work.
Invest in your team members
Use the less busy months to build into your team. Doing so will better equip them for increased demand down the road. Provide them with training opportunities, bring them along to conferences, give them continuous coaching and feedback. People value opportunities to learn and improve their skills, and showing how much you value them can help motivate them to improve their performance and take on additional responsibilities. Don’t forget to recognize and reward their achievements accordingly.
Stay connected
Don't let the communication gap widen after the busy season. Keep everyone updated on your what’s happening with your firm, including where you are headed and what they can expect. Continue building meaningful relationships by showing appreciation, asking for honest feedback and really listening to what they have to say. It doesn’t take much to make a team member feel heard and appreciated. A simple thank you note, phone call, or shout out on a Teams call can go a long way.
Refine current processes
Debrief with your team and see if there are processes you engage in daily that can be improved, delegated or streamlined. Consider automating steps, using templates or checklists, and thinking about tasks that can be delegated to improve efficiency. The slower summer months present the perfect opportunity to fine-tune your processes before heading into the busy fall season.
Value bill
Don't sell yourself short. Bill for the value of your work and communicate it clearly to clients. Show them how you and your team add value to their business and remind them why they trust you as their advisor. High and persistent inflation is a global concern, so consider increasing your fees firm-wide by at least 10-15%. No one likes paying higher prices, but your clients will understand.
Embrace technology
Chat GPT and AI are here to stay. ChatGPT can already help with any number of tasks. Use it to write the first drafts of difficult emails, create VLOOKUP formulas in Excel, draft form letters or even write simple code for automating tasks. Think of ChatGPT and other AI tools as your newest and cheapest interns.
Have fun and be present in your life
Lastly, don't forget to have some fun this summer! Put the idea of work/life balance into practice and find ways to enjoy yourself while your schedule allows.
Also, consider making life a little more fun for your team by instituting things like flex Fridays, no meeting-Fridays, casual Fridays, designated work from home days or other policies your team will appreciate.
I hope these tips help you plan for a successful remaining 2023. Cheers!
Make the most of the summer months with Aprio by your side
Access the relationships, advice and technical resources you need to thrive. Contact Mike Maksymiw or Joey Darwish to discuss how membership in Aprio’s Firm Alliance can benefit you.