As we discussed in "The Next Step Along the Path to Refining Your Practice: Establishing the Right Processes," great customer service starts “from the inside out.” Creating efficiencies within your own firm positions you to create efficiencies for your clients. One of the ways to create efficiencies is to establish the right processes.
In the two-part session, "Operational Consulting," Denise Bailey and Deborah Defer will give you the how-to of designing the right processes for solving operational challenges for your clients. Here’s what they have to say about the two sessions they are presenting in this course:
Thinking outside the box. An important skill when helping your client navigate the waters of their business. Every business is different with unique processes. A company may be producing the same product as another company and targeting similar customers but there are still things that make each of them unique.
Operational Consulting is a field of management consulting that specializes in devising operational and business strategies to solve operational, supply chain and efficiency problems within different industries.
Different ownership structure, location, visions, employee skill sets, opportunities, reporting requirements, and accounting platforms. This is only a handful of items but you certainly get the picture, “so many areas to be considered when advising your client.
We love to learn what our clients do to make money, partner with them, and be a part of their success. This is one of the reason, we enjoy what we do each day. Two days are never the same in our lives. We're constantly challenged to reach further, explore new applications and hone in on efficiencies.
These are just a few of the exciting tasks we do. While we work for different accounting firms, in different markets, we still have so much in common and are able to learn from one another. Our collaboration times are packed full of sharing what we’ve learned and brainstorming: How we can do things differently or more efficiently?
We also enjoy teaming up for speaking engagements and are especially excited about our sessions at the "Scaling New Heights®" conference this year. We are privileged to lead the operational consulting sessions and be in the same room with awesome accountants and advisors like you.
Operational Consulting is a field of management consulting that specializes in devising operational and business strategies to solve operational, supply chain and efficiency problems within different industries.
If the definition isn’t exciting enough, you will want to read further about these exciting sessions.
We will take you on a virtual tour, outlining ways top advisors can build into their processes when assessing their client’s daily workflow. As well as, what next steps need to be taken in order for their clients to reach the next level.
"Part 1" will outline the process and provide you with practical tools you can use immediately in your practice. Of course, we'll share stories from real-life experiences, because everyone enjoys hearing about processes that did or did not work and why. You will not want to miss "Part 1." as we walk step by step through the engagement, how to become a rock star to your clients and pitfalls to avoid.
We'll also discuss setting your client’s expectations and what do when things may not go as planned. Yes, there are days when we face Yetis but we turn that into an opportunity instead of an obstacle.
"Part 2" will build on "Part 1," so you'll want to make sure to attend both sessions. "Part 2" is putting the plan into action and will provide for collaboration within the group. After attending, you will be able to build your own operational consulting package.
You'll not want to miss the fast-paced popcorn session at the end where we will be learning from each other and recapping the two sessions.
Join us for these exciting sessions to aid in your quest as you "Refine Your Practice and establish the Right Processes" to be successful.
"Operational Consulting Part 1 will be offered on Sunday, June 4, at noon, while "Operational Consulting Part 2" follows at 2 p.m.
You can find more details about each of the sessions in a downloadable document located here: Download Course Descriptions.
Reminder: As your ever-faithful Sherpas, we stand ready to guide and encourage you along your chosen path. If you'd like to consult with us about your path, please email me at coliver@woodard.com or Liz at ecolley@woodard.com. Be sure to tell us your goals and what you hope to learn so we can recommend appropriate learning paths for your upcoming "Scaling New Heights" experience in Orlando Fla.
Denise Bailey, ABA
Denise Bailey, ABA, director of Accounting Systems Consulting, has provided businesses of various sizes with accounting, tax planning and new company, startup consulting for over fourteen years. She has specialized expertise in sales and use tax reporting and compliance, payroll tax reporting and compliance and income tax planning.
Denise has extensive knowledge of QuickBooks accounting software, specializing in inventory system analysis and procedure implementation. She provides customized tracking data and reports for large, complex projects and delivers scalable solutions aimed at improving processes, utilizing technology and ensuring compliance. She has provided training and technical support to QuickBooks users since 2001.
Deb Defer
Deborah A. Defer, BSO Managing Director, has more than 30 years of accounting experience. She focuses on QuickBooks administration, receivables/payables, payroll setup and processing, financial reports, and both corporate and individual tax returns.
Deborah primarily spends her time consulting with clients regarding QuickBooks matters. Training, system analysis, integration, and implementation of third-party applications for QuickBooks, and troubleshooting issues are areas of concentration.
She is an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor®, Advanced QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor®, Certified Enterprise QuickBooks ProAdvisor®, Expert Certification for Bill.com, T-Sheets Pro, and Certified in LivePlan.com. Deborah has also been selected to the "VIP40" by Intuit, "Top Business Process Outsourcing ProAdvisor of 2015" by Insightful Accountant and "Top 100 ProAdvisor of 2016."