Anchor

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"I don't have what it takes to market my firm..." Heard that too many times in the past year at Anchor, so I wanted to follow up on this. Unfortunately, Linkedin character limit had other plans. So, it became an article instead 🤓 Spoiler: Marketing isn't separated from your work and you have everything it takes, right now. #accountants #bookkeepers #firms #marketing #smbmarketing #AccountingMarketing #BookkeepingTips #MarketingPillars #GrowYourFirm #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusinessMarketing

Supporting those who support others? Anytime, all the time. Argel Sabillo, CPA HeyApril Inc #bench #ElevateOthers

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝘀. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴. It's your life-changing difference. We all know the drill when it comes to planning. Yearly plans, project plans, the classic "what’s the plan" or "plan ahead." Planning is everywhere, but preparing? That’s a whole different ballgame. Two weeks ago, I finished a book about 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦-𝘦𝘯-𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, a system chefs swear by. The mantra is simple: Everything in its place. Before service starts, chefs don’t just plan what they’ll cook. They prepare. Ingredients are measured, chopped, and ready. Tools are organized. Sauces and garnishes are lined up. They are not scrambling for tools or wondering what’s next. They are ready. This preparation is not extra work. It is the work that makes everything else possible. See the difference? 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 your day is about deciding what needs to get done. It is the blueprint. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 for your day takes it further. It is planning plus making sure everything is ready so you can execute seamlessly. I’ve started applying this idea to my work, and honestly, it is a game-changer for my work at Anchor. Here is what I’ve been doing (and sorry for the restaurant analogy, that’s the book’s fault): 𝟭. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 “𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘂”: Like chefs check their recipes, I review my priorities, tasks, calendar, and weekly plan. What is essential today? What can wait? This quick review sets the tone for the day. 𝟮. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 “𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀”: I pull together everything I will need to complete my tasks, including files, tools, links, and emails. I did not realize how much time I wasted searching for things mid-task until I stopped. 𝟯. 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 “𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻”: Just like chefs clean and organize their stations, I do the same. I clear my desk, close unused tabs (yes, I was that person), and clear my inbox of unnecessary clutter. 𝟰. 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗺𝘆 “𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀”: Chefs sharpen their knives; I make sure my tools are ready. This might mean opening files in advance, starting apps ahead of time (no one wants a Zoom update one minute before a meeting), or making sure my phone isn’t still on "do not disturb" after my kids played with it before school 🤦♂️ 𝟱. 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: I plan when I will tackle each task, similar to how chefs time dishes to come out perfectly. It is not rigid, but it helps me focus on one thing at a time. This habit of preparation has transformed how I work in a very short time. When the day gets busy, I am not scrambling to find what I need or feeling overwhelmed. Instead, I feel ready, just like a chef before the dinner rush. Do you prepare for your day, or just plan? #Productivity #WorkSmart #DailyHabits #OrganizedWork #PreparationOverPlanning #EfficiencyTips #Accountants #Bookkeeprs #AtomicHabits

It is never easy when a company shuts down, and for Bench Accounting customers, this news comes at a challenging time with the year quickly coming to an end. If you are a Bench customer feeling overwhelmed about finding a new financial partner to close out 2024 and prepare for 2025, know that you are not alone. The accounting and bookkeeping community is here for you. Thousands of our customers, accounting, bookkeeping, and tax firm owners, have stepped up, offering their support to anyone impacted by this transition. They are ready to help you get back on track and ensure your finances are in trusted hands moving forward. To all firm owners: Let us make it easier for Bench customers to find the right partner. If you are offering help, comment below, tag your firm, and share your location and the industries you serve. Together, we can make sure no business is left without the support they need. #Bench #cpas #ElevateOthers #AccountingHelp #BenchAccounting #HereToHelp

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? When we think about improving client satisfaction, we often jump straight to tactics like better service, faster response times, or personalized experiences. But what if the easiest place to start wasn’t with your clients at all? If you want happy clients, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀. - When employees feel appreciated, they go the extra mile for clients. - A positive team culture creates energy that clients can feel. - People who enjoy their work are more likely to stick around, and loyal employees build stronger client relationships over time. And it’s not just “do-good” mantra. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝟭.𝟯-𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. The way your team feels at work directly impacts how they treat your clients. Best part? There is a double advantage. Happy employees lead to happy clients. Happy clients tend to stay, and so do happy employees. So before diving into new client strategies for 2025, take a step back. Start with your employees. Invest in their happiness. Build a culture where they feel excited to come to work. When you take care of your team, they will take care of your clients. #EmployeeEngagement #CustomerSatisfaction #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeWellbeing #CustomerExperience #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TeamMotivation #ClientSuccess #EmployeeSatisfaction

🛑 What friction will you add to your business in 2025? 🛑 Yes, I wrote "add." Friction gets a bad reputation. We’re told it slows us down, complicates processes, and frustrates clients. Most of us see it as the villain, something to eliminate so things can move faster. At Anchor we do exactly that - remove the friction from proposal to paid. But not all friction is bad 🤯 Friction, when used intentionally, can actually fuel innovation, improve trust, and drive better outcomes. In fact, the right kind of friction, "good friction," can be exactly what your business needs to create meaningful change. So what is the "good friction"? You can think of good friction as an intentional pause with a clear purpose. A moment to reflect, check, and ensure nothing gets missed. By strategically using friction, businesses can improve decision-making, build trust, and differentiate themselves in a competitive market. It’s not about making things harder, it’s about ensuring they’re done with care and purpose. 💡Good friction encourages creativity When your team face challenges, it forces them to slow down and think differently. That tension is where the magic happens- new ideas, better solutions, and smarter strategies emerge. 💡Good friction strengthens relationships When you take the time to ask questions, review details, or explain processes, it shows your clients you care. That extra step reinforces trust and sets the foundation for long-term partnerships. 💡Good friction ensures quality Intentional friction prompts you to pause, review, and ensure that the work meets the highest standards. It’s the safeguard that prevents mistakes and upholds quality at every step, as your customers deserve. You should add friction to your business. Maybe it’s adding an extra layer of review to prevent errors, creating space for team discussions to spark new ideas, or clarifying processes to strengthen client relationships. As we move into 2025, here’s my question for you: Where in your business could a little intentional friction make a big difference? Where can you create those intentional pauses to innovate, build trust, and set yourself up for success? #innovation #businessgrowth #processimprovement #leadership #clienttrust #futureofwork #entrepreneurship #qualitymatters #creativityatwork #businessstrategy #teamwork #continuousimprovement #relationships #growthmindset #smartprocesses

What are your assets for 2025? As accounting firm owners, you're pros at managing assets - financial accounts, properties, investments, you name it. But here’s the real question: What assets is your own firm BUILDING? When I say "assets," I don’t mean revenue or expertise. I mean the systems, tools, and processes that make your firm valuable, scalable, and unique. These are the things that go beyond the hours you put in - the things you’ve built that can keep working for you over time. They’re the backbone of growth and resilience. Think of: 🌟 A trusted brand that pulls in referrals and repeat business. ⚙️ Proprietary workflows that deliver consistent results and easier onboarding. 💻 Tech tools like Anchor that save time and improve service quality. 🤝 Client relationships that aren’t tied to one person but to your firm as a whole. Your brand reputation, client relationships, automated systems, and unique processes are more than things you do. They are things you BUILD. And that's an important shift. Building these kinds of assets is how you protect your time, scale without burnout, and truly enjoy running your business. The bottom line: Assets aren’t just for the financial aspects of your clients. They’re the key to your firm’s future, too. So going back to my question: What assets are you building today that will add value to your firm in 2025? #Accounting #Bookkeeping #BuildAssets #BusinessGrowth #Automation #TechForAccountants #BrandBuilding #ClientExperience #Scalability #SmallBusinessAccounting #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship

There's a lot of discussion about #pricing in the #accounting industry these days, and people ask us about it at Anchor as well. But I feel there's something missing in the discussion 🔍 To define your pricing strategy you don't just need to build financial models, read benchmark reports, or consult with your colleagues. You need to consider what you REALLY sell. And I'm not talking about value pricing. No. Value pricing talks about the benefits of the service. Selling an emotional outcome transcends that. 🚀 It's not about what the service is worth - it's about what the emotional transformation is worth. 🎯 Value-pricing focuses on 'The benefit' of the service - how the service positively impacts the clients' work. ✨ Emotional outcome focuses on 'The benefit of the benefits" - how the benefit enhances the clients' life in a realistic, specific, and relatable situation. What would a business owner pay for being the present parent they've always wanted to be, knowing their cash flow is handled? What's the price tag on never having another sleepless night worrying about IRS letters? Or spontaneously saying 'yes' to midweek golf, because their finances run without them? Emotional outcomes are the raw, human experiences that drive decisions. When you address your pricing, don't forget to price and sell who they will become and how their life changes emotionally. Paint a picture of their new emotional reality. For that, clients will pay a premium. #AccountingFirm #PricingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #AccountingLife #PracticeManagement #AccountingPricing #BusinessSuccess #PricingPsychology #ValueCreation #BusinessAdvice #AccountingIndustry

1:1s meetings with employees aren't my time or their time - they're OUR time 🤝 When I started managing, 1:1s were "my time", where I could share my view on work and performance. Later I evolved into "their time", giving my employees the time to come up with the things they struggle with, and I would help them break them down and set plans into motion. During Anchor recent management offsite, my perspective evolved once again. Gil (Biton) Tamir shared her perspective on 1:1s (I'll leave it to her to share her vision) - and things connected for me. So here's my first draft of our 1:1 meeting framework, and the key word is "draft." Drat because the real magic happens next: my team will shape it. They'll tell what's missing, what should be removed, and how to make it truly valuable for everyone, transforming it into something we all own. It's designed as a visual map where we can easily plot our weekly experiences, helping us see patterns, celebrate wins, and identify areas where we need support. At a high level, the framework addresses three interconnected areas: 🏠 Left side: Life - Because we're humans first. This section covers personal wellbeing, family, development, and future aspirations. 💼 Right side: Work - Not talking just about tasks, but about strengths, opportunities, challenges, and dreams within our professional journey. 💫 Middle: Company Values - Heart, Grit, Ownership, and Exponential Value aren't just company values - they're a four-way mirror. They reflect both in our personal lives and our work, while also making sure employees are aligned with these values but at the same time are getting back these values from me as manager, and from the company. This is just a starting point. This will probably change, the framework may even be thrown into the trash, but sometimes the most meaningful tools start as simple drafts. #Leadership #Trust #Collaboration #PersonalDevelopment #Management #accounting #accountants #bookkeeping #bookkeepers