Innovative Business Development Examples at Accounting Firms
Source: Practical Accountant
Trade Shows
Somerset CPAs in Indianapolis exhibits at 20 trade shows and recruiting events a year.
The firm purchased a vehicle to carry its exhibits and marketing materials and had the firm logo and Web site address placed on the panels. The vehicle is also used to travel to clients.
Virtual Trade Show
Brown Smith Wallace Consulting Group in St. Louis attracted 400 attendees and 24 exhibitors to its first tech fair in September 2006 and recently hosted its second. See www.virtualtechfair.com. The shows are interactive, with keynote presenters, workshops, etc. The shows are free to attendees and funded by exhibitor fees.
Financial Health Assessment
Rehmann Financial (The Rehmann Group) in Troy, Michigan, has developed “How is Your Financial House Built?” (www.rehmannfinancial.com/buildyourhouse. Click on “Your Financial House.”) Included in the assessment are cash management, risk, cash flow, and financial planning.
Recruiting
Kaufman Rossin of Miami created Kaufman Rossin University to provide education in technology; professional technical; management; and life classes such as yoga and health. It also has begun a reading society and interactive programs on firm vision and goals.
Business Cards
Some business cards use both sides. However, these cards preclude you from using your card to write down contact information for someone who ran out of cards. It’s common to give someone your card and ask him or her to write contact information on the back.
Accounting firms are increasingly using photographs on business cards to encourage contact.
Design Services
Rachlin Cohen & Holtz in Miami has developed a design division to help clients (and the firm) increase revenue. It offers graphics, branding, collateral materials, Web site development, and on-line marketing services.
Innovative Luncheon Seminars
GLO CPAs of Houston hosts luncheon seminars for its financial services clients, with presentations on topics such as Sarbanes Oxley, Iraq, and Texas history. The luncheons often attract 150 to 300 business people. The charge is $35, which goes to the University of Houston Scholarship Fund. This year’s luncheons resulted in $30,000 for the fund.
Podcasting
The Bondadio Group in Pittsford, New York, uses podcasts in its marketing. The firm sends emails to clients, prospects, and referral sources informing them how to download information from the firm’s Web site to a PC or iPod. The firm prefers podcasting to blogging or V-casting. Podcasting gives the firm greater exposure on search engines and on podcasting directories. Visitors can also subscribe to a monthly free RSS feed. The firm was able to take advantage of about 70 informative pieces written by partners that had not been fully utilized.
From Practical Accountant, July 2007, SourceMedia Inc., One State Street Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10004, 800-221-1809. For the complete article, click here, then select the article Jeff Stimpson’s Firm Business: New Practice-Building Tactics from the July 2007 issue.