Building the Proper Firm Culture to Support Value Pricing

Value pricing is the way the profession is moving. That is, billing based on the value of the service and not the hours (and minutes) that went into performing a task. Like many firms, I adhered to an hourly billing model for years. It was the way of the profession. But times have changed. With advanced SaaS solutions that make easy, efficient work of accounting, the hourly model is no longer sufficient. Adoption of the right technologies enables practitioners to create highly efficient systems that save significant time and open the door to substantial profit gains. So why place a limit on growth by assigning a set amount of billable hours? The time has come for value pricing.

Here's a good example. I really started to appreciate the value pricing model after I began using the Intuit Online Payroll product (formerly PayCycle). The system took the pain out of a traditionally complex and time-consuming process. Processing payroll is now intuitive and fast; I can even collaborate in real-time with clients to further accelerate the process. Soon after product implementation, I was processing 20+ payroll clients in just a few hours-and ready to take on more. Hourly billing could no longer support my firm's growth, and certainly wouldn't yield the level of revenue possible with value pricing.

Advanced technologies have helped to streamline firm work flow-allowing staff to accomplish more in less time. That's certainly what Intuit Online Payroll did for my firm-rendering hourly billing obsolete and opening the door to a much more lucrative value billing model. However, this is not a model that can simply be shoehorned in to most existing firm cultures. You must first initiate change and build the right culture within your firm to support value pricing.

Change is a Requirement

Change can be difficult and disruptive to existing processes...but only initially. If firms plan to grow, either in size or revenue, change is a necessity. The value pricing model requires updating internal systems with the right technologies and practices to support efficient, streamlined work flow processes. For many firms, that means implementing Cloud-based applications that offer 24/7 access to data, real-time collaboration with clients, and fully digital, standardized processes. Build the right system, and the value will come.

Aside from elevating efficiency levels, consider also that when you standardize and define processes, you take control of work flow. You set the pace for data exchange, work when you need to work, and lead your clients in the proper direction. This enables you to better plan and forecast your workload so you are always aware where projects are in the cycle and your capacity to take on higher-billable, value-added work.

Developing a highly efficient system also helps create a "client-centric" environment. Work is turned around faster, document delivery is immediate and convenient, and clients are provided with welcomed (and expected) advanced options for communicating with your firm (e.g., online portals). Clients feel the value and recognize the firm's positive attitude about providing top-notch services at an affordable cost. It's almost as good as a hug!

Reducing busy work also alleviates a great deal of administrative stress and can be energizing. You will find that you suddenly have time to be proactive and innovative. This feeling of new found energy will motivate you to go out and seek new clients or think creatively about how to maximize consulting opportunities with existing clientele. Essentially, the growth opportunity in the accountant is reborn.

All good stuff-increased productivity, immense time savings, elevated profits and growth, a new spirit and way of thinking. These are all "side effects" of creating a super efficient internal system and positive culture. These elements are also prologue to value pricing. You have to build your firm to support the value pricing model, and when you do, you will experience growth and profit potential like never before.

Remember, value pricing is all about the value you bring to the table. You can service the client faster, provide real-time information exchange, support anytime-anywhere access, and supply clients with accurate, timely financial data, and have time left over to provide other value-added services. But before you can implement the value pricing model, you have create the environment to support it.

Learn more about online quickbook at Cloud9Realtime.Com. Reprinted with permission by Intuit ProLIne News Central - http://blog.accountant.intuit.com/

http://EzineArticles.com/6503159

Tips for Maximizing the Value of Your Mailing Lists for Marketing

Looking to launch a business? It takes some significant firepower to be able to break through the stratosphere of business connections. To establish a business, it must first become known. Luckily, the Internet makes a versatile marketing tool. It's all about creating a presence.

Looking to launch a business? It takes some significant firepower to be able to break through the stratosphere of business connections. To establish a business, it must first become known. Luckily, the Internet makes a versatile marketing tool. From social media sites to ones for marketing, there are any number of ways to get your company's name out there. To interact with customers online, it helps to frame the conversation. Start with direct mailing lists, establish a presence on Facebook and launch a Twitter account. It's all about creating a presence.

Segmenting:
The Internet makes it possible to connect with a range of audiences across all demographics, but you still need to focus your target. Decide what your target audience is. Mailing lists for marketing are only worth their weight in how relevant they are to your target audience. Decide the age and demographics for the target audience you're going for, and build your direct from that.

At the same time, don't limit yourself. Facebook wisely chose to develop and expand its demographic early on. That's why it's no longer just a site for college students but also rugby fans from South Africa, moms from Wisconsin, and Eskimos in Alaska. The best marketing approach tries to include anyone relevant, but start with a target scope and expand. Target for marketing at specific areas, but target a wide range.

Subject Line Sells the Email:
Most emails never make it past the subject line. Spam buttons make it too easy. If you're actually going to hook customers with direct mailing lists, you need to attract their interest in just a few words. Let's face it. People get more email than credit card offers. The vast majority ends up in the trash or the spam box. If you want response from your for marketing, rope them in with a snappy and luring subject line that's pure gold.

Remember Link Value:
To get the most of your direct mailing lists, remember to include plenty of relevant links, especially to the pages of your site most likely to attract a sale. You've got a small window of opportunity to lure in a new customer. What page will sell? Include it in a link, or ideally, several links. Maximize the potential of your for marketing with links that count.

Damon Kirby is the author of this article about mailing lists for marketing and direct mailing lists.

http://EzineArticles.com/6504898