When you change all your processes, it's a lot of hard work, but part of what will get you there is commitment. If you are seriously considering uprooting your firm's foundation, you need to ask the following questions:
Are you a change agent?
Are you willing to be that change agent? It's going take a lot of strength, determination and perseverance.
How much time will this take, and what is your level of commitment? Maybe you're the change agent, but you are going to most likely need to have a team member help you commit.
What are you going to commit to and how are you going to support those needs?
What are the daily, monthly, annual requirements for you?
OK, I'm a change agent; now what?
Your job now is to help manage and facilitate the changes in customer and team member expectations. You'll help coordinate and facilitate the technology training and identify the shifts in the marketplace. Additionally, you are the strategic and tactical person who's going to put it all together. And yes, more than one person can be a change agent. In some cases, it may be an entire team, depending on the size of your firm. Once you decide to take on change, roll up your sleeves and get ready for the ride of your life.
What this process requires
I'm not kidding when I tell you this transition is not for the weak. And I can't stress enough; there 's not just one way to do it. But you do need certain qualities to be successful. Aside from commitment, you are going to need passion and patience.
Is your firm willing to change its mindset and processes? Are you willing to help rally and gain acceptance across the firm, even when you hit obstacles? Do you have the patience to see it through?
These are the questions you need to be asking.You will need to identify the processes that will change. Don't forget to document every stage. Before you do anything, make sure you record all of your processes and understand how they work.
Get your team involved
This should go without saying, but your employees are going to have a large hand in whether this succeeds. Get them together to talk about how to improve and document these new processes. The processes will ultimately benefit the group and your team needs to be on board
How are you going to track your improvements over time?
Have you thought about ways to make your team members feel valued so they are fully engaged in seeing this succeed?
Budget time during the month for this transition, because, don't forget, you still have customer work that needs to be done so you can stay in business.
Originally published on CPA Trendlines, June 14, 2016. For more content like this, subscribe to The Radical CPA newsletter. Or buy the book, The Radical CPA: New Rules for the Future-Ready Firm.
