What Female Accountants Can Learn From 5-year Olds Part I

If you’ve been following me on the Social Networks, you should know that I have a 5 year old, who I believe will be 25 next birthday.

Aren’t they the most precious people on this earth?

The questions, the Ego, the inquisitiveness amaze me every day!

For accounting women in business, I’ve discovered 7 things we can learn from toddlers. By the way if you’re not a parent, I’m sure you can find a toddler in your neighborhood, who you can observe for the day.

I’ll share with you 4 insights today and next week, we’ll look at the other 3: • Questions

You know these little people, don’t you? Always asking questions ‘till either you or they are blue in the face! In the end, though, there is total clarity on their end.

So in marketing your business, you have to ask the prospect as many questions as you need to to understand their business and what they expect from you.

You don’t want there to be times in your accounting business, during the workflow, the client says, “But, aren’t you going to do…”

Ask as many questions as you like, but don’t let THEM get BLUE in the face!

There is definitely a fine line between seeking clarity and them asking themselves “Does she know what she’s doing?” • Experiments!

My 5 year old is constantly experimenting and plays with everything, except his toys. Always trying new and different things to see if they work.

What we accountants need to understand, is that the way business is done has changed and is still changing. Unless we change with it, we will find our clients leaving in droves.

Right now, clients want serious help in their business. They do not want simply a number-cruncher.

I cannot stress this enough.

YOU are needed to steer them through these turbulent times.

By expanding your knowledge and ability in business (and not only learning about the new standards coming out!), you can help your clients, save their businesses and help the world get on the right track. • Begging!

Have you ever denied a toddler anything that they really really wanted at that very moment? “Please, please, please may I have, please…”

Never, never, ever beg when dealing with your prospects or your clients. It’s unprofessional and just downright silly and immature.

Even if you don’t say those exact words, when you’re desperate for a client, it will show.

You start to display all sorts of repulsive behavior, unbecoming of who you say you are!

Stuff like….“You know I really need your business”

Ugh! • “I’m not playing with you!”

Ah, yes! The Classic!

I’m sure you’ve heard this one before…after we sulk when we can’t have our own way.

You know, as women accountants in business, it’s so easy to get mad when we didn’t sign the new prospect or when the deadlines were yesterday and we’re still crunching the numbers or completing the projects or even when a former client says something ‘bad’ to or about us.

Yes, sometimes, we don’t want to ‘play’ with anyone. We just want to be left alone rather than contemplate our next course of action.

Here’s the thing though… not staying in the game is going ensure one thing… That WE are kicked out of the game!

Running a business is different from working at someone else’s company.

Here, YOU are the company and everything you do reflects on you, the profession, and your business.

Your ability to persevere under crises is what’s going to save you and show you as the true, gracious professional, that I know you are.

…next week I’ll share 3 more insights!