President's Message - Thoughts of the New Year

To all my practice manager and firm leader colleagues, and friends of AAA, the final holidays of 2014 are quickly approaching.  Although we should be immersing ourselves in the peace and joy of the holidays we may already have thoughts of the upcoming tax season looming in our minds.  This is not our first busy season, or, maybe it is for some, and the prospect is starting to weigh you down. Well, I thought I would share with you some of my thoughts on making it through, with Grace… (under fire). Now, before you roll your eyes and think this is a meaningless platitude, please know it’s my 29^th busy season.

First, know you’ll get through it and second, take a breath. Nothing lasts forever.  Then, work with your partners and the others in your firm to come up with ideas for fun and relaxing breaks for you and your staff to look forward to each day (week). Ideas like theme lunches, an afternoon cookie and milk break, a 7^th inning stretch at 3:00 pm, or some good-hearted competition games always break up the monotony.  Some firms implement tax season massages and a mindset around a “healthy is happy” environment.  We already know feeding the troops makes them happier.  Be creative!

Celebrate the firm’s successes often.  Maybe it’s reaching a goal of the number of returns filed in the week; or the ringing of the bell when a new client is won; or catching someone doing something “right” and acknowledging it.  These types of activities are important and bring everyone together. They foster camaraderie and promote positive morale.

So, as we conclude the year and anticipate another very busy season ahead, being supportive of our teams in their goal to provide the best client service and work quality, really helps everyone feel like they have ‘skin in the game’ and share a vision; and not just those doing the technical work!   

At this time of year, as in all others, while we continue to work on and find resolution for firm challenges, let’s not forget to thank everyone we work with for their hard work, effort and sacrifices made on behalf of the firm. A simple, sincere thank you from leadership goes a long way.  As we plan and strategize for the upcoming year, as in all other years, we get the chance to start fresh, buoyed by the lessons we learned not only from our successes, but even more so, from the mistakes we made and risks taken.

On a personal note during this holiday season, from me and my family to you and yours, we wish you peace, health and happiness, a prayer for peace on earth, and the promise of the New Year’s renewal with great hope for future success, both personally and professionally.

Here’s to 2015!