Does your organisation often feel indistinguishable from other accounting firms? Today, we will explore seven insightful strategies that you can instantly implement to distinguish your firm and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Partner up
By forming an alliance with a highly influential company in your desired sector, you can potentially establish your accounting firm as the go-to authority within that industry.
For instance, to position yourself as the preeminent firm in your local restaurant industry, you could strategically align yourself with a leading produce distributor. Present an attractive proposal for your services inclusive of added incentives for referrals. This approach will naturally lead them to share their positive experience with other clients, thus creating a steady flow of new business opportunities. Moreover, their valuable endorsement will bolster your reputation by associating it with their established authority within the industry.
Deliver shockingly good service
This principle continues to hold significant importance. By going above and beyond to not only meet, but indeed exceed the expectations of your clients, you establish an undeniable level of satisfaction that discourages them from seeking alternative options.
Is it possible to provide a full refund policy? Could your services extend further to include an additional complimentary service should the initial provision fall short of client expectations? Implementing such a strategy could serve multiple advantages – it would allow for efficient rectification measures and enable our clients to experience first-hand, without financial commitment, other valuable offerings that they may wish to subscribe on expiration of the complimentary period.
Get creative
The tactics implemented should somewhat synergize with the overarching brand identity you aim to establish. Should your intention be to perpetuate an image akin to a traditional, austere financial entity, eccentric strategies may potentially conflict and dilute this presentation.
If your brand accommodates unconventional innovation, encourage ideation amongst your employees. This approach could encompass simple gestures; for instance, offering a finely crafted home-baked coffee cake as a welcoming gift upon contract commencement. Alternatively, you may opt for larger-scale endeavours such as executing unique activities aligned with philanthropy (consider a dunking booth) on the occasion of acquiring significant clientele.
If you harbour concerns regarding potential criticism from other corporations due to your unique approaches, please remember, their perspective is irrelevant. Ultimately, their decision not to utilise your services does not define your capabilities or value.
Make your office awesome
Most individuals would perhaps rank a visit to an accounting firm marginally higher than a dental appointment. Your experience in the field of accounting makes you understand these sentiments – as accountancy firms are often perceived to be rather uninspiring and formal.
Might it be within your capacity to transform a visit to your office into an enjoyable experience for your clients? Can you provide exquisite gourmet hors d’oeuvres complemented by excellent coffee during their visit? Is it feasible for you to incorporate captivating and stimulating interior décor throughout the office environment? Could it possibly be beneficial to enhance comprehensibility of business presentations using illuminating graphical visuals?
Confirmation of your successful strategies will manifest when your esteemed clients begin to reflect their favourable experiences with your services on their respective digital platforms.
Tie your firm with a charity
Numerous enterprises integrate occasional philanthropic activities into their operations. However, to truly distinguish your corporation through social consciousness, it could be highly beneficial to deeply intertwine your business with a chosen cause. To illustrate this concept: For every service package delivered by your firm, there may be a further investment in additional agricultural machinery for an agrarian family located in country X. Alternatively, your firm might commit to endorsing the afforestation efforts in country Y by sponsoring the planting of an established number of trees for each transaction made.
In essence, every time a client interacts with your firm, it triggers an automatic action from your organisation towards a specific cause. This is not just a random act of giving, but rather a meaningful act of philanthropy that is deeply integrated into the structure of your company.
Do it right where other firms do it wrong
This particular aspect corroborates the concept of identifying your firm’s purpose, which we discussed several weeks ago.
Could there potentially exist an aspect within the accounting industry that might not be ideally managed? Allow your firm to serve as a beacon of rectification. Address prevalent concerns often voiced by clients in our field; let these become the very foundation upon which your company stands. It’s time for your firm to shine brightly as the embodiment of impeccable service in the face of commonly perceived inadequacies within our industry sector.
Fill a niche
Maintain your focus on offering specialised service rather than attempting to cater to all demographics. By avoiding dilution of skills, you can ensure the delivery of exceptional services for your client base each time, thereby retaining both superiority and satisfaction within your operations.
Discover business niches that lack a dedicated accounting firm and position yourself as their financial advocate. Establish your company as the preferred authority for these specific sectors, typically underserved by the broader accounting community.
