Your New Busy Season Mantra: Just Take the Darn Call
Posted by debrahelwig on February 2, 2010
Have you met Sparky Firepants?
If not, you should.
Mr. Pants (aka David Billings) is a darn brilliant graphic designer and an equally brilliant wordsmith. On his blog, he’s got a lot to say about the business of making art. Which, by chance, happens to say a lot about the business of doing good business. Which, in turn, directly applies to all of us folks toiling away in the accounting and legal sphere.
This week, he’s penned two thoughtful (and very helpful) posts – Why I’ll Never Say I’m Booked, and Why I Said Not to Say “Booked”. The gist – it’s never a great idea to just hang a sign on your (locked) door that says “Sorry, Can’t Help You Now,” no matter how busy you are. No matter if tax returns are stacked in mountains threatening to collapse on your head. No matter if your email box passed overflowing two hours ago and your iPhone is starting to smoke.
Just. Take. The. Darn. Call.
I can’t think of a more important message for accounting folks to hear at the beginning of Busy Season. (And all you lawyers out there, you listen up too – sometime your case load will reach tilt-tilt-tilt overload and all of this will apply to you too.)
Here’s a short excerpt:
There’s a big difference between announcing to the world, “I’m booked” and turning down a project after you’ve heard the deadline. Saying, “I’m booked” is locking your door until August. Then what? You open the door, peer out and wonder aloud, “Where did everybody go? I’m ready now. Heeeeyyyyyyyyy!”
What does it cost to listen? How much time does it take to let someone in your shop (figuratively speaking) and ask you for help?
Yep, Mr. Pants nails it, 100%. You should read both posts this minute and take them to heart. Because here’s the bottom line: the thing that kills relationships – especially professional services relationships – is insufficient communication.
When I tweeted Mr. Pants’ post earlier today, I got a great response from Dennis Howlett (@dahowlett), a guy who knows whereof he speaks, with 10 years under his belt as an accounting firm partner and a long IT consulting career after that:
“The biggest source of ‘pissed offness’ is NOT to speak with clients, however busy you are. A 2-5 minute call does wonders.”
Hallelujah! You bet it does. Because it’s about respect. And decency. And the kindness to say, “I hear you, and what you need matters to me.” Nothing elaborate. Not an hour long “how’s your great-grandmother’s butler-in-law these days?” coffee clatch. Just acknowledgement, and a promise to follow up or a helpful referral. Even if you say, “Sorry, my schedule is full, but here are some other options for you,” you will have acknowledged that client’s need. You’ll have shown that you care.
And “I care” does a heck of a lot more to build and cement relationships than (indifferent) silence.
So take your calls. Return your calls, every day. Especially when you’re busy. Do it quickly and with all the empathy you can muster.
It’s the best way I can think of to ensure that your post-Busy Season will be, well….busy.
Service Minded 
Stephanie said
“Even if you say, “Sorry, my schedule is full, but here are some other options for you,” you will have acknowledged that client’s need.
I am reminded of the movie “Miracle on 34th street,” where Santa told folks how to get what they needed even if Macy’s didn’t have it. There’s a lot to be said for being the “go to” guy.
Good post.
michelle golden said
Hiya Debra, just read your post and both of Sparkys’. When I first started reading your post, I thought you were suggesting not to exercise client selection practices. Yikes! But that’s not the case at all. I’m glad and in total agreement to see that the spirit of taking the calls (and making the calls that we should) to others is all about nurturing whether you choose later to take the work or not.
Good stuff!