So, here's what we're thinking...

Did you know marketers who document their strategy are 414% more likely to report success than those who don’t? 

Many years ago, a manufacturing company founder told me, “Dan, we don’t need to look at our marketing strategy because we’re growing by leaps and bounds. So why fix what ain’t broken?” Interestingly, that’s when I became more invested in my conversation with him.  

Accounting and advisory firms need marketing now more than ever because client buying behavior has changed, talent shortages have intensified, industry consolidation is accelerating, and advisory services require more education and visibility than traditional compliance work.

As businesses grow, so do the challenges that come with managing them. Many organizations reach a point where they need experienced leadership to guide strategy, improve processes, and support growth—but aren't ready to add another full-time executive salary.

Sales and marketing have always been about developing relationships. The relationship begins with creating a product or service that solves a buyer’s problem and adds value. Beyond that, great salespeople know how to develop relationships with customers and prospects in order to stay top of mind with them and gain access.

How many times have you heard this phrase? “There are three things that make a restaurant successful: location, location, and location.” It’s hard to say whether this is true or simply anecdotal, but there’s no question that a good location at least contributes to the success of a restaurant, or most any other brick and mortar business. For one thing, a good location is an easy ticket to raising awareness.    

You can do anything for 20 minutes, right? How about if you use those 20 minutes to log into LinkedIn, engage your network, grow awareness of yourself, promote your company, and expand your list of valuable contacts?         

As we step into 2025, there’s no better time to revisit and refine our strategies for achieving personal and business success. One tried and tested method to drive focus and clarity is by setting SMART goals. First coined in 1981 by George T. Doran, SMART goals – an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound – still offer a framework for turning aspirations into actionable plans.       

Marcus Sheridan of The Sales Lion claims that 70% of people who contact a company already know they will do business with them. That’s because they’ve done their research online before contact. This is even true of people looking for a financial advisor. Therefore, an effective, optimized online presence is required to compete in the modern finance industry. 

Is it time to revisit your brand? There are a lot of reasons why companies endeavor to do this, including new leadership, evolving product and service offerings, changing consumer expectations, the competitive landscape, unclear positioning, and lack of internal/external focus and clarity. Because branding often encompasses more than just your visual identity, a great way to begin the process is with a brand discovery and alignment project.