August 2007 Boomer Bulletin
Welcome to the August 2007 Boomer Bulletin! This month we are pleased to highlight part two of Frumi Barr's exploration of the differences between coaching and mentoring. In addition, L. Gary Boomer offers his take on dealing with partners who may be falling behind, while Jim Boomer offers a compelling case for documenting your firm's processes.
As always, this edition of the Boomer Bulletin is packed full of vital insight and instruction. Enjoy!
Mentoring & Coaching: Are Both Necessary, and What's the Difference? - Part II
August 7 | Frumi Rachel Barr, MBA, Ph.D. | Guest Author
Having both a mentoring and coaching program is a tremendous aid to the growth and sustainability of an accounting firm. Often the two are confused, and it is therefore the purpose of this paper to clarify the difference between coaching and mentoring and to suggest how to create successful programs. In the June edition of the Boomer Bulletin you were introduced to mentoring. Now it’s time to clarify coaching.
Dealing With Under-Performing Partners
August 7 | L. Gary Boomer, CPA, CITP, CEO
How a firm deals with an under-performing partner defines the strength of its management. Well-managed firms deal with it in a professional manner rather than ignoring the problem. In today’s environment some firms accept low performance because of the shortage of qualified personnel. I believe that is exactly the wrong way to approach this issue.
Document Your Processes for Long-Term Success
August 7 | Jim Boomer, MBA, Senior Consultant
It seems that everyone wants immediate satisfaction these days. We consistently procrastinate and avoid doing the activities that do not provide instant gratification. This is a major reason that many firms fail to standardize and document their processes. Doing so would create a cost today that does not have a corresponding payoff until sometime further down the road. However, doing so would also help create the infrastructure necessary for the long-term success of the firm.
Technology Tools for Client Service
August 7 | Sue Thiemann | Director of Conference Planning
Today, competitive advantage increasingly depends on how firms manage client relationships—and not simply on how well they design and build their products. Firms must implement strategies and provide tools that enable them to be more customer-centric in a world where customer expectations continue to escalate.
iPhone- Cool toy or IT menace?
August 7 | Andrew Sterling Hanenkamp | Interaction Developer
The new Apple iPhone has been one of the hot IT topics since the video of it’s innovative interface first hit the front of Apple’s web site. I’ve only physically held one once because, yes, you guessed it, Gary Boomer bought an iPhone.
Welcome to the Circles
August 7 | Deanna Cox, Business Development Specialist
The Boomer Consulting, Inc. family would like to welcome several new faces to the summer Boomer Technology Circle sessions. Now comprising over 130 firms, the Boomer Technology Circles continue to lead the way as a leading network of forward-thinking and innovative firms in the industry! Is your firm in a Circle yet?