I’m not going to name names since that doesn’t seem to go over well but I have a bone to pick and think this is the perfect platform for doing so. In case you aren’t paying attention, I tend to use real-world examples to form my suggestions on what to do (or more often than not what not to do) in social media and this time I need to air a complaint about some industry “professionals” who aren’t playing the game right.
Again, no names so don’t ask and if you’re wondering if I mean you, I probably do.
I’m referring specifically to media de f attempts on my part to connect with them and get their news out here on Going Concern and Jr. Deputy Accountant. The JDA blow offs I can almost understand but when I come right with a proposition and offer them a coveted spot among the PwC rebranding whine dump and salary news here on GC and they completely ignore it, I get pissed.
Therefore, helpful sort that I am, I’m offering three ways YOU, accounting industry media person, can make MY job easier:
1. Respond When I write you an email inviting you to participate in an interview, survey, ribbing, etc., a response would be nice either way though I obviously appreciate a “yes” far more than a “are you kidding me?” Regardless of whether or not you would like to participate, the least you can do is respond. I know you’re busy, we’re all busy, no one expects you to answer me 4 minutes after I’ve sent the email but a courtesy response would be awesome. I’m not asking a lot. I’m giving you a chance to participate in something awesome and trust me, I wouldn’t waste my own time so I don’t expect you to waste yours.
2. Don’t be scared I’m not sure what it is or why people seem to perceive my brand as hostile but I’m really not as hostile as it seems if you actually talk to me. It amazes me that some industry professionals think Going Concern is hostile and incendiary as well! Seriously?! We hardly swear and cover accounting news, how threatening can we be? Apparently quite. I can’t speak for Caleb but I’ve been blocked. And ignored. Whatever, it’s not about my ego, it’s about me inviting you to take a seat at our conversation and you running the other direction.
3. Wake up! If you are going to start A) a campaign and/or B) a Twitter account, please expect that I’m going to find it and possibly come ask you questions about it. As a media professional, it’s sort of expected that you’ll be excited to offer me the information I seek so I can share it with our readers or at least be able to point me to some press release that accomplishes the same without you having to talk to me. It doesn’t matter if you disagree with my opinion on Ben Bernanke being a massive douchebag or if you are offended by my liberal use of the F-word on my own turf, this is about the industry. We know for a fact that some industry professionals wish Going Concern would expire and drop off the Internet but let’s be real, it isn’t happening so you’d be smart by embracing it instead of fighting it. Like it or not, we’re the future of the industry. Suck it.
I swear we don’t bite (Caleb might but you’ll have to ask him to be sure) and we’ve proven that we here at Going Concern hold ourselves to an exceptionally high standard of ethical behavior when it comes to sources, interviews and communications with industry professionals. So I don’t know where the fear is coming from but seriously, answer your damn emails.
The firms that are like “congratulations this week is mandatory PTO week” are ridiculous. The rest of them can go ahead and brag.
I love the PR blitz each year about the “Annual Disconnect” we are so lucky to have, but not nearly as much as I love the inevitable directive from my management about “being available” and attending “informal sync-ups” each day of our “important time away to really relax” etc. It’s such a charming holiday tradition ????
My firm said you must use your pto, you cannot take it as time off without pay. So all it is about is a firm wanting to clear off some accounts payable money at a lower rate than if they had to pay it after your next raise. I earned the pto and they tell me when I have to take it? I can’t even understand how that is even legal.
Sorry but I love this week off!
Closed? Never heard of such a thing, but hey, after this year and the never ending tax season, which runs right into next tax season- it’s well deserved. That, and the last minute clients who expect you to answer the phone at 430 Christmas Eve right up thru New Year’s Day for last minute advice for lack of planning- yes, well deserved.
And for the “whiners” who don’t want to use their PTO, it’s called a budget, it’s called planning, it’s how you run a business. Be glad you have PTO, and probably health and other benefits. Many don’t.
At my firm we were given off from December 24th to January 3rd without using any of out PTO days. The other firms I have worked at have generally done this as well. I always end up answering some emails and having a call or two during that time, but the only I get that done is by making sure I reach out to my clients before break to discuss any planning that might need to be done so I can try to get most of it done by the time Christmas comes. This is a demanding profession and in order to get the time of you deserve you have to proactively plan.
I have closed down during this week for the last 6 years. Closing down for this week helps small firms recharge the batteries for the new tax season and for administrative work to be done without interruptions: rolling over tax files, producing engagement letters, etc. The clients are also “trained” to with us to get tax projections done and bonus checks written earlier so the anxiety of last minute issues is reduced.