Social Media

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Platform Thinking

April 24, 2012 by thriveal | 8 comments

Platform thinking – that phrase was in the title of a recent blog post and podcast on the Duct Tape Marketing blog.  John Jantsch interviewed Phil Simon, author of The Age of the Platform on how businesses are changing to a community mindset and sharing collaboratively with others to get better business done.

Fascinating.

Simon mentions the big four in the marketplace now who are building Platforms like crazy: Google, Amazon, Apple and Facebook.  These four companies have expanded far greater than what they originally intended to be.  They have become Platforms.

Let’s take Google for example.  Remember they started as a freakin’ search engine online.  Well, we use Google Apps now as our firm’s calendaring/email systems in the cloud, among many other things.  Here is a screenshot of my Google email dashboard:

Here are some of the most heavily used cloud products I use on a daily basis, found right in my Google dashboard:

-Google+
-My email
-My calendar
-My Docs (where I use spreadsheets, a drawing program, a word processor, & a presentation app)
-Batchbook, our firm’s CRM
-Bill.com, our firm’s A/P and A/R management system
-Echosign, a cloud-based paperless signature capture system
-Mailchimp, our firm’s email marketing system
-Shoeboxed.com, a digitized paper accounting workflow system
-Xero.com, an accounting product we use with our customers
-Boomerang, a Google email scheduler (send emails in the future, or on certain dates)
-Rapportive, a socially aware plugin so we know who we are talking to over email

And there are more coming all the time!  It’s pretty exciting.

For sure, Google has become a platform – a platform I rely on to get my work done every day.  You can bug me about security all day long, and tell me that Google is reading my emails, but I now rely on the Google Platform to get work done.  Our team serves faster and our customers get better support when we use Google as a platform, instead of as a stand-alone email or online search system.

THRIVEal seems to be turning into a platform of sorts.  We don’t have apps, but we do have a community with serious needs for being together, collaborating together and learning together.  We’re already using online educational platforms to build out our PNF coaching courses, are managing a very robust and active community in Yammer, are creating intense live Learning Gatherings and have started the beginnings of a media outlet with our popular podcast.

Pretty freakin’ sweet.

How Do You Create a Platform?
We didn’t really know this until recently, but for THRIVEal, the platform came out of the need for a Community.  So we start with the needs of the community.  And we have tapped into a community that definitely has some serious needs (as mentioned above).  The platform must now grow to meet the needs of the community and allow them to grow as a group.  The minute the platform is NOT about the community, then the community will go elsewhere.

We’ve always run our THRIVEal ‘Platform’ on a WordPress blog at http://THRIVEal.com.  Well, this blog no longer meets the need of the platform, so we are looking to change that this year.  It is going to be a big undertaking, which will involve hiring an agency to do this for us.  But when it is done (at least phase one), the main purpose will be to highlight members of the community.  And then we plan to build out the platform from there and continue the process of integration, where we bring the other parts of THRIVEal (media, learning, apps, etc.) into the platform.

We have no idea what we are doing.  But with the help and support of our awesome community, we hope to build a platform that can lift up the THRIVEal members to the small business community and offer themselves as the servants and coaches of a new way to get better business done in the future.  We’re pretty pumped right now. Once we can get this first phase of our Platform built, the members of our community will be poised for real recognition, which they deserve.  And that in turn will benefit our profession and those we serve.

Are you building a community around your business offerings?  Do you see a Platform in your future?

The Thank You Economy: A Quick Impression

April 2, 2012 by Jennifer Blumer | 2 comments

I just finished reading The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk

While I can’t say that I learned anything that’s going to really change the way I do things, Gary Vaynerchuk did confirm to me that we are on the right path.

People care about relationships and with so many connections made via social media, relationships matter in a big way. THRIVEal wouldn’t exist without social media and the relationships formed there.

Big takeaways:
1. The internet has brought the word of mouth effect full circle. Before the big business/franchise era, small mom and pop stores lived and died on word of mouth. Business owners had to treat each customer like the most important customer they had. You never knew what influence they might have if they talked about you to their neighbors and peer groups and business partners.

It’s that way again with social media, except now customers can spread the news to potentially thousands of people all at once.  When I felt we were getting crummy service at the local mechanic, I could have blasted that all over twitter and Facebook. When the local bakery delivered the best cupcakes ever for my daughter’s birthday, I could have spread that news too. Where do people get recommendations for products and services? They ask their friends and family, often on Facebook or twitter. That’s exactly how we found our orthodontist for our daughters, and it turns out our friends knew what they were talking about. He’s great!

2. Shock and Awe. I have some ideas that were solidified as I read this section of the book. Little gestures of caring are great, but sometimes it’s even better to just blow peoples’ minds. Not gonna say too much about this, or my ideas won’t be very shocking when I make them happen.

Overall, I thought the book was just an okay read. It was pretty basic. It did further my resolve to put people first, both in THRIVEal and at Blumer CPAs. However, I thought it was full of common sense rather than real strategies or new ideas for those already regularly using social media. If for some reason, you still need convincing that social media is a worthwhile way to build your brand, Vaynerchuck can definitely make you rethink that.

Social Media: An Introvert’s BFF

March 15, 2012 by Jennifer Blumer | 5 comments

My youngest child Betsie is one of those loud-at-home-but-very-shy-anywhere-else kids. It takes an enormous amount of encouragement to get her to talk to adults that ask her about school or how old she is or what she wants for Christmas. I once offered her money if she ordered her own food at a restaurant. (Bingo! Encouragement that works!) I expect Betsie to grow in her social skills as she gets older, and I have already seen growth in this area, and yet I expect she will always be a little quiet with new people.

A few months ago, I came across an article that a friend shared on Facebook about introverts. I was fascinated because I felt like I was reading an article about myself and Betsie. (And my oldest child Rachel too) I’m not rude, but small talk can be kind of exhausting if it’s not going anywhere. I like to be alone, but I also love to spend time with people in small groups. I am not a thrill seeker or the life of the party, but I enjoy meaningful relationships and conversations. Introverts love to talk. We just talk a lot to a few special people instead of to everyone we run into at the grocery store.

As an introvert, I think it is so cool to live in the age of social media. Facebook, Twitter, and the THRIVEal Yammer group allow me to take my time and think before I speak. In a real life group setting, I may miss the moment to add my two cents because I am not as quick to speak up as my extroverted friends. But social media allows me to participate on my own terms and in my own time, just as fully as anyone else. I can ignore the conversations that aren’t interesting or relevant to me, and I can jump into the ones that I enjoy.

I started participating in online forums back in 2000. Back then I was a newish mom and found some forums dealing with family issues and then eventually homeschooling. A little later I started a blog. (I’ve had a few over the years.) I slacked off on my blog once I joined Facebook. And over the last year and a half, I have been using social media for THRIVEal and Blumer & Associates, CPAs. One point that I have found particularly interesting about relationships developed via social media is that so much of the small talk can happen there. Then when I see my friends from Facebook or Twitter in real life, the relationship is easier and comes more naturally because we already know a little about each other. In other words, I have found social media is a tool to aid in building face to face relationships.

Fellow introverts, I want to let you know once and for all, your personality type is NOT a weakness. But you may want to make some adjustments in your networking strategy. If traditional networking events are torture, make connections online first or go with a friend. Or skip traditional networking altogether. Extroverts, if you have introverts on your team or in your customers base, try connecting with them in new ways. And for crying out loud, do not limit their use of social media in the workplace. You may be taking away one of their greatest tools.

Oh, and by the way, you can connect with me on twitter at @jenniferblumer.

What’s So Great about THRIVE Tribes? Tribe Members Weigh In!

January 21, 2012 by Jennifer Blumer | 2 comments

After an exciting first year in THRIVEal, several members recently decided to go a little deeper by joining a THRIVE Tribe. While we had all enjoyed some pretty lively discussions in the THRIVEal LinkedIn group, it became clear that we needed a better platform to be able to share files, photos, recordings of meetings, etc. We wanted to do more than just chat. We wanted more collaboration. That is where THRIVE Tribes and Yammer come in to play.

For the members that have chosen to participate at the Tribe level, access is given to our Yammer account. This is where the real magic happens. As Kevin McCoy put it, “Meeting people that are going through the same crap you are and figuring out how to deal with it – that’s worth the price of admission, in my opinion. Knowing you are not alone and having a small group supporting you in failure and celebrating successes is pretty cool.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now THRIVEal members can use Yammer to create events, upload recordings from their GoToMeetings, share photos, create pages that are searchable and taggable, create groups and subgroups for specific discussions topics, and really get down to the nitty gritty of helping each other become better CPAs for their clients. Joe Manzelli explains, “THRIVEal utilizing Yammer has made it easier to follow my fellow THRIVEal CPAs. Being able to share ideas in a network without any outside chatter allows for a true exchange of ideas with no judgements.The tool, Yammer, is addicting and has been a great addition to what THRIVEal has been doing.”

Each tribe has up to 10 members, including a leader, and has its own private Yammer subgroup where they can discuss the online meetings they have each month. Michael Wall is already seeing the value of being in a tribe, “Being a part of a tribe allows each of us from different regions and backgrounds to collaborate in order to enhance our professional experience and provide our clients with value to help their businesses thrive.” Carol LeBlanc agrees, “I love being able to post a question or share something on Yammer and get a quick answer or support from the group. We are so much stronger together. The generosity and knowledge in THRIVEal amazes me daily. I love having my own Tribe with a specific focus because we have our own place within Yammer where we can learn and grow together in the area we are most interested.”

THRIVEal members are free to create their own pages and interest groups for more specific discussions, and Joy Lizotte is loving it. “Members are sharing very detailed real-life information. It’s not the basic info you’d get off a website or out of a book!! I’ve read how other members are pricing, hiring, firing, what they’re reading, software and hardware to use and not use….and on and on!! It doesn’t get anymore real than this!” Magen Smith has been active in several discussions on pricing. She commented, “ I have been schooled on providing value, called out on being a wimpy pricer, and encouraged that I can do this. Yammer is my lifeline and support system for growing my firm. I could not do any of this without THRIVEal.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of our tribes is for those who are considering leaving employment to start their own firms. We call them Cliff Jumpers in THRIVEal because they are about to take a very scary but exciting step. Barrett Young, in the process of jumping now, said “I would not be going out on my own without such a great support net.”

Bottom line: Tribes are the heartbeat of the THRIVEal community, and Yammer is the tool we are using to achieve our why, which is to engage, empower, and encourage current or prospective CPA firm owners towards disruptive innovations, meaningful education, and deeper relationships with their customers. Wanna join us?

Twitter Updates for Firm of the Future

October 26, 2011 by thriveal | No comments

Couldn’t make it to Greenville this weekend for Firm of the Future? Bummer.

 

Follow our updates here on the blog, on our Facebook page, or on twitter. We’ll be using the hashtag #THRIVEalFOF. Follow us at @THRIVEalCPAS.

 

Wurd.

 

We Are Family…

March 5, 2011 by thriveal | No comments

Social Media has opened up the door for so many of us to connect with each other across the country and across the globe.  Communication is instantaneous.  Our network is unbelievable.   If any one of us needs something, there is a group of connected personalities that will answer in moments.

This connect-the-dots picture formed gradually and continues to grow with buzz about industry topics, hobbies, music, family, sports, and various interests.  Social media paves the way for sharing bits and pieces about what is important to us.  When those important things become threatened, a band of soldiers immediately respond to the call.  We come to know one another and develop a care for each individual person and what they hold dear to their heart.   Any one of us would band together to defend a brand, a cause or an issue.

Borders?  What are borders?  We have none.

We are a caring group that when someone we have come to love is in need, we come together to see how we can help.  Immediately following the Earthquake in New Zealand, tweets went out to our friends and family across the globe to see what we could do and how we could help.  Prayers, thoughts and efforts to organize financial relief filled the airwaves.  As soon as we hit the social channels with our friends needing help, immediately people responded with “Count Me In.”  “How Can I Help?”   We shared stories of recovery, bravery, sadness, survivorship and instances of back up plans and help.

We are so blessed to belong to such a wonderful family.

Still looking to help our friends in New Zealand?

Give a little http://www.givealittle.co.nz/default.aspx

New Zealand Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.nz/cms_display.php

Kara R. Haas, CPA, CFE, CITP, ARA offers a solid mix of accounting knowledge and technology to assist businesses in reaching their goals.  Kara worked in manufacturing and family business for several years developing a passion for accounting.  She obtained a Master of Science in Accounting from Marquette University.  She later earned the Certified Fraud Examiner designation and most recently the Certified Information Technology Professional designation.   Kara is a member of both the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  She has spent several years working with Intuit products, particularly Enterprise, QuickBooks Point of Sale and third party integrated applications.   She continues to support these applications offering assistance to clients and other accountants.  Additionally, her interest in accounting software, technology and assisting Independent Retailers continues to flourish and has opened additional software offerings/support including programs that work on any platform: Windows or Mac OS.

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Day 3 in Wellington, New Zealand

February 10, 2011 by thriveal | No comments

I learned about some great stuff at Xero.com:

Go to the Xero Investor’s Center here

Then we had a great lunch…

“The Movement” Continues in Las Vegas (it Started Online, Dang it!)

November 23, 2010 by thriveal | 2 comments

What movement, you ask?  Dude (or chick, whatever), I can’t even explain it to you.  You just have to watch how people all over the country are changing our CPA industry from the inside out (better write up here):

Zappos is here!!!!!!

On the Zappos Party bus (don’t hate but you know you want a ride):

More folks on the bus:

The Zappos tour will show up after Thanksgiving!! Stay tuned (or view it on the THRIVEal Youtube Channel).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JASON M. BLUMER, CPA, LAUNCHES PROGRESSIVE NEW CPA NETWORK FOR 
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS STOKED TO MOVE INTO FIRM OWNERSHIP

November 5, 2010 by thriveal | 18 comments

<<Sign up for the initial orientation webinar on the future of our industry at: http://thriveal.eventbrite.com/ to be held Friday, December 10th, 11 am, EST time>>

GREENVILLE, SC – November 5, 2010 – Jason M. Blumer, CPA, CFE, owner of Blumer & Associates, CPAs is pleased to announce the launch of the THRIVEal +CPA Network (THRIVEal)—a CPA/accountancy network and consultancy for young and younger-minded professionals who are ready to move into the world of firm ownership.

THRIVEal is geared toward the Gen X and Y demographic, comprised of members who understand and actively leverage the New Marketing, New Management, New Processes, and New Technology of today’s New Firm. Though focused on young profesionals, CPA’s and accountants of all ages who support a new way of doing business are encouraged to join.

The THRIVEal +CPA Network represents a global forum for professionals interested in the four fundamental tenets of today’s next-generation firms—Community, Collaboration, Technology, and Innovation. Sporting the tagline, “Cloud People,” network members focus heavily on the value of Cloud technology in streamlining workflow and implementing paperless, highly efficient processes firm wide.

As the accounting profession has changed, due to extreme technological enhancements and new workflow strategies, a gap has formed between older and younger professionals. This has made it difficult for the younger sect to experience a feeling of community, collaborate with other like-minded CPA’s, and engage in new innovations and Cloud technologies. And with higher fees required by most CPA alliances, like networks are typically unavailable to the small start-up firm. THRIVEal solves this issue.

“I have a vision for our industry—a direct result of working for too many years in a traditional firm,” stated Jason Blumer. “During my transactional firm days, I saw the need to serve the new generation of clients differently…with technology and innovations that had not yet been fully developed. There was a gap and I wanted to fill it. Years later, I’ve transformed my father’s practice into a New Firm, leveraging technology and innovative practices. As a result, I’ve experienced a 400% growth rate.”

Soon after launching his New Firm, Blumer also recognized the gap in the profession between old-school leaders and the younger and younger-minded generation of accountants. “I see the THRIVEal Network as a way to close this gap,” said Blumer. “I want it to be a hotbed of innovation and collaboration among a diverse group of members!”

The THRIVEal +CPA Network officially launched in November 2010. There is no initial cost to join. For more information on THRIVEal and it’s release, please sign up for the launch webinar to be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 11 am, Eastern time.  Those interested in changing the industry can register for this free live webinar here: http://thriveal.eventbrite.com/

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The Rise of “Social CRM” or Developing Your Client Interaction Strategies

May 4, 2010 by thriveal | 2 comments

Planning for Campus-Wide Integration of Social...
Image by lhl via Flickr

CRM or Customer/Client Relationship Management has been around a long time.  It’s a well known buzzword in terms of keeping track of your clients, networking and sales.  Typically managed by some type of software on your computer or in the clouds, CRM mainly began as a way to track contact names and addresses and help you follow up on sales leads.

Things have changed now…

I’ve been hearing a lot about “Social CRM” and how this is changing the face of what CRM means in today’s world of great technology advancements.  This short article highlights just a few points about “Social CRM” and how it changes our relationships with our customers/clients:

1.  By definition, “Social CRM” differentiates itself from the traditional forms of customer management in it’s core strategies.  Traditional models used to manage the customer.  Now the strategies involve engaging the customer where they live.  You can’t manage them anymore, you can only hope to plan your engagement with them.

2.  The customer is now in the driver’s seat when it comes to your relationship with them.  You don’t decide how the customer will be contacted – they decide when and how and if they will engage with you.

3.  The traditional model of CRM was transactionally driven, that is “how many sales will my efforts produce?”  Now, it is definitely relationally driven.  Thus, customer service is a pillar to all CRM strategy now.

4.  Companies must now be more transparent, “culturally ready to collaborate and innovate directly with the customers”.  Customers don’t have to wade through middle-men anymore – they now have direct access to you.

These are just a few points made in this excellent article, but they ring true with how things seem to be heading for online client interaction.  Ultimately I look to have a CRM software system resident in the clouds with Twitter, Facebook, blog, RSS, and other social feeds from my clients ported right into my CRM interface.  Wow… our interactions will be real-time then.

Download this white paper for a more in depth study of the subject.

Now, go interact with your clients!

Thanks, Jason M. Blumer

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