“The smartest people in the world know where their expertise ends and someone else's begins. We all need to understand that because if we're on the right team, everybody wins.” – Michael Clarke

The finer details of this episode:
• Transitioning from individual-centric practices to sustainable business models in professional services.
• Importance of teamwork and collaboration among professionals serving the same clients.
• Common mistakes made by professional service providers in managing their firms.
• Strategies for building trust and effective communication with clients.
• The significance of understanding and targeting ideal clients for growth.
• The role of support staff in enhancing client relationships and operational efficiency.
• The concept of “trust compression” and its impact on client onboarding and retention.
• Emphasizing education and clear communication in the advisory process.
• The value of networking and continuous learning for professional development.

Episode resources:
● Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/
● If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com
● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/
● Connect with Michael here:
● Check Protection Point Advisors out here: https://www.protectionpointadvisors.com/advisors/team/mike-clarke/
Timestamps:
Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)
The host introduces the podcast and its mission to provide insights for accounting firms.

Guest Introduction (00:00:22)
Adam shares his thoughts on the upcoming discussion with guest Michael Clarke and his book.

Michael Clarke's Career Journey (00:01:40)
Michael discusses his background in the insurance industry and the founding of Protection Point Advisors.

Overview of "A Firm Worth Building" (00:03:03)
Michael explains the motivation behind his book and the lessons learned from his mistakes.

Transitioning from Individual Practice to Business (00:04:13)
Michael emphasizes the importance of moving from individual-centered practices to sustainable business models.

Building Relationships with Other Professionals (00:06:03)
Michael highlights the value of collaboration between professionals to enhance client service.

Common Mistakes in Firm Management (00:09:21)
Michael identifies key mistakes professionals make, such as being the center of their practice.

Practical Lessons in the Book (00:12:12)
Adam asks Michael to share one crucial lesson from his book on managing professional firms.

Understanding Trust Compression (00:12:50)
Michael introduces the concept of trust compression and its significance in client relationships.

Education as a Key Element (00:15:27)
Michael discusses the importance of educating clients to build trust and improve service quality.

Applying Trust Compression Beyond Onboarding (00:17:59)
Michael suggests ways to apply trust compression in various processes, not just onboarding.

Making Client Interactions Painless (00:19:01)
Michael stresses the need to solve client problems while making the process as painless as possible.

Good Growth Explained (21:22)
Michael discusses the concept of "good growth" and why professionals struggle with it.

Identifying Ideal Clients (22:48)
He emphasizes the importance of knowing your ideal clients to avoid bad growth.

Balancing Growth and Client Quality (23:35)
The speakers discuss the challenge of balancing client acquisition with maintaining quality.

Building a Reliable Referral Network (25:09)
Michael shares insights on developing a trustworthy referral network for business growth.

Creating Effective Partnerships (27:34)
He explains how partnerships can enhance client services and improve business outcomes.

Edifying Team Members (32:21)
Michael stresses the importance of building up colleagues to foster trust and collaboration.

Managing Client Growth (33:17)
Discussion on the common belief of firing low-priced clients to make room for better ones.

Building What Should Exist (39:43)
Michael defines his philosophy of creating optimal solutions for client care within CPA firms.

Practical Changes in Practice (00:41:08)
Discusses how professionals can implement small, incremental changes rather than overhauling their entire practice.

Importance of Support Staff (00:41:58)
Emphasizes the role of support staff in making professionals look good and the need to value them properly.

Learning to Manage (00:42:41)
Michael reflects on his journey to becoming a better boss and the importance of self-improvement.

Transitioning from Doing to Managing (00:43:12)
Highlights the urgency for professionals to transition from doing the work to effectively managing their business.

Collaborative Learning in Networks (00:44:48)
Michael advocates for joining networks to learn from peers and create a collaborative environment for growth.

Inspiration and Continuous Learning (00:46:05)
Encourages surrounding oneself with inspiring individuals and cultivating a habit of reading for personal and professional growth.