Brannon Poe: Grow Your Business by Preparing to Let it Go
Jun 6, 2024
auto_awesome
Brannon Poe, an expert in buying and selling accounting firms, shares valuable insights on preparing CPA firms for sale, maximizing growth opportunities, and the importance of succession planning. Topics include enhancing firm marketability, analyzing factors impacting selling price, and strategies for retirement and business exit planning.
Experimenting with price quotes helps understand market value.
Location and services impact a firm's marketability and attractiveness to buyers.
Deep dives
Experimenting with Pricing Strategies
Experimenting with new price quotes with new clients is highlighted as a strategic move to understand the market's real value. Unintentional strategies of attempting to say no by increasing prices often backfire, showing that setting prices too high is not a successful client filter. Successful members often terminate clients that no longer align with the practice, aiming to swiftly increase capacity.
Impact of Location and Mix of Work on Firm Attractiveness
The location of a firm significantly impacts its marketability to potential buyers, with metropolitan areas like Denver and Los Angeles presenting more appealing prospects. Offering specialized services like expert testimony or streamlining services by eliminating less desirable sectors like audit work can make a firm more desirable. Fee quality and avoiding fee-sensitive clients also contribute to a firm's attractiveness to potential buyers.
Creating Capacity through Pruning and Delegation
Creating capacity within a firm can be achieved through opportunities for pruning, where ineffective clients or segments are eliminated to streamline operations. Effective delegation helps distribute workload and identify areas for improvement, with a focus on delegating tasks that contribute to greater efficiency and client satisfaction. Successfully delegating administrative tasks and cultivating a growth-oriented team environment are essential for enhancing firm capacity and performance.
Importance of Detaching and Relaxation for Firm Success
Taking unplugged vacations and completely disconnecting from work can have significant benefits for firm owners, allowing for relaxation and detachment. Detached periods help owners gain fresh perspectives, rejuvenate energy, and foster a conducive mindset for addressing challenges and fostering change within the firm. Returning from a vacation brings renewed vigor and a clear head to tackle issues effectively, enhancing overall business health and adaptability.
After helping people buy and sell accounting firms for years, Brannon Poe realized he had a treasure trove of valuable information that could help firm owners who were “motivated to change their practices for the better.” He’s leveraged those insights into a coaching program for accountants and several books.