Why ‘addressing worries’ is a core part of our strategy

We’ve all had concerns about money at one time or another. Whether business-related or personal finances, it’s not a particularly pleasant feeling. This is often compounded by the fact that, as humans (or maybe it’s a British thing), we generally don’t feel comfortable talking to others about our cashflow woes and therefore keep it to ourselves and perhaps even put it off for as long as possible.

The hard truth is that ignoring something won’t simply make it go away, especially when it comes to money. But we get it, more so in 2023 than ever. It’s been a difficult few years for many business owners. Perhaps profits are down, your business is lacking direction, you’re confused about taxes or maybe you’re so consumed by all of this and more than you’re not spending enough time with your family.

What keeps you awake at night?

This is a question that we ask front and centre of our website, and something that we ask our clients early on too. From little niggles to major worries, we need to understand their concerns and ultimately, how we can put the thrill, buzz and optimism back into them and their businesses.

So why do we lead with this? Isn’t it a little negative? What if it puts customers off? We have thought about that a great deal, and we believe that starting at the core of the matter is a good strategy for starting a conversation, whilst helping us to understand quickly what is going on in the business. In our everyday lives, it may take a little while to reveal to our peers just how big a problem is at hand. In finance, that’s never a good idea (sub-prime mortgages, anyone?). Instead, let’s get it all out on the table first.

If you’re feeling lonely in your business, let’s talk about it.

If you’re worried your business will run out of cash, let’s talk about it.

If you’re not quite sure how to set up that new business venture, let’s talk about it.

A balance of care, understanding and help

This approach of getting straight to the point is our way of showing not only that we understand the problems business owners face (we’re a small business too, afterall), but also that we care and that we’re in it for the long term. We want our clients to feel that they can come to us with anything, and we instil that trust exchange by showing we can listen and help with those often tricky decisions that keep your business moving forward. We have no shortage of expertise at Wilson Partners, in our people and in the services we offer, from payroll and auditing to taxation and acquisitions all coupled with a hands on understanding of the business world. As with the trust exchange above, the value exchange is two-way, and by our customers telling us what’s keeping them up at night, we can find the appropriate help for them. That’s tailored help too, not just off-the-shelf pre-packaged financial services. We understand that every business is unique, and no two problems are the same.

Getting to know you

We look at our client relationships, unsurprisingly, as investments. But not in the way you’d assume. We certainly don’t see pound signs when we take on a new business. Instead, we see solutions and outcomes. Much like a portfolio, we want to build value over time, and we do that by getting to know you and all aspects of your business. Relationships built for longevity will always garner better results, which is why we have so many long-standing clients at Wilson Partners.

The extra mile

We’re sure our customers have heard it all before when it comes to the accountancy firm one-liners; “We’re an extension of your team!” or “We’re just a phone call away!”. The problem we find often is that some firms don’t put words into practice. They don’t walk the walk. Many of our customers have come to us frustrated at the lack of information or advice they received from their previous advisors, which brings us back to our original point about marketing. If you’re going to talk about it, own it.

For us, the extra mile is two things. In fact, it is one thing and isn’t another:

• It is: listening, understanding (and sometimes challenging), before answering and solving
• It isn’t: loading you up with more tasks, more jargon, more paperwork and more frustration

It’s a bit of a cliche these days, but less is so often more. Efficiency is key for us, and we like to demonstrate that in the work we do for our customers wherever possible. The idea is that you come away from a conversation with clarity and certainty, not worry and anxiety.

Living up the lingo

So, what does keep you awake at night? There, we’ve said it. And we’ll say it again and again and again. As many times as we need to until we’re certain that we’ve got to the crux of your concerns and improved the outlook of your business.

Of course, we’re not miracle workers, but we are listeners and we are doers.

Come to us with a problem, and it’s on us to solve it. That’s what we do.