Happy Monday!!

I’ve wanted to write about this for a while because I think it’s something that makes us unique as a firm and serves as a big advantage.

I hope it resonates!

Don’t you hate when software companies have terrible support? When they’re glitchy? When they blow up or change things randomly?

It kills me.

That’s why, instead of endlessly complaining about software companies, we decided to get closer to them.

A few years ago, I only really saw tech companies as vendors.

We’d pay for it, plug it in, and use it.

When it sucked, I’d complain on Twitter and maybe get an elevated support response.

But through my experience at Intuit’s Partner Council, I’ve learned there’s a much better way to do things.

We started viewing tech companies more like strategic partners.

When I started posting more online and building a personal brand, I was accepted to Partner Council.

That completely changed my perspective about this.

Instead of being on the outside reacting to technology decisions after they happened, I suddenly found myself sitting directly with product teams, leadership, and other firms helping shape where things are going.

Not everything we discuss gets fixed or implemented.

But I know for a fact, we’ve helped make a difference.

That’s a very weird and interesting feeling when you started out as the guy yelling about product issues & glitches on Twitter.

A few years ago, I thought software partnerships were mostly for bigger firms. Turns out that doesn't matter.

There are many ways this benefits my firm currently.

We get:

We even have some of our favorites sponsoring our company retreat this year!

I didn’t even know stuff like this was a possibility for a firm our size 3-4 years ago.

Tech companies are building things right now that we've never seen before. Things I didn't know were possible a year ago. If you're not close to the people building them, you're going to be the last to know what's coming.

If me and my competitors have the same tech stack and we’re getting: beta access to new tools, faster support, product direction knowledge, etc.

Who do you think is going to be more efficient on the work and more prepared when things change?

That’s exactly why we invest in these relationships.

Not for the swag or for the dinners, but really for the strategic advantage it gives us

Honestly, for me it started with fostering a personal brand and meeting people.

Talking to your reps, meeting people at conferences, and communicating product feedback on software we use every single day.

Over time, those relationships compounded and opportunities started showing up naturally.

The best thing you can do? Get out there and communicate.

Looking back, getting closer to technology companies completely changed the trajectory of our firm.

Closer to where the industry is heading.

Closer to the people helping build the future of accounting.

Truly, I think that proximity is becoming one of the biggest advantages a modern firm can have.

Have a great week!

Tailor