Campaign Mayhem

Having voted in every election since Ford-Carter in 1976, I pride myself in taking more than a passing interest in who ultimately runs the country, or even my local county for that matter. And I consider it a privilege to be able to exercise my civic duty – if that sounds a bit corny then so be it.

But there are limits to even my patriotism.

A while back in this space I complained loudly about the volume of solicitation calls I receive on a daily basis – with a good 75-80 percent of those looking for contributions. Come mid-October, that volume nearly triples, as my annoyance builds to an ulcerating crescendo.

Why?

Because every candidate, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green Party, Legalize Marijuana Party or any other far leaning affiliation feels somehow compelled to leave a personal voice mail for my spouse and I in hopes of capturing our vote.

But that’s the half of it – literally. 

Tell Me the Way to Go Home

Last year or thereabouts, I’m sure I amused many of you when I chronicled yet another of my many misadventures in technology when I went to upgrade my smartphone. One of my big complaints about my now antiquated iPhone was that I could never get the voice commands to work on my navigation app.

And for once it wasn’t just me.

My far more knowledgeable offspring could not figure out why the stern maternal commando was doing her best impression of Marcel Marceau, and neither could the geniuses at the “Genius Bar.”

So in surrender, I exchanged it for Carmine red colored stylish ‘Droid, which gave me the choice of several free navigation applications.

About this time, my phone wasn’t the only thing in severe need of an upgrade. 

No Thanks!

The inimitable Groucho Marx used to swear that he'd never join a club that would have him for a member.

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Neither would I.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you that I'm not a joiner - in anything.

Conscious “Un-Linking”

I’m loathe to take a page from one of the more nauseating people residing on the planet – Gwyneth Paltrow – but there are times when I just want to “consciously un-link,” as in separation from all my current LinkedIn connections as well as all those unanswered invitations to connect.

In full disclosure, I’m not one of those people who receive 50-100 LinkedIn invites a week, but I do receive my fair share of hopefuls, 90 percent of them of which I summarily dismiss.

Wanna know why?

Read on.

Take that to the bank – but which bank?

I find it more than an little ironic that despite working for a company whose revenues are fueled by succession issues and more specifically M&A, that I would rail against the spate of mergers that have impacted me personally and nearly on a daily basis.

No, my accountant didn’t decide to go upstream into a larger firm, but for the past two-plus decades, my banks have. Just when I have begun to feel comfortable with one institution, I would invariably receive a notice that they have merged with a larger lender, but promising the same quality service that I have come to expect.

In other news, water was found to be wet…

I’m sure there aren’t too many accountants across the country in need of crying towels now that the wrenching September 15^th and October 15^th deadlines are nearly in the rear view mirror.

The span in between those dual exercises in stress and overtime and January 1, is usually a period when firms review their final wish lists and address their respective needs – whether in personnel or software for the pending filing season.

It’s also the time when both pundits and consultants opine on what to expect for the coming year.

Pinocchio’s Resume

I’ve probably seen more resumes in my time than should be allowed under the Geneva Convention. Some were over the top impressive, while many others were, how shall I put it, “creatively” drafted.

That is to say, some of the magnitude and responsibilities of past positions may have been ever so slightly exaggerated.

Not to sound too judgmental, because we’ve all done it a time or two or three – but usually within reason, not fantasy land.

Talented Management or Managing Talent?

The other day I received an email from a major software publisher to the accounting and financial space which requested my (hopefully) learned opinions on how the profession is both managing talent and succession.

Unfortunately, the correspondence didn’t include a link that would register me for a prize drawing sometime later as a reward for giving them for free what we charge a not-so-insignificant amount to firms, but nevertheless, since the topics are pretty much in the strategic wheelhouse of our consultancy I forged ahead and put my best foot – or more accurately, best pen, forward.