I periodically post suggestions to make tax season more pleasant for yourself and your staff. I also mention that I did all of the things I was suggesting. Well, on the evening of April 15 I received a call that "made my day."
A former staff person who worked for me 20 years ago and whom I have not seen in over 15 years nor spoken to in probably over 10 years called to "thank me." He started his career with me when he graduated college and wanted to share his feelings when his first tax season ended.
He told me he thinks about it every year when tax season ends and just felt like calling to tell me and thank me. He remembers the good time he had preparing returns and calling some clients for missing information. He also remembered sitting with a couple of clients that picked up their returns to help them traipse through the minefield of forms they needed to sign and attach checks to. He told me those were amazing learning experiences that he tries to involve staff in today when they arise. He remembers the fast pace of his on-the-job training and the rapid feedback from the reviewer on his returns. He also liked the free lunches and dinners we provided and the added overtime payment he received in each paycheck.
However, what he remembers best is the feeling he got when he went home the night of April 15 (in those days we worked down to the wire), with an envelope containing five crisp $100 bills and being told the office would be closed the next day and he should take some time to chill out.
I enjoyed talking to him but was thrilled to hear his validation of what we did, how we treated our staff and that we excited them. Tax season is the best time of the year and this call made it even better for me! We did walk the talk and so can you. And it works!
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