Storytelling Tips for Accountants

Storytelling Tips for AccountantsStorytelling Tips for AccountantsAs soon as tax season is over, Tracey Segarra will present a workshop on business storytelling to the accounting staff at New Yorks Margolin, Winer Evens. Shell share storytelling tips and talk about how essential these skills are to the firm. Wait, what? Why do tough-skinned, detail-oriented, analytical CPAs need good storytelling techniques in their skill sets?Great storytelling has been around forever, but the art of storytelling has emerged more recently as a powerful tool in many areas of the workplace. It bolsters teamwork, sparks business development, builds brands, enhances loyalty to products and services, and attracts new clients. It can also help you recruit and retain top talent, stand out in an interview and land your next job.Differentiating yourself is difficult, Segarra says. We all do audits, we all do compilations, we all do tax returns. What we do is not so different, but how we do it is.Already, he r firm has set itself apart with its Instagram video during the Mannequin Challenge. And the staff knows about its marketing directors open-mic forays. Segarra has won three of The Moth StorySLAM competitions and The Moth GrandSlam in New York City. Soon theyll hear the nitty-gritty of learning how to draw out their own life stories and tell them, all as part of the job.Here are some savory storytelling tips - applicable to job seekers, finance teams and hiring managers - to help you in the workplace.1. Include a human elementFor stories to be powerful, there has to be at least a little bit of vulnerability, Segarra suggests. It doesnt have to be a lot. It doesnt have to be your deepest, darkest secrets. But you have to show that youre willing to open up about yourself.An exercise she gives people in her workshop is to take an object they have on them, such as a key or a picture from their wallet, and tell the story of that object in three minutes. Thats a start to getting them co mfortable with telling a story about something personal and developing a rapport with the listener.As a job seeker, of course, you can put your all your credentials and employment history in your resume and cover letter, but you also need a personal branding statement.2. Be authenticIn business, people are always telling you to have an elevator speech, Segarra says. Well, an elevator speech is boring. If you can learn to tell people a true story that makes a connection, thats much more powerful.One of the stories Segarra tells is how she welches able to convince someone at her firm to let her nominate him as one of a magazines top 40 Under 40 leaders. He told her about how his father moved to the U.S. as an immigrant and worked as a cab driver to put him through college at New York University.Thats a story of the American Dream, she says. That student went on to become a CPA, who has developed a mentoring program and become a mann an ihrer seite at our firm. Of course, he became one of those 40 Under 40, all because of story.3. Craft a compelling storyWhile some people memorize their narratives, thinking they can reel em in with facts and perfectly delivered public addresses, the most memorable content is conversational. Its not too long - four or five minutes at most - and not too complicated, with multiple twists and turns.Segarra suggests that the best way to work in a story is to bring listeners right into the action and introduce conflict, as she does with this one about using LinkedIn So a big client of ours couldnt get in touch with an attorney and needed to, fast.Then you need to build to the storys climax Since we had just introduced LinkedIn to the firm, he asked me if I would see if we could track this lawyer down. So I plugged in the name, and I could see that one of the staff had a second-degree connection - somebody they knew, knew this person.Last comes the resolution and any other takeaways So I reached out, and he got right back to me and s aid, thats my wifes uncle. Within 10 minutes, the situation was resolved.Think of the storytelling techniques you can use when you Answer Common Interview Questions.4. Inspire actionData and facts are important, but wordsmithing builds influence, fires up imagination, and enables you to make friends and influence people. Think of how you can use storytelling techniques with presentations you make on the job.Crowdfunding platforms that generate funding to start new ventures also use storytelling. Kickstarter offers a course on strategic storytelling to assist in crafting persuasive campaigns. After all, spewing content isnt whats going to attract backers, but a good story does.Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson use storytelling to their advantage. He was stranded at an airport on a remote island when his flight was canceled. He chartered a plane and offered to take the other bumped passengers to their destinations for $39 apiece. Not long afterward, he founded the British airline Vir gin Atlantic.And then there are companies, like Airbnb, that find value in storytelling. It asks its customers to share their own stories on the company website, which helps people overcome the anxiety of staying in a strangers home while building trust in the brand.As Segarra says, when were deciding what people to hire, how to engage with employees, what companies to work for or even how were going to interact with our bosses, its the human connections we make by engaging with each other that can make the difference.Spin a true tale, practice it and tell it well, whether its around a campfire or across the desk. Experience the power of storytelling Tracey Segarra Tracey Segarra is director of marketing for accounting firm Margolin, Winer Evens. You can find all of her sto rytelling work and contact information at www.traceysegarra.com.Keep reading the Robert Half blog so you dont miss our hit-off-the-press career insights Subscribe to our newsletterWhen you subscribe to the Robert Half newsletter, youll get articles and resources to help you build a successful career in accounting and finance - all sent directly to your inbox. Click the button below to sign up todaySUBSCRIBE NOW

Is being a full time creative the best life ever

Is being a full time creative the best life everIs being a full time creative the best life everBehind every successful speciesist, writer, musician, and actor, there resides a backstory. All the trials, tribulations, missteps and failures before fame and fortune arrived.Fans infrequently take note of the backstories. Theyre mora interested in celebrity fame and fortune. Also, fans dream about finding their own stardom and wealth.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreFame and fortune sound appealing to most folks, but not the many years of hardship, work, tears and sacrifice to attain it all. We tend to romanticize the lives of the rich and famous, but maybe its not all its cracked up to be?Very few people attain fame and fortune. Most of us settle into conventional lives that revolve around work, family, and hobbies.This might sound somewhat dull and unremarkable, but its not. It mig ht just be the preferable way to enjoy your life.A phenomenal amount ofpressureReaders delight in the magic and wonder of J. K. RowlingsHarry Potter. However, before she became a near billionaire, Rowling welches a single mother on government benefits.Image by John P. WeissAfter becoming the richest author alive, Rowling discovered some downsides to her fame. Like depression. Consider this excerpt from anarticlein the DailyMail.comThey were the novels that brought her fame, fortune and the adoration of millions of fans around the world. But JK Rowling has admitted that at the height of the success of her Harry Potter books she welches forced to undergo therapy to cope with the pressures of celebrity.Ever heard of the author Robert Galbraith? He writes the Cormoran Strikes crime series. The name Robert Galbraith is really a pseudonym for J. K. Rowling.Anarticlein NPR explains Rowlings reason for creating the pseudonymA few years ago, Rowling wanted to start writing crime novels, but didnt want people to know it was her, and so she hid behind the name Robert Galbraith.One of the downsides to becoming famous in a parteicular area, such as the Harry Potter novels, is that its hard for you to branch out in different areas. As Rowling goes on to explainI think that Potter was incredible, and I am so grateful for what happened with Harry Potter, and that needs to be said. The relationship I had with those readers, and still have with those readers, is so valuable to me. Having said that, there was a phenomenal amount of pressure that went with being the writer of Harry Potter, and that aspect of publishing those books I do not particularly miss. So you can probably understand the appeal of going away and creating something very different, and just letting it stand or fall on its own merits.Fame and fortune can be wonderful, but they can also be isolating and limit your freedom. Further, they can affect those around you, like your family.Heres J. K. Rowling againSo I look at the effect that an individuals fame has on their family, for example, and the limitations that places upon your life to an extent - of course, it brings marvelous things too, but it brings them mainly to the individual. The people around the famous person often pay a price without reaping many of the rewards.The novelty of fame wearsoffA lot of creative people fantasize about becoming rich and famous, but fail to understand the costs. If youre Brad Pitt, try eating out in a nice restaurant. He gets mobbed the minute people recognize him.Now, imagine being one of Brad Pitts kids? Always wondering who wants to be your friend versus who wants to meet your famous father.Many celebrities will tell you that the novelty of fame wears off. Before long, they tire of the attention, paparazzi and fans vying for autographs and selfies.Celebrities become mired in business dealings, charitable requests and the exhaustion of endless travel and appearances.Celebrities wall themselves off f rom it all behind private estates, security and personal jets. For the few who manage to find happiness, there seems to be many more who struggle with divorces, substance abuse, and depression.The things we want versus the things weneedWhen I was a kid, all I wanted to do was draw. It wasnt about fame, fortune or attention. It was about the joy of creating.Each blank page represented a new adventure. Undiscovered possibilities. I could spend hours drawing, and my reward was the simple pleasure of creative expression.Sure, it was nice when my parents or friends praised my artistic efforts, but most of the happiness I felt came from the work itself.In my teenage years I fell in love with the fantasy artwork of Frank Frazetta. I loved his exaggerated style, sense of design and dynamic paintings. There were also many cartoonists I admired, including Pat Oliphant and Jeff MacNelly.I created fantasy art like Frank Frazetta and began drawing cartoons for my high school newspaper. I conside red studying art in college, and talked about it with my father.Dad was quite the artist himself. He was a weekend oil painter who produced beautiful landscapes and portraits. But Dad was also a pragmatist. He put himself through law school and was an administrative law judge. This is what Dad told meJohnny, you can certainly study art in college if you want to. But I recommend a more conservative career route. Making an living as an artist is very difficult. I know a local artist. His work is exemplary, but he still struggles to make a decent living.Sometimes, the things we want are not the things we need. Dad knew that what I needed was a good education in a discipline that could provide a good life for me. He knew I wanted to be an artist, but felt it wasnt what I needed to craft a good life. Dad went on to tell meObtain a degree in a field of study likely to provide a good living. Something that youd enjoy doing. Then, on the side, you can pursue your passion for art. And your a rt will be on your terms, not the whims of some advertising director or picky collector.At the time, I was disappointed with my Dads advice. It sounded like selling out. Taking the safe route rather than the path less chosen.The problem is, youthful dreams (as beautiful as they are) are formed in the absence of significant life experience. We envision the best case scenarios, not the sobering realities.Why skills trumppassionCal Newport is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University. In his book,So Good They Cant Ignore You Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love,he argues that following your passion is bad advice.As the book description on his website statesMatching your job to a preexisting passion does not matter, he reveals. Passion comes after you put in the hard work to become excellent at something valuable, not before. In other words, what you do for a living is much less important than how you do it.In my senior year of high school, a local deputy sheriff visited my American Government class to talk about careers in law enforcement. I used to enjoy television programs like Hill Street Blues and always thought police work was an exciting and noble profession.In my senior year of high school, a local deputy sheriff visited my American Government class to talk about careers in law enforcement. I used to enjoy television programs like Hill Street Blues and always thought police work was an exciting and noble profession.Image by John P. WeissWith my fathers support, I went on to college and graduate school, studying Administration of Justice. That led to over twenty-six years in law enforcement, with the last eight serving as Chief of Police.Throughout my police career, I never abandoned my artwork. I moonlighted as an editorial cartoonist for two, local newspapers. I took up landscape painting and studied extensively with master artistScott L. Christensen, among others.I infused artwork and creative writing into my police career. I crafted cartoons about my colleagues, which brought a lot of laughs and levity. I began blogging and building an online platform, to share my art and writing.Image by John P. WeissIn short, I found a middle ground, to balance my creative passions and financial security.Cal Newport is right. I didnt need to directly pursue my art passion to have a great life. In fact, the skills and experiences I gained from my law enforcement career shaped me in ways Id never imagined.Law enforcement taught me how to deal with a wide variety of people, including belligerent and even dangerous ones. I honed my writing and speaking ability. I learned personal discipline and gained wisdom about all facets of the human condition.My police career helped make me a better observer, listener and writer. Even my artwork benefitted, because I was more disciplined in my creative study, practice, education and output.You have to become a jack of alltradesWhen I took landscape painting workshops in Idaho withScott L. Christensen, I met a variety of full-time, professional artists. They shared with me their struggles. Gallery closings. The emergence of video games and online entertainment. The difficulties of making a living as a fine artist.I learned that many artists rely upon workshops, art prints, and video sale to help make ends meet. Being a fine artist today requires mastery of social media and the development of an online presence. Artists must also stay on top of inventory, email newsletters to collectors, and all the related business and tax realities.You cant just create artwork. You have to become a jack-of-all-trades. Fine artist. Small business owner. Website designer. On-line marketer. Social media expert. Email newsletter content creator and editor.Image by John P. WeissThe same holds true for writers and musicians. Your published works or music are just the beginning. The entire constellation of social media, marketing, platform development, business invest ment, taxes and promotion, falls to you.If you get lucky and skyrocket to fame and fortune, all of the above are amplified. Sure, you might have staff now to help with everything, but the decisions and challenges grow exponentially.Become the pragmatic jugglerWe all dream about becoming rich and famous with our respective passions. Be it writing, artwork, music, acting or whatever. Such creative pursuits sound so much sexier than becoming police officers, teachers, attorneys or business persons.But heres the thing. There is a third option, between following your passion and Cal Newports skills trump passion approach. The third option is to become the pragmatic juggler.Pragmatic jugglers find a meaningful, conventional career they can enjoy. But they also make time for their side hustle. Be it art, writing, music or another creative pursuit.The beauty of this approach is that your conventional career will broaden your professional skills. Your side hustle will keep your creative pass ion alive. In many ways, both approaches are complementary. They fuel your growth.Image by John P. WeissAccording to the author James Altucher, it takes 17 years to be a good writer. At least, thats what he deduced from interviewing tons of writers. As he noted in his articleThe Horrible Things About Being a Full Time WriterKurt Vonnegut is a classic example. Started writing in 1945 when he returned from the war. Didnt really have financial success with writing until about 1970 and even in 1968 all of his books were out of print.Seventeen years is a long time. And theres no guarantee that after 17 years, youll arrive as a literary success.Live a remarkable and fulfilling lifeSeems to me, it makes a lot of sense to have something to fall back on. Dad might have been right. Find a conventional career you enjoy. Something that will pay the bills and insure a bit of security for you and your family.I did that with my police career. Those twenty-six years flew by. Outside of work, I got to develop my artwork and writing. And guess what? I was able to retire at 52 years old. I have a healthy pension, own my home and cars, and am now able to pursue art and writing full time.Image by John P. WeissThe best part is that I get to be my own boss. Im not beholden to an editor or art director. I can create the work I want to create.Theres a lot to be said for the pragmatic juggler approach. Your conventional career will hone your people and business skills, and your creative life will continue to grow. Then, when you retire from your day job, youll be able to take your creative life to the next level.Yes, there are a few lucky souls who are able to embrace a creative career early in their lives. But, for those of us who become pragmatic jugglers, the end result of our life pursuits are just as sweet. Maybe even more so, because we get to live more than one professional life.So, the next time you feel a bit down about your conventional career, take heart. Its possible to bec ome a pragmatic juggler and live a remarkable and fulfilling life.This article first appeared on Medium.Get on John P. Weiss free email listhereto receive the latest artwork and writing.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The Difference Between Paralegals and Legal Assistants

The Difference Between Paralegals and Legal AssistantsThe Difference Between Paralegals and Legal AssistantsThe terms paralegal and legal assistant have been used interchangeably over the years and with good reason. These legal professionals perform similar duties within a law firm, and theyre often referred to in the same context in legal decisions handed down by courts. Court rules dont differentiate between them, and bar associations rarely distinguish between the roles when setting rules for practice. That said, paralegal assistants and legal assistants shouldbedrngnis be confused with legal secretaries who generally do not share the same responsibilities. What Is a Paralegal Assistant? The term paralegalis widely understood to describe a person qualified througheducation, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work under the guidance and supervision of an attorney. The same often applies to legal assistants, but the National Association of Legal Assistants made a distinction between the two roles in 2004. It added certified paralegal to address those who have passed the NALA certification exam. Other professionals may only refer to themselves as legal assistants. Surveys of the paralegal industry have revealed an overwhelming preference by paralegals for this title over that of legal assistant. The two terms- paralegal and legal assistant- are still used interchangeably in the legal industry, but the growing trend is to use the title of paralegal for certifiedemployees. Duties of Paralegals vs. Legal Assistants Paralegals and legal assistants perform many of the duties an attorney would have to take care of personally if he did not hire such a professional. They do legal research and draft pleadings, contracts, leases, and other court and legal documents. They help with trial preparation and can usually assist clients by answering many of their questions. However, they cannot give legal advice or guide clients toward one course o f action or another. Also, they cannot sign pleadings or other documents, which must be reviewed and signed by the attorney. Most lawyers bill their paralegals or legal assistants hours to their clients, just as they would bill their own time, but at a lower rate. For example, they may bill $100 an hour for the paralegals or legal assistants time and $300 for their own. Paralegals and legal assistants do not receive this money directly, however, as theyre typically paid set salaries through the firm. Legal Secretaries vs. Paralegals and Legal Assistants Many law firmscall their legal secretarieslegal assistants so they can justify billing clients for these employees hours as well, but the duties of a legal secretary are typically mora limited. They may draft correspondence and usually organize files and perform word processing, transcribing the attorneys dictation from audio devices and following his directives for other tasks. They take phone calls but are not usually entrusted with answering client questions. More commonly, theyll draft those questions in a memo which is passed on to the attorney, so he has a full understanding of the clients concerns and needs when he returns calls. Legal secretaries set appointments and calendar court appearances and events in each case. They may also take care of other administrative tasks, such as billing clients. Most law firms use the terms paralegal and legal assistant toavoid confusion with secretarial and other legal support roles.