BillQuick at the Sleeter Conference 2009

There is no more highly motivated, knowledge-hungry professional than a member of the Sleeter Consultant Network (SCN). To say exhibiting and speaking at the annual Sleeter Conference is an enjoyable three days  — and a very tiring time — is to understate how much all of us at BQE look forward to the annual Sleeter Group event.

The Conference draws hundreds of Sleeter consultants — QuickBooks Pro Advisors, Peachtree Consultants, Accountants, IT Consultants and other professionals. These are the same people who serve existing and potential BillQuick customers. Most are advanced certified by Intuit, and many also work hard to gain additional certification from the Sleeter Group (a still higher level of knowledge).

For the past 7 years, BQE Software has shared insights into BillQuick and other topics at the conference. We also exhibit and sponsor events. The conference gives us the opportunity to expand and deepen BillQuick’s knowledge among Sleeter Consultants. In turn, they become more aware of BillQuick as a solution for their customers.

Many attendees also evaluate BillQuick for their own companies. As the lightbulbs of knowledge radiate brighter and brighter, most realize they have 5, 10, 20 or more clients who can benefit from BillQuick. Some see entirely new marketing opportunities. Most sign up as new BillQuick Resellers.

BQE’s partnership with the Sleeter Group provides benefits to SCN members and to new resellers recruited by BQE. For example, BQE waives the annual reseller membership fee ($495) for Sleeter Consultants.  They pay only one membership fee to Sleeter and become a BillQuick Reseller with a simple request (and a little paperwork). Their commissions begin immediately. SCN members who choose to become BillQuick Resellers receive the same sales certification training, marketing support and other benefits as other resellers. In fact, many new resellers present BillQuick to one or more clients within 30 days of joining (and before completing certification training). Following our reseller business model, BQE supports and collaborates with the new resellers throughout the entire process. You never stand alone!

New BillQuick Resellers who join through BQE also benefit from our Sleeter partnership. They have the option to become a member of the SCN at no charge. They receive a valuable ‘new member’ start-up package, strong community support, and ongoing benefits. In short, you get the substantial benefits of both organizations for one annual membership fee.

Bottom Line: We like talking to current and future BillQuick customers and resellers. Our company is based on a simple model: When you’re successful, we’re successful.

84% of BillQuick Customers

In a recent anonymous poll of our Customers, 84% said they would recommend BillQuick to other professionals without hesitation.

When you include others who would “probably” recommend or “might” recommend BillQuick to professionals like themselves, the number jumps above 90%.

The BillQuick Customers who responded to the poll included accountants, architects, engineers, IT consultants, computer consultants and attorneys — a wide range of professionals.

BillQuick Advisors in Action

BillQuick Advisors are out working with their clients. New and upgrade sales in May 2009 were over 158% higher than April. This continues the trend of month-over-month higher sales by BillQuick resellers.

This indicates the economy is turning around for professional firms. Not only accounting firms are investing in BillQuick, but also law firms, engineering firms, architectural firms and others.

In April, BillQuick’s most active resellers were

• Kara R. Haas, CPA (top seller of the month)
• Paul J. Davidian & Company
• Technology Solutions Associates

In May, the most active resellers were:

• The Attivo Group (top seller of the month)
• Being in Balance, Betty Van Dyck (close second for May)
• Balanced Bookkeeping, Heidi Triezenberg Morgan
• Deemer Dana Froehle, CPAs

Thanks to all of you for great advising!

Computing the Ideal Bill Rate

Many firm owners and managers do not take into account all the key elements that make up an ideal bill rate for an employee. As their advisor, you want to impress them with the depth of value you bring to the table . . . and that you are practical in your approach.

This short video identifies the key elements, including overhead multiplier and utilization rate, and show you how to compute the ideal rate using information that’s readily at hand. It is practical, proven way to compute the ideal bill rate without getting so deep into concepts and details that your clients’ eyes gloss over.

After watching the video, proactively talk to your clients. Help them not only survive the current economic times, but thrive now and more so when the business cycle turns up again. Of course, fine tune the approach to their needs.

Click here to watch the video.

Stay or Go – The Dilemma of Change

Change is the toughest thing we humans do. Poor testing, poor support and sunsetting software like Deltek Advantage, Sema4, FMS/Wind2 and others )in the Architect/Engineering space, for instance) are all coming at a tough time. Sometimes your clients have the problem of their current software just not being right for them now.

Your clients can’t wait. They need to invest now, making wise decisions to optimize productivity to survive the down cycle and to be ready to capture opportunities when the cycle turns up again.

Isn’t it time you help them find an alternative that delivers what they want and need and doesn’t suck them dry? Isn’t it time for a stable solution from a company that appreciates them?

Bottom Line: Thousands of professional services firms face the dilemma of change. In these tough economic times the risks and costs looming down on them are not insignificant. Are you going to wait for them to act or are you an advisor who advises.

Learn more about this by reading Should I Stay or Should I Go? in the January 2009 issue of the BillQuick eLetter.