- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Are you delegating correctly?
Delegation does not just mean passing on a job that you are unwilling to do yourself. Consider the following questions:
Communication
- Do you make it perfectly clear to the other person what they have to do, or are you not clear about it yourself and simply hoping that the person you are delegating to will come up with something?
Setting deadlines
- Do you ask for results by a specified time, such as 'By the close of business,' or 'In an hour'?
Your response
- When you have asked someone to do something 'urgently', do you then action it immediately or leave it lying around on the desk for days?
Support
- Do you periodically check how the employee is getting on and offer to answer any questions he or she might have, or do you just leave them get on with it?
Feedback
- Do you keep the employee informed of what happens after you take the work back, or do you just say, 'Thanks, I'll handle it from here'?
Purpose of delegation
- Do you delegate only boring tasks you dislike, or do you delegate exciting and enjoyable tasks to give others an opportunity to learn?
Employee development
- Do you give the same employee the same piece of work every time because they are good at it, or do you say, 'You seem to be getting the hang of A, why don't you have a go at B, this week'?
Effective delegation allows small businesses to grow into large ones. The most successful entrepreneurs are those who can strike a balance between trusting the people around them and keeping the lines of communication open.