​It seems to be a statement that makes no sense, in fact, quite contradictory. It is exactly how I felt after a recent conference and round table that I participated in. Imagine having a significant business issue that has existed for several years and after searching for answers, hearing best practices and trying everything you have heard, still not solving that issue. Can you see this? Isn't this "not seeing the forest for the trees"?

As a profession, CPAs have faced a significant retention problem. It has been an issue for as long as I can remember. At a recent conference, the key note speaker was simply incredible, pointing out to our profession, in no uncertain terms, that generational differences are disrupting many industries and professions and in particular, ours. What is disturbing to me is that we continue to blame this on everyone else except ourselves. For example, after this incredible keynote, I attended a Managing Partner Round Table session where this issue came up. Retention. Very high on everyone's list. We went around the room listening to many creative ideas about retention. Bonuses, deferred comp, etc. All great ideas but ones that we have proven are not sustainable. Not one time did it occur to anyone in the room that WE could be the problem. I wanted so desperately wanted to stand up on the table and shout "have you not been listening to everything being said at this conference?" But I refrained from that public spectacle. In hindsight, I regret that my fear of sounding like a bragger caused me to not speak up. We just don't have a retention problem and I believe it is because looked our ourselves and started working on US rather than THEM.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- PumpJack.me Speakers Bureau proudly announces the addition of Curt Smith to its roster. Originally a reporter for the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Curt went on to log a 35 year career in Indiana politics including senior-level tenures in the United States Senate, the House of Representatives, the Hudson Institute and more. His work has been published local, state and national media outlets like the New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. Since 2001, Curt has served as the president of the Indiana Family Institute, a not-for-profit family advocacy and research organization. He is the author of the 2016 book, "Deicide: How Eliminating the Deity is Destroying America." (September, 2016). 

For more information or to book Curt as a speaker at your meeting, church, or retreat, click here.