I feel compelled to share my recent experience after consulting with Douglas CPA. Throughout our conversation, I was deeply affected by Douglas's tone, which included belittling and even laughter in response to my questions and inquiries about my friend's business decisions. Additionally, he questioned why the owner of the business hadn't contacted him directly, despite my explanation that the owner is not from this country and I've been assisting on their behalf. that is literally why I said, "I am his assistant" but I digress..
I tried to communicate my needs, but I encountered challenges in getting my points across in this particular area of expertise - b/c this isn't my wheelhouse. While I understand this, I was taken aback when Douglas began posing leading questions b/c he seemed frustrated with my ineptitude, even when I asked him to repeat himself or mentioned I could not hear him. However, he continually cut me off, spoke over me, and carried on as if preoccupied, evident from the echoes and background noises present due to his use of speakerphone and being far away from his phone. This gave the impression of a lack of professionalism and focus during our conversation.
To offer a suggestion, I recommend investing in AirPods or headphones; this would ensure that your communication remains crystal clear for your customers while you go about the tasks that are SO important you, cannot stop to adequately hear someone speak.
Exhibit A) I spoke in the same way, with my same lexicon, to other businesses and they did NOT get as confused, frustrated, or did not hear what I said in such an egregious manner as you did. :)
I don't doubt Douglas's intelligence or his proficiency in his field. It's evident that he has positively assisted many clients in the past. My intention is not to discredit his accomplishments or the positive experiences of others. My perspective, though, stems from my various professional roles in hospitality, executive assistance, tutoring/babysitting, unhoused/homeless population & Mental Health, and now nursing. It is through these experiences I've acquired skills to handle diverse personalities and have a thick skin, but this was not an ordinary thing to brush off and not leave this review.
In my view, this interaction underscores the need for more effective communication practices during consultations and INITIAL phone calls with potential candidates for clientele. I did address my concerns with Douglas during our conversation, including the interruptions, belittlement (through laughter), and inappropriate analogies. Despite his seemingly apologetic response, the sincerity felt lacking.
Lastly, some specifics to drive home my point, Douglas misunderstood my query about asking an opinion about the current S-Corp biz we have to possibly change to an LLC. Even after I had made it clear that we currently operate as an S-Corp and my inquiry pertained to the potential use of an LLC in the future, the response I received was far from professional. Douglass chose to respond by laughing and delivering an analogy that compared my situation to teaching a child to run before walking. The tone was one of condescension, as he mirthfully questioned why I "would even consider comprehending the complexities of an S-Corp when he believed I struggled to grasp the fundamentals of the LLC structure that we presently employ".
In addition, Douglass misinterpreted my question about employee payroll, leading to a cascade of misinformation that was entirely irrelevant to our needs. It was necessary for me to endure a discourse on a topic that had no bearing on our discussion. An apology was later extended, acknowledging the interruptions, laughter, and cut-offs that had taken place during our conversation. Do I think he truly meant this apology? 100% I did not. These factors contributed to a sense of confusion that could have been avoided entirely.
To reiterate, the analogies and belittling remarks used throughout our conversation had NO relevance to my inquiry, and their application was misplaced due to a lack of understanding on HIS part. While I understand misunderstandings can occur, the time I lost by having to repeat myself is unacceptable. This situation highlights the importance of effective communication and attentiveness.
I urge you to reflect on your communication style and consider how you interact with others by reading this very detailed interaction and the impact you had on me. By doing so, you could potentially transform your personal approach, enhancing your ability to connect with people in a more personable, compassionate, and empathetic manner.
In sum, my intent is not to negate Douglas CPA's positive interactions with others. Rather, I aspire for this review to illuminate my personal encounter and inspire enhancements in communication practices for future consultations. The aim should be a more comprehensive understanding of clients' inquiries and respectful engagement. read more