It’s All About the Team
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on October 19, 2021
Rob Dutkiewicz
We have all heard the phrase, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” This aptly applies to today’s situation and, no, I am not talking about our beloved Detroit Lions! What I am referring to is the alarming lack of qualified employees. I am finding that this relates to just about everyone, everywhere.
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Planning for a Transition
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on May 3, 2021
Rob Dutkiewicz
I hope that everyone is enjoying their spring. Though a day this time of the year in Michigan can feel like any one of the four seasons, there is nothing quite like the feel of a pleasant spring day; the colors, smells, and the newness can uplift any spirit, especially after a long winter.
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Honoring International Women’s Day
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on March 1, 2021
Rob Dutkiewicz
In honor of International Women’s Day, I’d like to take a moment to recognize the talented women who have helped build our outstanding reputation within the business community – both here and abroad. I am proud that half of Clayton & McKervey’s owners are women.
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Building in Uncertain Times
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on February 3, 2021
Rob Dutkiewicz
Any organization that is truly serious about growth must first make a serious commitment to consistently recruiting fresh talent into the firm. This holds true even in times of uncertainty, like the current environment we are all in. Organizations may see hiring as an area they can pull back on when times get tough, but it is important to resist this temptation.
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Welcome 2021
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on January 3, 2021
Rob Dutkiewicz
Happy New year! At the end of most years, I ask myself - where did the year go? But not so this year. The end simply couldn’t come quick enough.
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Happy Holidays
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on December 4, 2020
Rob Dutkiewicz
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Though it has been a year like no other, as I reflect it’s clear that I have much to be grateful for. Each day I get the great pleasure of working with a terrific group of professionals.
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Fall Gratitude
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on November 9, 2020
Rob Dutkiewicz
I think many Michiganders would agree that there is nothing quite like a pristine fall day in Michigan with changing colors, crisp air, and weekend football games. Well, perhaps football hasn’t been quite the same this year, but then again, many things haven’t been quite what they were in the past.
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Labor Day Transitions
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on September 1, 2020
Rob Dutkiewicz
As we all know, in Michigan, the summer starts Memorial Day, and ends on Labor Day. Don’t look now, but Labor Day is right around the corner. As we reflect on the true meaning of Labor Day, I think all workers should be proud of their accomplishments this year.
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Time to Retrench & Recharge
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on July 27, 2020
Rob Dutkiewicz
It is hard to believe, but we are four months into the Covid crisis. To me, it feels like four years. Though no one knows when this will pass, it seems safe to say that we are in this for the long haul. What continues to echo in my head is the proverbial statement “the strong shall survive”.
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Happy 4th of July!
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on June 30, 2020
Rob Dutkiewicz
It is hard to believe that this favorite American holiday, celebrating fireworks and cookouts with family and friends, is upon us already. Though I don’t have any big plans I am looking forward to a chance to unplug over the three-day weekend. As burnout is being cited as one of the top challenges for employees in the midst of the Covid pandemic, we are all trying to find time to recharge.
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Navigating the Challenges of COVID-19
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on April 1, 2020
Rob Dutkiewicz
I think it is safe to say that, in our lifetime, we have never seen anything quite like this before. The Coronavirus has created anxiety as the health and safety of our loved ones weigh heavily on our minds, along with uncertainty in the economy.
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Leadership Lessons
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on March 2, 2020
Rob Dutkiewicz
It seems hard to believe, but it has been four years since we suddenly loss our president, Kevin McKervey. I am forever grateful for Kevin’s mentoring and preparing me for the leadership position. However, no matter how well you are coached on the challenges of being the company president, you can only really appreciate and grasp the challenges of the role by actually being in it and living it.
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2020 Vision
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on January 3, 2020
Rob Dutkiewicz
It seems hard to believe that another year has passed. I suspect that many of you are wondering, like me, where 2019 went? Though the year seemed to go by in a blink of an eye, I can only look back on the past 12 months with great appreciation.
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Leadership From Around the Globe
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on December 2, 2019
Rob Dutkiewicz
A few weeks ago I traveled to Rome, along with my fellow shareholder Sue Tuson, to attend the PrimeGlobal World Conference. PrimeGlobal is one of the five largest associations of independent accounting firms in the world.
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“QBQ” Supports Firm’s Priorities
Posted by Clayton & McKervey on August 6, 2019
Clayton & McKervey
Two years ago, when I was newer to the managing partner role and analyzing all of the challenges that lay ahead of us, I kept pondering and asking myself, “If we could collectively address one thing that would have the greatest impact on the firm, what would it be?”
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Economic Signs
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on August 5, 2019
Rob Dutkiewicz
The signs from the economy seem to be a bit of a mixed bag. Though in July, a respectable 164,000 jobs were added and unemployment remains incredibly low at 3.8%, there are other indicators that seem to signal a slowdown.
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The Era of New Technologies
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on June 11, 2019
Rob Dutkiewicz
Whether business or personal, we all know that technology is profoundly changing our world. We have personally witnessed how many of our clients have needed to adapt to these changes.
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Economy and the TCJA
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on March 19, 2019
Rob Dutkiewicz
The year-end Federal Government economic reports were published recently and the news was promising. Despite slowdowns elsewhere in the world, turbulent financial markets, and trade disputes with China, the economy continues to grow at a healthy pace.
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Recognizing our Clients’ Success
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on February 20, 2019
Rob Dutkiewicz
One of the greatest pleasures a professional can experience is to see your client blossom from a small start-up operation to a thriving business. It …
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We Are Proud of the Role That Our Team Plays in Helping Out Those Within the Community
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on December 31, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
I think most of us would agree that his time of the year is truly special. Most of us get to enjoy the holidays by spending time with our loved ones, sharing gifts, and creating treasured memories.
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I Wish Everyone a Special and Happy Holiday Season
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on November 30, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
As I was went walking through the neighborhood last evening, thinking about my upcoming work week and all of the tasks that I needed to accomplish over the next five days, I was struck by all of the holiday decorations and ornaments on the lawns of my neighbors.
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Real Time Coaching Provides Real Results
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on November 13, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
We are proud of a great idea that came from managers who drove and implemented a change in our staff performance feedback model.
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Good Coaching Builds Successful Teams
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on October 8, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
October is my favorite month. Not only because of the spectacular weather and changing colors, but because this is the month of the baseball playoffs, the World Series, and the crowning of baseball’s world champions.
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Back to School
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on September 6, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
As I watch our universities and schools fill up again, I feel pretty good about the future.
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“Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast”
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on July 9, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
Our organization, like most, gets really busy attending to the daily tasks at hand of serving clients, hiring and training staff, marketing our services, and tending to the hundreds of other small things needed to make us function effectively.
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Our China Practice
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on June 11, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
I am pleased to share the accomplishments from our China service team, from how they serve our clients to providing up-to-date information on the accounting, tax, and business needs of the China market.
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Celebrating Another Successful Busy Season
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on May 10, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
Well, we just finished another successful busy season. As our former president, Don Clayton used to say, “the crops are in the field and everyone is working on the harvest”. This is a pretty good analogy to what the busy season is like.
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As We Mark the 2nd Year of Kevin McKervey’s Passing, I Found Myself Reflecting on Our Firm’s Journey…
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on April 9, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
Kevin approached me in the spring of 2015 and asked if I wanted to be the next president. This wasn’t the first time he had …
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Generations Working to Achieve Results Together
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on February 13, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
To accommodate our growth in this robust economy our firm, like many of our clients, has hired several new team members. Most of these are …
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Happy New Year!
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on January 16, 2018
Rob Dutkiewicz
I hope you and your families had an enjoyable holiday season. As we close the book on what most business owners see as a successful …
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It’s December Already!
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on December 1, 2017
Rob Dutkiewicz
It’s hard to believe that we are already in the last month of 2017. Where did the year go? I suspect many of you are like …
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Thank you to clients, employees & community
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on September 15, 2017
Rob Dutkiewicz
With Clayton & McKervey completing its 2017 fiscal year in August, I have been reflecting on the past 12 months. What stands out …
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Day of Service can extend beyond 24 hours – here’s your invitation
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on July 27, 2017
Rob Dutkiewicz
Individuals and organizations choose to make service a part of their personal and professional life as they consider it the right thing to do, …
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Public Accounting Report – Trends Impacting the Accounting Industry
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on July 24, 2017
Rob Dutkiewicz
As a firm specializing in international, closely held businesses, I am often in conversations with business owners focused on organizational growth. What we’ve observed …
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2017 Leadership Retreat
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on July 21, 2017
Rob Dutkiewicz
A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to connect with our firm’s entire management group during an off-site event in Traverse City. The retreat was organized around teambuilding, communication and planning for our future. (Yes, we built in some fun stuff, too!) Like most firms, we are diligent about connecting as a team periodically to share updates about the business. This year, however, was the first opportunity for everyone in management to spend three days outside the Clayton & McKervey walls focused exclusively on our culture and strategic planning. In all, the experience was transformative for me – and survey results from the attendees affirm the positive impact it had on them as well. Here are my top takeaways:
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Dress for Your Day
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on June 22, 2017
Rob Dutkiewicz
Like many of us noticing the trends among the Big 4, Clayton & McKervey has introduced a summer dress policy, called “Dress for Your …
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Thoughts on Brexit
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on May 17, 2017
Rob Dutkiewicz
In reflecting on the recent political events around the world, and especially in the UK., I can’t help but be optimistic that everything will work …
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Quality & Core Values
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on January 23, 2017
Rob Dutkiewicz
It’s hard to imagine an organization of any kind staying in business for very long if it does not keep an eye on the quality …
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Proud to Support the Association for Corporate Growth
Posted by Clayton & McKervey on February 9, 2016
Clayton & McKervey
The Association for Corporate Growth® (ACG), the global organization focused on driving middle-market growth, recently announced the winners of the annual “Chapter of the Year.” …
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Three Major Impacts of the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership
Posted by Rob Dutkiewicz on March 26, 2015
Rob Dutkiewicz
The Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership, commonly referred to as TTIP, is a proposed trade agreement between the United States and the European Union. The idea …
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