Balancing the books is not just about balancing the numbers

The Bluffton Bookkeeper shares comforting advice

By Lisa Peacock

“There’s an app for that” was the go-to phrase every time someone wanted a time-saving solution during the tech revolution. Fast forward to 2021 and our prayers were answered, and then some. Now there may be too many apps and not enough human experience and knowledge for the apps. By running headfirst into the digital age, it seems that businesses became more about growing transactions and less about building personal relationships. That was until Covid hit. During and since Covid, there has been no choice but to pause and take stock of where we were not only on a business level but personally as well.

One issue I struggle with is the balance between efficiency derived from technology and automation versus the power derived from strong human relationships. For example, my company, The Bluffton Bookkeeper, specializes in the QuickBooks® Online Accounting platform because technology is great when it works. However, we try to balance that technology benefit with the human contact needed because our clients want to work with people they know, like, and trust as well as locally to assist when they get stuck. Technology and apps alone are not a business panacea.

The 2021 focus for The Bluffton Bookkeeper has been to take a step back, re-evaluate our life/work balance and transform ourselves into contributors to not only our business obligations, but to our communities and families as well. We learned that, while technology is the answer to many of our needs, we cannot allow it to consume us. We need to ensure we are a community that truly works, lives and helps each other. After all, that is the “Bluffton state of mind.”

Best Advice

As an avid LOCAL Biz reader (and advertiser), I picked up some valuable tips in the most recent Q3 “Money” issue that helped me evolve my approach to balance in business. 

Leah England said it best, “Build meaningful connections that positively impact lives and the community.” 

Takeaway: We cannot survive this extremely rocky path on our own and must be able to reach out for a helping hand AND be that helping hand when called upon. Be that helping hand.

John O’Toole pointed out that Beaufort County has grown by more than 33,000 residents since the 2010 census. For me, as a resident since 1992, that means within all of those people, your tribe awaits. 

Takeaway: Speak to lots of business owners and residents, find the personalities that are best suited to yours and make that your circle of helping hands. 

Lisa Peacock is the owner of The Bluffton Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping service based in Bluffton dedicated to helping small businesses succeed and grow. Lisa Peacock wants to help get a business started on the right foot and offers a helping hand throughout the process.