Navigating Change

By Matthew J. Schaefer, CPA, CGMA

Spring is a time of change. As I look outside the kitchen window, I see that the snow has started to melt, and neighbors have been discussing robin sightings in their yards. This time of year also brings back forgotten evening walks, spring sports and a promise of renewal. Things are changing.

Just the word “change” brings me excitement and energy. Like many of you, I expect change within my life, whether personal or professional. We go through many changes in our lives — some of them we manifest ourselves, and others we have no control over. So we learn to deal with change, and in our role as trusted advisors, we help others to deal with it, too. I recently had this experience.

As you know, our economy experienced the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank in California and Signature Bank in New York. I work for a small community bank in Wisconsin — so, naturally, I was concerned, and so were some of our clients. Our customers have instilled trust in our business model and the changes and updates we have made with the services that we provide, and we appreciate and protect that trust. As you might expect, the recent bank failures have prompted us to have more discussion about customer assumptions and expectations. You may have also helped concerned clients and others in your life deal with this situation. Fortunately, it hasn’t created the disastrous changes that past bank failures have.

Many of us are recognized as business leaders, subject matter experts and respected liaisons of financial information. We continue to help small and large audiences gain an understanding of the business world. Looking at the mission of a business, we gain an understanding of what we do not only for our direct employees or departments but also for our communities and industries. In helping people through the changes inherent in life, we are effecting positive change.