Reply to: Why I will never use Gorilla Accounting.

[SueEllen]

It is very strange that certain posters are getting so wound up about an accountants marketing activity. If it was their accountancy standards or service levels I think these comments would carry more weight.

Chill out, if junk mail is all you have to worry about then count your blessings.

Some junk mail is an issue though e.g. charities.

[Waldorf]

Why I will never use Gorilla Accounting.

It is very strange that certain posters are getting so wound up about an accountants marketing activity. If it was their accountancy standards or service levels I think these comments would carry more weight.

Chill out, if junk mail is all you have to worry about then count your blessings.

[Fred Bloggs]

It's the second thread it's generated, unless you hold to the absurd axiom that any publicity (even bad) is better than no publicity then you'd need a particular mindset to see either as a triumph rather than a screwup.

I object to their marketing strategy of spam mailing, it's left a negative impression which has overwritten the generally positive one that a few posters who had switched to them had established. In their shoes I would be pretty upset by that.

Well said.

[TykeMerc]

Their marketing campaign clearly worked as it generated a 5 page forum posting and get everyone talking about them.

It's the second thread it's generated, unless you hold to the absurd axiom that any publicity (even bad) is better than no publicity then you'd need a particular mindset to see either as a triumph rather than a screwup.

I object to their marketing strategy of spam mailing, it's left a negative impression which has overwritten the generally positive one that a few posters who had switched to them had established. In their shoes I would be pretty upset by that.

[BurdockTheContractor]

Their marketing campaign clearly worked as it generated a 5 page forum posting and get everyone talking about them.

[ContrataxLtd]

About Find A Chartered Accountant

You can be confident that all firms listed have at least one ICAEW Chartered Accountant and are monitored by ICAEW.

guess so!

Thanks pr1, good to know!

[pr1]

I would imagine they are but I'm not 100% on this to be honest.

Martin
Contratax Ltd

About Find A Chartered Accountant

You can be confident that all firms listed have at least one ICAEW Chartered Accountant and are monitored by ICAEW.

guess so!

[ContrataxLtd]

They're on ICAEW but I don't know if that means they're bound to their rules or not?

Gorilla Accounting. The ICAEW Chartered Accountants Directory

I would imagine they are but I'm not 100% on this to be honest.

Martin
Contratax Ltd

[pr1]

I'm not sure if Gorilla are actually regulated by ICAEW (or any accounting body) as I can't see any mention of this on their website (but they simply might not publish who they are regulated by). If this is the case then they won't be bound by the institutes guidelines so can do what they like.

We were specifically advised by ICAEW that targeting the clients of another firm (not sure if Gorilla specifically went for another firms clients or not?) is against the ethical code of conduct for ICAEW regulated firms so didn't do anything further. You cannot say anything negative about another firm either so we couldn't say we provide a better service then XYZ Accountancy etc in marketing material.

Martin
Contratax Ltd

They're on ICAEW but I don't know if that means they're bound to their rules or not?

Gorilla Accounting. The ICAEW Chartered Accountants Directory

[ContrataxLtd]

I suspect Gorilla trod close to, but not over, this line (ICBW)

Cold calling
You may make an unsolicited approach in writing, by fax, e-mail,
telephone or personal visit to promote any of the services you
provide. You should ensure, of course, that your approach is in
accordance with the guidance and that you do not mislead, offend,
insult or harass your target.

I'm not sure if Gorilla are actually regulated by ICAEW (or any accounting body) as I can't see any mention of this on their website (but they simply might not publish who they are regulated by). If this is the case then they won't be bound by the institutes guidelines so can do what they like.

We were specifically advised by ICAEW that targeting the clients of another firm (not sure if Gorilla specifically went for another firms clients or not?) is against the ethical code of conduct for ICAEW regulated firms so didn't do anything further. You cannot say anything negative about another firm either so we couldn't say we provide a better service then XYZ Accountancy etc in marketing material.

Martin
Contratax Ltd

[pr1]

I must say this has been an interesting thread to follow and hear each side's opinion on this, seems that you either hate the 'spam advertising' or you have no issues with it.

We'd considered doing this a couple of years ago as it is so easy to get the necessary information from the internet (Companies House et al) and would probably have a decent ROI in terms of attracting new clients but in the end decided against it. A couple of reasons to this, firstly we didn't want to spam potential clients but secondly we were actually advised it was against our professional guidelines (ICAEW) to actively try to encourage a client away from their existing accountant via unsolicited mailing (email, post or phone).


Martin
Contratax Ltd

I suspect Gorilla trod close to, but not over, this line (ICBW)

Cold calling
You may make an unsolicited approach in writing, by fax, e-mail,
telephone or personal visit to promote any of the services you
provide. You should ensure, of course, that your approach is in
accordance with the guidance and that you do not mislead, offend,
insult or harass your target.

[Fred Bloggs]

I must say this has been an interesting thread to follow and hear each side's opinion on this, seems that you either hate the 'spam advertising' or you have no issues with it.

We'd considered doing this a couple of years ago as it is so easy to get the necessary information from the internet (Companies House et al) and would probably have a decent ROI in terms of attracting new clients but in the end decided against it. A couple of reasons to this, firstly we didn't want to spam potential clients but secondly we were actually advised it was against our professional guidelines (ICAEW) to actively try to encourage a client away from their existing accountant via unsolicited mailing (email, post or phone).


Martin
Contratax Ltd

EXACTLY my point. Others seem to have missed or ignored that. if a client or even a prospective client made a complaint against me to my professional body, I am certain I'd be called to London there and then to explain myself.

[ContrataxLtd]

I must say this has been an interesting thread to follow and hear each side's opinion on this, seems that you either hate the 'spam advertising' or you have no issues with it.

We'd considered doing this a couple of years ago as it is so easy to get the necessary information from the internet (Companies House et al) and would probably have a decent ROI in terms of attracting new clients but in the end decided against it. A couple of reasons to this, firstly we didn't want to spam potential clients but secondly we were actually advised it was against our professional guidelines (ICAEW) to actively try to encourage a client away from their existing accountant via unsolicited mailing (email, post or phone).


Martin
Contratax Ltd

[Fred Bloggs]

A lot of us work in IT thus are signed upto so many systems that send us spam that managing our mailboxes becomes a pita. I think I can speak for most of us when I say an unsolicited mail is something we don't like. I'd even go as far to suggest you dont send marketing mail but obviously it has some success or you wouldn't do it.

Yes, I concur with that even though I'm not in IT.

[Fred Bloggs]

@OP wow... you really don't understand marketing

FFS!!! I'm an engineer, nothing else!