Bird spikes on trees…and why focussing on the problem can harm your perspective

Richard Brewin • June 29, 2018

The good folk of Barlett Court flats in Bristol have resorted to putting anti-bird spikes in the trees overhanging their car park to protect vehicles at their ‘prestigious development’ from the damage caused by bird poo. (“Pigeon spikes on Bristol trees branded ‘idiotic’” bbb.co.uk/news 19 th January 2018).

According to one resident, “It’s quite hard to wash cars out here because there’s no washing facility so it’s quite a problem for residents.”

Car owners amongst us will be aware of the mess you can return to when you’ve parked under a tree and it can be very corrosive if not cleaned off. Understandably therefore, action was called for by the tenants and the building’s management company have been trying to address the ‘pigeon problem’ since 2014, including installing fake birds and noise deterrents.

But here’s the thing.

In becoming fixated on the pigeon, surely the managers have missed a far simpler, much less controversial and arguably less apparently idiotic solution to banning birds from trees….install an outside tap!

This can happen so easily in business. We can become so frustrated by the client who won’t respond, by the employee who’s always late, by the service that isn’t quite working, that we end up taking actions that inconvenience the silent majority rather than fix the problem minority…and we damage ourselves as a result.

Don’t get sucked into planning for the negative. Keep the bigger picture in mind, plan for the good, not the bad, and accept that you can’t please everyone all the time.

The Art of Saying No Without Losing Clients

By Richard Brewin • December 5, 2025
In the Accountant/client relationship, “yes” often feels like the default. Yes to urgent requests. Yes to timeline shifts. Yes to “just one more thing” added to the scope. We want to say yes to our clients. We want to support them, be helpful and build more work, but every unqualified additional yes becomes an invisible cost; on your time, your margins, and your wellbeing.  Bold accountants think differently. They know that “no” isn’t rejection. It’s honest and professional. It’s a strategic decision that protects quality, strengthens relationships, and reinforces your value.

From compliance filer to trusted coach: The role waiting for accountants willing to start the client conversation

By Richard Brewin • November 28, 2025
Let’s be honest, most business owners have a perception of an accountant that probably falls far short of our ambitions. They want someone who helps them make sense of the chaos, plan for growth, and sleep better at night knowing someone’s got their back, but their accountant doesn’t usually spring to mind as this person. What they dream of is a coach, not an accountant, but, weirdly, they often don’t trust coaches but do trust their accountant. Their accountant can be both, so the client gets the trust and the coaching

AI in Accounting Firms: Key Considerations for Leaders Today

By Richard Brewin • November 17, 2025
Artificial Intelligence isn’t the future of accounting — it’s here now. From automating repetitive tasks to delivering deeper insights, AI is transforming the way we work, serve clients, and lead teams. But for firm leaders, success isn’t just about implementing technology; it’s about doing it strategically, responsibly, and humanely .  Before diving into the ‘how’ and making piecemeal decisions, accounting firm leaders need to consider the ‘why’…and its not as simple as “because everyone else is”.