Today, social media is playing a bigger role in how consumers make decisions about whether to buy a product or service. Social media provides a platform for everything from their initial research to asking for a referral from a trusted source to reading reviews about your product.

Last week we took a field trip. Not to the chocolate factory. Not to the zoo. This was a "business" field trip. I have always been a huge proponent for letting fledgling accountants have more client contact. I believe the more they can relate to the end consumer of their hard work, the more pride of ownership they will have. I also believe that in order for these young people to become true trusted advisors, they need to understand not just the financial performance aspect of a company, but all performance aspects.