Member Profile - Jason Collier, CPA

For Jason, football can't return soon enough!

ACG Member Since: 2017

How have you had to adapt your business model during the shutdown? What has worked and what hasn’t?

Plante Moran was able to adapt rather quickly by transitioning more than 3,000 staff to a work-from-home environment in three days. Our firm’s goal was to maintain the highest level of client service we’ve always offered while protecting our people. Plante Moran is driven by a "We care" attitude and it shaped our thinking and response to the situation. Our decisions were made — and continue to be made — with the utmost focus on our staff, our staff’s families, our clients, and our communities.

What has surprised you most during this period?

I think many of us underestimated how much we lose by not having daily interactions with colleagues at the office. However, this was quickly remedied by using our firm’s video conferencing tools. This experience has shown me how important that face to face contact is, but equally we need our resilience to quickly adapt to new situations.

How are you staying connected with your network?

Shortly after the shutdown, I began reaching out via phone or email to connect. If a touchpoint was being scheduled, I offered video conferencing as an option to the person on the other end. Video conferencing has become the norm at this point. Additionally, organizations such as ACG Cleveland have organized virtual networking sessions, which have been great.

Do you think we will see lasting changes to how we do business as a result of this?

Absolutely. I do think we will see some lasting changes. For those who are able to, I predict a continuation of working from home — at least part of the time — which will provide more opportunity for work-life balance. I also think the use of video conferencing will continue as an option particularly if it can offset the time and cost of traveling. However, we’re all learning that nothing can replace that in-person connection.

There have certainly been economic winners and losers during this period. Which ones have surprised you the most?

I have been impressed by the businesses and organizations of all different sizes that were able to quickly adapt their service model or provide different product offerings. It was proof that the entrepreneurial spirit continues to thrive in our community.

Has there been a "silver lining" for you and if so, what is it?

The ability to spend more time with family has been valuable. And in the work-from-home environment, laundry is no longer relegated to nights or weekends!

What is your favorite ACG Cleveland event and why?

I enjoy the ACG Cleveland regional events. Plante Moran recently sponsored a couple of events, which provided me the opportunity to introduce the speakers who were from the local business community. The events give me a chance to listen to the speakers’ perspectives and network with those in the organization.