By now, anyone could fill a few pages with all of the downsides of the pandemic-plagued year that’s been 2020.
“I learned how to use a miter saw and air hammer — who knew these could be so much fun?” says the Champaign CPA, as well as “lay hardwood flooring and redo a deck.
“I started to meet virtually with clients and team members across the country who I rarely saw in person before; connected more with my team as we worked together to adapt to working remotely while staying on top of so many changes impacting our clients; and enjoyed spending more time with my husband as I am home so much more than before.
“I should also add that I have been inspired by the creative way families with younger children have adapted to create memories that will last a lifetime.”
A Northern Illinois grad and principal in the forensic and valuation services group at CliftonLarsonAllen, Allen took time out to answer a few questions from Editor Jeff D’Alessio in the 48th installment of our weekly speed read spotlighting leaders of organizations big and small.
The last luxury in which I indulged was … buying a house on a small lake — or pond, as my husband would say — last year. We didn’t need a different house, but we fell in love with the peaceful, more private back yard and bought a house we didn’t need.
It was the best decision we could have made, especially considering how 2020 has turned out. We have had an abundance of home improvement projects to keep us busy and working together — laying hardwood floors and redoing our deck were two of the projects — and the beautiful back yard to enjoy during quarantine.
My philosophy on meetings is … they get a bad rap and are often viewed through a negative lens. But meetings can provide an opportunity to build trust, increase transparency and promote accountability for a team.
When viewed through a creating-opportunities lens, almost any meeting can go from being a dreaded commitment to a time for positive impact on people and decisions. The attitude we bring to meetings has an impact on others and the meeting in general.