Blimey – this was meant to be a short update for our client newsletter, but there’s so much going on at IN HQ that I’ve now written far more than I intended.
So, here’s a quick overview of what’s been happening and what’s coming up – I suspect I’ve missed something important, but we can catch up next time!
On a personal level, we are very excited that our very first IN Baby is due in a little less than a month now, and we are grateful for Kathryn and Olivia’s hard work in getting most of our tax work already completed before Kathryn takes some very well earned time off!
We will update you as soon as we have baby news!
We should also mention that we will be closing early tomorrow (Friday 13th December – What could possibly go wrong??!) for our staff Christmas Do, as we head to Alderley Edge for a cocktail making masterclass at The Botanist, followed by dinner and drinks.
We then close for Christmas at 12:30pm on Tuesday 24th December, and will reopen at 9am on Thursday 2nd January.
Events – Mastermind Group
Last January we successfully launched what started as a planning session with some of our fantastic clients, and quickly morphed into a mastermind group of ambitious businesses who are keen to grow and spend one morning per quarter sharing ideas, strategies and learning from one another.
Over the three sessions we held in 2019, we focussed on planning and goal setting; systems, processes and customer experience; and content marketing. With topics largely driven by attendees and the common challenges and goals that they have for their businesses.
This group will continue to meet through 2020, with our first event taking place on 16th January and a dual focus, recapping and revising our focus on planning and goal setting, and looking at our people – how to recruit and retain great people. I’m delighted that for the first time we are inviting a guest speaker along with expertise in this area.
While it is a small group, we would be open to one or two more businesses joining, if this is something you think would both benefit you and your business, and where you would be keen to participate and add value to the rest of the team. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly should you be interested in finding out more.
Events – SUBs Networking Group
You heard it here first…
Throughout 2019 I was toying with the idea of starting a networking group. Aimed at local businesses who want to build a bit of community, while at the same time learning and developing their business skills.
There are lots of amazing groups out there, many of which I am part of, and they all do different things, for different people. To name one or two, Marketing Stockport, Moxie Mingle, and B4B are all excellent organisations if you run a business in the Stockport area. Contact me if you would like to find out more about any of those, an invite to attend their next event, or an introduction to the lovely people in charge.
But none of these do what I was hoping to do, so I thought I’d start my own.
Then I came across SUBS in Altrincham, and just loved what they are doing there. So I thought to myself – why recreate the wheel when something already exists. So, I’m delighted to announce that we will be launching SUBs Stockport in January 2020.
The events will be free to attend, although I will be looking for sector specific partners to help me run, lead and indeed fund, the events. I’m also presently on the hunt for a venue to partner with, so will update you with further details later.
For now, the plan will be for the events to run the last Thursday of every month, with an 8 to 8:30 start time. So, if you’re interested, pencil in the morning of Thursday 30th January (yes, I know it’s tax return deadline time, but you know that I’m not actually an accountant ????), and contact me, or watch this space for further information!
Qualifications…
So, last month we IN-troduced Rourke who joined us in September. Well, he is flying through his Level 3 AAT qualifications, scoring an amazing 93% in his last exam – he will be qualified in no time – well done Rourke!!
Not to be outdone, Theo and Olivia are almost through their fast track Level 4 qualifications, with one exam and the final synoptic left. It has been an absolute joy to watch them grow and develop as both accountants and young adults over the last year.
Speaking of Theo, we’re not at all jealous that he’s off sunning himself in Australia, leaving Olivia with all the work involved in the tax team at this time of year… I’m sure she will get her own back after January is over!
Kathryn continues her progress towards Chartered Tax Advisor status, having completed her module in Advanced Technical Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses (WOW!), and has thankfully now given herself permission to take a few months off studying to concentrate on her family as she prepares to welcome her little daughter to the world early next month.
And Sandra was last month’s ‘Employee of the Month’, helping a number of clients above and beyond the parameters of her job – well done Sandra!
Software and Development – Xerocon…
In November, Rachel and I attended Xerocon in London for the second year, and came back with lots of ideas and strategies whereby we can help your businesses become even more streamlined and efficient, so you can free up your time to concentrate on what you’re great at, rather than getting bogged down in financial admin!!
There’s probably too much on this topic to go into here, so over the course of the next couple of weeks I will pull together some top tips, prospective partners and apps to watch out for as a separate article. Let me know if there is anything in particular that you are interested in and I will be sure to include it.
Software and Development – Sage…
While we were there, Jan and Sue attended (and of course passed with flying colours) their Sage One training, ensuring that we continue to have all the bases covered when it comes to the accounting software our clients prefer.
I think Rachel and I had the better deal ????
Client Case Studies
Through 2020 I will be compiling some client case studies, with a view to not only better showcasing the kinds of clients we love to work with and the type of work we do, but also to help promote said clients and their businesses to more of their target market. If this is something you’d like to be involved with, then please let me know.
Speaking of clients, the lovely lads from Bellyflop TV, who were responsible for our business videos; and serial entrepreneur Duncan Harrop, who has gone from investing to dentistry, to property development, to importing and distributing Gudereit e-Bikes (not necessarily in that order!); have been in touch to say that if any of our clients would like any of their products or services they would be happy to offer a discount. Happy to make an introduction if this is for you.
I’m going to leave it at that for now, as this might go on forever if I don’t stop!!
