My three big takeaways from QuickBooks Connect 2017
QuickBooks Connect 2017 took place over three action-filled days in San Jose. Throughout the keynote presentations, interviews, breakout sessions and discussions, I identified three big takeaways that kept coming up over and over again.
We are a community
I loved the fact that this event was all about collaboration.
No matter where you were in the venue—in sessions, in the halls, in the exhibit halls, or eating lunch—there was a vibe that I could not shake: we’re all in this together.
Every accountant or bookkeeper attending QuickBooks Connect all face similar challenges, and this proved to be a great forum for everyone to come together, share their knowledge, and discuss how we can make things better together. There was also a huge international contingent, so the melting pot of ideas was truly unique and inspirational.
For me, the overriding theme of QuickBooks Connect was to reinforce the idea that we are a community that grows together.
Small business is massive around the world, and I am a firm believer that by helping clients to grow their businesses, accountants have tremendous potential to make the world better.
Accounting gives us the ability to measure, interpret, analyze, coach clients and solve problems to transform small businesses.
Life is a team sport. That truth is reaffirmed every day by accountants helping small businesses, developers solving problems and platforms connecting partners for mutual success. @IntuitBrad #QBConnect pic.twitter.com/1bmp1roVCo — Intuit QuickBooks (@QuickBooks) November 16, 2017
The cloud is here
This year there was nothing about desktop, it was all about the cloud.
In many previous industry events that I have attended, there has been a sense of trepidation toward the cloud amongst attendees. But this year there was genuine excitement about what our profession has at its feet. I noticed a consistent attitude that questioned, "now we are here, how do we make the most of it?" The cloud has well and truly arrived.
Apps are no longer an “IT thing”- assuming they are in the cloud- they are an accountant thing. -@donnyitk Ask app vendors about their implementation process! #QBConnect — Valerie Heckman (@vheckman) November 16, 2017
Brad Smith’s entire presentation explored change, and he used an analogy of flipping a coin between challenge and opportunity. This set the tone for the entire three days, where every second discussion challenged the audience to think about what their firm will do to harness the cloud.
If you think we are done with the internet and done with the cloud, it is just the beginning.
There is now an obvious momentum—the cloud is here to stay, and the North American accounting community is embracing it. There is excitement about what the future holds and what accountants are capable of.
What graduates looking for when entering Accounting profession #QBConnect ✅ Mentoring ✅ Networking ✅ Real World Experience ✅ Flexibility pic.twitter.com/7GTOhdNCOX — Clayton Oates (@Clayton_Oates) November 15, 2017
Be a leader
Passion, culture, leadership and love of what it is you do is crucial in business.
Many sessions spoke about the importance of understanding, acknowledging and embracing the fact that you are a leader. Not only a leader to your team, but also to your clients.
https://twitter.com/balsamway/status/931625855998091264To excel in the accounting profession you need to understand and capitalize on what you are good at, as well as understand what you are not good at. Work on these weaknesses, surround yourself with others who can challenge and help you improve, and be proud of the fact that people look toward you to guide them. As a business owner, you need to be living and breathing leadership.
I don’t want to be the smartest person in the room, I want people who will challenge me.
QuickBooks Connect 2017 once again cemented itself as one of the must-attend events on the accounting calendar. I'm already looking forward to next year.
That's a wrap for team Karbon at #QBConnect 2017. From Ian, Tim, Andi, Wayne, Stuart & Lachie—thanks to everyone who dropped by. We loved seeing all of you! pic.twitter.com/nbaSmlsQyv
If you'd like to learn how Karbon can help you continue your #QBConnect journey as a Firm of the Future, register for an introductory demo.
