|
| Upcoming Events
2020 Canada WebinarsDragon Naturally SpeakingVoice Recognition SoftwareAndrew BuckleyNuance, Boston. MA
We had so much interest at the Members' Morning in this software and how it can improve one's productivity that Nuance has offered to conduct 2 free webinars in June for our membership across the country.
In addition to the webinars, which entitle you to 1 hr of structured PD, Hofstetter Business Technologies, (the Canadian Distributor), is offering special pricing to 2020 Members for the month of June.
See the coupon below.
|
 | HST Cheat Sheet - What's Taxable and What's Not
| With full HST implemenation just around the corner, here is a 10 page list from the Ontario Government that details any and all changes affecting products and services in Ontario, including: - Clothing and Footwear
- Food & Beverages
- Home Services
- Accommodation & Travel
- Around the House
- Vehicles
- Home Purchases
- Health Products & Services
- Memberships & Entertainment
- Leases & Rentals
- Professional Services
Send this out to your clients to help them understand the new rules.
|
| | Improving MS Outlook Communications & Productivity
By Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP Accountants have long been the "information communicators" for
business and have become very dependent on email as an effective method for
interacting with clients and firm members, as well as moving files and
attachments. Over time, Microsoft Outlook has become the predominant tool
used within accounting firms and while many of us had initial training when our
firms first converted to Outlook, very few companies have followed up with
training to improve productivity beyond highlighting the added features that
each new version incorporated. Outlook 2007 is today's standard for
accounting firm email and firms should make a conscientious effort to educate
personnel on improving individual productivity by implementing Outlook email
best practices. Here are 5 tips to help you improve how you work with Outlook: Limit Interruptions Organize Inbound Communications Decide Once Reduce Overall EMail (Except your 2020 Newsletter) Consolidate Communications. |
 | Fall Conference -
Las Vegas
| We are recommending that 2020 Canada Members attend November 17 & 18, 2020
Las Vegas, NV
2020 Canada Members are being offered the full 2 day seminar rate at the early-bird rate of $295 with rooms at the 5 Star Wynn Hotel for $119 per night!With return fares from Toronto at approximately $550 and from Vancouver for as low as $320, you can get 2 full days of PD from some of the best speakers in the US, as well as 4 nights in Vegas, for under $800 plus your flight. 2020 Canada can't run a conference of this scope for that price. If enough members come from both the US and Canada, we will organize a Member's Morning on the Friday morning with guest speakers. Please contact Peggy for more registration information while the details are being worked out with the organizers and Wynn Hotel. |
|
|
|
|
|
 The
Canadian Innovator | Greetings!
Success!
"In order to succeed, your
desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure."
Bill Cosby
Once the
tax season is done many of you will begin thinking about how you can build your
business for the coming year. The Successful Business Kit (SBK) is a tool
you can use to promote your services to new businesses. It is a guide to Financial, Tax and
Accounting Considerations of running a Successful Business. It will take some of the fear away from new
business owners as it lays out a plan to setting up a business.
You insert your
name at the bottom of every page. When
the new business owner comes across a financial, tax or accounting question
your firm name will be front and centre.
Our Leadership article this month is on Change.
As always, we have a new inspirational movie for you. As you move through the summer and have just a little more time to think about how to direct your firm ahead, here is a movie to help you put success into perspective.
|
| May Members' Morning
"Sharing the Wealth... of Ideas""I
enjoyed the member's meeting. It's always a challenge finding relevant
and
useful material but this session had both." KD, CA CPA CFP
On Thursday, May 27, 2020 Canada Members met at the Old Mill for a presentation from Dan Condon of Wilson Vukelich on the new Violence and Sexual Harassment Policies in Ontario and how you can get your own firm and your client's firms onside with the new regulations.
It was followed by presentations on Voice Recognition software by Andrew Buckley of Nuance from Boston as well as Cloud Computing by Thindesk powered by Telus. Given the amount of discussion and activity at the sponsors' tables, these presentations on how to take steps to make your firm a little more efficient were well-received. Wayne O'Connell of English & Jones LLP, St. Catharines, also presented their services to other accounting firms in the area of Monitoring, File Review, New Accounting Standards and more.
Check out their website
|
We are planning several additional Member's Morning Meetings in the fall in several sites in Ontario as well as Calgary and Vancouver, BC .
|
| Leadership -
Be The One - Change
John, C. Maxwell
Leadership Wired |
Change. Politicians promise it when they run for office, but seldom are the
pledges made from campaign podiums matched by real, measurable results after an
election. In fairness to our politicians, initiating change and carrying it
through to completion is a monumental challenge. Attempts to bring about change
encounter fierce opposition and entrenched resistance.
Although most leaders perceive a need for change, few leaders can convince
others to believe in change, and fewer still can actually achieve change. In
this edition of Leadership Wired, we'll look at what it takes to be a leader
who not only talks about change but also is able to make it happen.
Nine Qualities of a Leader Who Achieves Change...
1) Considers Conditions
Just because a change could be made doesn't mean it should be made. Sometimes
an organization lacks the people, resources, or energy to successfully
implement change. Leaders have to be sensitive to the rhythm of the
organization in order to understand when the time is ripe to shift gears.
Similarly, leaders have to monitor the pace of change. Too much at once can
dishearten and overwhelm a team. While people must be prodded to make changes,
they also should be allowed space to adjust themselves to new ways of doing
things.
2) Builds a Coalition
The responsibility to lead change rests squarely on your shoulders, but the
burden shouldn't be carried alone. In fact, unless you convince key
stakeholders to join your cause, then your attempt at change most likely is
doomed. Before you initiate change, make every effort to win over the prominent
influencers around you.
3) Communicates Urgency
As John Kotter warns, "By far the biggest mistake people make when
trying to change organizations is to plunge ahead without establishing a high
enough sense of urgency in fellow managers and employees."
People naturally resist changes, so they must be incentivized to make them.
In talking to your team about change, underscore the impending dangers of
complacency. Light a fire under your people by giving them a glimpse of the
regret and discomfort they will experience if they avoid doing things
differently. They need to know what's at stake before they will be motivated to
alter their behavior.
4) Champions Rewards
Early in my leadership years I mistakenly thought that "my people"
were there to help me achieve my vision and my goals. Over time, I came to
understand that the purpose of my leadership was to serve others in meeting
their needs and attaining their goals. To drive change, I had to appeal to
people based upon their desires instead of mine. I had to spell out clearly,
and personalize individually, the benefits and rewards of change for each
member of my team.
|
Each firm within 2020 Canada may have a
different idea of what makes a successful accounting practice. That being said; if you have a strategic plan
in place with goals reflecting that plan it should mirror your individual idea
of a successful accounting practice. I would love to hear from you in one
statement of what a successful accounting practice is? I will share your responses in the next
newsletter.
2020 Canada will continue to look for
resources and technologies and provide Professional Development courses that will enable you to reach your goals and
ultimately make you a successful accounting practice.
Sincerely,
Peggy Tyers
2020 Canada
|
|
|
|
|
|
