SME Blog

ICAEW IT Counts wins award

If you thought that the words innovation and accountant never belonged in the same sentence then it is time to think again. That's what I said in March 2008 about IT Counts a new online network launched by the ICAEW focused on IT, but with a strong business slant.

I'm not the only one with that view as IT Counts has just won Best New Web 2.0 Initiative at the Web 2.0 Strategies 2008 event in London chaired by Euan Semple. 

A look at the current statistics for the site shows:

Community Statistics

3197           Users
169             Posting(s)
394             Comments

The comments to post ratio of 2.3 is a good sign for a new community especially one not based on the forum Q&A approach, but in providing longer blog posts.  The user numbers are also encouraging given IT Counts has only been going three months with no big publicity launch and is an online network for Chartered Accountants where IT isn't normally their main focus.  Perhaps most encouraging is that feedback received from members on the site is very positive.

I've been lucky enough to be involved with the ICAEW's online network development and it has been a pleasure to see these first green shoots emerge so well. Congratulations to the ICAEW for being forward thinking and having the mettle to launch IT Counts at a time when most organisations still haven't woken up and grapsed the benefits of online networks for business.

ICAEW launches IT Counts - a world first?

A new online network has just been launched called IT Counts.  Whilst you may be familiar with Facebook or Myspace this one is different.  What makes IT Counts different is that this online network is provided by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Microsoft.  If you thought that the words innovation and accountant never belonged in the same sentence then it is time to think again.

ICAEW IT Counts is focused on practical business IT.  The site is aimed at the general individual. It should also interest the technophile as IT Counts sets itself apart from the flood of technology sites with its strong business slant.

You may be wondering why Chartered Accountants need an online network dedicated to business IT.  The answer is simple.  The Chartered Accountant is no longer the stereotypical bean counter and an awareness of technology is a pre-requisite in a modern business environment.

IT Counts is packed full of Web 2.0 technology and uses the Wordframe platform. I've been lucky enough to be involved with the ICAEW's online network development together with Dennis Howlett, David Terrar and many forward thinking individuals at the ICAEW (more on that later).

The initial launch is restricted to ICAEW members, but that is expected to change.  This leaves the enticing prospect of the ICAEW as a professional member organisation hosting a virtual room that includes itself, Microsoft, CA's, technology specialists together with other business professionals and owners.  I  may be wrong, but as far as I'm aware that will be a world first.

Project management made easy

If you have ever been involved in a SME project then the chances are you have used Excel.  For all the sophisticated project management tools available Excel has the advantage of being familiar and easy to use. 

Getting new users to learn project management software is a problem.  For the average person in a SME the regular job will still need to be done.  Placing the project on top will increase the time pressure.  Small wonder that the thought of learning new project management software is unappealing. 

For the project manager Excel is not the best tool.  There will be a constant round of emails to update tasks and the timeline created in Excel.  Different versions will be passed around and there is no instant view by the project team of the level of progress.

A good solution would be an online tool that organises tasks and creates the project timeline automatically.  All users are able to log on via the internet and the administrator can set the system to send automatic email reminders for tasks to be completed.  Once the task is completed the user logs into the system and clicks their task box to say it is completed.  All users then have an instant view of the progress to date. 

I've been looking for a system that will do the above AND be very easy to use.   Wrike is the closest I've seen (thanks for the tip Daniel).  It is not prefect, but it is very good.  It is extremely easy to use and if you're undertaking an SME project coming then it is well worth finding out more.

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Online delivery of services

The online delivery of services is a concept that it still new to most people, but is well on its way to becoming mainstream.  The online delivery of services is known as software as a service (SaaS).  Rather like a mobile phone package the customer pays (usually a fixed monthly amount) for what they need.  The software is hosted by the provider. Good examples of UK providers are Twinfield and FreeAgent Central.

With the technology revolution I have always thought that the online delivery of services was such an obvious approach.  To be able to dip into the information anytime and anywhere seemed the way forward in age where instant access and more flexibility are demanded. 

On the other hand the online delivery of services reminds me of the early days of the ipod with those in the know getting the benefits and the rest of us wondering what an earth the white box is.  In other words, we are the equivalent of the first generation ipod stage.  That looks all set to change.

Why? Firstly SAP are launching Business By Design and secondly other software vendors are moving significantly forward in this area.  You can find out more about Business by Design at Dennis Howlett's blog, but if SAP deliver then there is no doubt in my mind it will be the most significant piece of financial software the M in SME will see this decade. 

Finally, McKinsey have produced a good analysis of the SaaS market.  It is free to view after a login process and points the way forward to how the SaaS landscape may look in the second and third generation stage evolution.

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Social networking and the entrepreneur

For entrepreneurs social networking has enormous potential.  With each technology sea change comes new opportunities.  Small businesses such as Google and YouTube have grown to major global concerns.  Try to think of traditional sectors where this has happened in the last 15 years?

For an insight into social networking I recommend listening to the Standford Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders podcast.  It features, amongst others, the key individuals form Facebook, Myspace and Ning in a panel discussion.

I find it hard to think of non technology sectors where this kind of cooperation and openness would happen.  A more cynical view would be that this particular cake is more than big enough to share.  Whatever your view, the expectation is social networking will become part of our lives just like email and mobile phones.

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Share

The 21st century is one of too much information.  We are living in an era of information overload.  On the other hand finding information on something you care about can be enriching.  A good example of this is tracing a family tree.  Recently my wife, Sue, did this and it is moving to find out about the life struggle in generations past.  Most of the vital information came from the community, from individuals sharing information they had found.  Pieces were linked together in months that previously would have taken years. 

In business the same principal can apply.  Online communities can provide a useful space where relevant information is shared for the benefit of all.  Reuters have one for the Carbon Community and there is no doubt we will see more.

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Online community for a fiver

I know I’ve been away a while, but I’ve not been idly sitting in the garden (with our UK rain?).  No, I’ve been lost for a month in the world of online communities.  Busy on Ning, Blogtronix, Terapad and of course Facebook.

A while back Gary, the Pastor, at Montpelier Church bumped into me at the twins Parents and Toddlers group.  Gary is a lovely chap and if anyone can get me back to church it is him.  He’s young, down to earth and is not afraid to be innovative.  The conversation led to the church’s website.  What should we do Gary asked?

Montpelier is a small church and unlike large companies really can’t afford a big outlay on a website.  On the other hand as well as needing a traditional website the church very much has a community that could be brought together online.  Question was how to give Montpelier a new website plus Web 2.0 blogs, forums and events?  And how to do it all at very low cost?

The answer was actually very simple we used Terapad and it cost £5 (for half a dozen graphics from iphotostock).

You can take a sneak preview of the finished article before its official launch on Sunday.

There will be more later on our technology on a shoestring approach.

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Web 2.0

If you are curious to find out what Web 2.0 actually means then this video is a good place to start. The fuzziness disappears when the video is played.

As the video mentions Web 2.0 is about linking people.  The online social networks and communities are quite possibly the most exciting development of internet technologies. See ning for just one example. 

My thanks go to Justin Dean for pointing the video out to me.  Justin found me via the Terapad post below. Interestingly, I then found Justin via the community link on the right hand bar of this blog. Thanks Justin.

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Terapad

How much would you pay for a new online presence?  Not just a traditional website where you have a content management system to edit and load content, but one that allows for a blog, discussion forums, rss feeds and the ability to accept payments? Add that it is brain dead easy to use and it starts to look tempting.  Rather brilliantly, Terapad give it to you for free.

I love this system. It is perfect for the small business or not for profit.  Use their templates or create your own look. A little outlay on design and you can easily make your site something quite special. 

I was expecting support to be non existent when I sent an email query.  Instead, I got a fast and enthusiastic response and a simple answer to my query. 

Terapad is well worth investigating and it is refreshing to see a system that is actually far better than the marketing that promotes it.

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New media

Media and technology make for an exhilarating mix.  The new media has allowed companies and organisations to engage with their customers in new ways.  Business sectors known to be traditionally conservative now have blogs and podcasts.

The technology used does not replace the age old media requirement for good content.  A good demonstration of the importance of content can be found by considering the BBC.  The BBC uses technology as the tool with which to deliver its content.  The BBC website provides more than just news it also provides online radio, video and podcasts.  Recently it was given the green light to put television content online by the Trustees. The BBC has an awesome archive of content and the potential revenue streams that could be generated in the future from this new media property are enormous.   

The SME doesn’t have the BBC’s content (or web hits), but it still needs good content to attract its  target audience of customers and potential customers.  That may sound obvious, but how many website projects concentrate on graphics, layout and the technicalities of how to load content without much thought to the content itself?  Very often the content is the customer’s job.  Unfortunately, it turns out that the customer may be an excellent distributor (say), but is not such a wonderful writer.

Writing good content is hard work even with professional help.  Why bother?  Isn’t the cost of writing the content greater than the benefit?  Absolutely not!  Writing good content for SME’s is about finding out what customers value and care about.  Anytime spent understanding your customer and demonstrating the fact is always going to be time well spent.

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Blogger beats accountants

Last July SME Blog posted on Catherine Sanderson and her blog at La Petite Anglaise.  She got dismissed from the Paris branch of accountants Dixon Wilson as a direct result of her blog. 

Google search Dixon Wilson and you’ll find her story on the first page.  On top of this she has just won compensation for her dismissal.  It all adds up to a total PR disaster.

This illustrates the dangers of not understanding how business is changing through new technologies.  It is going to be harder and harder to hide what really goes on behind closed doors.  That’s not a problem if you are proud of what you do, but beware if you are not.

Check out AccountingWeb for a further business persepctive.

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Shared content

There is a vast amount of content being published and it is increasing. SME's risk drowning in a flood of information. Any organisation or blog that can deliver content that is relevant and valuable to us will flourish, but to remain successful they will need to adapt to new methods of distributing content.

Google know this and they are now much more than just Google search. Google Reader allows you to aggregate new content from websites in one screen using the Google Reader. Google call it "your inbox for the web."

Of more interest is the ability Google Reader gives you to share content. The below box contains content from a sample of 7 blogs I read using Google Reader. This is content that I find interesting. My hope is you will also find something new that is relevant to you.

Five years ago this type of content and its method of distribution just did not exist.  We are living in a technology revolution.  In 20 years time even this current method of distribution will be the technology equivalent of the black and white TV. 

A brief overview of the blogs included in the above Google shared box (click "Read more" in the above box for a complete list):

1. Accman - a mighty blog, essential reading for those interested in business and innovation.
2. Business of Martketing and Branding - if you think marketing is all about brochures then you really need to read this blog.
3. Business Two Zero - beyond the call technology insight with a unique business & marketing twist.
4. BusinessMatters - fellow accounting professional based in the English Lake District.  Good no nonsense advice (and I'm jealous of the new offices & lack of daily commute).
5. Eie Fluid - Heather's niche business blog.  Real life tales of running a small business.
6. Kite Blue - champion of the M in SME. Quite right, M's are constantly overlooked by the UK government where their SME focus tends to be on small businesses.
7. Tax Research UK - a unique blog that focuses on ethics and taxations. Yes, it is possible.

These are just a sample of some of the great blogs I read.  Many more are out there producing great content. 

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Awards 2006 - A big thank you

This post is going to be a Big Thank You post – so here goes:   

Last night my firm, Goodman Jones, won the Accountancy Age Award for Best Use of Internet: Practice.  I’m delighted. I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with a great team on the main website, Twinfield powered online accounting and other internet technologies we use. 

Special thanks go out to David Terrar and Dennis Howlett.  David put in a tremendous effort in all areas and comes highly recommended.  Checkout his company’s website at D²C for what he can offer.  Dennis Howlett used his skills on editing, redrafting and honing the website content.  Dennis also provided great insight and analysis.  He and his blog continue to be a source of inspiration.

Thank you to all the blog readers that have supported this blog since its humble beginnings.  Many thanks for taking time to read and comment. It was a special pleasure to finally meet Stefan Töpfer from Winweb.  Stefan’s company sponsored the award and it was great to meet him and his fellow Small Business Blog contributer Emily Coltman.

I would also like to thank Tribal Internet especially Glenn Jenner the designer of the main website and not forgetting the GJ Team (Daren, Larry, Julian, Peter, Raymond, Katy, Yolanda & Kim.)

Finally, my wife Sue who has not only put up with me getting up at unearthly hours in the morning, but has been the sanity check on pretty much every idea - a big thanks.

Thank you to you all.

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Philip Woodgate

Let's collaborate

I've recently been working on the development of a new website for my firm (Goodman Jones).  What I've really enjoyed about it is collaborating with a great team.  It's illustrated to me that internet technology is making geographical location far less important. The team we had was made up of:

David Terrar - St Albans UK

David's company is D²C and provides a one stop shop for designing and building a stunning website.  It's a very cost effective service, but with no corners cut. The effort David goes to is truly remarkable.  David considers the whole business and marketing aspects of the site and not just the technical and design side. David put together a strong team based on our needs and was our main point of contact.

The team at Tribal Internet - Reading, UK & Columbia, South America

Tribal provide the content management system that drives the site and Liz from Tribal translated the design into PHP and HTML code. The content management system allows any authorised user to edit and add content in the website without having any web expertise.  That's a very important factor for us as we need to keep the content fresh and up to date.  The system's simple to use, all you need is a PC and internet connection.

Glenn Jenner is the designer.  We knew what we wanted and Glenn and David pretty much nailed it with the first version.  We did take a considerable amount of time afterwards making refinements.  David had the patience of a saint during this period.

Dennis Howlett - Various locations, Spain

The original web content was written by us, but by four different GJ people. Dennis used his skills on editing, redrafting and honing the content to give it a single voice that reflected our firms values.  With Dennis you don't just get a wordsmith you also get insight and analysis.  We took on board his comments and made changes.

Goodman Jones - London, UK

We did our bit and it was very much a team effort, but a particular mention to Daren on the GJ side for all his expertise, hard work and dedication.

We were all using the same Tribal system via the internet and collaborating not just from different locations, but instantaneously viewing and updating the same content.  It demonstrates how internet technology can now be used as the tool to allow successful collaboration regardless of geographical location.  We're also finding similar results using our Twinfield powered GJ Online business system (we're keeping David busy on that one too!)

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SME Blog resource

The internet is a great source of free advice and information.  The hard part is finding it amongst the almost endless mass of information.

For this purpose I've created a SME Blog resource web page.  You'll find regularly updated news-feeds from well know sources, useful websites and some great blogs.  I hope you find it useful, the permanent link is at the top of the right hand column.

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Now that's what I call innovation

Over at AccMan Pro there is some real innovation going on.  To find out more check out this and this.  It's all gone Web 2.0.

Philip Woodgate

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