It’s fair to say that my Xero journey has taken many a twist and turn over the last couple of years.
When starting out running my own practice, it was decided to focus on cloud accounting software to appeal to the small-business owners and start-ups that we were attempting to engage with.
This type of software seemed to work on so many levels for our new clients, with low set-up costs, the ability to add multiple users at no extra cost and being able to view data from any location, so long as you have an internet connection.
After an eventful 18 months working for myself I transferred to another practice, and thankfully my clients showed faith in me (not to mention loyalty). The practice I moved to was also primarily cloud-based, meaning it was a great fit. However, they mainly used Xero whereas I’d decided on a competitor cloud product.
Through working with a new range of clients my exposure to Xero increased, and the design seemed cleaner, brighter and much more appealing. Once I started using it more I realised it was much more intuitive and the idea should be that clients can save money and time by using it effectively. I realised that this was one of the main benefits of Xero – to a certain extent clients were sold on the design of the interface and the way that the Dashboard had been formulated, only showing the financials that were particularly important to the business. Xero also spoke in layman’s terms (Money In-Money Out); the language was jargon-free, giving it a wide appeal.
The functionality of the software was on a different level to anything I’d used previously, and it was very easy to demonstrate how Xero would make the lives of business owners easier.
- It could spell the end of keeping records and receipts in shoe-boxes. Instead, why not take a picture of your receipt with your smartphone, and in the process upload this directly to your Xero account.
- It could spell the end of keeping papers and bank statements piled high in the box-room. Instead, why not set up a bank feed directly from your online banking to bring through your bank statement lines to your Xero account.
- It could spell the end of ‘who-sent-what-and-when’ conversations. Instead, why not email online invoices directly to customers. Xero can allow you to personalise and customise invoices, it can highlight when an invoice has been opened and read by a customer and you can even insert a link on your invoice that connects directly with online payment services to allow your customers to pay you easily and quickly.
Having now been at Tait Walker for three months, I’m excited at the prospect of being in a position to present this software to clients and business owners.
My major hope for the future is to work with businesses who share the vision I have in wanting to utilise new technologies to bring business owners closer to their advisors and to increase transparency and accountability in the accounting process.
From my own point of view, I’m passionate about learning about businesses and particularly what motivates businesses owners and how I can provide a solution that will make a real, tangible difference to them.
Xero can have a place in most businesses, small and large, and I’d love to talk further to anyone who feels it can make a difference to them. If you’d like to find out more then please get in touch by emailing chris.smith@taitwalker.co.uk or call 0191 285 0321.
