About the 10th Annual 2020 Conference
Conference Agenda
Conference Speakers
Conference Details
Registration
About the 10th Annual 2020 Conference
Based on the positive feedback we received from the 350 delegates at last year's event, we have kept the same format of a full day on Thursday and half-day on Friday.
The start time is set for 9.30am to accommodate delegates arriving on the day. This year we have moved the venue to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, which is just off Junction 3 of the M6 and has over 2,000 free car parking spaces! There are excellent transport links by train and plane.
Part of our continuing mandate is to make this conference affordable to all progressive firms and this year’s pricing schedule is as follows:
- £175 / €220 + VAT for 2020 Members
- £225 / €280 + VAT for Non Members
A special multi-participant discount is available. We are offering a 30% discount on the basic 8 hour conference rate for any group of 6 or more from the same firm.
We strongly encourage participation in the optional half-day session on Friday morning. This session is free of charge and will include the popular 2020 Member Spotlight.
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Conference Agenda
Thursday 16th October 2008
09.30 - 09.40 Welcome and Introductions
Gordon Gilchrist - Conference Chairman
09.40 – 10.20 Key Predictions for the Future
Gordon Gilchrist, Ian Fletcher, Charles Hylan & Chris Frederiksen
These well known consultants predict trends, issues and challenges to the accountancy profession, and offer their solutions. This is a favourite session amongst conference delegates.
10.20 - 11.20
Drip…Drip…Drip… the Ins and Outs of “Nurture” Marketing
Charles Hylan
Charles and his colleagues at the Growth Partnership have developed a unique and highly successful methodology for acquiring exactly the clients you want. It involves identifying a select group of prospects (typically 100-300) within a specific niche and then subjecting them to a relentless drip campaign of mail shots, gifts, telephone calls and other torture. It works!
11.20 - 11.50 Break
11.50 - 12.50 It’s all about Balance
Charles Hylan
Growing your firm to be what you want it to be is a Balancing Act. New clients come from a variety of sources and it is important to exploit all these sources in a balanced way. That’s how you maximise the number of new client opportunities and can be selective about new clients you take on. Charles will show you how to balance the 4 elements of a Balanced Practice Development Programme:
1. Using your clients as marketing ambassadors
2. Maximising referrals from introducers
3. Organising an effective lead generation system
4. Managing all the marketing support functions
12.50 - 13.00 Innovative Products and Services Update
Ian Fletcher, Gordon Gilchrist & Chris Frederiksen
A brief introduction to the latest products and services that are available for practising accountants.
13.00 - 14.00 Buffet Lunch
14.00 - 15.00 Becoming an Employer of Choice
Gordon Gilchrist
“People will do that which they are rewarded for” Peter Drucker Staff and partner loyalty is the key to maximising client loyalty. Gordon will look at the four most important things your staff and partners want from their working environment, so that you can keep and motivate your best people. Gordon will cover the 7 sins of utterly useless employers and the 9 things you need to do now to become the employer of choice in your area.
15.00 - 15.30 Break
15.30 - 16.30 Being Different!
Ian Fletcher
It’s unlikely that you can be better technically than other firms, but you can be Different! Being Different! will keep existing clients happy and attract new clients to your firm. Ian will examine:
• The importance of being different! • How to differentiate your firm from the pack • Keeping existing customers happy • Meeting potential clients • The resources you need
16.30 - 17.30 New Technology (… and other toys!)
Chris Frederiksen
In the last 2 decades the productivity of accounting firms has skyrocketed. But this is just the beginning. The driver for all this is technology and there’s a lot
more to come. Chris will show you the latest and greatest technology (and toys) and what’s in your future.
18.30 - 19.15 Wine Tasting
Sample a selection of fine wines from around the world while you relax and discuss the day with fellow professionals. Sponsored by Lockton
19.15 Gala Award Dinner and Charity Auction
Enjoy a three course dinner with a selection of fine wines. Presentation of the 2020 Annual Awards celebrating success and achievements across the accounting profession will be made by Jack Charlton OBE. Jack is a sporting legend and one of the UK's most popular after dinner speakers. Delegates are encouraged to bring their partners/spouses to the Wine Tasting and Dinner. Sponsored by CCH
22.30 Further Entertainment at the Isle Casino
For delegates seeking further entertainment, the Isle Casino, situated within the Ricoh Arena, is the UK’s largest casino including five bars and live entertainment. For those wanting to try their luck, there are roulette, blackjack and three-card tables. Don’t worry if you are not sure of the rules - croupiers will be on hand to teach you!
Friday 17th October 2008 Optional half-day programme
“IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO BE DIFFERENT”
Understand how the most successful firms in the UK and Ireland are different and continue to build their practices.
09.30 – 09.35 Welcome and Introductions
09.35 – 10.20 The Future of the Profession
Catherine Wolfe
Catherine is the CEO of Wolters Kluwer UK. She will share her views on the future of the profession, the challenges that firms are confronting and how firms are changing to address these issues. Catherine will discuss the latest developments in information technology, the prognosis for better business workflow and the reality of the emerging 'paperless office'.
10.20 – 10.35 2020 Member Spotlight
Here we shine the spotlight on a 2020 Member firm that has made significant advances in the last twelve months, specifically as a result of implementing new technology within their firm.
10.35 - 11.00 Break
11.00 – 11.30 Focusing your practice in Uncertain Times
Chris Frederiksen, Ian Fletcher, Gordon Gilchrist
This session will deliver a number of high impact strategies that you can adopt to ensure your practice remains focused and profitable during an uncertain climate.
11.30 - 12.30 Managing Partner Panel
We have invited 2020 Managing Partners who run successful and profitable practices to discuss the principal issues they are facing in their firms and how they
are dealing with them. The discussion will no doubt include staff recruitment and retention, succession, retirement and marketing, amongst other issues. We expect
the Partner Panel to provide a lively Q&A session.
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Conference Speakers
Ian Fletcher is a Chartered Accountant having trained at the London office of a ‘Big 4’ international practice. Ian is a well known lecturer and business consultant and has gained a reputation for his entertaining style and practical approach to practice management. Ian majors in buying, selling and merging of accountancy practices. He is the co-author of the ICAEW’s book ‘Building the Value Added Practice’, and together with Gordon Gilchrist, is co-author of the Croner.CCH book ‘SME Consulting’. Ian is also a holder of the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Financial Planning Certificate.
Chris Frederiksen is one of the best known and most highly rated seminar leaders in the world as well as a consultant to accountancy firms worldwide. His experience includes partnership positions with two international CPA firms and building several independent practices in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a consultant for the past twenty years, he has been helping small and medium sized accounting firms achieve their goals of greater profitability and greater personal satisfaction for their owners. He is now committed to helping CAs and tax professionals excel in wealth management, strategic planning and other new service areas, as well as making money and having more fun.
Gordon Gilchrist is a leading consultant to accountancy firms in the areas of marketing, strategic planning, practice management and increasingly buying, selling and merging accountancy practices. He trained as an accountant in the UK and later worked with Grant Thornton. He has been consulting with firms in the UK, Ireland and South Africa since 1989 and has worked with three of the Top 4 firms, 75% of the Top 20, and over 2,000 independent firms. Gordon is a well recognised and accomplished speaker for annual conferences and staff training days. He has accumulated some brilliant ideas which can be heard at his very popular seminars. He and Ian Fletcher are joint authors of the Croner.CCH book 'SME Consulting'.
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Conference Details
Date: 16th and 17th October 2008
Location: Coventry
Venue: Ricoh Arena
Website: www.ricoharena.com
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Registration
To book on the conference, telephone+44 (0) 121 314 1234 or +353 (0) 1 876 4870.
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Register Online