my blog "the bookkeepers in town - learning the hard way" - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

pDm · Senior Member

RE: my blog "the bookkeepers in town - learning the hard way"

YLB-HO · Guru

pDm wrote:
Thanks YLB-HO, hope you liked the blog. Is there a way of directly contacting the IAB support network, or is it just by getting to know IAB members close to me? pDm :)

We have a IAB LinkedIn group and a couple of new sub-groups including one for the south specifically for members in the south.

I'm also secretary of a Institute of Financial Accountants Branch which Members of the IAB are invited to attend our CPD meetings free of charge. We meet in Alton, Hampshire, 7 times a year.

There is information on the IAB web site. In fact IAB members are welcome to attend all IFA Branch meetings and should contact the Branch secretaries to book their places.

pDm · Senior Member

Good morning everyone,

This weeks blog was looking a little thin on the ground; until something happened which rather took the wind out of my sails...

This weeks blog: CPD 24/7.

Enjoy...

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi pDm,

sounds from this weeks blog as though you've hit the scenario that we all face where preparing for exams and preparing for the real world are quite at odds with each other.

For exams you cram an awful lot of information in to prepare you for those two to three hors of testing (dependant upon you supervisory body and level of qualification). You store all of the information in nice easily accessible parts of the old grey matter but that's basically for short rather than long term memory. (think of it as Ram as opposed to writing to the hard drive in your computer).

As soon as the next big thing comes along, be that another exam or starting the business then this is the first area to get overwritten with new information. You may forget the details but you don't forget where to look which makes returning to the subject so much easier than learning it from scratch.

For information to become ingrained takes a lot of disjointed repetition. When taking the exams you will find that most bodies have several layers of a subject each building on prior learning.

The idea is that as you move forward you revise what went before and add to it. The older information seeming so simple by comparrison becomes ingrained (so, using the previous analagy it gets written to the hard drive).

You've probably just not yet hit enough repetition for that to happen but latter in your studies it should.

One book that you will find useful to spend a full weekend working through once a year, regardless as to which supervisory body you come under is the AAT revision companion for the foundation units 1-4 by Bpp. (this is my version but any version of it will do : http://www.amazon.co.uk/AAT-Units-Foundation-Revision-Companion/dp/0751732281/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324135309&sr=8-1). That book will keep you firmly grounded in the basics as you leave them behind. Might be a good one for Christmas reading?

Great blog as always, many thanks for keeping us so entertained on Saturdays.

I certainly won't be on the site next Saturday (being Christmas eve) so if we don't speak before, wishing you the very happiest of Christmases and hoping that next year will be a prosperous one for all of us.

kindest regards,

Shaun.

pDm · Senior Member

Last minute Christmas shopping took a bit longer than we thought it would. Time to pull up a comfie chair and pour a glass of mulled wine - all while enjoying this weeks blog - which isn't a blog.

This weeks blog: The Christmas picture quiz.

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

Peasie · Expert

Got me stumped for most of them

1 ?
2 ?
3 ?
4 ?
5 ?
6 ?
7 Three wise men
8 ?
9 A. Partridge in a pear tree
10 ?
11 Christmas cracker
12 Reindeer

For number two I originally thought in a sexist manner 'four calling birds'.

pDm · Senior Member

RE: my blog

Don Tax · Expert

RE: my blog "the bookkeepers in town - learning the hard way"

Don Tax · Expert

3. Fife Golden Rings :o)

Don Tax · Expert

3. Mistletoe
4. Mince-rPie

pDm · Senior Member

You're doing really well there, Tim; keep going!

If anybody can get number 6 before Saturday you'll get a gold star - it's a bit of a tough one...

pDm · Senior Member

This weeks blog: Answers.

Happy New Year everyone!

pDm biggrin

Spamkebab · Expert

Some of them were seriously cheesy lol. Turnkey and all the trimmings??? still kept me awake at night for the Christmas period, thanks for that.

Don Tax · Expert

Lol, me too..... kept thinking what does Sir Les Patterson have in common with Pythagoras. Anyway, good fun PDM and Happy New Year Everyone.

pDm · Senior Member

Welcome to 2012! I wrote this blog a few weeks ago and it's pretty apt that it's published as the first blog of the new year. Call it a resolution of sorts.

The weeks blog: The blogger, the tweet and the bathrobe.

I know everyone's busy this time of the year, so I'd like to wish everybody a great next few weeks and may all you clients be prompt!

pDm · Senior Member

While most of the people who regularly read this blog are fruriously working, I've received some news this weeks that means I can relax a little bit.

This weeks blog: Pinball wizard.

Spamkebab · Expert

What a nice refreshing bit of blog. Glad things have taken a turn for the better for you pDm, i really enjoy reading about your week and your adventures.

Best of luck for 2012

Neil

pDm · Senior Member

Haha, the adventures of pDm! Can I have a cape?

Thanks for the encouragement Neil, best of luck to you too :)

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Excellent blogg pDm.

glad that the issue with my advice (sorry, after making your own decision based on the conclusions you reached independently of anything you may or may not have read on the internet, (lol)) over that clients legal form seems to have worked out for the best. I was actually quite worried that might have set you back a little.

Don't know if you saw it this week but I was actaully advising newbies to start reading your blog as the anguish and highs that you're going through at the moment are a real inspiration to other newstarts.

Keep it all,

all the best,

Shaun.

pDm · Senior Member

Right now I'm putting up shelves in my home office and waiting on a Skype call from Dubai - business related!

None of which has anything to do with this weeks blog: Getting comfortable.

pDm · Senior Member

Two more days huh? Thats either a blessing for some or a curse for others.

This weeks blog: Turning up the heat.

Still, it was nice of HMRC to decide that January has 33 days in it this year.
Bless 'em!

Sylvia · Veteran Member

I have been following your blog with great interest as I am in a similar position myself, looking for my first client. I had looked at network events in my area, but being rural there are very few. Our Chamber of commerce hold evening meetings (I usually avoid evenings) and looks as though it is set up to discuss the towns issues, parking, local market etc. As it isn't very expensive I am considering going to one meeting, nothing tried ... I found a Women in Business Network in our town but reading your blog decided that it was too costly for me. But I have just had a phone call from someone asking me if I would consider joining the group as they were looking for a bookkeeper! Yes, really, honestly, as I started this post. Now I feel I should go once as a guest but will need a lot of convincing that £200 + VAT per year (plus the lunch cost) is money well spent. I will let you know how I get on after the meeting next month.

Now what I was originally going to say in this post, is that I agree it is difficult to know how to find our target market of sole traders. We have a parish magazine that is well supported by small businesses adverts, I am on the waiting list. But I can not think of somewhere that I would meet potential clients. I live in an area with a very high proportion of retired people and most local groups do not have many working age participants.

Sorry rambled on a bit! Looking forward to your next blog post. Thank you for sharing.

Good luck Sylvia

pDm · Senior Member

Hi Sylvia

Thanks for your kind words about my blog. It can be tough going in the early stages and (as you've read) I've gone though a few lows as well as some ups. All I can say is keep going, keep busy, keep doing something - anything that keeps you on the right path towards your ultimate goal of getting clients and doing good work.

You've mentioned that you are in a very rural location and are struggling with your target audiences. I'm totally with you on the second one: we're bookkeepers, surely EVERYONE in business is our target audience!

If good, free business-focused events are in short supply in your area, why not start one yourself? There might be people near you who are in the same boat or are having the same experience and would welcome something new.

I really wish you every success. Let us know how you get on at the meeting.

pDm

pDm · Senior Member

What an interesting week. My car broke down, my bank card snapped in two, my boss isn't happy that I had to take yesterday off at very short notice to fix my car (did it myself, rah!) and I couldn't make it to a networking event that I'd really been looking forward to - and to be honest I was more put out by that last one than the card/work/car stuff all put together.

But am I smiling? YES. We're off to a party tonight and there's gonna be snow on them thar' hills soon, so yay!

Todays blog has nothing to do with any of that.

This weeks blog: I met a consultant the other day...

Hope you all have a great week :)

---

Edit: I forgot to ask; If you haven't already, could you please take a moment to complete the polls on the This might be useful page. Thanks!

-- Edited by pDm on Saturday 4th of February 2012 10:58:19 AM

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi,

think that there's a paragraph missing from this weeks blog where he breaks it to you that he wants £155 per hour for telephone support. (Just got this vision of the switch where you think that you are there to sell him services and he hits you with that one).

Have you also had the sharks in suits trying to be your freind on Linkedin yet?

Sometimes the money can be worth it where the consultant opens up new markets for your business but it doesn't sounds like that was going to be the case here.

In this instance, despite being able to spot some issues with your email and website why exactly did this consultant think that they were going to be cost effective to your business at £155 (presumably plus VAT, so £186 to a non VAT registered business) per hour.

Actually, on that point the words "Cost Effectiveness" are the Krptonite of management consultants!

There's an old definition of consultants that is so very true :

Consultant : Someone who borrows your watch and charges you to tell you what time it is.

Happy Saturday,

Shaun.

pDm · Senior Member

RE: my blog

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

RE: my blog "the bookkeepers in town - learning the hard way"

pDm · Senior Member

Exactly that thought process went through my head during the meeting. I'm also guessing that the £155 figure is plucked out of the air depending on certain criteria (ie if the web site looks posh enough)

But regardless of remuneration and his own personal tax affairs (oh and his wife does his accounts, lol) I do want to highlight that I got quite a bit out of the meeting and I found it useful - maybe I was lucky, or maybe I'm naive - who knows?

If there are any newbies out there reading this, this is my tip of the week: Let yourself be sold to once in a while, nobody can force you to buy.

Spamkebab · Expert

Sounds more like he would steal your watch and tell you the time for a price. I like listening to sales pitches, i can play dumb like the best of them. Good Saturday morning blog as always.

Speaking of cars, i had the privilege of fitting a new electric window mechanism to a Renault convertable in -3 degrees. Upon removing the window glass, it shattered.

Window mechanism supplied by customer
£60 labour to test and fit
-£55 new glass
Extra 3 hours labour to clean car and car park.
Overall profit for working in Frozen Planet conditions £5.

I love my job.

If anyone reading this needs a cute, cuddly mascot for their business, look me up! lol.

Wella · Expert

Spamkebab wrote:
..........

Speaking of cars, i had the privilege of fitting a new electric window mechanism to a Renault convertable in -3 degrees. Upon removing the window glass, it shattered.

One of the reasons I gave it up years ago.

Did a stint with the AA for a year, then did mobile servicing, and repairs for three more.

Laying on my back in two inches of water, replacing a clutch on a Transit was the final straw.

pDm · Senior Member

Snow and ice abound and the British infrastructure is starting to crumble already - must be February.

This week has been an expensive one for me - I lost my smart phone when I fell over in the snow which cost £50 in insurance excess to replace, and my car breaking down last Friday was an additional pain I really could have done without, even though I fixed it myself, parts and time off work still have an impact.

Which highlights how tight my finances really are when little life emergencies are able to throw things out so easily.

As my nan always told me, "You've got to earn it before you can spend it.", so I've been analysing my leads and prospects so see where I can improve my chances of doing just that.

This weeks bolg: Irons in the fire.

Keep warm, keep safe, keep counting :)

pDm · Senior Member

I had a bit of a hic-up with the blog this week (all is explained within) which left me with a deadline and not a lot of time to write.

The format is a bit off the usual and it wanders a bit - hope you don't mind too much... confuse

This week: It's the wrong blog, Grommet!

Back to normal next week - I hope!

pDm · Senior Member

Another week, another update. The day-job has conspired to encroach on my business life (which it was always expected to do at some point) and I'm having to juggle diaries and commitments to compensate.

I've also discovered a useful resource that I could have taken advandage of months ago.

This weeks blog: Right under my nose.

Have a great weekend everyone.

pDm · Senior Member

Enough writing and rewriting for one morning. I'm off to make a nice strong cuppa coffee. Anybody else fancy a cup?

This weeks blog: Stress testing.

Sorry if it rambles - there was a lot to cram in this week.

Edited to fix bad link.

-- Edited by pDm on Saturday 3rd of March 2012 12:35:32 PM

pDm · Senior Member

I have to admit, it's easier to smile, agree and move on rather than bludgeon the point home, on occasion.

To be fair I threw that Gekko-esk line out there myself when I saw the general conversation heading in a more uncomfortable direction. There was no malice intended I'm sure, but you're right - it is easier to point and criticize people for trying to make a difference to their own lives than it is to make a difference yourself. Misery loves company, and I've certainly been guilty of doing the same myself in the past. But of course, now the shoe is firmly on the other foot my attitudes are changing. It was just easier to side-step the cynicism in this instance by taking charge of the conversation.

The other seemingly irksome thing from their point of view are the looming "efficiency and consolidation projects" that are currently taking place at the day-job. Did I mention I work for a Local Authority? We should all be more than aware of what's going on in those quarters of late - and they're not happy about it. I have other plans.

And I'm sure they're not overjoyed that I seem to be largely ignoring the whole terrible thing and concentrating on my own "side-project" rather than fretting and worrying from 9-5. But realistically - I've been there less than two years, my contract is patched together from some permanent hours left over from somebody else and some temporary hours which are my own and it's all just a bit of a mess. On that basis I'm fairly certain I'll be one of the first in the firing line. The best thing I can do is to try and give myself options should I need them. What is, is. And I can only take charge of things I actually have control over.

It's much a better daily motivator when you're heading towards a goal, and not burying your head from a problem.

Have a great day yourself, Shaun.

pDm

-- Edited by pDm on Saturday 3rd of March 2012 01:58:21 PM

Spamkebab · Expert

It is Blog time is it not?

Why are we waiting, why are we waiting.............. lol.

pDm · Senior Member

Oh, sod off! :)

I seem to have gotten myself into the routine of not writing it until the night before, and last night was "bugger it, it's Friday and there's wine on the rack that needs drinking" night.

It happens.

(I'm writing it now. 20 minutes ish to go)

Spamkebab · Expert

Listen pDm, just because you have turned into a lushpot it doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer the consequences.

15ish minutes now lol

P.S if it wasn't such a good read i'd leave you be.

pDm · Senior Member

maybe longer... :S

pDm · Senior Member

lushpot - rofl

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

"a business makes money, and a hobby spends money"....

Now there's yuppie speak if ever I heard it. Can almost see Gordon Gekko fitting it in beween "Lunch is for wimps" and "A fool and his money are lucky enough to get together in the first place".

think more along the lines of Tolkeins quote from the Lord of the Rings "It needs gold to breed gold".

Investments made now in training will reap dividends later where those who try to get to the money as fast as possible fall by the wayside.

Your intention is to make money but that comes later. That doesn't however make this a hobby.

Its always amazing how those in their cosy worlds of permanent employment will jeer those trying to build something better whilst they themselves do nothing... I've lost count of the companies where those in jobs for life have had the economic reality of the transient nature of their position thrust upon them. (and I'm talking about big multinational companies (and banks) here that just close whole departments or regions down with no coinsideration at all for how long people have worked for the company).

And as for the jeering in your office. Another quote that might be apt for that scenario...

"Don't argue with stupid people. They bring you down to their level and beat you on experience".

Happy Saturday,

Shaun.

Spamkebab · Expert

I actually don't see them as stupid people Shaun, they are scared people, frightened of the unknown. These people haven't the bottle to attempt to go it alone and are much more comfy in their day jobs.

Lack of bottle is not their fault, i think you are either made of sterner stuff or you aren't, blame the parents? The thing here is, when these local authority jobs are snatched away from everybody at least they can hold their

hands up and say 'well it wasn't my fault, i turned up on time' where as you pDm, if anything happens within your business, you will have to hold your hands up and admit you made a mistake.

The difference here is being able to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and plough on. I have every faith.

Check out the definition of Jeering on JeerWiki 'Jeering: A common sport that consists of 2 or 3 people Vs 1 person, the team with 3 people take turns to laugh and poke fun at the team with 1 person. This game has been played for donkeys years and yet the outcome is always the same, with the team with 1 person always winning and the team with 3 people never knowing why the bl@@dy hell they are still playing the game long after the team with 1 person has left the building, and now actually owns their own building, where jeering is officially banned'

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Neil,

really like that definition of the sport of jeering.

I tend to like the simpler offical Midlands version of the game.

three people start jeering.

three people leave the building on stretchers.

Now even I understand those rules but they really seem to have difficulty with them in major companies... Tut, and they think that they are hiring the brightest people!

Spamkebab · Expert

Please don't come back and tell us you have a butterfly at the base of your spine Shaun lol.

-- Edited by Spamkebab on Saturday 10th of March 2012 02:36:07 PM

Rhianrach · Expert

So you won't approve of my new employee then?

-- Edited by Rhianrach on Saturday 10th of March 2012 06:48:08 PM

Spamkebab · Expert

It's very nearly BLOG O'CLOCK............................

Sorry, couldn't resist.

(For some reason Crackerjack came to mind when typing that, arms stuffed full of cabbages and what not)

pDm · Senior Member

Patience is a virtue, Neil. Here you go...

This weeks blog: First impressions.

There's not going to be a blog next week - I've got lots to do with the day job and simply won't have time to do all that and keep on top of study and write the blog too.

Two weeks time will be the 6 month anniversary of my starting this blog, so I'm thinking of some kind of "clip-show" to celebrate. Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens between now and then, huh? :)

Spamkebab · Expert

Two things:

I have piercings, left eyebrow and left ear. I removed my jewellery a couple of years ago because I wanted to not because i was told too (either in person or with funny looks) i am thinking of reintroducing the earing as soon as something catches my eye. I believe your look modernises or updates peoples perception of what a bookkeeper should look like. Do bookkeepers all sit in darkened stuffy closet like offices where you could cut through the fag smoke with a knife, wearing a suit that is shiny with age?

It is a talking point and i would like to think that you would catch more positive attention from your jewellery than negative. You may get the odd person who thinks that piercings come with tattoo'd knuckles and a holiday at one of Her Majesties hotels.

The second is, i know where you're friend is coming from. My wife and i had a conversation last night about my lack of interviews and it all comes down to my lack of confidence in myself. I have the qualifications and i am sure i could do the job after a bit or fiddling around. My wife pointed out that i am now a pretty decently qualified Bookkeeper, something which i must admit to overlooking.

I don't own a suit, have never wore a suit apart from a hired 'Top n Tails' for my wedding and i am dreading finding a job which ticks all the boxes but where i would have to suit up. Shirt n (loose) Tie i can do quite well, if i wore a suit i'd look like mum had dressed me.

You sir are an absolute smasher, keep up the good work!

Neil.

Wella · Expert

I have had two earings in my left ear since I was 14, and have never removed them for more than a few minutes (they tried at school but failed). That's now 39 years and the only reaction I have had was from a Romany Gypsy, asking how long I'd been married, as it is a symbol like a wedding ring (one for single, two for married). I also have full sleeve tattoes. They are not HM Prison issue, and are pictorial works of art (IMO) I do tend to keep these covered when I meet people professionally though, as I am concious of the impression that some may perceive from them. I prefer casual clothing to meet people rather than suits, because although I "scrub up" well, with my short salt & pepper hair I tend to look more like a bouncer than a bookkeeper.

For me the first impression is made with the appropriate amount of eye contact, a genuine smile, and a firm hand shake.

Spamkebab · Expert

Maybe we should all work in credit control lol.