As a course advisor for Training Link one of the most common questions I get asked is What do I do with my qualifications once I have them"? And it is one of the easiest and yet hardest questions to answer. I know just by using the BKN forum alone there are a lot of qualified Bookkeepers from all bodies not just the ICB that have failed to find clients. Of course I advise to maybe offer services for free to get experience, network etc.
As a Training Provider it is great to get students through their study but heart-warming when we find out those students we have trained are now running successful practices.
The ICB are holding their annual conference at Londons Savoy Place on November 7th 2012 and I would advise any BKN members regardless of whether ICB, IAB AAT or any other body for that matter to attend.
The ICB work tirelessly to be at the forefront of the Bookkeeping industry with Chief Executive Garry Carter at the helm.
The conference will have some great guest speakers but more importantly one of the topics which will be covered is Business Start-up. Having attended 2 other conferences I can talk from personal experience when I say that attending the conference really could kick start a career.
For more information and to book your place please click on the link below, be good to see BKN members attend
102 views and was hoping at least one BKN member who was short on clients would have replied with a " I have booked my place"? ICB do not pay me and I do not get browny points for putting bums on seats, however I am passionate about what I do and I have seen with my own eyes how networking can kick start a career, indeed our Student of The Year nominee 2011 had gained 14 clients with no website by networking and attending ICB seminars. I agree this is rare but if it can happen to one person why cant it happen to you???? I implore any newly qualified Bookkeeper to attend the ICB conference and business start up programme, who knows it may change your life?
Forgive the edit bit more of a PS. The Student of the Year nominee I am reffering to is a BKN member!
Dave
-- Edited by TRAINING LINK on Thursday 6th of September 2012 08:39:33 PM
Good idea I need spell check, come on Shaun get Spell check sorted out!
I agree with you Dave Networking is a good way forward and although not always instant it does pay off in the long run.
Thats one of the reasons for going to the QB's conference which is on another post, as at least you get to meet new contacts there and hand out your cards in the tea break! (hopefully hand them out anyway).
if you use the advanced editor there's a spell checker in the top right hand of the options... I know, I should use the advanced editor more! Half of my problem isn't the spelling but rather putting completely the wrong word in the post (but correctly spelt). That said there's no getting away from the fact that my typing is awful as well... Think I need one of those trainer keyboards with the huge spaced keys.
HTH peeps,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks Amanda for your comments regarding the importance of networking and Shaun Thank you Sir for explaining where to find the BKN spell checker. Never again will a post of mine have a spieling mistake lol
The keynote speaker is Start Up Britain. They are the ones pushing people to setup their own companies under the government's entrepreneur scheme. Really good to have their support as they are helping a lot of people get started, who better to push the idea of using a professional bookkeeper to make sure new ventures have adequate cash flow and planning etc.
Of course there is plenty of time to mingle and network, and visit the software/training provider stalls.
Start Up Britain was and is a great idea and from some of the testimonials I have been reading there are a lot of new Business starts ups doing very well indeed because of the campaign. Really looking forward to the event and to seeing you and the gang again.
Just been getting more insight into the Start Up Britain campaign and that of the ICB Conference 2012 Keynote speaker Emma Jones. Very interesting stuff and I for one am really looking forward to hearing what Emma has to say, for those who are unsure of what the campaign is all about please see the link below and if thinking of starting your own business why not book your place at the conference?
Careful Shaun your turning into a comedy genius and I had that issued to Neil (SpamKebab) so he has a challenger to the title lol.
Margherita if your husband is an IT expert and you are into numbers then after your ICB conference visit I will be expecting this time next year you will be millionaires? (you can blame only fools and horses for that one)
Being serious though Margherita I really do hope the investment you have made in attending the ICB conference really does help in getting advice and tips in setting up your new practice, I believe in the concept of the Start Up Britain campaign, please post your thoughts about the conference on the forum after you have attended, and dont forget to tell everyone what a great bloke Dave is (cheque in the post but this is between you, me and the BKN forum)
Forgive me if I am wrong but I also believe Bookcert offer help with setting up new practices? Why not give them a call?
Really looking forward to meeting you (dont forget to bring the twins lol)
Dave
-- Edited by TRAINING LINK on Wednesday 12th of September 2012 08:47:14 PM
I have been looking into the Bookkeepers Summit 2012 just before I have seen your post on the forum. Your post has convinced me to book my place (just bought the ticket), so I shall look forward to attending the conference.
I am in the process of setting up my own business (more thinking about where to start :)), so hoping that attending the Keynote will give me some ideas an most importantly confidence.
First of all welcome to the forum, some great people on here as I am sure you will find out. Really great news to hear you have booked your place at the conference and look forward to seeing you there, please make a point of visiting us on our stand so I can say hello.
Good to see you made use of the Spellchecker (cheeky) lol
Thank you for your welcome! I will surely find a lot of help on this forum. It feels good to communicate with people who like numbers (my husband is an IT geek - no appreciation for any of my work :D)
tell your husband if he's in IT and he doesn't like numbers then he's not doing it properly. (or even doing IT properly... See what I did there. lol).
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Unfortunatelly I had to fire my twin. She has refused to bleach her hair, so she was no use to me anymore ;) I have proudly joined the blond club recently! :)
I will certaintly share my thoughts about the conference. I look forward to it :)
P.S. I hope you right about this millionaires comment. I wouldn't mind if we did!
Margherita
-- Edited by marge3012 on Monday 17th of September 2012 12:35:54 PM
what is the avatar? why two? The eye's suggest manga / anime characters.
Its no biggy, I'm just interested
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I have asked my step-daugher to draw an avatar for me, so I can use it online. She is very much into Manga, and I like her interpretation of the world. To be honest I have no clue why she has made it in two?! I probably should ask one day :)
My compliments to your step-daughter. She is obviously fantastically talented to be able to draw like that.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Unfortunatelly I had to fire my twin. She has refused to bleach her hair, so she was no use to me anymore ;) I have proudly joined the blond club recently! :)
I will certaintly share my thoughts about the conference. I look forward to it :)
P.S. I hope you right about this millionaires comment. I wouldn't mind if we did!
Margherita
-- Edited by marge3012 on Monday 17th of September 2012 12:35:54 PM
Hi Margherita
Take it your twin is the serious one of the two? I will let you know if the (Bleached Look) suits you when we meet (my turn to be cheeky)lol
You will recognise me straight away, I will be the one on the Training Link stand with the face for radio and accent only a brummie could love lol.
Mmm, risking telling a woman that their new hair style doesn't suit them... If they never find your body after the conference Dave it was great knowing you matey.
Oh, and nowt wrong with a Brummie accent... Its the rest of them that have problems (and I bet most don't know a brummie accent from a Wolverhampton, Dudley or stoke acccent anyway!).
All the best,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Dont wish murder upon me, the ICB Conference is the only time I am allowed out and that is only if I am on my very best behaviour, after each passing year I am turning into Harold Steptoe, and even in a suit you dont want Harold Steptoe representing your company! In fact it has been suggested as not to scare conference delegates that I attend in a gimp mask but I am told if I gain another 2lb then I could be this years blimp. Tough decision, gimp or blimp? BKN You Decide? Lol
