MYOB.
The battle between MYOB and Xero cloud software intensifies. Our Practice is mainly MYOB. But there was little doubt that Xero had first movers advantage in NZ. But those gains are being diminished with release 2 of the MYOB Essentials software and the coming conversion of Account Right (a desktop program) to browser-based application. For clients, these updates are happening in the coming weeks. And for us, these changes will revolutionise what we do.

reImagine
The project to reengineer the Practice continues. Slight slowed by COVID, the plan has a straightforward goal, to better use technology to manage our work and life balances.

Already some team members prefer to work mainly at home. To manage this, we need to use better communication tools to prioritise tasks, share ideas, and monitor stresses. To assist a Wellness Co-ordinator role will be introduced. This person focus will ensure that we are managing the personal challenges of being the regions leading MYOB Practice.

It is also a time when I will be reviewing my rolls and staffing rolls. over the next two months.

Telephone.
How automated should our telephone system be? This has been a question for nearly a year. This week clients can select you directly when calling in. While many if not most businesses offer this, I have wanted to manage your access, allowing team members to plan their days and if needed, switch off, and concentrate on their work. So this change is experimental.

The four day week.
One team member is now electing to work four long days and take Friday off. This is also an experimental change, and I will be interested to see how it evolves. It is possible that the Practice will go public free on Friday in effect, making it a management day. It could be that it is the day where home working staff coming in for communication and internal training, and it could be a socialisation day. Expect further announcements shortly.

And finally, COVID has not suddenly created the need for these changes. The reImagine process is much older than this.