QB Connect 2019 Recap!
“Nerd Con” . . . is what my sister called it when I told her I was attending QuickBooks Connect, the online accounting giant’s annual conference. Nerd bashing aside, it was my first time and I was thrilled to go and awed from start to finish. Over three thousand accountants coming together for three days of extroverted activities aimed at a highly introverted crowd? I knew it would be good! Here are my recollections and thoughts for next year’s newbies:
It started with a Precon party, which is where I learned that vendors slinging apps of all kinds always wear their “team” jersey. This observation made me notice an interesting natural phenomenon: t-shirted sales crews vs conservatively dressed prey! While the event never seemed overly salesy, it was easy to identify people’s motives and general energy levels. I personally loved learning about all the new software, apps, and tools, but where those t-shirt adorned social butterflies find their energy remains a mystery to me. (Can they sell that instead next year?) These firms stood out among the fray: Practice Ignition, Jirav, Tsheets, and Gusto. I loved their energy, cool swag, and their unified brand messages, but I was mostly impressed with their energy and passion.
There were 5 terrific keynote speakers on the main stage. I was delightfully surprised at how different each message was:
Michael McQueen taught us that we must “kill or be killed” and you have to continually outdo yourself or someone else will. His message motivated me to keep learning and growing. The biggest takeaway was the importance of consumer reviews and your company’s response to them, especially the negative ones. His maxim “respond once, the rest is drama” is darn near gospel.
Jennifer Hyman, baller CEO and founder of Rent the Runway, was one of my favorites. Her story and the RTR model was something I knew about, but I was blown away by how RTR aggregated feedback to revolutionize the fashion industry with “closets in the cloud.”
Ashton Kutcher’s influence and successes in Silicon Valley drove his advice on venture capital pitches, start up CEO selection, and his personal strategy on selecting strategic investments. Who knew this handsome actor had so much going on away from the camera?
In the evening we were thrown on our asses by Jade Simmons. When I saw “concert pianist” on the program, I thought I’d be able to relax and decompress a bit. Instead, I laughed, was moved to tears, motivated, and wowed by her vulnerability and talent.
Common, actor and activist, encouraged us to compose our own unique song and build lyrics about our character and community involvement.
I learned that in the US alone there are two million bookkeepers, accountants, and clerks. Technology, innovation, and AI are constantly evolving and changing the landscape for these professionals. I couldn’t believe that only three thousand of them attended this conference to learn more about all the new technology available. I am part of that tiny, but mighty, percentage that is determined to learn and grow with the new innovation. I attended, front and center, many breakout sessions, but really enjoyed learning the following:
How to help clients reach their financial goals using apps like Fathom, Finagraph, Jirav, and more.
How to build efficiencies and streamline processes using apps like Acuity, Zapier, Practice Ignition, Gusto, Bill.com, and Halon Tax so both you and your client can focus on building your businesses.
Walking from breakout session to breakout session, a seasoned attendee would inform me that “ooooo that guy is super famous” or “ahhh that So&So, she is an influencer.” One particular panel of stars included the authors Ron Baker and Mark Wickersham, legit celebs in this crowd, and the fan swoon was palpable. As “famous” as people like Nayo Carter-Gray, Geni Whitehouse, Erin Walsh Dyer, and Heather Satterley are, they were walking around chatting with attendees. I was impressed that every time I saw one of these industry stars they didn’t have their phone out and seemed equally as invigorated by the momentum as us commoners:
Geni Whitehouse presented on the three bottom lines: operating cash flow, return on net assets, and net income. She reminded us that business owners, bankers, and accountants all have different metrics for assessing success.
Erin Walsh Dyer taught an advanced class on reporting using Fathom - incredibly helpful!
I was gobsmacked through the entire class taught by Heather Satterley on automating Client Onboarding and can’t wait to apply her tips to my own practice
I attended a panel full of Value Pricing rockstars including Ron Baker, Debra Kilsheimer, Mark Wickersham, and Nayo Cater-Gray. What these pillars in the accounting community were preaching is what we believe at Breakaway: Clients should pay for outcome, not hours.
On the last evening, QB had a huge party with a bohemian eclectic vibe that included small plates from around the world, a dream catcher station, a photo booth in a VW van, bubble artists, and my personal favorite . . . a live band!! What I found hilarious was that the wrap around the stage included (in bigger than life font) the schedule for the band organized by time and genre of music so that this group of detail oriented individuals could watch the clock in anticipation of their favorite playlist.
As I reflected on the plane ride home, I was motivated to define my client base, educate myself on a few apps, add to my reading list (Traction by Gino Wickman, Clock Work by Mike Michalowicz, and Managing by the Numbers by Chuck Kremer), and create some goals for this coming year. I also wrote out a list of twenty characteristics of my ideal client, decided to learn and utilize Zapier, and level up with Fathom.
Michelle Lopez
Founder + Advisor
There is so much to learn both from industry leaders and tech developers. I am eagerly anticipating the next convention, and can’t wait to attend others, such as Xero Con, AICPA Engage, Accountex, and Scaling New Heights, just to name a few. You will find me front and center, pencil ready, eager to be blown away.