So we are just about recovered from Xerocon 2018, what an immense couple of days!
We took the whole team to Xerocon, you can read here why I think that’s such a good idea. I’m going to try not to ramble on, as Xero crammed in the announcements, the entertainment and the exhibiting apps, so my aim is to share with you our Key Xerocon Takeaways.
Human at Heart
The main focus of the whole conference was being Human. Technology is amazing, but it won’t replace us, and we must make sure we keep the human focus of our work, our relationships, and not let technology overtake our lives. Xero itself has always been about it’s people – both Xero employees, businesses and accountants/bookkeepers.
This really resonates with us – we strive to be the best in our team, and how we communicate with you our clients. We can always do more though, and Xerocon has strengthened our resolve to do the best for you, in our services and how we communicate with you.
Making Tax Digital
Xero is completely ready for Making Tax Digital, and that means you are too if you’re our client! The MTD beta is now live, so we’ll be asking you if you’d like to join up. You don’t have to do anything. Gary Turner Xero UK’s MD also introduced us to Dexter, Xero’s new MTD mascot – “Making Tax Simple”. We have a whole host of resources and blogs on MTD, which we’re adding to all the time. Click here to find out more.
We were lucky enough to meet Dexter and hear what he had to say:
Open Banking
Xero announced their open banking API which means they can now connect with many finance institutions, including Soldo, Starling Bank, IWOCA and many more. This will give business owners quicker access to their financial data, and to funding options. As partners of Xero, IWOCA, Capitalise and soon to be partners with Starling Bank, this means that we are best placed to help you understand your numbers, identify when you might need finance, and get it to you quicker.
It’s worth noting that during Xerocon both Starling and Soldo announced live integrations with Xero!
It’s all about the Apps
We are really keen on utilising Xero’s apps, but with over 700 it’s not an easy task! Have a look at our blog about our 10 favourite apps, prior to Xerocon.
Now that we’ve returned, we have some new favourite apps, which we will be investigating and introducing to you over the coming months. These include Soldo, Starling Bank, Tradify, Float, Slide and Deputy. Expect more blog posts on each of these to follow!
New Xero Features
Xero also announced a stack of cool new features in Xero. Some of these we’ll use to free up more time to work with you, and some are fab improvements that will save you heaps of time, and make the Xero experience even more beautiful.
For example, Xero are about to roll out the new Navigation bar near the end of November, and have loads of improvements coming to Xero Projects and Expenses, all with Mobile features at the core.
Later this year they’re also upgrading the sales invoice experience, making it easier than ever to invoice your customers and get paid.
More Reassurance for you
And finally Xero have launched a host of new Xero U courses for accountants and bookkeepers with Specialist Badges, to show our experience in certain industries, and I’m happy to report we have already gained the Xero Professional Services Specialist Badge!
And on that note, I’ll leave you to absorb this tiny part of our whole Xerocon experience. Expect more detailed blogs in the coming months. My 6th Xerocon has been an amazing experience, and the whole Xero team show that they are definitely Human at Heart. It’s a joy to be part of the Xero family!
As always thank you for reading, I’ll leave you with some photos from Xerocon.
Sharon
Kinder Pocock are an approachable cloud-savvy firm of accountants based in Herefordshire but supporting businesses on the move.
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