Beerstorming Session - Brisbane - 15 Sep 2011

3:30pm - 6:30pm
The Strand at Rugby Quay
Plaza Level, 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane

Cloud Computing for Accounting Firms:

Leading Edge and NOW

or Bleeding Edge and TOO SOON?

What do you get when you combine a relaxed informal atmosphere, refreshing beverages, a panel discussion and ‘Q&A style’ forum including thought leaders within the accounting profession, and a roomful of progressive, innovative practitioners?

Ideas. Connections. Opportunities!

And this time the topic is Cloud Computing for Accounting Firms.

It's a hot topic in the accounting profession currently, with an array of opinions ranging from "it's exciting, it's inevitable, it's so much better than the old way," to "it's too soon, it's too risky, it's too slow, it's not as cost-effective as they make out."

A perfect topic for an industry panel discussion!

And we'd love you to join us.

This will be one of the most innovative events you will attend all year.

Picture this.

A relaxed venue, a few drinks, an industry panel on stage to present brief case studies and to field questions, dispell myths, share their experiences and shed light on the topic not from a 'been there, done that' perspective, but from an 'I am there, doing it now' perspective.

You will leave with a list of ideas to investigate and implement.

The panel will include current practitioners who are growing their firms at phenomenal rates and great margins, past practitioners who have successfully built and sold firms, and industry consultants who see what firms are (and are not) doing in this cloud space, all around the country.

We'll have times where y#ou will break and have a brainstorm with your peers at your table. You will brainstorm questions, challenges and suggested solutions.

You'll be able to ask the panel questions via Twitter. We'll display the Twitter stream for the hashtag #beerstormers.

By the way, if you don't know what a hashtag is, or you don't use Twitter, don't worry. You will be able to ask questions via pen and paper too (although, that is *so* last century).

So, if you do use Twitter, please bring your iPad/tablet, iPhone/Slackberry/smartphone or laptop (and internet connection) and contribute to the online conversation, as well as the in-room conversation.

This is one event where you won't be told to turn off or put away your smartphone!

The format of the event is designed for busy practitioners.

Arrive 3:30pm for registration and networking drinks.

At 4pm we'll kick off proceedings and take you on a brisk and lively 2 hour journey of opinions, experiences and suggestions for how you can form your own strategy around cloud computing.

We will also briefly show on-screen various cloud-based applications that firms are using. This is not a 'demo fest' however. We'll only be showing apps to 'put some pictures to the words' when someone mentions an application or service, and so you have something specific to investigate the next day.

Get in early and book your tickets now, as the event will sell out.

So what exactly *is* a Beerstorming event?

Think ABC Television’s ‘Q&A’, with an accounting industry focus and panel, plus participant brainstorming. Plus beer. (Other varieties of beverage including wine and non-alcoholic options will also be available.)

Why beer? Why drinks?

Why not?

We all work hard. Life's short. Business and pleasure *can* mix.

Let's all learn and have some fun while we're doing it.

(Note 1: Serious party pooper types need not attend. You may be screened out at the door.)

(Note 2: Loud obnoxious people who (after a few drinks) like to dominate conversations and talk over others need not attend either. You may screened out in the middle of the event!)

The inspiration for Beerstorming

• Accounting firm practitioners enjoy learning from their peers.
• The collective knowledge in a roomful of practitioners (the audience) always exceeds the ‘knowledge on the stage’ (the presenter).
• But most events don’t encourage sharing of knowledge between participants. They are normally a one-way presentation from stage.
• People learn more when sessions are interactive and, dare we say it, fun!
• Yet most accounting industry events are fairly dry and formal affairs.
• But many practitioners enjoy an opportunity to let their hair down.
• The ‘panel discussion’ format is very effective at conferences. The success of television shows Q&A (ABC) and Insight (SBS) is a testament to this.
• In accounting industry conferences, panel discussion sessions are always engaging and well attended because practitioners value the opportunity to listen to and learn from a panel of ‘guru’ practitioners and consultants, all in the one session. A variety of opinions from panelists creates ‘buzz’.

The purpose of Beerstorming

• Give progressive practitioners a quarterly forum and ‘community’ event for them to mix with, learn from, and be inspired by their peers (the brainstorming aspect), and from industry ‘gurus’ (the panel aspect).
• Bring like-minded practitioners together and inspire them to innovate, improve their business and serve their clients better.
• Build and enhance connections between progressive practitioners and innovative providers to the profession

Event Format

• 3:30pm Registration, Networking Drinks
• 4:00pm Let the Beerstorming™ begin!, Introduction, ‘Rules of the Game’
• 4:05pm Introduction of Panelists and Event Partners
• 4:10pm 1st Case Study (by Event Partner)
• 4:15pm Framing Topic for Brainstorm No.1
• 4:20pm Brainstorm No.1: Submit Questions for the Panel
• 4:30pm Panel Discussion No.1 - Addressing Submitted Questions
• 4:45pm 2nd Case Study (by Event Partner)
• 4:50pm 3rd Case Study (by Event Partner)
• 4:55pm Brainstorm No.2: Generate Suggestions to Share
• 5:10pm Panel Discussion No.2 - Discussing Suggestions
• 5:30pm 4th Case Study (by Event Partner)
• 5:35pm Final Open Forum for Questions
• 5:55pm Wrap up
• 6:00pm Networking Drinks
• 7:00pm Networking Dinner (Optional - Pre-Booking Required)

Event Partners

• Beerstorming is a joint inititaive by Practice Paradox and CountGPS
• We are proud to have as Event Partners:
  • Accountancy Insurance
  • Xero
  • InfoTech
  • Brennan IT

What to bring?

• iPhone/Slackberry/smartphone or laptop for engaging in Twitter stream (optional)
• Internet connection for your device (optional)
• Your colleagues - Bring at least one, so you can brainstorm your firm's situation
• An open mind (mandatory)
• Your questions on the topic
• Your suggestions and ideas on the topic - It will be a two-way exchange of ideas

Questions?

Ask us any questions you like via:

• Practice Paradox Facebook Page
• Twitter by including #beerstormers hashtag in your tweet
• Email us via this Contact Form

Book Your Tickets Online Now

Book your tickets online on this page. Note that whilst PayPal is the prominent option during the checkout process, you can also pay via Credit Card. In the checkout process online, just click the link that says, "Don't have a PayPal account?" and you can then enter your Visa or Mastercard details.

Note we are *not* accepting ticket bookings via phone, fax or email.

After you book and pay online, you will receive an email with your tickets as an attachment.

Please print your tickets and bring them with you to Beerstorming.

We look forward to seeing you and your colleagues at Beerstorming!

It's going to be a great session.