We won!
Wow! I'll think I'll be on cloud nine for the next few weeks.
What an amazing end to the annual ICNZB conference - Haley and the My Two Cents Team have taken out both of the top awards for the ICNZB Annual Awards Ceremony - Bookkeeper of the Year and Bookkeeping Business of the Year 2021.
Every year bookkeepers from all over NZ flock to the annual ICNZB conference for two days of networking, learning, and meeting with industry specialists from all over - and to have fun of course!
This year the conference was held in Rotorua, at the Energy Events Centre and we had a range of speakers, software providers and industry specialists in attendance. It's a great opportunity to connect with so many like minded people in one place.
Jo and I both attended the conference this year. It was Jo's first time and I had a lot fun showing her the ropes! To get the most out of the conference you really have to get out of your comfort zone (if you're introverts like us..), and get around to chat to all the industry experts, bookies and speakers. There is so much to learn and take in, and you never know who is going to give you your key "takeaways" for the year.
A couple of highlights for me this year:
Phil from Xero opened the conference with a talk about wellness - "You can't take care of your business if you're not taking care of yourself, your team, or your clients".
This is so true and mental health is so important to me.
I did a video session with Matt from Debtor Daddy. The Debtor Daddy team are passionate about solving clients cashflow problems through good debtor management processes. We have been working with Debtor Daddy to roll out services to clients to get their debtors under control and free up cash.
I also did a video session with Stephanie Crawford from Business Headspace. Stephanie has been my business coach for three years now, and I truly owe so much of my businesses success to her.
Doing these video sessions took me completely out of my comfort zone! I do not like being in front of a camera! But I had to practice what I preach for Jo.
Keynote speaker, Latesha Randall from Raglan Food Co, said "Don't be forced to do things that conflict with your values".
We don't go into business solely to make money. Our values and actions are what set us apart in business.
Debbie Mayo-Smith - "You have to be better at marketing what you do, than doing what you do". If you can't communicate with, or reach your target market how will they know how amazing you are?
And finally.....
The Annual ICNZB Awards dinner was held on Saturday night. I was feeling so anxious all day, as we were finalists in two of the top categories - Certified Bookkeeper of the Year and Bookkeeping Business of the Year.
These categories are always announced last so it was a long wait, my palms were a bit sweaty by the time they were announced. When I was named as the winner of the Bookkeeper of the Year award I was absolutely ecstatic - I had written a speech a day or so ago, but of course I thought screw it I'll wing it if I win (my motto at times...). I went up, collected my award and winged my speech. I didn't think I did too bad actually. Again - well out of my comfort zone!
I sat back down, and low and behold minutes later My Two Cents was announced as the winner for Bookkeeping Business of the Year. I don't know who was more excited, my partner or myself. I think I was in shock if I'm honest. So I went back up to collect my second award.
Winning any award is amazing, let alone these two awards. I'm absolutely over the moon, and so thankful I have the best team behind me, making this all possible.
What an end to the conference! This one will definitely go down in history for My Two Cents.
