Voices

Why ask why? IC Opportunities in Chicago, of unquestionable value

[IMGCAP(1)]First, it’s important that you know what IC Opportunities is (if you’ve not yet heard about it). IC (Innovation and Collaboration) Opportunities is the first-of-its-kind “un-conference” event that brings together influential and inventive thought leaders to exchange ideas and collaborate on newer and better ways to do business in today’s tech-driven, forward-thinking accounting world. Whew! That was a mouthful, but it gives you an idea of the level of energy and depth of innovative thinking that took place at IC Opportunities 2012. This year marked the first annual IC event, hosted in Chicago, February 8-9.

The world is ever-changing—and everyone is finding it difficult to keep up. Some are even downright lost…and that includes some accounting professionals, vendors, industry leaders and associations. In response, the next generation of accounting minds is creating a movement—one that leads us away from traditional modes of working and interacting.

IC members are firmly in the cloud; we scoff at the idea of hourly billing; we embrace social media; we are building communities that nurture the young, upcoming generation of accountants; and we look to each other to explore new ideas and share valuable information. All of this and so much more is what IC is about—accepting change as it comes and adopting a new mindset about how we communicate and collaborate on a “global” level to improve the profession and how we all operate our businesses.

The IC event was a great start in stirring the pot and pushing the new (and undeniable) movement along. But, there is still a big disconnect between all the players—that is: firm leaders, vendors, industry leaders and associations. Each entity is working hard within its respective space, which is the ultimate problem. It’s time that all the players found an agreeable venue to collaborate with other like-minded, future-thinking souls. Only then can we all work together toward a common goal—making the accounting profession the best it can be.

IC Opportunities was developed to do just this—throw together the coolest and most innovative minds and begin to figure out how to get the profession, as a whole, to move forward.

Everyone has heard of SALY (Same as Last Year), right? Well, news flash…she’s dead. And I mean dead-dead—unable to be revived. It’s time for new acronyms. Let’s create ZOD’s (Zones of Debate). As a team, let’s BSU (Blow Stuff Up)…take innovation to a new level and let it explode! It’s a new day and a different economy—that’s just the fact. So, we need to create a new reality, make things happen, and never look back. We all get to talking, and that will happen!

I hope you decide to join the conversation. Yep, it may be chaotic at first, but what great ideas didn’t start out surrounded by a little chaos. You have to face the fact that we are firmly planted in Generation Flux, and it’s how we will do business in this new and changing world.

IC Opportunities launched its first event in early February…and it was a huge success. We experienced a little chaos, had many discussions, and tossed around innovation like a football. If you are a doer and see opportunities to innovate and collaborate, please join us at the next IC event at the upcoming AICPA’s Practitioner and Tech+ show in Vegas this year. Send me an email if you’d like to join the movement: jody@newvisionscpagroup.com.

Jody L. Padar, CPA, MST, is a Certified Public Accountant experienced with Complex Federal & State Income Tax Compliance for Business & Individuals. Jody is an adjunct professor at Oakton Community College, where she teaches Taxation and QuickBooks Courses. She is part of Intuit Trainer Writer Network and speaks nationally on various Technologies and Taxation. She can be reached at www.newvisioncpagroup.com.

 

 

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