I haven't checked but this could be a straight cut and paste from the article posted this time last year, and the year before, and the year before . . . . . .
I too was at the 2012 Xerocon, and the next couple, but I don't bother any more. I don't do showbiz and razzamatazz, even in theatres, so that side of it leaves me cold. I also don't find any value, in the context of work at least, in celebrity speakers such as sportsmen. Sure I can admire their talent and the dedication in grinding through the training hours but I can't make any connection between that and running a business.
I didn't mind paying to attend. I did mind being charged to go to a party which I didn't want. I've never been as I prefer to use the evening to see my family on visits to Londan. It used to be optional, but now it's compulsory, or at least paying for it is.
I did go to Xerocon last year (not the party) but frankly thought that it wasn't worth the time required. So it's not for me, and probably the party is better for not having miserable old gits like me there anyway.
The bottom line is surely the level of salary that they are paid.
If that is high enough to compensate in their minds for the "unpaid" overtime, then people will stay. Traditionally professional staff were paid a fixed salary with no additional payments for overtime. You were expected to do what was necessary for the success of the firm. If you couldn't stand the heat, you knew where the kitchen door was..
Who is the CEO of Float to spout forth on the question of MTD for VAT? We haven't signed anybody up to MTD yet, based on many years of experience with new HMRC IT initiatives. Quite happy to let other people find out what's wrong with the new system. Example - the new system can't give you a list of clients enrolled. Apparently to be fixed, but clearly in need of fixing.
How does he know what accounttants have been doing? We've been talking to clients about it for two years or more but given that HMRC have changed their mind several times on how it works, what is the point of rushing headlong to change their internal systems?
Don't forget that HMRC were supposed be be sending letters out last summer and some clients still haven't had them. Apparently it's OK for HMRC not to do things on time. We all know their attitude when others don't.
And Mr Float tells me I "need" to look at registration today. No I don't. I need to look at registration in time to file the first return under the new sytem, and in my case that's by 7 October.
Almost every article I read seems to think that lack of sign ups is proof of lack of activity or preparation. It's a bit like claiming a footballer isn't prepared because he hasn't put his boots on for a match at the beginning of July. And of course thinking of boots makes one think of cobblers.
I don't know why you bother with rent-a-quote advice from people who clearly haven't got a clue about life in the real world of practice.
I found that my view of retirement age changed. When I originally set up the pension plan, I put 60 on the form, as one often does when one is younger, then when I got the "you are retiring in x months" letter, realised that I just didn't want to. It was quite easy to put the date back and carry on making contributions. I had an outline plan in mind.
Then I reached 65, and again didn't want to retire (as in "the plan" but found a change in mindset. Before then, difficult days (always caused by clients obviously!) were shrugged off as all in the daily routine. After that date, the thought started to creep in that I don't have to put up with this any more! A few more years down the road and I've realised that it's time to get out, more or less in line with what I planned when I was 60. That process has now started.
It's nothing to do with MTD or other technical changes - I've faced and dealt with plenty of those over the years - but motivation has changed.
I won't pack in completely, as I have a small core of jobs that I expect to keep on if the clients are happy - indeed some have asked if they can be included. I also have external interests which occupy a fair chunk of time.
So basically I'd say to pick a date and fund towards that, but you might find that your mindset changes, and you can change the date according to how you feel.
I wouldn't dream of telling you what to do, but you might want to consider developing interest(s) outside work - a return to a long forgotten hobby perhaps - so that you can fill time after the event.
Sage may be "renewing their love" but from this angle there is little chance of reciprocation. Too many years of inferior products, poor service and generally being a dreadful company to deal with are not going to be forgotten overnight.
Their sole raison d'etre for many years seems to have been to screw as much money out of everybody as they can (not uncommon with software suppliers with four letter names) and that's being manifested again with prices charged for upgrading to MTD
The idea of renewing their love reminds me of the Pink Floyd track Lost for Words. :-)
I'm also skipping the parties. I object to the cost being bundled into the overall conference charge - it should be optional. I wouldn' go to an awards dinner if you paid me - always accepting that there is a (large) figure which might change my mind - but generally they are nauseating
I've worked out which sessions I want to attend and which I don't. The "showmanship" does nothing for me, and if it gets too evangelical I'll be off. I do like the software and have used it for a long time now, but some of the presentation is way OTT
My answers
Not exactly news, is it?
I haven't checked but this could be a straight cut and paste from the article posted this time last year, and the year before, and the year before . . . . . .
Nothing changes
They have experienced an "elevated level" of API errors. Does that mean that there is a normal level of API errors that they are happy with?
It might be obvious to you! I thought that it was you. ;-)
I too was at the 2012 Xerocon, and the next couple, but I don't bother any more. I don't do showbiz and razzamatazz, even in theatres, so that side of it leaves me cold. I also don't find any value, in the context of work at least, in celebrity speakers such as sportsmen. Sure I can admire their talent and the dedication in grinding through the training hours but I can't make any connection between that and running a business.
I didn't mind paying to attend. I did mind being charged to go to a party which I didn't want. I've never been as I prefer to use the evening to see my family on visits to Londan. It used to be optional, but now it's compulsory, or at least paying for it is.
I did go to Xerocon last year (not the party) but frankly thought that it wasn't worth the time required. So it's not for me, and probably the party is better for not having miserable old gits like me there anyway.
The bottom line is surely the level of salary that they are paid.
If that is high enough to compensate in their minds for the "unpaid" overtime, then people will stay. Traditionally professional staff were paid a fixed salary with no additional payments for overtime. You were expected to do what was necessary for the success of the firm. If you couldn't stand the heat, you knew where the kitchen door was..
Who is the CEO of Float to spout forth on the question of MTD for VAT? We haven't signed anybody up to MTD yet, based on many years of experience with new HMRC IT initiatives. Quite happy to let other people find out what's wrong with the new system. Example - the new system can't give you a list of clients enrolled. Apparently to be fixed, but clearly in need of fixing.
How does he know what accounttants have been doing? We've been talking to clients about it for two years or more but given that HMRC have changed their mind several times on how it works, what is the point of rushing headlong to change their internal systems?
Don't forget that HMRC were supposed be be sending letters out last summer and some clients still haven't had them. Apparently it's OK for HMRC not to do things on time. We all know their attitude when others don't.
And Mr Float tells me I "need" to look at registration today. No I don't. I need to look at registration in time to file the first return under the new sytem, and in my case that's by 7 October.
Almost every article I read seems to think that lack of sign ups is proof of lack of activity or preparation. It's a bit like claiming a footballer isn't prepared because he hasn't put his boots on for a match at the beginning of July. And of course thinking of boots makes one think of cobblers.
I don't know why you bother with rent-a-quote advice from people who clearly haven't got a clue about life in the real world of practice.
I found that my view of retirement age changed. When I originally set up the pension plan, I put 60 on the form, as one often does when one is younger, then when I got the "you are retiring in x months" letter, realised that I just didn't want to. It was quite easy to put the date back and carry on making contributions. I had an outline plan in mind.
Then I reached 65, and again didn't want to retire (as in "the plan" but found a change in mindset. Before then, difficult days (always caused by clients obviously!) were shrugged off as all in the daily routine. After that date, the thought started to creep in that I don't have to put up with this any more! A few more years down the road and I've realised that it's time to get out, more or less in line with what I planned when I was 60. That process has now started.
It's nothing to do with MTD or other technical changes - I've faced and dealt with plenty of those over the years - but motivation has changed.
I won't pack in completely, as I have a small core of jobs that I expect to keep on if the clients are happy - indeed some have asked if they can be included. I also have external interests which occupy a fair chunk of time.
So basically I'd say to pick a date and fund towards that, but you might find that your mindset changes, and you can change the date according to how you feel.
I wouldn't dream of telling you what to do, but you might want to consider developing interest(s) outside work - a return to a long forgotten hobby perhaps - so that you can fill time after the event.
The message is in the lyrics, not the title.
Sage may be "renewing their love" but from this angle there is little chance of reciprocation. Too many years of inferior products, poor service and generally being a dreadful company to deal with are not going to be forgotten overnight.
Their sole raison d'etre for many years seems to have been to screw as much money out of everybody as they can (not uncommon with software suppliers with four letter names) and that's being manifested again with prices charged for upgrading to MTD
The idea of renewing their love reminds me of the Pink Floyd track Lost for Words. :-)
I'm also skipping the parties. I object to the cost being bundled into the overall conference charge - it should be optional. I wouldn' go to an awards dinner if you paid me - always accepting that there is a (large) figure which might change my mind - but generally they are nauseating
I've worked out which sessions I want to attend and which I don't. The "showmanship" does nothing for me, and if it gets too evangelical I'll be off. I do like the software and have used it for a long time now, but some of the presentation is way OTT