Richard Sergeant

History tends to show that software companies tend to be most successful when they stick to what they know!

Going into direct competition with it's core reseller channel would probably have an adverse impact on their revenues and growth, and be a massive change in service structure. In other words stick to what you're good at!

That's not to say there could be some risk in the future, but for the time being I think it's not something that should stop you firing up your business.

Have to agree with you on that one. I think so much prep goes into attending that some forget to make sure everyone on their stand has got the elevator pitch down pat.

A little preparation can go a long way to helping visitors orientate themselves as to usefulness.

(Don't get me started about blokes sitting at a table looking at their laptop when they should be standing up and welcoming you to their stand...pet hate).

Interesting, and I can see your point.

Going with a specific agenda or on the lookout for specific products is the way to go, and if you don't find what you're looking for then it's obviously going to be a bit underwhelming.

I thought there was some pretty neat things this year, and overall the quality was good. Some of the forward looking stuff caught my eye (open banking has huge potential that I'm still trying to get my head round), and it was good to some good competition opening up around practice management, reporting, and alternative finance.

So, horses for courses really. Perhaps it just wasn't your year?

Can't say I have. Mind you Radio to me is all R4, 6Music and what can only be described as the Radio 2 of Metal that is Planet Rock.

On a serious note - the efforts made by software companies to promote their products direct to business is important. Not for potentially taking business away from firms (as some quickly suggest I'm sure) but for encouraging adoption of good financial admin.

I like the new site. Much of an improvement in most areas!

OK there are bits that fall off, and some annoying nails that need nailing back in, and the carpet needs a look at...but these get fixed.

Some of the biggest improvements has to be around how it looks on my phone, and having a search facility that works.

I struggle still with finding some recent content however and have to refer back to the newswires for links - so by no means perfect.

The community aspect is essential to AW and I hope everyone keeps pitching in, but perhaps there could be more done to encourage some others to get involved too?

I also sympathise with some of the comments around content, but I think this is to do with finding the right substance rather than display.

I think i recall exactly the same kinds of comments in the last major redesign...and the one before that...and...

Rod Drury and/or Gary Turner for turning the profession on it's head.

Google is obvious choice

I agree with NRW - Google Apps For Work is brilliant. You can load it with two factor authentication, great integrations, easy to connect to your email domain, plenty of support out there too. https://apps.google.com/intx/en_uk/

CRM or PM

Good points made by @RedFive 

CRM as opposed to PM.

If it's pretty straight forward contact and opportunity management then you can also look at http://www.hubspot.com/crm/ which is free (with some obvious low price upgrades) and from a reliable vendor. Reporting is a little basic but robust integrations with outlook, gmail etc, and good features when combined with http://www.getsidekick.com/ email tracking tool.

Good Answers...

Both great answers.

I've written on this also on AW recently and would echo much of what is said previously.

Buyers view -  https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/article/practice-ma-buyer-s-view/572612

General market view - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/article/practice-ma-state-market/572050

Sellers view due shortly.

Perhaps the only area I would add a slight note of difference is around multiples. The range seems to be 0.6 to 1.1 with just under 1 being about the going rate - but as JAADAMS points out this has a lot to do with the specifics of the firm (location and state of the internal systems).

I do think there is scope to negotiate the shape of the deal, and you won't do anything that you're not comfortable with. Timings, percentages, and claw back are all area for good negotiation.

Interestingly one of the critical factors that came up in every interview was around culture. Buying a practice that you believe already shares many common values and approaches helps make the process of integration, migration and client retention that much more effective.

I'd definitely go, Not least as you'll have a better understanding of whether or not you actually have the appetite for it.

Good luck!