Que Sera, Sera in 25 Years

Que Sera, Sera in 25 Years

Last week, Jim Bourke and I made a presentation to the CPA members of the WS+B Partners’ Network about business trends for the next 25 years.  Jim is Partner-in-Charge of our technology and is recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People In Accounting by Accounting Today.

The program started by some 1987 music accompanying a list of many things we take for granted today that did not exist 25 years ago.  This included faxes, internet and email, lap tops and iPads®, iTunes®, QuickBooks® and Turbo Tax®, cell phones, scanners, paperless procedures, DVDs, portability and the cloud, multiple monitors, limited liability companies and the euro.  Great changes occurred and the accelerated pace questions how the face of business will look in 2037.

Included in Jim’s presentation were BYOD and BYOB – Bring Your Own Device and Behavior – technology where employees can use their own mobile devices full access of company resources, enterprise mobility management, technology convergence empowerment, remote wipe device encryption and management tools, iPhone® “magic,” scan and populate software eliminating data entry procedures including tax return input by accountants, virtual office utilization and benefits and costs of Cloud based services.  Jim showed how this cutting edge technology can be applied to better serve clients.  He fielded many thoughtful questions with agility and thoroughness leaving the attendees, including me, simply spellbound.  We had a real treat from the person responsible for the state of the art technology at WS+B.

My part in the program included identifying trends in the essential areas of staffing, firm management, client services, and business development.  The handout is available by emailing me, but you had to be there to get the full benefit of the knowledge and insight that was shared with the participants, particularly by Jim.

While the program was geared toward future trends it was pointed out that new trends are popping up overnight and with accelerated growth a new standard can develop within only one or two years.  It is important to be sensitive to changes and open minded to early adoption to maintain stability if not growth.  Clients are looking for value and in today’s world that includes speed of delivery with pinpoint accuracy and relevance, being up-to-date with new technology and having the creativity to apply it to your business.

Considering the changes during the previous twenty-five years and the present acceleration of innovative ideas, we have a lot to look forward to in the many tomorrows to come.