Guest Speaking & Session Leading
I want people to leave a session thinking,
“Okay then, that was time well spent”.
Why should I speak at your next event?
Or host on your behalf at an event where you want your presence felt?
Value
I’m a pretty smart cookie, but there are lots of folks smarter than me.
Where I bring value is through experience. And relatability.
I built an “ideal client” niche branding business 30 years ago, I have been using systems and best practices in my businesses for all of those years. I’ve been embracing technology to create them for almost as long. My love of tech spread to the Cloud at least 20 years ago, and I adopted Cloud Accounting SaaS in 2012 – warts and all.
So while I’m not a genius, I’m certainly confident in these business principles and now enjoying the benefits of it all. I’m long past “why” and am loving the outcomes of the “how”.
Who am I? What do I pride myself on?
I don’t think of myself as a “speaker”.
In large main stage sessions or small breakout groups, I strive to facilitate sessions on topics for education, engagement and discussion.
I want participants to feel a part of the experience – to ask questions, provide input and challenge ideas.
I don’t want anyone to feel they are there to listen to me yaw on. I want them to know we are all in this together, this is “our session” not mine. But I am fully capable of bringing a session back on topic if it starts to stray.
Above all, I am genuine. “I is who I is”. Which I believe makes me relatable to my peers.
Ideal Session Participants
Engaged accountants, bookkeepers and SMBs who believe in the mightiness of Cloud Technology, especially FinTech.
Although they may be frustrated with ineffectiveness – don’t know how to start or need to take it to the next level – they are committed to embracing it and taking action to implement it in their business.
I can pivot
If the content isn’t resonating or mismatched to the group, I can change tracks pretty quickly and adapt to the group.
I had an Intuit advanced session that turned out to be a fairly “fresh to the cloud” group. We moved to discuss how to use the internet, the app ecosystem and the benefits of a second monitor rather than advanced tips & tricks for apps and QBO.
I love building out engaging decks but I can wing it pretty well too
My decks are not intended to “be the session”, they are to facilitate the session.
Connect TO 2018 I was to be facilitating a small round table group. Turned into 3 full blown larger sessions with no agenda, no deck or tech at all. No panic, it was fun and interactive all the same.
I only present on topics I am passionate, experienced and have a depth of knowledge about
Where there is value to others. Where I have taken my lumps and learned how to create effects that can benefit others. Where someone can take me a little off-topic, challenge me or pose scenarios I didn’t see coming and still intelligently & confidently discuss the topic.
The topics I love to share benefit not only those in our sessions but people around them.
Whether it’s their team, their clients or their vendors… the reach of my sessions are intended to enhance relationships, not simply individuals.
The topics I do love I’m really passionate about
How they can help accounting professionals, SMBs and their clients experience effectiveness and joy in their businesses.
Cloud-based tech stacks, internal and client-facing – I’m gigging on it
Value statements, business visions and creating ideal client profiles – love this
Optimizing relationships, setting expectations and creating boundaries – yes!
Cloud security best practices and technology to power it - I go on & on about this
Creating best practices, processes, systems and workflows and the tech that powers them – heck yes
Google, QBO, third-party apps, practice management apps – definitely
I know my limits. I won’t share on a topic I’m not well versed in
Value pricing – no
Hiring, training and retaining team members – no
Cryptocurrency – not a chance
Microsoft, MYOB – nope
Want to know more of what I believe in?
I’m super social – in real life and online.
I have a Facebook group with over 4,500 members and growing, The Workflow Wateringhole.
It’s a closed group, but you are welcome to join.
Apps and consultants - if you want to post or reply in my group, you need to schedule a discovery session with me first.
Interested in having me speak for you?
Or email me at kellie@calmwaters.ca