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 25 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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 5,200 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
QBConnect 2023
Xerocon New Orleans 2022 - Aussies and Canadians only allowed in this photo :-}
Intuit Thrive Toronto 2016 - Hockey Hall of Fame quick pic with Plooto and Intuit team members
Jeff Cates - Head of Canada at Intuit Thrive Toronto 201
QBConnect San Jose when AIS of Burlington won Firm Of The Future 2017
Touring Mountain View Intuit offices 2017
Hector Garcia - QBConnect San Jose 2016
I had a moment with Roberta Bondar!
CPB Canada Ignite 2018 panel discussion with the awesome Juliet Aurora, Tanis Young and Marnie Stretch
Canada represented at QBConnect San Jose 2018 - Andrew Wall, Tiffany Stewart, Jennifer Bauldic, Dawne Leaney Davidson, Bill Kennedy
Workshop at QBConnect Toronto 2018 where I had to improvise with no tech :-} I look very serious, but I hardly doubt I was
QBConnect Toronto 2018 fun
The Intuit International Trainer Writer annual photo - QBConnect San Jose 2018
QBConnect Toronto 2019 - Full day workshop, that's alot of Kellie!
Presenting with Rewind's Mike Potter for QBConnect Toronto 2019
The Intuit International Trainer Writer annual photo - QBConnect San Jose 2019
Fun at an afterparty - who doesn't love the after parties!
Friendies at CPB Canada's Ignite 2019
Appy Hour Camp 2022
QBConnect Toronto 2019 presentation - you get a Zap and you get a Zap with Brian Clare
Hanging out with Client Hub and Paul Burns - QBConnect San Jose 2019
Matt Kanas, Brian Clare and I yukking it up at QBConnect Toronto 2018 before our tech talk presentation
QBConnect San Jose - bugging my Practice Ignition partners Ryan and Trent
Funning around town after hours with Sherri-lee Mathers at QBConnect 2017
QBConnect Toronto 2018 - one of us is just a tad short - or maybe they are tall? The Tall Paul's of Waypay.
Grabbing a hug from the Hubdoc Jamies - QBConnect San Jose 2019
Accounting Web Live Summit - San Diego May 2022 - quite a group of amazing women I get to hang about with!
CPB Ignite 2023
QBConnect San Jose 2016 with Jeff Cates and the Hubdoc crew
Just me and an astronaut - QBConnect Toronto 2019
QBConnect San Jose 2017 - why so serious Kellie, you're hanging with some pretty cool gals!
QBConnect 2023 Ignition PreCon
CPB Canada Ignite 2018 - they love a hoedown in Calgary!
Gal pals at QBConnect Toronto 2017
Intuit head honchos deep in thought 2017 QBConnect Toronto
Andrew Wall and me - channeling our 12 year old inner selves - QBConnect Toronto 2017
Canadian early cloud accounting adopters QBConnect 2016
QBConnect Canada 2022 virtual meetup.
Scaling New Height Ft Worth 2021 - the first live event in a hella long time!
SNHs Oct 2022 dinner fun with friends
Xerocon New Orleans 2022 with Auvenier
Xerocon New Orleans 2022 Ignition Party
Xerocon New Orleans 2022 Wrap Up with Shane Mason, Nayo Carter Grey, Jennie Moore & Megan Tarnow
CPB Ignite 2023
Accountex Toronto 2023
Scaling New Heights 2023 at the Financial Cents booth.
Canadian TWNs QBConnect Las Vegas 2022
David Leary was my "date" for an after party.
Intuit Canada rapid prototyping 2023
FreshBooks fun at Accountex Toronto 2022
Friendies!
Our Ideal Client Panel team QBConnect Las Vegas 2022
The OG of cloud accounting in Canada - Ryan, Chad and one of the Jamies
2016 Hubdoc event at our home - a super fun day!
Fun at QBConnect Las Vegas 2023 afterparty
A great group of cloud accounting fans Xerocon 2022
The "Mamas" after their $1,000 win from the Financial Cents draw at QBConnect 2023.
One of my QBConnect Las Vegas 2023 presentations.
Michael Wood of Translucent - Xercon Nashville 2024
TaxRetreat 2024
TaxRetreat 2024
TaxRetreat 2024
TaxRetreat 2024