Goal Setting and Personal Achievement

Goal Setting and Personal Achievement.

At CTCW there is a strong emphasis on staff development. We provide comprehensive in-house training, ensure the staff attend courses put on by the Accountant’s Institute, IceHouse and other organisations that specialise in developing the right knowledge for your staff. We also like to help our staff develop personally. We recently had John Shackleton (http://www.johnshack.com.au/profile.asp) speak to our staff about Goal Setting and Personal Achievement. Everyone came away with a buzz from an afternoon session that had every single person there thinking about what they want and how they can get it. It was an infectious environment, with people setting goals, putting in place rewards (for achieving the goal) and consequences (for not achieving), and even supporting each other in pursuing the goals.

Not one single bean was counted in the entire afternoon. This was an opportunity for our staff to develop themselves as individuals, not accountants. And they loved it! We will be getting John back again on the 24 March 2010, although this time it will be for our clients and their friends. The skills and techniques that John passes on assist not only with clearly defining what is important, but promote the drive and ability to achieve them. We would love to help you and your colleagues get the same buzz that we did at an inspirational event.

If you would like to be part of the Health Wealth and Happiness event please get in touch with me and I will make sure there is a spot for you. John is a superb speaker, being voted 2007 Speaker of the Year by NSANZ, and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Catch you next week

Lincoln

One persons junk is another persons treasure.

CTCW Garage Sale

As I have mentioned in a previous blog our staff have made South Auckland Health Foundation our principal charity for the 2010 financial year.  Although we contribute to many other worthwhile causes, our staff were keen to throw as much behind this excellent cause as possible.  We have undertaken many worthwhile projects so far, such as bucket rattling at the Auckland Warriors’ matches, knitting garments for newborn babies, cake and sweet sales in our offices, and pestering our clients for donations to our general cash fund which will be used to buy new equipment for the Pukekohe Maternity Hospital.  We aim to raise over $7,500 by 31 March next year ($4,100 collected so far).  Our latest initiative to generate more cash for this wonderful cause was a garage sale and sausage sizzle on Saturday, 31 October.  As well as being a great opportunity to pick up some excellent bargains, we had some super people helping by contributing funds to the baby phototherapy wrap for Pukekohe Maternity Hospital.  It kicked off from 8.00 am (although the bargain hunters were there from 6.45!) in the car park behind our building on 17 Hall Street.  Our staff made an amazing effort and we have raised close to $3,000 from the garage sale alone!!!  Thank you to all those who contributed their time, goods and cash.

Watch this space for an update on our target!

Lincoln

The Bean and The Coffee Bean

I’m going to have to run a poll on visitors to our office. We consistently get told we make wonderful coffee and even have clients who come in specifically to have a cup. It’s amazing what a hot drink (and caffeine!) can do for your disposition and state of mind. I think we would have a staff riot on our hands if our machine broke down! We also have an excellent business and personal development library in our reception that we make available to our clients. With the weather we have been having this October, there are worse things than sitting having a nice coffee and reading some interesting literature.

Good news in the paper this morning with employment starting an upward trend with more people leaving the unemployment benefit than signing up. Whether it is a seasonal thing or further evidence of an improvement in state of the economy is too soon to tell, but improving property prices (up a small percentage) will see some people with more of a “spring” in their step.

Have a great week.
Lincoln

A Stitch In Time, Saves Lives.

Choosing just one charity to support when there are so many worthy causes is not an easy task.  For us, South Auckland Health Foundation (SAHF) answered a lot of our criteria.  The Foundation raises funds which assists the community in which we live and is committed to improving all areas of health.  It is a charity that was established by the late Terry Harris (an ex-Partner of our Firm) and our ability to be involved has special meaning to a lot of our staff.   It is also a Charity where our support could be more than just financial.

 SAHF has a knitting programme and we have a small but dedicated number of staff (see our last MyAccountant newsletter!) who knit hats, booties and cardigans, supporting SAHF’s effort to ensure new born babies leave South Auckland Hospitals with warm clothes.

 Generalisations aside, our largely female staff contribute many pre-loved magazines to the cause.  These are used in waiting rooms in an effort to provide current reading material.

 SAHF is able to undertake some large fundraising events and is supported by the Auckland Blues and the Warriors.  Volunteers to “shake buckets” or assist at these events are always wanted.  CTCW staff have been able to volunteer their time at an Auckland Blues game and coming up will volunteer at a local event – “Kids in Cars” to be held at Pukekohe Raceway on 11 October 2009 (see our “Upcoming Events” on our website).

 CTCW are also committed to raising $7,500 this year to provide our local maternity hospital with much needed equipment.  We are achieving this by organising bake sales at work, a very successful auction and have a few projects in the pipelines, including a garage sale.

 Supporting SAHF allows all the staff at CTCW to contribute to our community and in doing so, fosters a sense of pride in what we are able to achieve.  IF you would like to join our effort, get in touch with our coordinator, Diane McLaughlin and see what we can do together.

 Have a great week.

Lincoln

And the Cow jumped over the moon.

I went to the Harrisville School Calf Club Day on Saturday and was blown away by the effort and enthusiasm that not only the children and parents throw in to the event, but also the local community.  It seems that everyone rolls up their sleeves for the Big Day and mucks in.  The kids clearly love it as they get to take Mum and Dad to school, show off their artwork and parade their pets in public. Not even the weather could dampen spirits, people moved in to the Hall to look at the artwork, further bolstering the sales of the stalls as people took shelter. 

It is this community spirit and goodwill that has enabled the Franklin District to come through the Recession largely intact.  It also means we can look forward to the good times as well.  Our staff who attended the Day clearly enjoyed themselves and got involved.  Congratulations to Niki’s daughter Madisyn for her ribbons won on the day and good luck for the next event. 

Our staff get involved in many local community events, most obviously where directly involved as a Member.  It’s the beauty of living in the community we work with. 

We also contribute regularly to public causes such as South Auckland Health, the Cancer Foundation, Area Schools, Local Community Trusts and many other worthwhile causes.  In my next blog I will talk about our current initiative for South Auckland Health. 

Look forward to seeing you around town.

Lincoln

To bean or not to bean….

I don’t think the Earth has moved off its axis, but a Beanie is about to start using a blog!  A question I get asked sometimes is “what is it that Accountants really do?”.

   I think a lot of people have this picture in their heads of a bespectacled person sitting in a darkened room tapping numbers in to a calculator creating an ever-lengthening till tape.

  Although I have met that Accountant, that sort of person is glaringly absent from the Team at CTCW.  However this is my opinion and I feel duty bound to educate others on CTCW and the community we serve.  This blog seems like a great place to do it!  So strap yourself in, get your debits matching your credits (I’ll try to limit the Accountant humour) and follow me on a blog that will give you an insight in to the inner workings of an Accounting Firm.

Cheers

Lincoln

Starting the ball rolling soon!

This is our brand new blog, and I’m looking forward to adding my first post very shortly, so watch this space! In the mean time, take a look at CTCW’s new look website.