On 7^th July 2021, Sage hosted a free, virtual experience tailored to UK SMEs. The jam-packed event featured 5 keynote sessions presented by June Sarpong, including a fascinating chat with TV’s SAS: Who Dares Wins Jason Fox, a variety of on-demand content and the Sage Impact Award winners were announced.

What did I miss?

The first keynote of the day was ‘Competing on the world stage, Backing British Business’.

Business leaders came together to discuss our future, trends in innovation and talent, and insight into upcoming legislation.

Featuring:

• Tony Danker, Director-General, CBI
• Emma Jones CBE, Founder, Enterprise Nation
• Paul Struthers, Managing Director, UKI, Sage

1. Small business owners are more focused and aware of their finances
2. They’re more digitally savvy
3. Mental resilience has improved. If they can get through this they can get through anything!

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

Next up was ‘Doing good and doing well, the magic of a purpose-led business’.

Featuring:

• Amanda Cusdin, Chief People Officer, Sage
• Arthur Kay, founder of Skyroom
• Sam Watson-Jones, Founder, Small Robot Company

Having a purpose can drive business performance, make communities more prosperous, provide more job opportunities and champion diversity.

#SageSessionsOnline – Doing good and doing well, the magic of a purpose-led business

Really interesting discussion with @arthurkay_, @AmandaCusdinHR and @samjwj about how having a purpose can help you attract talent and increase sales.

Does your business have a clear purpose? pic.twitter.com/aiR6OucbXV

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

Next on the agenda was the Sage Impact Awards presented by Fearne Cotton and Paul Struthers. Celebrating accountants, bookkeepers and business owners who went above and beyond over the past year.

Congratulations to all the winners:

It’s finally time to announce the winners of our #SageImpact awards! Check out the below thread 👇

Good luck to all nominees! #SageSessionsOnline🏆💚

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

🏆 New Practice Award 🏆

Congratulations to… Accrual World Accounting Solutions! 💚#SageSessionsOnline #SageImpact pic.twitter.com/1LVkEcKwR1

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

🏆 Apprentice of the Year Award 🏆

Congratulations to…

Emma-Jane Howell – HL & W Limited
George Moss – Bee Motion#SageSessionsOnline #SageImpact pic.twitter.com/KuJXSgdIvX

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

🏆 Community Hero Award 🏆

Congratulations to… Tregonning and Co Ltd! 💚#SageSessionsOnline #SageImpact pic.twitter.com/7OBokE6MjH

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

🏆 Adaptability Award 🏆

Congratulations to… Colart! 💚#SageSessionsOnline #SageImpact pic.twitter.com/pMEXOOyAZs

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

🏆 Community Business Hero Award 🏆

Congratulations to… @anparioplc! 💚#SageSessionsOnline #SageImpact pic.twitter.com/msQArQW6ok

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

🏆 Accounting Practice Of The Year Award 🏆

Congratulations to… @InfinityABDN! 💚#SageSessionsOnline #SageImpact pic.twitter.com/AkEfxVSKES

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

🏆 Bookkeeper/Bookkeeping Practice of the Year Award 🏆

Congratulations to… @CPYBookkeeping! 💚#SageSessionsOnline #SageImpact pic.twitter.com/dKvOgJ9aKU

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

🏆 Environmental Impact Award 🏆

Congratulations to… @CrowWoodLeisure! 💚#SageSessionsOnline #SageImpact pic.twitter.com/7nBtYnNRtU

— Sage UK (@sageuk) July 7, 2021

The 3rd keynote, ‘The future of work – how to win and retain the best teams ‘, commenced after a well-needed lunch break.

Featuring:

• Tom Cheesewright, Applied Futurist
• Aiofe Fitzmaurice, VP Organisation Design, Sage
• Jess Ratty, Founder, The Cornwall Camper Company and Halo Marketing & PR Communications
• Brandon Dean, Junior PR Executive, Halo Marketing & PR Communications

#SageSessionsOnline – The future of work – how to win and retain the best teams

Some great hiring advice from the panel…

1. Hire people who are authentic and genuinely believe in what you do – @_Jessification_ pic.twitter.com/kQk1XCIKvS

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

2. Hire people who are values-driven and think creatively about place and time to access a diverse range of candidates. – @fitzaoife1

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

3. Businesses need people who can curate, discover and qualify information, create and innovate and communicate. People who tick these boxes will be an asset to any business. – @bookofthefuture

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

The penultimate keynote was ‘The future of finance – elevating the work of humans’.

This conversation led by financial thought leaders focused on how a future built on digitalisation and automation will lead to a hotbed of innovation, increased business velocity and will enable you to meet generational consumer demands.

Featuring:

• Aaron Harris, CTO, Sage
• Oliver Prill, CEO, Tide
• Mike Psaras, GPMA Chartered Accountants

#SageSessionsOnline – The future of Finance – elevating the work of humans

The sky’s the limit when we reduce the admin burden! – @junesarpong pic.twitter.com/SSaQN0HNQt

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

@MikePsaras explained the role of an Accountant is evolving to become more advisory, providing holistic advice on how businesses can operate better.

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

What’s the future of FinTech?

Businesses don’t operate in silos, they operate in communities. Technology needs to facilitate those connections, leverage human relationships and build confidence in supply chains. @AaronRHarris

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

To finish this full day of insightful talks and discussions, June Sarpong interviewed TV’s SAS: Who Dares Wins Jason Fox about building resilience for long term success.

#SageSessionsOnline – Building resilience for long term success@junesarpong had a fantastic chat with @jason_carl_fox about resilience. Here are our key takeaways:

1. People need to allow themselves time and space to work out why they feel a certain way and learn from it. pic.twitter.com/5nj4yoDg7q

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

2. It’s important to be emotionally aware. Explore why you feel a certain way instead of pushing it to one side.
Slow everything down to figure out the best course of action.

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

3. Knowledge dispels fear. Investing in learning and development leads to high performance.

People who are willing to learn from difficult times are those who will go on to successfully grow their businesses.

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

4. What part does failure play in success?@jason_carl_fox believes failure and success are one and the same thing. Failure is the only way you really learn to develop, it’s not a negative, it’s a positive. Don’t be afraid to fail.

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

5. How we bounce back from failure or move forward from success is really important. Evaluating what went right and wrong can help you learn and develop.
Rather than just moving on quickly after failure or success, take the time to think ‘how do we make it better next time?’

— Prosys Computing (@prosyscomputing) July 7, 2021

As well as this packed agenda there was also a series of sessions available on-demand including one on the Sage 200 product strategy and roadmap, and another focused on what manufacturing leaders need to consider when embarking on digital transformation.