Technology has given rise to many possibilities for digital business; the global market, the paperless office, and the virtual worker to name but a few. But are these simply aspirations for SMEs or are they a reality already?
Well, UK accountancy practice, Richard Place Dobson has long since embraced the paperless office and for the past three months one of their senior practice accountants, Jennifer Watson, has worked for this UK firm from her home in the south-east of Ireland. This interview looks at how virtual working actually works, both from the perspective of the employer and the employee.
The New World of Work
In 2011, Microsoft commissioned a study which interviewed 1,500 workers across 15 European countries on their attitudes towards flexible working. This study led Microsoft to develop their thinking on the workplace of the future, entitled “The New World of Work.
In practical terms, Microsoft believes that we are moving very quickly from flexible working to a New World of Work, in which redesigned offices and the latest technology facilitate even greater flexibility. This makes our working lives easier and more manageable. This New World of Work as envisaged by Microsoft is about people, places and technology and we look at how this all pans out in real life in the interview below.
First, I interviewed Philip Hayden, a Director of Richard Place Dobson.
Tell me a little bit about the practice, Philip.
We are located in Crawley, West Sussex in England. The firm has four directors and a further twenty-four employees. Our services are fairly typical for an accountancy firm in general practice. We offer services in relation to accounts, audit, tax, bookkeeping, payroll, start-ups, business plans and charities. Our clients are mainly in the areas of engineering, construction,
