ICAEW is modernizing and it looks good

Last week’s blogging was very light but then I traipsed all over central London, shot hours of video, some of which I published here, others I published elsewhere and some of which I am still editing. The highlight of the normal working week – other than seeing family that is – was my trip to ICAEW at Chartered Accountants’ Hall. Who would have thought that after all the grief I’ve heaped on them the last few years?

Among other things, I recorded a session with Mark Lee where we briefly debated the merits (or otherwise) of new technology. It was filmed in the ‘old’ library, a fantastic piece of architecture albeit out of touch with today’s modern working methods. I hope they preserve it – not as a relic but as a private meeting room and video shooting location for those who want a background that oozes history and gravitas.

My delight came in seeing the new library (pics above swiped from ICAEW Business Centre site.) The reception and coffee areas are perfectly proportioned, it has free wifi, acres of terminals through which users can gain access to the internet and of course, the Institute’s cavernous library resources. Some I spoke with were a bit grumpy about the lack of immediately obvious private meeting facilities but that didn’t prevent Mark Lee and I from enjoying a pre-shoot discussion around a couple of the terminals. Like any similar establishment, it’s about moderating the volume in consideration of others.

The combination of what’s happening with the physical infrastructure, the opening up of the various communities and the recent redesign of the main website should be pointers to where professional support is going. The challenge now is to encourage engagement with the members.

Mark has said that the tax library is one of his most important resources. In its new threads, it is a place where members should feel comfortable. Some will miss the old look but that is more than compensated for by the 21st century facilities. It is something of which members should feel proud and will be rewarded through use.

I’m also pleased to announce that the Institute has chosen to renew my community engagement through the end of the year. We have lofty aims which present special challenges in the current economy. Even so, I have a feeling the remainder of 2009 will be an interesting year.

Of course none of this gets the Big Four off my particular hook but that’s a separate story.

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Tagged as: Chartered Accountant, Mark Lee