September 2004 Circle Update
August was a peak month for Circle activity. Within a three week span Circles 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 all met in Kansas City. As always, it was a time of great sharing, exchanging of lessons learned, best practices, and thought provoking discussions.
While it is impossible in this short space to recap everything that happened, there were several highlights spread across the meetings. Some of the innovative practices discussed included electronic employee evaluations, using survey software and digital record keeping. Two Circles discussed their billing processes, including ways in which they were converting at least in part to electronic "paperless" processes. Efficiencies and best practices were a recurring theme, as several circles focused on exactly how they were improving their efficiencies by using many of the tools and techniques currently available. These ranged from the use of audit automation software such as ProSystem Engagement or CaseWare to the use of AuditWatch.
Two Circles called upon some of their most skillful IT professionals to demonstrate common, easily exploited vulnerabilities of networked computers. The take-home teaching point was the importance of user education to avoid careless keyboard actions which could compromise the user's computer to a malicious intruder. Finally, one Circle enjoyed an enthusiastic presentation from a firm Learning Coordinator who showed the importance of developing and sustaining a learning culture within the firm, and the positive results it returns.
There will be a short break now, leading up to the Circle 6 meeting later in September, and Circle 4 in October. As we move towards the final round of meetings for 2004 this would be a great time to "try out" a Circle meeting if you haven't already done so. If you're not yet a member of this dynamic group of the best getting better, together, then contact Eric Hunt at 888-266-6375, or erich@boomer.com. Hope to see you at a Circle meeting soon!