TradiePad Tafe NSW Tech Talk

Introduction

The speaker welcomes the audience and acknowledges the traditional owners of the land.

• The speaker welcomes the audience to the Tech Talk for 2018.

• The speaker acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which they are broadcasting from.

Introduction of Speaker

Nathan Rose introduces Clinton Cowan, who is a managing director for Trainee Pack, an entrepreneur, a plumber, and a technology trainer.

• Nathan Rose introduces Clinton Cowan as a managing director for Trainee Pack.

• Clinton Cowan is also an entrepreneur, plumber, and technology trainer.

Background of Speaker

Clinton Cowan talks about his background in education and work experience.

• Clinton Cowan studied at North Sydney TAFE many years ago.

• He has a background in plumbing and hydraulic engineering.

• He also has experience in digital photography and photo manipulation.

• Trading Pad was created by combining his skills learned from previous careers with his experience in construction.

Education Experience

Clinton Cowan talks about his education experience in plumbing and hydraulic engineering.

• Plumbing was his first experience with education after leaving school.

• He studied his apprenticeship at TAFE NSW.

• He also studied for his plumbing license, hydraulic engineering diploma, and restrict electrical license at TAFE NSW.

Creation of Trading Pad

Clinton Cowan talks about how he stumbled upon creating Trading Pad through wanting to use technology to run their plumbing business electronically.

• They wanted to run things electronically but traditional laptops and computers were not practical due to unstable internet connections.

• When the iPad was released it made it possible to have information go from one device to another.

• Cloud-based software allowed them to communicate from one side of Sydney to the other instantly with jobs, photos, and creating invoices.

• The mobile devices and cloud-based software provided the connection they were looking for.

• Clinton Cowan realized that this technology was going to change the construction industry.

Importance of Mobile Devices and Cloud-Based Software

Clinton Cowan talks about how mobile devices and cloud-based software changed the construction industry.

• The technology allowed for mobility which was important since they weren't sitting in an office all the time.

• The iPad was portable, had a sim card in it, and was easy enough to use with trainees with big plumbing fingers.

• The cloud allowed information to go from one device to another which made communication easier.

Introduction to the Training Organization

In this section, Clinton introduces his training organization and explains how they help businesses use technology.

What is the Training Organization?

• The organization is a training organization that trains techno trainees and service businesses on how to use technology and apps around their business.

• They take a modular approach to identify what a business needs and point them in the right direction.

• They do not create apps but rather focus on understanding what a business does and identifying which app will work for them.

Zero as a Starting Point

In this section, Clinton talks about Zero, an accounting package that runs finances for businesses. He explains how it was the first piece of software that made him realize there's more thought that goes into building the platform that runs a business.

How Zero Works

• Zero is an accounting package that runs finances for businesses exceptionally well.

• It has over 600 certified add-ons as part of its ecosystem, with another four or five hundred connecting into it.

• Other software developers can create things that connect into what Zero does through its API.

• The focus on integration makes it possible to customize or fit it to different needs.

Operational Software as Job Management System

In this section, Clinton talks about operational software as job management systems or project management systems. He explains how they become the app that runs on phones or iPads and are used as data collection points.

How Operational Software Works

• Operational software becomes the app that runs on phones or iPads and is used as data collection points.

• It's used to create customers, jobs, schedules, quotes, invoices, etc., feeding whatever it needs through to Zero.

• Cloud-based solutions have reduced double handling of information by achieving single entry of data.

• Integration and APIs make it possible to achieve a single entry of data.

Success Stories and Open-Minded Clients

The speaker discusses how their clients' success stories are a result of being open-minded and ready to embrace change. They also mention that they only work with clients who are ready to change.

Clients Who Are Ready to Change

• Clients who have an open mind and are ready to embrace something new are the ones that succeed.

• The speaker's clients come to them because they know there are other options out there, and they want guidance with it.

Supporting Growth

• The speaker's company supports their clients through growth by providing tools for their business, allowing them to take on more work, add more workers, and grow.

• Building a trusted network of advisors is essential for businesses. Tradespeople need support in areas like technology, accounting software, domain names, email addresses, etc.

Outsourcing Expertise

The speaker emphasizes the importance of outsourcing tasks that aren't your area of expertise. They discuss how small business owners wear many hats and may not have time or desire to learn everything themselves.

Outsourcing Accounting Software

• Small business owners should outsource tasks like bookkeeping and accounting software if it isn't their area of expertise.

• It's better to focus on what you do best and bill out hours while letting someone else take care of those tasks.

Building a Network

• Building a network of people you can call on is essential. Outsource parts of projects or jobs when necessary.

Advice for ICT Graduates

The speaker talks about growing a business that provides ICT solutions for businesses and gives advice to ICT graduates who may be interested in starting their own business.

Starting a Business

• The speaker's business idea came from wanting to teach others about the tools they put into their plumbing business.

• Starting a business requires an idea and putting it into action.

Entrepreneurship

• The speaker encourages ICT graduates to consider entrepreneurship instead of just getting a job with someone else.

• Being entrepreneurial means being open-minded, taking risks, and having a willingness to learn.

Building a Business and Staying Focused

In this section, the speaker talks about building a business and staying focused on core strengths.

Opening up to Change

• The speaker had to open up to change and accept help from others as they grew their business.

• Educating oneself about business structure is important when building a business.

Focusing on Core Strengths

• Don't try to solve everything at once. Focus on one thing that you understand well and excel at it.

• Stay focused on your core strength instead of trying to be all things to all people.

API First Approach

In this section, the speaker talks about the importance of an API first approach when building software.

Importance of API First Approach

• An API first approach is important because integration is everything.

• Focus on nailing the API first before building out the remainder of the software.

Being Ready for Change

In this section, the speaker talks about being ready for change in industries that are constantly evolving.

Preparing for Change

• Be ready for change because businesses that don't adapt will get left behind.

• Open your mind to new things and learning opportunities.

Introduction

Clinton Cowin talks about his experience in the industry and how technology-based solutions can help improve the personal lives of business owners.

Technology-Based Solutions for Business Owners

• Clinton's burning desire is to help the industry as a whole, one business at a time.

• Putting tools into businesses can have a massive impact on personal lives by reducing administration work and allowing more family and friend time.

• Technology helps with improving the professionalism of the industry as a whole.

• Tradies need to embrace technology to change their mindset from being just tradespeople to also being business people.

Conclusion

Clinton Cowin believes that technology-based solutions can help improve both the personal lives of business owners and the professionalism of the industry as a whole. By embracing technology, tradies can change their mindset from being just tradespeople to also being successful business people.