Ceridian's first Tax Training Conference a resounding success
November 1, 2007
 By Web Hill, senior vice president of Ceridian Tax Services |
| For the 54 Ceridian tax customers who gathered in Newport Beach, California in late September, our first tax training conference was a unique opportunity to "Learn More at the Shore." The customer group included representatives from some of the nation's largest and most sophisticated organizations. These professionals came together to share best practices, to learn how to make the most of the Ceridian tax solutions they use and to gain fresh insight about trends that could impact the tens of thousands of employees they represent.
A conference precisely designed to meet specific needs I was not surprised that 100 percent of conference attendees surveyed said they would recommend the tax training conference to others. This kind of attendee satisfaction rating is no accident. In order to determine the structure and offerings for our first tax training conference, we surveyed more than 100 of our largest standalone customer accounts. At the level of the enterprise at which these tax professionals operate, the challenges are substantial. The complexities of the environment can be daunting. Our pre-event survey provided valuable feedback. Our customers told us exactly what they wanted to learn and precisely how they expected us to help them. And we built the conference around those needs and desires. That's what it means to develop strong partnerships. Serious business, delightful surprises The "Learn More at the Shore" tax training event was hosted by Ceridian's Tax Account Executive Team and included over five hours of tax training. Sessions on periodic, quarterly and year-end processing provided conference attendees with an overview of each process, then delved deep into the details that can make all the difference for large, complex organizations and the professionals that lead their payroll tax initiatives. A special hands-on lab session for Source Tax Online gave everyone an opportunity to explore the nuances of this powerful solution, including verification of master file data and quick researching of liabilities, deposits and funding activity. We were pleased to have Jim O'Connell join us as a key presenter. As Ceridian's top government relations expert, Jim shared great insight about compliance trends for 2007-2008. This is the kind of information that can provide real benefit to tax professionals who need to keep their finger on the pulse. Changes in Washington D.C. can mean changes across the nation, and our customers require timely information if they're going to be proactive on behalf of their companies and their employees. One of the highlights of the event was the "training and tour" of Ceridian's Fountain Valley facility, where attendees were given the opportunity to meet with Ceridian executives and their customer service representatives. "Nearly a third of those who attended the conference have been Ceridian customers for more than six years. And some had worked with us for 15 years or more. When they finally got into that room and met their customer service person face-to-face for the first time, the energy was amazing. There were hugs all around. What a great moment! It really brought home to all of us just how personal our relationship is. A chance to network with the best The tax training conference wrapped up with round table discussions that gave customers the chance to break out into smaller groups. Shelley Ralstin, a Ceridian product manager, led a discussion that focused on needs and priorities for future tax enhancements. Ceridian Systems Consultant Russ Vollmer presented an overview of best practices for customers who currently use our Source Data Manager application and Jim O'Connell led an open forum to continue the discussion on 2007/2008 compliance trends. The breakout sessions were sensational. When you get that caliber of tax professional in the room with their peers along with a Ceridian expert whose knowledge is both broad and deep, great things happen. The level of involvement was wonderful. New insights were developed -- and new friendships were forged -- right then and there. Onward and upward We are very pleased that our first tax training conference was so well received. With 100 percent of our customers reporting they were extremely satisfied with our efforts, we knew they'd received the precisely targeted training they desired. It was extremely gratifying for everyone concerned. Our whole team looks forward to expanding the conference in 2008 in response to feedback from our customer group, because we realize more than ever that these tax professionals are always learning, always evolving. I believe everyone left this year's conference with a new understanding of just how powerful true partnership can be. Web Hill is senior vice president of Ceridian Tax Services. Since his transition from Ceridian's RPS business in 2006, he has focused on a goal of evolving the tax business to being second to none in the industry. Hill had more than 20 years experience as a banker and broker before joining Ceridian. |
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