Welcome to The Spotlight! We are so excited to shine a little light on the partners who have made the 2022 Equality Summit possible through their generous support. Equal Playing Field is a collective of change-makers from around the world, and it takes everyone from individual volunteers to corporate donors to fight for opportunity, equality, and respect within the world of sport.
NEXT UP: XERO
Do Beautiful Business
Words by by Kate Hayward, Operations Director at Xero
What does the phrase “equal playing field” mean to you and your organisation?
At the heart of Xero is helping small businesses; their communities and their advisors - crucially accountants and bookkeepers. We know that small businesses are a critical backbone to the economy and yet they don't have access to the same support (digital tools, subject matter experts, access to government, access to finances, commercial negotiation power) that large corporations often do. Equalling the playing field to us means not only supporting small businesses with their finances; providing software that is a given in medium and large businesses, but helping provide a unified voice to larger issues impacting all small businesses. Driving parity for small businesses across all that they do. But, we continue to know that real life happens in each and everyone one of our communities; an equal playing field is ensuring a combined small business voice is heard but each individual voice is listened to as well.
What do you wish to bring to the summit and the attendees, and what are you most looking forward to experiencing yourselves?
We want to create deeper relationships with small firms and communities that support the growth of the game. For women’s football to thrive, the financial viability of clubs is a key factor in ensuring they can provide the opportunities and the facilities to attract girls into the sport, developing them and nurturing that talent. That’s true at every level, starting with grassroots clubs.
So we really believe that better numbers off the pitch will deliver better numbers on it. We hope to use this summit as a platform to learn more and be part of that conversation.
What and/or who inspires you most to do the work that you do?
I think everyone at Xero has a small business at their heart.
For me, I saw first hand from my dad how being self employed and being part of the small business scene was extremely stressful. The ups and downs I remember vividly and how lonely it can be for so many small businesses. My brother is now a small business owner and I continue to see the stress that it has on people like him, and yet how vital they are to our society. Anything I can do to help small businesses I will, and everyone else at Xero is the same.
Why I love supporting football: I grew up in a time when football was more targeted for my brother; but the local club where he played was a family community. I imagine Cobham Colts FC was run on a shoestring (the out of date pick and mix was telling!) but it was run for the people; subs were paid by those who could, there was no judgement, just a place with no judgement, equal opportunities and a safe, supportive environment.
These clubs serve our communities - the people that run them (like John and Ann Greenstreet from Cobham) are the inspiration.
How do you measure success for your organisation? What would a successful summit experience look like?
For us it’s a combination of trust, insight and happiness. Without that they don’t succeed and without that we don’t grow. A successful summit for me looks like a chance to learn more about the women’s game and where we can help.
If you could impart a message of hope to a young woman athlete or entrepreneur who is just starting out, what would that be?
All of your lessons in sport and business will serve you well for life. How does this really break down for me? I was a gymnast for a number of years and so much of what I learnt then I still use now in my professional and personal life. My three “Aha!” moments...
Focus on the inputs; as a gymnast this was easy to forget as every bent toe and wobble was a deduction. You can control the inputs (in sport; nutrition, training, mental wellness) and in business (people, processes, technology). If you perfect the inputs, the outputs will come.
Do it together; sport and business can be lonely but they don't have to be. Find your tribe, trust your tribe and they will be all the hope and support you need in the good and the bad times
And with a smile; whatever happens, take a deep breath and smile. Smiling is infectious and you don't know who needs that smile today (you or someone else). I urge you all to smile to a stranger today
What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Don't sweat the small stuff - it is still a regular on my new year's resolutions. Being a gymnast and being trained to analyse every inch of performance means sometimes my younger and current self would lose sight of the bigger picture. Being a mum has made me let go in some ways but I would still say to anyone with a similar make up to myself; sometimes let go and remember that smile.
Which of your organisation’s recent achievements gives you a sense of pride and brings a smile to your face?
Xerocon is our annual conference. If you can imagine something like the Apple Developer conference, but in London, throw in 2,000 accountants, a whole load of software updates and a gigantic party, that’s what Xerocon is. The Sunday Times actually called it “Glastonbury for accountants”.
We held it again last week after a three year break, and it’s genuinely heart-warming when you hear customers telling you how Xero has made such a difference to so many of their small business clients. We’re helping them get on top of their finances and often that’s the difference for survival or for growth. So many businesses are living a hand to mouth existence right now, worrying about paying their bills or paying their staff and that’s not right. So to hear positive stories about how we’re making a difference is the affirmation we need.
It was actually quite profound and emotional getting everyone together again.
