Xero wins best service innovation and ranks third on the 2018 AFR Most Innovative Companies list

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When you work in the technology industry in support of small business, there’s one thing you can never do: assume you know the answers. To create a positive impact, you have to constantly challenge your own theories, build new feedback loops, and be prepared to adjust to change.

It’s not always easy, but it’s important. When we can foster innovation on behalf of small businesses and their advisors, we get to help break down the most constraining barriers standing in their way – whether they’re social, geographical, technological, financial, or something else entirely.

That, to me, is what it means to be truly innovative. Which is why I’m so proud that Xero was awarded best service innovation for Xero Learn and named as number three on the list of the most innovative companies at the 2018 Financial Review Most Innovative Companies Awards Night in Sydney last night.

Assessing the impact of innovation

The AFR Most Innovative Companies list, now in its sixth year, ranks the 100 most innovative organisations in Australia and New Zealand, and is the only national, cross-industry list of its kind. It considers the way that companies nurture innovation, arrive at decisions, and create impact for their customers.

The judging panel considered the development process that led to our educational platform, Xero Learn, as a fitting example of such an initiative. Built to support the next generation of bookkeepers and accountants, it provides a hands-on learning experience in further education environments. As a result, it helps the community of Xero advisors find top-quality job-ready candidates who are primed to support small business.

“Congratulations to Xero on finishing third in the 2018 AFR Most Innovative Companies competition,” Nick Johnston, lead analyst for the awards said. “After being awarded the 2014 Most Innovative Company, it’s great to see Xero at the top of the list again. Keep up the amazing work and we look forward to seeing you up there in 2019 and beyond!”

Drive the conversation

No company can innovate in isolation, and Xero would be a very different platform if that’s how we made our decisions. It’s the fears, frustrations, ideas and experiences of our customers and partners that drive our roadmap – and we can’t wait to share the shape of things to come at our upcoming Xerocon conference in Brisbane.

Until then, I want to thank you again for your feedback, your questions, your curiosity and your passion. You help us to foster a more innovative future on behalf of small business.

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