First Intuition Think Tank (FITT) forums
In these unprecedented times, the ever-changing situation continues to affect employers in a way they haven’t done in the past. As a result, we have organised a continuing series of First Intuition Think Tank forums. Generally speaking, we will discuss the topics which are repeatedly affecting businesses right now. These topics are those we feel are most relevant to employers that we work with. Expert speakers will share their experiences on these topics and point us to real-world case studies.
Below you will find the schedule for our first four FITT forums for 2021 and a summary of what the sessions will cover.
Recruiting the ‘COVID Generation’ – Wednesday 17th February 8.30am to 10am
This forum will explore the impact the pandemic has had on young adults. As well as the allowances that will be required in recruiting the coming cohort of school/college leavers to account for lost learning and skills development opportunities. Not only will they have suffered huge disruption to their education for in excess of 12 months. They will have had extremely limited opportunities for early work experience in the hospitality and retail sectors. They will also have seen extra-curricular employer outreach and career activities disappear. We will consider how the skill sets of these young adults are likely to differ from our normal expectations. As well as how their CV’s might look and what their exam grades may or may not mean.
Guest speakers including Form the Future, AstraZeneca, Leeds City Council, and Long Road Sixth Form College will form a balanced panel exploring the impacts on the different parties involved, from employer to student.
The Role of Data Analytics in Accountancy – Wednesday 24th March 8.30am to 10am
Digitisation, automation, and Artificial Intelligence are revolutionising the way that financial transactions are recorded. They are also transforming the way that data can be interrogated, analysed, and presented to aid better business decision-making. We will join leading experts in this rapidly growing field, including Inflo, the financial DA software that is now embedding into ICAEW exams.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace – Wednesday 5th May 2021 8.30am to 10am
Embracing diversity and inclusion, and providing equality go a long way in promoting a work culture that values talent beyond stereotypes. Moreover, an inclusive workplace fosters better productivity and efficiency, improves retention of staff, and can act as a major attraction during recruitment.

Onboarding the ‘COVID generation’ – Wednesday 9th June 2021 8.30am to 10am
Following on from the session in February, we will be looking at the additional support that employers and training providers should plan to offer to new hires affected by the pandemic to ensure that they smoothly transition into the workplace. This support to plug ‘COVID Skills Gaps’ is going to be particularly important to school and college leavers who will be studying AAT under the new syllabus being introducing in February 2022.
You can find a full archive of valuable insight from 2020’s First Intuition Think Tank forums here. Many of the discussions held last year are every bit as relevant now. Stay tuned for more information on First Intuition’s Think Tank forums for 2021.