They say the early bird catches the worm and new technologies like Xero online accounting are helping entrepreneurs identify and respond to market trends.

Xero is a web-based accounting system that provides a complete, easy to understand, picture of your business' financial information at all times. Being web-based, it offers real time information and is accessible from any web browser, including your iPhone or Blackberry.

For small business owners who've been managing their accounts on spreadsheets or complicated systems, Xero's web-based accounting software is a breath of fresh air. The online accounting system has been specially designed to be as easy to use as a computer game, but still have the financial power to prepare end of year accounts.

Personal trainer Hamish Abbie decided to move to Xero's web-based accounting system because it was the only package he found that gave him big picture information about where the business is at. He says the budget manager has been invaluable in helping him forecast and prepare for seasonal ups and downs with special promotions and events.

"Having real time financial information always available in Xero makes it easy for me to see how my business is performing and what parts of the business need more work. You just don't get that from a spreadsheet," he says.

With the business growing rapidly, the financial demands of the business are becoming more complex. Thanks to online accounting and Xero, Hamish is better informed than ever. And he's spending less time on his accounts and more time with customers.