2. Biz Network June 2021 39-80.qxp_Chamberlink 01/06/2021 09:09 Page 62
TRAINING
Stepping up as a leader in challenging times In the May edition of Business Network, Chamber business training manager Vicki Thompson (pictured) spoke about how managing teams has changed in a remote world. This time, she turns her attention to how business leaders are coping with all the responsibilities, concerns and worries that come with running a company in the same virtual environment – as well as where they can turn when in need of support at the top. “Leadership should provide great satisfaction seeing a vision come to life,” believes Scott Knowles, chief executive of the Chamber when asked to define what this important business characteristic means to him. Meanwhile, employee engagement specialist Best Companies, which runs the Best Companies to Work For lists, says: • Leaders support engagement of teams • Leaders drive forward how the workforce feels • Leaders have a strong impact on wellbeing • Good wellbeing is a product of the leadership culture • The culture at the top of an organisation supports what activity goes on throughout the rest of the company Picking through this list, you can almost feel the responsibility on your shoulders. Leadership is the
ability to impart knowledge – sharing your vision, influencing people and guiding your teams. It is also about establishing a clear vision, sharing that vision with others and ensuring there is a willingness for others to follow. Throughout the pandemic, leaders have found themselves in positions they could never have prepared for, both in terms of professional and personal challenges. The way in which we communicate with our teams is now more vital than ever. We have become more reliant on technology and, therefore, personal communication has become increasingly important. If you are sat there wondering, “am I doing this right?” then don’t worry as there is support and guidance available for you, including at the Chamber. Here, I’ll explain the training courses we run and how they can help.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSES LEADERSHIP IN ACTION (FRIDAY 18 JUNE) We’ve all heard the new leadership terms such as “agile” and “pivot”, but what do they actually mean for the modern-day leader – and how do you bring about a culture where change is seen as a positive, while managing and balancing risk? This is a half-day course is for experienced leaders at middle to senior level within their organisations, where results are dependent upon others. To book, visit bit.ly/3hIbLKZ
GETTING TO ‘YES’ (MONDAY 19 JULY) Most senior leaders would agree that being a highly-skilled and effective communicator is a cornerstone to a high-performing organisation. This course looks at the key components of effective communications for senior leaders. It highlights the common gaps or mistakes that can erode trust, as well as limit the progress and effectiveness, within a leadership role and the wider organisation. This half-day course is for senior managers and leaders who would like to take a look at new ways of communicating with their teams. To book, visit bit.ly/3hHGVCc The Chamber also has a number of courses that are specifically for leaders of a business, including our Director Development Programme – the next of which begins on 12 October. We also run an ILM Level 7 and ILM Level 5 courses, as well as our new virtual presentation skills course. A full list can be found at bit.ly/3oA3t9z
Free peer-to-peer support available for SMEs The second phase of the Peer Network Programme will begin this month – giving SMEs a support mechanism to reach the next level. Delivered by the Chamber’s peer networks team in conjunction with the D2N2 Growth Hub, it offers free peer-to-peer support for businesses across various sector and demographics. Individuals are placed into diverse cohort groups to collaboratively work through common issues using interactive action learning guided by expert facilitators. Participants can also discuss challenges while sharing feedback with each other within a
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trusted support network before implementing practical solutions to overcome challenges. While the scheme is fully funded and free for participants, it requires a time commitment of about 18 hours over the duration. Almost 300 SMEs were supported in the first phase of the scheme between January and March, including Chesterfield-based Original Recipes. Director William Sutherland said: “I really enjoyed being part of a small proactive network of like-minded people. I felt my contribution was valued and suggestions were taken on board. People’s positive perception of
myself and my business provided me with a real confidence boost to move forward, and make important decisions based on our discussions.” Cohort groups for the next Peer Network Programme include sectors such as hospitality, visitor economy, manufacturing and food and drink, as well as other groups such as womenowned businesses, and high-growth sales or digital companies. For more information, complete an expression of interest form at bit.ly/3wpLJjS
