7 minute read
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 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.
Last year’s winning line-up
Apprentices, entrepreneurs and STEM ambassadors are among those recognised at East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards this year.
Finalists have been announced for the 2021 awards, held in partnership with headline sponsor Futures Housing Group, across eight categories.
Alongside individual categories, topped off by the Business Woman of the Year, there are group awards including Small Business of the Year and Team of the Year.
The shortlisted individuals and companies will find out whether they have won at an awards ceremony on Friday 8 October, which is currently planned as a gala dinner in Nottingham.
It will be the headline event for the Enterprising Women network, which is co-chaired by Chamber president Eileen Richards MBE and past president Jean Mountain.
Eileen said: “The East Midlands is home to some fantastic success stories of enterprising women and it’s great to be able to celebrate the people, teams and businesses that help to make our region so great.
“These awards are a huge part of the Chamber calendar and we can’t wait for the big night, which we hope will be a physical celebration that we can all look forward to.”
Jean added: “As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Enterprising Women network next year, this is once again a very strong line-up in our awards shortlist.
“We’ve loved watching our finalists and winners in previous years go on to achieve great things, and I’m sure the class of 2021 will be no different.”
The finalists were announced at a special Enterprising Women event lon 20 May, in which guest speaker Lindsey Williams, group chief executive of Futures Housing Group, spoke about her career journey.
Lindsey said: “I’m delighted that Futures Housing Group is sponsoring the East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards for 2021.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to read through the nominations from women across the region and I’m pleased to say we have seen some outstanding nominees.”
ENTERPRISING WOMEN AWARDS 2021 SHORTLIST
BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY FUTURES HOUSING GROUP
Rowan Bradley, Children’s Therapy Solutions Natalie Bamford, Colleague Box Sandra Wiggins, DPI UK Jillian Thomas, Future Life Wealth Management Claire Twells, Smith Partnership Helen Wathall, Wathall’s Funeral Directors
FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY MIDLANDS ENGINE INVESTMENT FUND
Rachel Hayward, Ask the Chameleon Janice Holmes, Janice Rose Lingerie Iwona Lebiedowicz, PAB Languages Nicky Botham, Shed Grounds Maintenance Jaz Kaur, Fraser Stretton Estate Agents
SOCIAL COMMITMENT AWARD
SPONSORED BY PPL PRS
Bodie Hodges Foundation CR Civil Engineering Cross Productions Halo Recruit Hot House Music
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY UNIQUE WINDOW SYSTEMS
Access Training Balls2 Marketing
Breedon Consulting Shed Grounds Maintenance We Love Surveys
FEMALE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SMALLMAN & SON
Vicky Evans, Air Ambulance Service Ana-Andreea Covaliu, Design Studio Architects Hollie Newton, EMA Training Rosie McLaughlin, Embark Federation Matilda Swanson, Loates HR Consultancy
TEAM OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SHE INSPIRES (GLOBAL)
Astute Recruitment Cross Productions DPI UK Futures Housing Group RideWise
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO WORK IN STEM
SPONSORED BY PICK EVERARD
DPI UK Emh group JB Engineering Midland Lead Rail Forum
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY EMA TRAINING
Evie Smith, Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Brooke Dennis, Recruit 2 You Courtney Bower, Recruit 2 You Hannah Ward, Wytech Bethany Less, Xbite
People & Skills Summit to cover post-16 education reform
The Government’s latest plans for further education will be the hot topic of discussion during the main event in the Chamber’s upcoming People & Skills Week.
The People & Skills Summit 2021: The Skills Landscape Beyond Recovery will feature speakers from Government, further education and businesses giving an update on the post-16 education reform.
A white paper titled Plan for Jobs: Lifelong Learning for Opportunities and Growth was published by the Department for Education in January, and the Queen’s Speech included a Skills and Post-16 Education Bill that will be central to the post-Covid economic recovery.
Following introductory talks from a senior Government representative, RDS Global CEO Andy Flinn and Loughborough College principal and chief executive Jo Maher, there will be a panel discussion during the summit hosted by Chamber director of policy and external affairs Chris Hobson about how to overcome skills issues.
The summit takes place on Wednesday 16 June from 9.30am to 12.30pm. It forms the centrepiece of People & Skills Week from Monday 14 June to Friday 18 June.
