We welcomed Marie Rodgers, Sales on Fire Coach and Claire Dunning, Director, Creating Sparks for what was an energetic, informative and inspiring session. Marie covered 7 Easy Steps on how to successfully navigate round sales negotiation conversations. Claire shared through example and unforgettable illustrations, the importance of how to create (and not damage!) an emotional connection with your customer.
George Thorley OBE, Area Director Scotland for SOLACE in Business and Stephen Park Brown, MD of NVT Group delivered illuminating talks on how to get the best out of your team and how the ‘science’ of behavioural economics can have a huge impact on people’s conduct.
Hugs, Nudges, Shoves and Smacks – George took us through many enthralling examples of how behavioural economics can reduce your costs and increase your income – from the power of understanding the ‘big default’ to the 7 rules of nudging behaviour and how these can influence, for example, organ donating, food waste recycling and taxation schemes.
A Scottish SME Punching Above its Weight – Stephen reflected on the achievements of the team at NVT Group, which successfully delivered the IT infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and the Scottish Open, and had just won the contract to deliver the infrastructure for Glasgow 2018 European Championships. NVT constantly searches out new challenges and ambitious projects. Its outstanding team is a glowing example accomplishing great things against global competition.
An inspirational day!
We enjoyed a great day of executive leadership, learning much from Graeme, formerly Managing Director of Rolls-Royce, including his techniques for getting the best out of people and what he does that leads to his undoubted influence. He discussed key motivators and illustrated the power of stories to make a point. As always, there was also a great deal of problem resolution work on participants’ issues in the afternoon.
Caroline Donaldson, Executive Coach to over 200 companies, provided insights on how to become fully aware of the importance of personal branding – what are our values and what do we really want to be known for? How this is critically important to your personal presence. She shared with participants how we can be better known, recognised and regarded both within our own organisations and outside them in the business community in Scotland and beyond. We took time to concentrate our thoughts on our vision and focus – All culminating in work-days in the future being so much more pleasant and productive!
Dr Alex Yellowlees is Chief Psychiatrist with the Priory Group. Alex shared his knowledge on Mental Ill-Health’s impact on your business – explaining the different types of workplace mental ill-health and how to minimise their effect on your company. He also covered business tools and techniques for building personal and cultural resilience within yourself and your organisation.
We welcomed Colin Donald, prominent Scottish journalist and David Fraser, Leadership expert, to share their views and experience on Leadership in Testing Times. They covered key approaches and insights for navigating in change and uncertainty, how to engage people successfully in transformational change and their insights into the changing economy in the age of Brexit, Trump and E-Commerce – followed by a business debate. Fascinating stuff!
Andy Goldberg, award winning Business Growth Coach, addressed CfEL at Lenovo on how to think differently…change your belief system on your capabilities…create a clarity for implementation of strategies and goals…how to develop tools and knowledge to focus on development and advance your company’s growth faster!
Transformational Business Turnarounds – Change at Pace – Dr Iain MacRitchie, CEO of MCR Holdings, Private Equity Chair, Social Entrepreneur, Serial Entrepreneur and Change Specialist addressed our audience at our Launch in March 2017 at SD Worx, Glasgow.
Widely recognised as one of the UK’s top Turnaround experts, Iain, by way of example, led the purchase of Maxinutrition for £75m, doubled the sales and profits in 2 years then sold the company to GlaxoSmithKline for £162m. He has advised investors and directors in over 100 companies and completed 15 Chair appointments with an average 6-fold increase in company profits and value.
Iain applies the same simple formula to turn companies around: Clarity of current position; establishing a future Vision/Idea and working through the steps in between (applicable in any sector). He recognises that tension and conflict may result from an aspirational, sustainable change programme and discussed with the audience how to deploy your people and skills in order to successfully navigate through these issues.
The irrepressible Dr MacRitchie’s energies don’t just stop there! Currently one of Scotland’s leading philanthropists, Iain established his charitable trust, MCR Pathways to develop the talents and ambitions of disadvantaged young people in Glasgow through a comprehensive mentoring programme.
Iain’s enthusiasm and positivity are outrageously contagious! We couldn’t have enjoyed a better day for our Launch! Thank You, Iain!