BUSINESS WEST MEMBER NEWS inform


Sharing crucial lessons in adapting to change


Chamber of Commerce members were delighted to hear inspirational speaker Monty Halls at a TED-style talk in October on the absolute necessity of accepting and adapting to constant change so that your business is “one step ahead of the evolutionary curve”. The next few years are


beset by uncertainty and potential wholesale changes in the way we all conduct our business affairs – Brexit, Trump, trade wars, new emerging technology – and as such how do small and large business prepare for such a kinetic future? Monty shared stories from life


‘The eruption of


new technology is forcing every business to change’


as a Royal Marine, marine biologist, father, broadcaster and his adventures while filming My Family and The Galapagos series for Channel 4. While regaling the audience with hilarious adventure stories and the perils of travelling with young kids on a volcanic island with limited health and safety, he learnt crucial lessons on seeing the world through a child’s eyes and believes that attitude is key. Your business mindset as you approach change is essential.


Beware of ‘morale hoovers’, those people who can


drain and bring down a


team. Being positive and energetic when approaching tectonic change is the only way to evolve. He discussed climate change,


plastic pollution, the lessons he learnt setting up Seadog TV & Film Productions and the vital importance of responding to our rapidly changing business environment. The eruption of new technology is forcing every business to change, from how technology will impact employability, how our mobile


phones have the same computing power as the Apollo II space craft to ‘the internet of things’. His key message is that embracing technological change is the only way to adapt and evolve. Jaya Chakrabati, non-executive


director of Bristol Chamber of Commerce, opened the evening with insight into how business must come together to support each other to cope with business challenges – there is power in working together with your local Chamber of Commerce. The event raised over £300 for The Prince’s Trust, the preferred Charity of Chamber members and hosts, Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV).


The benefits of planning ahead


BY METTE DAVIS CHAMBER MEMBER AND OWNER, METTE DAVIS-GARRATT LIMITED


As we continue to experience disruption in every sector, those who take time out from the day-to-day running of their businesses to plan ahead will have the greatest chance of success. The benefits of developing a business strategy are as follows:


• It’s the opportunity to test your proposition and services against competitors and clients, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses.


• Having reviewed your proposition and services, you’ll uncover exciting opportunities which you can then set objectives against and prioritise.


• By spending time considering your ambitions, you will be able to set the future vision and long-term goals for the company, rather than living in the here and now.


• By setting and sharing objectives, you’ll galvanise the team, helping them focus on the things that will deliver the greatest benefits to the company and culture. You’ll also be able to plan future hires more effectively, ensuring you have the right people with the right values on the team.


• And finally, it’s really good fun to set some time aside to think about the possibilities that lie ahead. I work with SMEs to help them define and deliver business plans that are unique to them and set them up for future success, whichever direction they choose to take.


IN BRIEF


Thanks to a collaboration between Ablaze, Rolls-Royce and The Bristol Hippodrome, 12 primary schools were lucky enough to a day out at the theatre. Pupils from Evergreen


Primary Academy – who are part of the Cabot Learning Federation – were treated to the Teletubbies Live Overview performance and all the pupils were thrilled to see the Teletubbies on stage.


UK recycling and renewable energy company Viridor and its construction partners, CNIM S.A. and Clugston Construction Ltd, have celebrated achieving half a million man hours at the Avonmouth Centre – equivalent to over 57 years – without time lost to accident or injury. It has been recognised for


working to a very high level of consideration towards the public, the workforce and the environment. To mark the 500,000 safe


hours achievement and demonstrate its commitment to the community in which it is working, Viridor, CNIM, Clugston and Fichtner have donated £2,500 to Bristol North West Foodbank to support their work in providing emergency food, fuel help and advice to those in crisis. The Foodbank has assisted 26,000 people over the last seven-and-a-half years.


Wasdell has been awarded the title of Business of the Year (51+ employees) at the Business Leader Awards 2018. The award recognises those companies making a significant contribution to the region and leading the advancement of their sector, as well as showing solid growth and financial performance, investment in research and development and a commitment to CSR. “This award is testament to


the skills and dedication of our 600-strong workforce in Swindon and as we look forward to an exciting future and the possibilities the market will bring us.” Martin Tedham, cheif executive.


For more information on Wasdell, visit


www.wasdell.co.uk NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 insight 13


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