At the beginning of every new year, there’s the chance to look forward to what it might have in store for us and the opportunity to look back at the old year to muse on our successes and where we think there might be room for improvement.
Awards season will soon be upon us and with the Chamber Awards in May, you have the opportunity to reflect on your business and take the time to analyse the positives within; your team, the hard work that they have done, and what makes your business different and successful, especially as times have become more difficult.
We can get so caught up in the day-to-day business of trying to keep above water that we lose sight of the more strategic parts which are important. Looking back and taking time to reflect as part of an awards entry is a great way to reward the efforts of your staff. The awards are independently assessed by judges both on and off Island, so are fair to all.
I still can’t emphasise enough the importance of networking to raise the profile of your business and yourself and to make connections and friendships which are crucial to the success of any company or individual.
The Chamber has always been a perfect vehicle to allow businesses to come together and meet. The most recent Chamber breakfast that I attended, along with fellow directors at Quay Arts, was packed full of both old and new faces.
It’s wonderful to see different businesses engaging with each other and during difficult times it’s more important than ever to support each other. And don’t forget that the Chamber member benefits are far-reaching with essential services such as HR, health and safety, legal and tax cover, and discounted ferries included in your membership fee should you need them.
There is also the Isle of Wight Lottery which has helped numerous businesses with interest-free loans, which have just passed the one million pound mark in funding distributed.
Alongside Chamber events, I’ve also been to other presentations including the introduction of a new business centre at the Isle of Wight College. It was interesting to hear about, but also gave me an insight into how students have been affected by the pandemic, especially in ‘soft skills’ like how to communicate well with people, interviewing techniques, teamwork, and other interpersonal skills. The College with its business courses is actively helping students with those lost skills and the Chamber was there to see how we can support those efforts.
Apprenticeships are another important way of supporting young adults, with 80% on-the-job and 20% classroom learning. The new T Levels technical qualification is designed for after GCSEs with a time split of 80% classroom learning and 20% industry placement. Both of these are great opportunities for businesses and employers to encourage the workforce of the future.
I am looking forward to a new year with new opportunities, a chance for businesses to shine through awards, and a sense that we as an Island are constantly moving forward. We continue to live in unprecedented times and will face challenges ahead, but I am keen to accentuate the positives. There is real value in getting together, through networking, awards, and supporting each other, and I look forward to seeing many of you at events in 2023.
