Friday Footnote # 10

Each week we share loads of content amongst Team ION and with our network. Content which inspires us, which we either find really helpful or we think would help our networks, or things that just make us smile. We thought we would start sharing these insights every Friday. Welcome to Friday footnote!

Lockdown hobbies

As with lots of people, Team ION are currently working from home. Commuting times have become non-existent, meaning we have more time to learn new skills, develop new hobbies, or just do those things we've been meaning to do for ages. 

And it would seem we're quite a green-fingered bunch. Shelly has been gardening - growing strawberries, tomatoes and aubergines, Clare has been growing tomatoes and Gwenllian's greenhouse is seriously benefiting from her being at home. Tom Good wannabee Adam's garden is flourishing and he has become a bit obsessed about watching the birds and wildlife coming into his garden. Kim has also been developing her garden to make it more bee-friendly.

Tony has been mastering his sourdough skills and has learnt to dye his partner's hair. He's a man of many talents!

What new hobbies and skills have you picked up during lockdown?

Practicing what we preach

We know that we always talk about the importance of continuously learning. But we practice what we preach. This week Kim has been dipping into Management Today's Leadership Lessons Conference this as well as the Academi Wales Summer School and Adam is currently completing an 'Introduction to Content Design' course with FutureLearn and GDS. Next up is a User Experience course.

Inspiration

Here are just a few things that have piqued our interest this week:

• 9 things you can do to make working from home more joyful (via TED)
• Simon Sinek on why you can't lead over email (via Inc)
• The one phrase that can transform your effectiveness at work (via Fast Company)
• Yvon Chouinard talks about how the growth of Patagonia in this chat with 'How I built this' (via How I Built This)

Always Learning

We have been delivering virtual learning sessions for over 6 weeks now and we've loved every minute. We're even happier about the fact that those who are attending the sessions are loving them as well, with a 100% satisfaction rate so far and 97% of delegates saying they would recommend ION virtual sessions to their colleagues. Fab news, thank you very much!

This week saw us run sessions on innovation and continuous improvement on Tuesday and learning organisations on Wednesday. Thanks to everyone who joined us and took part in some fantastic conversations.

Next week we have the ION #ZoomBookRoom where we will be discussing Do Lead by Les McKeown. Want to know what a #ZoomBook Room is? Check out Kim's recent blog.

Next week also sees us re-run our successful Coach Don't Tell: Are you making the most of your team session. Never has there been a better time for managers and leaders to develop their ability to hold effective coaching conversations - whether virtual or face-to-face. Register now for this 2-part, highly interactive, small group, development opportunity led by Jill.

Support & Advice

• Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has up to £800k from the Plastics Research and Innovation Fund to invest in business projects. Interested in getting involved? 
• The Institute of Leadership & Management has partnered with BeTheBusiness to give small business owners based in the UK exclusive access to a 12-week rapid response mentoring scheme, which is government-funded and completely FREE of charge. Find out more.
• Business Wales are running a number a series of digital courses and webinars aimed at Welsh SMEs affected by the coronavirus pandemic

Stay Safe

Team ION

PS - Missed previous #FridayFootnotes?