Friday Footnote # 79

Written by A.R.Fairbank@swansea.ac.uk / Friday 21st January 2022

Each week we share loads of content amongst Team ION and with our network. Content that inspires us, which we find helpful, or just makes us smile. We thought we would start sharing these insights every Friday. Welcome to Friday Footnote.

Say hello, but wave goodbye

As we mentioned last week, we were delighted to welcome Nathan and Jane to our Swansea delivery team. You can find out more about Nathan - including which sport he coaches - in this weeks blog. Keep an eye out on our website and social media channels next week where we will be saying hello to Jane.

However, today is a very sad day for Team ION as we say goodbye to the legend that is Tony Burnett. Tony (pictured right) joined the team in 2013 when we were LEAD Wales and has supported literally hundreds of leaders over the years.

Tony can't help but make you smile, and his authentic delivery style is loved by many. His contribution to our Popmaster scores will be hugely missed, as will the weekly Pastel de Nata deliveries, and his sense of humour will be missed by everyone - delegates and team members. Thank you for everything Tony, on behalf of everyone in the team, and all of the delegates you have worked with. I am sure they all have plenty of stories! Good luck in your next adventure.

Catch up with Gethin & Ken at Oren Foods

In our latest alumni case study we caught up with ION alumni, and Oren Foods owner, Gethin Dwyfor, and Ken Lodge, General Manager and current ION delegate, to discuss their leadership journeys. In the blog, Gethin, discusses the joys and challenges of taking over the running of the family business from his parents.

"I wanted to make my own choices 100% and my own mistakes. I didn’t want my parents feeling that they had to come back into the business once retired. If it was going to fail, it would be on my own head and not theirs. Turns out this was quite liberating, and they have been able to enjoy their retirement…mostly!".

Inspiration

New to leadership?

What better way to start 2022 than to sign up for our next ILM Level 3 New Leaders programme. Starting at the end of March, the programme is designed to develop and enhance the leadership and management skills of those in the early stages of developing their leadership skills. Delegates will be encouraged to understand their own approach to leadership, and then consider their team roles and tasks required to create a strong business framework for the growth and sustainability of their organisation. You can find out more about the programme, including those all important dates, here.

And, we think it's important to note, that this will be our last fully funded programme. Therefore we expect places to go like hot cakes (it's a 3rd full already!) so if you, or anyone in your team is interested either apply today, or if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch on ionleadership@swansea.ac.uk and Adam will be on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Missed previous #FridayFootnotes?

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Case Study

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""One of the best things I have done in my life. As in regards to bringing me out of my shell and actually giving me a sense of identity. I was a worker, then I became a Manager, and now I'm a Regional Manager. And who knows where I will end up in the future". "

Ashley Miles, Regional Manager, Miles Hire

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""A lot of what we have learnt I can take back to the business. Another person from the same business was on this course with me and it would be great for us both to sit down, reflect on what we have learnt and take that back into the business". "

Aled Jones, Product Manager, Hospital Innovations

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""There is no doubt that without the ION course, Empower simply wouldn’t exist – you can’t get a better endorsement than that!""

Jo Juliff, Founder, Empower Wellbeing

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""My desire and capability to learn is growing with each session. My thinking is being stretched, and I'm developing as a result of the content and shared experience with others""

Dennis O’Connor, Partnerships & Commercial Manager, Visit Pembrokeshire

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""I have always recommended this course from the very first overnight experiential. This was the most enjoyable course I have ever done (and I have done quite a lot!). My daughter and business partner undertook the course, we had another manager complete last year and another starting in the new year. I think every person within a leadership role should experience this course. It is like no other and the skills learned along, with personal growth, are just something not to be missed. It cannot fail to inspire any leader, it cannot fail to bring a smile to a stressful week and some strategies to help you through. I believe that this is one course that quite simply cannot fail". "

Lynda Hale, Tŷ Teulu

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""We were struggling to get over £2 million revenue as a company. What ION leadership gave me was the confidence to look at acquisitions, look at bringing in more staff, look at different services, and overall, in the first year of ION leadership we got to £2.1 million which was a massive achievement and now, 18 months later, the company is turning over £4 million. I wouldn't have been able to do it without ION leadership. I wouldn't have had the confidence". "

Alex-Michelle Parr, Managing Director, Wolfestone Translation

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