Friday Footnote # 119

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.

See you at the Swansea City Conference 2023 

We are delighted to have attended the 4theregion Swansea City Centre Conference for the last few years. As an ambassador of 4theregion, and proud supporter of everything they are striving to achieve, we are delighted to again be attending this years event. But this time things are a little different. Swansea University announced this week that they are the proud headline sponsors of this years event, so we will be joining our colleagues and friends from the University in our own area.

Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University, Professor Paul Boyle, explains why Swansea University are delighted to be involved:

“We offer an array of expertise and support; from our cyber security activity, local heritage work and our Oriel Science outreach programme, to leadership courses for businesses and our partnerships within the City Region Deal. This annual event is a fantastic opportunity to forge relationships across sectors and we look forward to engaging with our local community and exploring how – together – we can support the future prosperity of our city, our region and its people.”

To find out more about Swansea Universities sponsorship of the event, visit the Swansea University website, and to find out more about the event itself, including registerting to attend, visit the 4theregion website. 

Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Networking Day 

Interested in expanding your network and developing collaborative research skills?

On March 3rd, the Swansea University Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences are running a networking event which will help showcase the benefits of collaborative research and development projects, with a focus on how to communicate with prospective partners. Through the medium of speakers and workshops, the session will help encourage potential ideas and knowledge exchange with the goal of forming productive, meaningful collaborations.

At the session we will also be joined by Welsh broadcaster (and drummer) Owain Wyn Evans who will lead a session on the improtance of collaboration. 

You can find out more about the event, and book to attend, here. 

Inspiration

• Welsh universities face 1,000 jobs being lost as EU research funding ends (The Guardian)
• Don't just tell employees organisational changes are coming - explain why (Harvard Business Review)
• The habit that could improve your career (TED)
• Innovation roadmaps - the what, why and how (Viima)
• Brexit: EU funding loss risks Welsh university jobs (BBC)

#alwayslearning

We are massive fans, and advocates, of learning in Team ION. On Wednesday this week Adam attended 2 online sessions - the first discussing the metaverse and the opportunities it provides to marketeers, and the 2nd discussing creative leadership with Tim Brown from IDEO.

The metaverse session led to some fantastic conversations, and much excitement, in the office the next day as we chatted about how we could maximise the opportunities of the metaverse. 

During the creative leadership session, it was fantatsic to hear Tim discuss the importance of building a practice of reflection. Something we are huge advocates of in Team ION. 

Latest news from our Bangor team

The latest Bangor University Business School newsletter is out now, and it is great to see ION featured so prominently. In this edtion you can find out more about:

• Parting words from out-going Bangor Programme Manager Lorraine Hopkins
• A catch up with ION delegate Alice Reynolds from Ropeworks Active
• The latest news on former Programme Manager Gwenllian Owen's new role at AgorIP
• How our Bangor team are making the most of #WellbeingWednesday

Check out the newsletter in English here and Welsh here. 

Become an extraordinary leader with ION 

For over 11 years we have supported leaders at all levels to become extraordinary leaders. Whether you are just starting your leadership journey, or want to freshen up your skills and learn how best to implement the latest thinking, strategies and best practice into your business, we are here to help. 

Get in touch with Adam on ionleadership@swansea.ac.uk to arrange a chat to find out how we can work with you to develop extraordinary leaders in your organisation.

#FridayFootnote will be taking a short break next week, but we will be back in a few weeks time.  

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