Friday Footnote #85

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.

Nurturing employee engagement 

A massive thank you to the 20+ people who joined us yesterday for our #IONOpenDoors learning event discussing Nurturing Employee Engagement. 

During the session, led by our very own Nathan Haymer, we covered the difference between employee satisfaction and engagement, had a fantastic conversation around who we really work for - company, leaders or ourselves -  and discussed the different levels of engagement (including how to spot actively disengaged employees). We ended the session debating employee surveys (do they really work?) and Nathan shared practical advice on how to improve employee engagement in your team, with a particular emphasis placed on recognition, compassion and understanding of company purpose. 

Thank you to everyone for joining the conversation and sharing their experiences. With delegates in attendance from across Wales, and from sectors including travel, cleaning, financial services and marine services, this was peer-to-peer learning at it's best.

Keep an eye out on our website and social media channels for details of future learning sessions.

PAN Wales leadership programme announced

Earlier this week (on St David's Day!), we were delighted to anounce our first-ever PAN Wales leadership programme. Our programmes have traditionally been run separately by teams in Bangor and Swansea. However, for the first time in our 11-year history we are joining forces to unite businesses across Wales. The aim of the programme is to enable delegates to build networks with other fast-growth Welsh brands, and develop the skills and knowledge required to meet organisational goals and flourish in a post-pandemic marketplace.  

As ION Programme Lead Suzanne Parry Jones says, "We are huge advocates of the importance of peer-to-peer learning and sharing good practice. This programme will offer businesses from across Wales the opportunity to learn from each other and create a strong network - a network that embeds learning, innovation, trust and cohesion in its practice".

The ILM Level 5 Leading Growth programme starts in May 2022. You can find out more about the programme here and if you are interested in having a chat about participating in the programme, please contact Kaye Harris-John on 07808 847332 or Nicola Sturrs on 01248 383024.   

What's caught our eye this week

• Blame culture is toxic. Here's how to stop it. (Harvard Business Review)
• What nature can teach us about sustainable business (TED)
• The power of micro-innovations (via Bromford Lab) 
• 3 factors that help you master asynchronous leadership (Fast Company)
• The secret to leading organisational change is empathy (Harvard Business Review)

SME Innovation funding call

Are you an SME with intellectual property you'd like to take to market? Our friends at AGOR IP are inviting small to medum sized businesses to apply for support and funding, helping you bring new new technologies and ideas to market, facilitating the commercialisation of your research. The application deadline is Friday 18th March, so find out more on the AGOR IP website. 

Just starting your leadership journey?

Our ILM Level 3 New Leaders 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. Our next programme starts in May 2022, and you can find out more about the programme, including those all important dates, here. 

Missed previous #FridayFootnotes?