There is nothing we would like more than to make the knowledge we gather from our events available to everyone, and our annual conference is most important of all. This year’s topic was Investing in Success, and the presentations focused on how charities, companies as well as individuals can (and should) invest in success.
For those who couldn’t make it, and those who were there but would like some refreshing, I’ve summed up some key learning points from the keynote speakers.
Investing in People
First we heard from Steve Bright, experienced Pilotlighter and Director of International Human Resources at Northrop Grumman, who spoke about investing in people.
- Why do we invest in people? Investing in people produces happier employees – who stay longer, therefore provide more productivity and better customer service.
- Employee engagement is key. To get it right you have to be constantly talking with and listening to people.
- Different generations want different things: ‘Millennials’ want to give back, they want flexible working hours and to be involved more in decision-making. Older workers look for opportunities to be valued for their expertise and to be able to pass their knowledge on.
Investing in Marketing
We also heard about Investing in Marketing from Ollie Lloyd, Pilotlighter for nine years, and CEO and co-founder of Great British Chefs. Ollie’s top tip was to have a simple strategy and an execution plan, and to re-visit them on an annual basis. He highlighted some key questions that any organisation should be asking themselves when it comes to marketing:
- Story – What is your story? It all boils down to a great story to capture your audience.
- Audience – Who is the target? It is likely you will have a range of different audiences and the messages will need to be tweaked to appeal to them all.
- Media – Where can you find them? What is the best way to reach them? Does your communication grab attention and desire?
- Measurement – Is it working? The digital age allows you to track everything but be aware of information overload.
Social Investment
James Fairweather, CEO of Big Issue Invest spoke to us about social investment, the changing landscape and opportunities he sees in the future.
- It’s worth investing time in understanding social investment.
- The social investment sector is growing at 120% a year, creating an incredible wealth of opportunities across a range of causes and areas.
- Big Issue Invest are pioneers in social finance and fund organisations different stages, from start-up social ventures to larger not-for-profit organisations.