Wednesday is not usually the most inspiring day of my working week (I reserve this for Tuesdays and Fridays), but this Wednesday 28th April 2010 was no average day in the office. I found myself the lucky chaperone of three Guernsey students who were attending the Institute of Directors Annual Convention at the Royal Albert Hall all thanks to winning a competition run by De Putron Fund Management at our Guernsey Institute of Directors annual debate last October.
Arriving early and eager, on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far, we watched Dame Kelly Holmes attempt entry to the Royal Albert Hall to prepare for her speaking slot. After several locked doors she was soon located by a walkie-talkie clad event organiser and ushered in. Our celeb spotting had begun!
Seated up high, amongst fellow students, we reviewed the line up for the day which included business leaders, political figures and sporting greats.
Some last minute amendments had been made to the programme to accommodate senior politicians from the three main parties and they each thanked the IoD for its perfect timing. It served up the ‘the business vote’ on a plate to Dr Vince Cable, Rt Hon George Osborne and Rt Hon Lord Peter Mandleson. Predictably the Press pit was a hive of activity during each of these speeches, George Osborne arguably received the loudest applause and was armed with the most polished speech. Inevitably there was much deliberation over the pros and cons of coalition; little did we or the speakers know what Gordon Brown was up to in the outside world!
A truly inspirational speech was delivered by Phil Packer who had only just finished his marathon challenge, Dame Kelly Holmes who revealed she keeps her medals (including the golds!) in a make up bag and HSBC Group Chairman Stephen Green defended the organisation’s decision to move the CEO to Asia.
The morning’s highlight for me, and some of the students I later established, was WPP’s Chief Exec Martin Sorrell (my old boss in my Clarion days). His topical delivery included WPP’s 3 objectives: New markets, new media and the power of consumer insight.
On CSR, he could not have put it more simply ‘it is good business’, Stephen Green concurred ‘it is not an optional add on’. Much more positive talk like this and I would be moving back to London!!
After lunch on the Albert Memorial Steps and a whistle-stop tour of the exhibition we were back in our seats. Lord Puttnam gave a thought provoking speech focusing largely on the importance of education and he provided some excellent business metaphors involving the plants in his Devon garden and how they adapt to the changing climate.
The entrepreneurs’ panel session provided some very real and usable business strategies and methods, with, as usual, a sprinkling of madness. Will King, King of Shaves, Emma Harrison, A4e, Simon Calver, LOVEFiLM and Tristram Mayhew of Go Ape cited big hairy ideas, an honest mentor, knowing when to delegate and ‘word of mouse’ as key drivers in their impressive success stories.
Back in Guernsey, I found myself in the relatively peaceful surroundings of an emptying airport, with a chance to reflect on the day’s events. I was impressed with the inspirational and courageous tales, the business success grown out of nowhere, and how well I had coped in my high heels since 7AM.