HOW business leaders and managers think about and engage with their staff is crucial to the success of their business.
This was the message from Sir Stuart Hampson, the former Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership (JLP), who was one of the key speakers at an Invest Northern Ireland conference on leadership held on Tuesday 17 September).
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Pictured at the event are event speakers, Mickey Harte, Manager of Tyrone Gaelic Football Team, with Tracy Meharg, Executive Director of Business Solutions, Invest NI, Sir Stuart Hampson, former Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership (JLP), and Seamus Connolly Managing Director, Fast Engineering in Antrim.[/caption]
The conference, entitled ‘Leadership – Success is a People Game’, took place in Titanic Belfast, and attracted over 200 local business people. They heard addresses from Sir Stuart, Mickey Harte, the Manager of Tyrone GAA and Seamus Connolly, Managing Director of Fast Engineering.
The speakers shared their experiences of overcoming challenges and leading their teams to success in different fields.
Sir Stuart Hampson spoke of the approach taken by JLP, whose unique business model is an enterprise owned by the staff, for the staff. JLP’s success is attributed to happy staff which translates into an excellent customer experience and contributes to sustainable international competitiveness.
Mickey Harte outlined how he motivated his players to give their best and the approach that has made him the most successful Tyrone inter-county manager of all time.
Local businessman Seamus Connolly explained how his company – Fast Engineering, manufacturers of the FASTANK, a patented liquid storage container – has been built on staff engagement.
Tracy Meharg, Invest NI’s Executive Director of Business Solutions, said: “This conference was a chance for local business people to learn how to empower and motivate their people and understand how they can be the ultimate asset for a business.
“We also outlined the support that is available from Invest NI to help business owners and managers to develop their leadership skills.”
Bio Notes:
Sir Stuart Hampson
Sir Stuart Hampson is Chairman of The Crown Estate and prior to that was Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership for 14 years until his retirement in 2007. During those 14 years at the helm of JLP Sir Stuart presided over a programme of modernisation, without sacrificing the partnership ethos and principles that were embodied in its 1929 constitution of co-ownership and the happiness of its staff.
Mickey Harte
Mickey Harte is the current manager of the Tyrone Gaelic football team, and has so far led them to three All-Ireland titles, two Ulster titles, one National League, and four Dr. McKenna Cups.
Seamus Connolly
Seamus is the creator of the FASTANK and FASTASLEEP product ranges, exported worldwide. Seamus established Fast Engineering in 1981 and has received numerous awards for the unique products.
Invest Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland works with individuals, companies and organisations in manufacturing and tradable services which show the ambition and commitment to grow by being more innovative, more entrepreneurial and more internationally focused.
Invest NI’s resources are focused on assisting their clients to improve competitiveness, increase innovation, promote a stronger international focus and create more positive attitudes to enterprise.
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