To watch this event, you can rent or buy the video here.
Tuesday 26th May saw The Future Economy Network run an interactive webinar on Business Reimagined: Sustainability Insights from Covid19, an event added to the calendar recently to support the business network. The event was attended by a diverse range of delegates, all prepared to dive into detailed discussions on the potential changes available for the business community.
The team introduced everyone to the virtual events space and gave quick training on how to make the most out of the interactive webinar and networking opportunities. Once everyone was used to the space and had networked a little, the seminars began. Katherine Piper, Director of The Future Economy Network, welcomed attendees, highlighting the benefits of joining the Network and also sharing updates about The Future Economy Network’s Carbon Neutral Hub in Bristol, Future Leap. Katherine also briefly ran through the plans for The Festival of Sustainable Business, where you can check out the video here.
Simon Deeley from Network members Remotify.work kicked off the presentations by explaining what “remote first” means, and the key issues highlighted by those concerned with remote working. The top two worries were collaboration and communication (20%) and loneliness (20%). Simon then addressed these concerns. He started with collaboration, suggesting real time collaboration tools, asynchronous working and the value of shared information. Benefits include inclusion, retention, scalability, outcome quality and business continuity. Addressing loneliness as a key concern, Simon emphasised the importance of planned spontaneity and community involvement, which addresses benefits such as increased human connection, employee satisfaction and radical flexibility. He suggested how big companies are more connected with remote working tools, and finished his presentation by explaining how his company help teams chart their own path through remote first practices.
Jessica Whitcutt-Fagan from Network members It’s A Shovel was next to speak. As a reputation management consultancy service, Jessica introduced her presentation by looking at what reputation is and how it has changed recently. She looked at the drivers of reputation, and how since Covid19 the drivers have completely changed direction – according to research “who you are is now more importance than what you do”. She explained the “Six Capitals Model” using an informative infographic, as well as explaining the “Reputation Curve” and how sustainable methods often aren’t put in place till a business has grown. She emphasised the importance of communication, and finished her presentation by using the communications anagram “SALAD” – stop, ask, listen/learn, action and drive.
Teddy Thompson from Network members Ecomove then spoke about the Bristol One City Plan and how it is being adapted to respond to COVID-19. He focused on transport, and highlighted how transport plans in Bristol have accelerated due to the pandemic (from years to months). Priority has been given to better infrastructure for walking, cycling, zero carbon public transport and zero carbon vehicles. He highlighted that carbon neutrality is not the only driver; for example, a person with an underlying illness cannot get on public transport and will need to run a private car in many situations. He showed that the pandemic’s impact has been our “crystal ball of 2030” – we are finally seeing the world we needed in relation to air quality. A recent survey suggested only 9% of people wanted to return to normal. Teddy went on to suggest the changes we need in reduction of vehicle miles and increase in ULEV’s, running through two essential scenarios (a change in technology but most importantly a modal shift). He ran through what businesses can do in relation to this. Finally, Teddy explained his business and how Ecomove can be a modal solution. They are running an offer alongside The Future Economy Network which can be found here.
We continued with our new mini Q&A’s after every speaker, which created a continuous buzz throughout the event. The seminar finished with some insightful and high-level questions to the panel as a group. Network members Global Goals Centre and Garrett Creative gave a 60 second pitch - a popular opportunity at these events that continues given their virtual nature. Finally, everyone was able to network in different groups using facilitated break out rooms, before the event finished.
A huge thank you to the speakers and attendees of this event, without this support we would not be able to do these wonderful inspiring events.