The recent collaboration between the Jersey and Guernsey branches of the IoD proved to be a valuable opportunity for business leaders across both islands.
Titled ‘Productivity Power-Up: Jersey and Guernsey Navigating Challenges for Business Success,’ the April breakfast seminar delved into productivity, recognising its pivotal role in any successful business strategy.
The speakers and audience in both islands were brought together thanks to the technology support of C5 Alliance who hosted the event.
Amidst the backdrop of challenging economic prospects, speakers and panellists provided insight into the multifaceted nature of productivity improvement. The event aimed to address the common challenges faced by organisations in both Guernsey and Jersey, offering practical strategies and perspectives from local business leaders.
One of the panellists, Paul Murphy, CEO of Jersey Business, highlighted the concerning decline in productivity, emphasising that the solution isn’t simply to work harder but to address underlying complexities. Chronic underinvestment, lack of innovation, and volatility in markets were identified as key contributors to the productivity dilemma, not just in the islands but globally.
Paul outlined strategic areas for productivity enhancement, emphasising the importance of focusing on people, processes, and innovation. Lindsay Hart, Sales & Marketing Director at NP Group, shared practical insights from her experience, stressing the significance of leadership, clear communication of strategic objectives, culture and staff buy-in for successful productivity initiatives.
Rory Inglis, Managing Director of POS Interiors, underscored the impact of workspace design on productivity, advocating for task-based environments, biophilic elements, and the integration of technology to create holistic solutions. The discussion also touched upon the importance of investing in technology strategically and ensuring its alignment with organisational goals and the physical workspace environment.
Throughout the event, there was an emphasis on a comprehensive approach to productivity enhancement, encompassing organisational culture, employee well-being, and technological innovation. Attendees gained valuable insights into practical strategies and best practices for navigating productivity challenges, focusing on fostering a conducive work environment and empowering employees.
The Guernsey event was sponsored by the IoD’s annual breakfast sponsor – Skipton International.
Glen Tonks, the Chair of the IoD’s Guernsey branch said: “Collaboration is one of our strategic aims for 2024, and working closely with the Jersey IoD proved to be very popular.
“Increasing the islands’ productivity is something that businesses in both Channel Islands are grappling with and the insights shared by our panellists were extremely useful. During the session, it become very clear that there is no single solution; instead organisations need to consider technology, corporate culture and communications, the physical environment, processes and much more to achieve the productivity increases we need to see sustainable economic growth.
“We look forward to working with the IoD in jersey again in the future and thank our sponsor Skipton International, as well as the team at C5 Alliance for helping to make the event possible.’
