‘Unlocking Success’ Business Conference

Over 150 Norfolk businesses attended the Norfolk Chambers’ Unlocking Success Business Conference, held at OPEN on 23 November, to hear expert advice from business and industry professionals to help them ‘unlock success’ in their business – and it didn’t disappoint! Delegates comprising of the most influential business leaders from the region learnt the secrets of success from speakers who both inspired and motivated their audience.

The event was hosted by ITV Anglia’s Business Correspondent, Matthew Hudson who expertly guided the day’s packed programme of knowledgeable speakers. Delegates representing a variety of business sizes and industry sectors heard from Martyn Pellew, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, about the challenges facing the UK economy and what the BCC are doing to help businesses and stimulate growth.

Rob Mears, Managing Director of Bernard Matthews UK and Robert Ashton, The Barefoot Entrepreneur talked of unlocking success as a Norfolk business, how being based in the county has proved advantageous and how the entrepreneurial spirit is still strong for Norfolk businesses.

The delegates heard opening statements from both South West Norfolk MP, Elizabeth Truss and Shadow Minister Chi Onwurah MP.  Following the statements, the delegates were asked to vote for which topic they would like the MPs to discuss.   The two most popular choices, with 30% of the vote each, were ‘how do we encourage entrepreneurship among young people?’ and ‘business needs top-class infrastructure to grow – how can we address this challenge?’

Liz Truss said young people should be armed with basic skills such as mathematics and science and advised that the Government wanted to ensure that the schools had the freedom to teach in new and exciting ways and be able collaborate with local businesses at a much earlier stage to ensure the future workforce had the necessary skills.   She also highlighted that funding was now in place for improving broadband and the dualling of the A11 was underway.

Chi Onwurah said the encouraging entrepreneurship in young people was absolutely key.  She highlighted that this generation was the first generation not to be able to expect a better standard of living than previous generations.  Young people need to be encouraged to see setting up a business as a viable option and there was a need to enthuse the education system with entrepreneurial spirit.  She also advised that infrastructure was essential to creating an economic platform for investment.

The Conference closed with a internationally recognised motivational speaker and author, Mark Rhodes, who shared with delegates how he has achieved every goal he has ever set himself and how they can do the same for what they want to achieve in their business.

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said “At a time when we hear a lot of doom and gloom it was great to be truly inspired by our speakers today about how to unlock success. The atmosphere in the room was buzzing with business being done within the networking breaks. We are so fortunate to have loyal members able and willing to sponsor these event to enable them to be able to really help the wider Norfolk business community”

The event sponsors, Norse Commercial Services and TEN Group, both agreed the conference was essential for motivation businesses in a time of austerity;

Peter Hawes, Managing Director of Norse said “Amid these highly challenging economic conditions, it is vitally important that Norfolk businesses are creative and imaginative in finding new ways of unlocking success. This conference has encouraged a spirit of enterprise, explored fresh ways of working and offered tips and advice from experts who really know what makes businesses tick. As a dynamic Norfolk-based business, a major employer and a passionate believer in the importance of innovative thinking, Norse is delighted to have played a key role in such a high-profile gathering.”

Dick Palmer, Group CEO of TEN Group said “Unlocking Success is a timely theme for all those seeking creative and effective solutions to the constraints and opportunities before us in a climate of austerity – for the established business community in Norfolk, for start-ups and entrepreneurs, as well as for those in the public and voluntary sectors.”