Telegraph Festival of Business

We were very privileged to be invited to The Telegraph Festival of Business this morning at London's The Brewery.

Photo: The Brewery

Not only was the venue amazing, the breakfast and lunch spread was mouth waveringly delicious (we may have snuck home a few meals going extra..!), but the main highlight was the incredible speakers: 


Nigel Wilson, CEO Legal & General:

Nigel spoke about increasing the UKs economic productivity through 'slow moving', namely investment. Although we, as Geographers at heart, we didn't exactly agree with one of his answers- developing on the Greenbelt, we did agree that investment is key to improving our economy.

"We need to understand our customers better" 

There was also a great Einstein quote:

"The significant problems that we have created can not be solved at the level of thinking we were at when we created them."

Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman, John Lewis Partnerships:

We were then lucky enough to hear from Charlie Mayfield, who spoke of the benefits of employee ownership underlining that SMEs could benefit most from this.

"Work should be a vector for social mobility"

"Conduct, education & ownership, the CEO of the workplace"

The panel that followed included th founder of Brompton Bicyle, Will Butler- Adams and Julie Kenny of Pyronix. There was an interesting focus on education and how schools can do more to forge links between businesses and students, helping to inspire both parties and help students realise dreams of starting their own businesses.  The general concensus what that schools are too focused on league tables and are reluctant to make the time to bring businesses in to inspire students- let's not forget that some businesses are also 'too busy' to make the time to go and speak. Julie urged businesses to make time to create these links and also highlighted a flaw in our education system- OFSTED focuses on educational progress but not on student destinations and what the student wants to do. It doesn't make sure "children achieve their aims" in terms of a career- which would be a very good measure of sucess and we found rather thought provoking.

We were then lucky enough to hear from an amazing panel in a session titled 'Exporting to the world'.

Thea Green, Founder, NailsInc. :

Thea gave great advice about researching foreign markets- the best way being to spend time in the local area. Thea also advised brands newly exporting to be patient! 

"Patience is the key to expanding globally"

"The best thing about exporting is you get to start again in every country"

Reinvention in every market

Andrew Graham, CEO Graham & Brown:

Andrew highlighted the importance of employing local management as a means of gaining trust and a deeper understanding of the local market place and issues faced. He also underlined the importance of keeping your brand and it's roots strong in your home market- afterall, it's where your business was born for a reason!

"Think global, act local"

Angus Thirwell, Founding Director, Hotel Chocolat:

As well as gifting guests some amazing chocolate, Angus had some interesting export examples to share.  One problem any business faces is whether to enter a competitive market with proven demand or enter into a new market. Angus highlighted differentiation as key to entering a market with successfully established players.  Hotel Chocolat took a risk entering the competitive market of chocolate in Copenhagen, but their unconventional flagship store design and a seriously cool looking cocoa bean roastery, gained them fantastic press coverage and customers love it.

"Create a hub in a market that anchors the brand, then branch out"

Thank you very much to The Telegraph for what was a wonderful event, we look forward to returning next year.