The importance of looking after people to drive growth has emerged as one of the key themes of a brand-new event celebrating local entrepreneurs and business success.
The recent Granite Growth Summit at the International School Aberdeen (ISA) was the result of a partnership between Prospect 13 and Granite PR. The one-day event brought together representatives of the North East business community including top performing organisations, brands and industry bodies to discuss the challenges encountered and triumphs enjoyed by companies during their growth journeys.
The one-day exhibition, conference and interactive workshops also offered business insights demonstrating that today’s businesses must aim high with their growth strategies.
With a range of speakers taking to the ISA stage to share their experiences, many highlighted the importance of investing in people to spearhead corporate growth. From mental health care and employee benefits for a multigenerational workforce to the need for an employer to excite and motivate, and the diversity of the 21st century business landscape, the stories shared provided an inspiring, candid and honest snapshot of doing business in and from the North-east of Scotland.
Commenting on the success of the inaugural Granite Growth Summit, International School Aberdeen’s head of school Nicholas Little said: “One theme ran through all the companies that presented at the recent Granite Growth Summit: they have survived tough times and, now that the outlook is brighter, they are expecting to bloom. However, it is not their IT systems or accountancy practices that are key to their success, it is their people.
“To do well, companies – and more particularly the people in them – have to be flexible and resilient. They have to be prepared to discard old assumptions and constantly look to learn new things with new people in unforeseen situations. So, what better place to host the Granite Growth Summit than the International School Aberdeen? As a provider of a 21st century education, we prepare students for a globalised world, where the future can’t be predicted and there is a need to be ready for change and to work with diversity.”
Granite PR Founder and managing director, Brett Jackson added: “There is no doubt that the unique venue for the first Granite Growth Summit played a key role in setting the scene for a first-class, stimulating and educational event.
“We are humbled by the support shown for this new addition to the Aberdeen events calendar and heartened by the positivity emanating from the local business community. This event has demonstrated that local businesses are very much ready to grow by embracing the future and tackling challenges head-on – placing people at the heart of all they do, regardless of scale or sector.”
Prospect 13 managing director Cerri McDonald said: “As soon as we officially launched the Granite Growth Summit, just six weeks ago, the enthusiasm of so many North East businesses to get involved made it clear that the local business community was ready for a new kind of event.
“We wanted to provide a platform which allowed entrepreneurs to share a different side to their business. The human side that many don’t see. And by telling these frank and moving stories, they suddenly became more real which was not only inspirational but motivational. Overall the day was uplifting and I am proud to have given people the opportunity to convey their highs and lows in business in a way that everyone can relate to, reminding and encouraging attendees that growth is there for the taking.”
The Granite Growth Summit was supported by International School Aberdeen, Blaze Manufacturing, Caber Coffee, Chasqui-Team, DC Thomson, DeepMiner, Elevator and Business Gateway, Federation of Small Businesses, Lindsay & Lang, Mattioli Woods, OGV Energy, Solab, SureVoIP, Thorpe Molloy, Traveleads.
Nicholas Little Cerri McDonald and Brett Jackson