LOTF Building the Best Version of You: A Day of Insight and Inspiration
The sold out event provided a platform for attendees to listen to motivational speakers, engage in discussions, and participate in interactive sessions aimed at elevating both personal and professional performance.
The Leaders of the Future events are designed to empower young leaders by providing them with opportunities to collaborate, learn from experienced professionals, and network with their peers. Our goal is to equip these emerging leaders with key actionable takeaways that they can apply to their careers, fostering growth and innovation within their organisations and the industry as a whole.
Sarah Furness MA Cantab RAF is a bestselling author and motivational speaker known for her compelling insights on leadership, resilience, and personal development. With a distinguished background in the Royal Air Force, Sarah brings a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to her speaking engagements.
Key Learnings from Sarah
- Encourage team members to voice their opinions and welcome challenges, even when there's disagreement.
- Cultivate emotional intelligence; don't take things personally, and recognise your inherent worth.
- Understand and forgive the universal fear of rejection.
- Remember that humans are born with only two fears: loud noises and falling.
- Face your fears, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
- Be prepared to make unpopular decisions when necessary.
- Strive to reach a state of conscious incompetence and work on closing the gaps in your knowledge and skills.
- Embrace fear as a natural part of growth.
- Validate your leadership internally to avoid it impacting your leadership style.
A passionate advocate for professional development, Phil frequently shares his insights through speaking engagements and contributions to industry discussions. His dedication to nurturing emerging leaders and promoting best practices in business management underscores his role as a prominent figure in the business community.
Phil Jones MBE, Managing Director of Brother UK, delivered a session emphasising the evolving role of CEOs into world-class generalists. He highlighted the importance of fostering open communication, understanding statutory obligations, and prioritising strategic thinking. Phil stressed the value of building relationships, excelling in delegation, and embracing innovative business models like subscription services. He concluded with insights on creative strategising, optics management, and the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership, providing attendees with actionable strategies for personal and professional growth.
Phil also shared valuable resources for continued learning and development:
Podcast: Stephen Bartlett interviewing Simon Cowell
Audiobooks:
The Excellence Dividend by Tom Peters
The Chimp Paradox by Dr. Steve Peters
Detox Your Ego by Steven Sylvester
Good to Great and Great by Choice by Jim Collins
In the afternoon, roundtable discussions were hosted by key industry leaders, including Ian Buckley (Managing Director, Prima Software), Jo Marshall (Executive Director, YPO), Stuart Derbyshire (Chief Sales Officer, OT Group UK & Ireland), and Jeanette Caswell (Managing Director, Office Friendly). These interactive sessions allowed participants to discuss current topics shaping the business supplies industry and modern working practices.
The day concluded with a dynamic panel at 3:00 pm, focusing on achieving high performance in today’s business supplies industry. We extend sincere thanks to our panelists for sharing their valuable insights and expertise.
Jo Marshall
Jo Marshall is the Executive Director of YPO, bringing extensive experience and dynamic leadership to the organisation. Known for her strategic vision and dedication to excellence, Jo has been instrumental in driving YPO's mission to provide innovative procurement solutions and support to the public sector. Her commitment to fostering collaboration and enhancing operational efficiency has made her a respected leader in the industry.
Stuart Derbyshire
Stuart Derbyshire is the Chief Sales Officer for OT Group UK & Ireland, where he leads the company's sales strategy and operations. With a proven track record in driving revenue growth and building high-performance sales teams, Stuart's leadership is marked by his strategic acumen and customer-centric approach. His commitment to excellence and innovation has significantly contributed to the success and expansion of OT Group's market presence.
Ian Buckley
Ian Buckley serves as the Managing Director of Prima Software, overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the company. With a focus on leveraging technology to empower businesses in the supply chain sector, Ian has led Prima Software through innovative initiatives and partnerships. His leadership is characterised by a dedication to customer success and continuous improvement, ensuring Prima Software remains at the forefront of industry innovation. Ian's expertise and vision have positioned Prima Software as a trusted partner in delivering cutting-edge solutions to its clients.
Jeanette Caswell
Jeanette Caswell is the Managing Director of Office Friendly, where she leads the organisation with a focus on supporting independent businesses in the office supplies sector. With a career dedicated to fostering collaboration and driving growth within the industry, Jeanette's leadership at Office Friendly is marked by her strategic vision and commitment to customer satisfaction. Under her guidance, Office Friendly continues to innovate and provide valuable resources to its members, empowering them to thrive in a competitive market. Jeanette's advocacy for sustainable business practices and community engagement reinforces Office Friendly's position as a trusted partner for independent office suppliers.
BOSS would like to thank Alex Stone and Rachael Lewis for their dedication as co-chairs of the BOSS Leaders of the Future committee. Their leadership has been crucial in shaping our events and supporting emerging industry leaders. We eagerly anticipate James Day and Amy Remmer carrying the Leaders of the Future group forward, bringing their enthusiasm and expertise to further advance and grow our community.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to our venue supporters, ACCO UK, and our industry speaker supporters, Brother UK. Additionally, we appreciate the generous contributions from Cawston Press, Exaclair, BIC, and Nestle, whose support was instrumental in making this event possible. We hope all delegates found the day enriching and informative, equipping them with actionable takeaways to enhance their leadership skills and drive success in their respective roles. Here’s to continued growth and collaboration in the business supplies community.
If you would like any information on the upcoming Leaders of the Future event, please contact Helen@bossfederation.co.uk
