Past Firm Elite events
2011
Firm Elite 2011 - Last year, our focus was on 'business can make a positive social impact by focusing on its purpose, how it does it, for whom it does it, and with whom it does it'.
Our first dinner of 2011 (February) focused on how we can approach this - and we were delighted to have as our discussion leader Caroline Taylor of IBM UK Ltd - Vice President of marketing, communications and citizenship. To understand what Blue Nun, Bagpipes, Bottom Lines and Watson have in common, click here.
Our second dinner of 2011 (6th April) focused on 'values based leadership' - and we were delighted to have as our discussion leader Sally Osman. Sally is a former Director of Communications at the BBC, Five and Sky, who now specialises in organisational storytelling and comms capabilities. What did you miss? Find out...
Our dinner on 23rd June welcomed Georgina Stevens, who was involved in the development of the sustainability strategies for, amongst many organisations, Virgin Atlantic and Marks & Spencer, the WWF. So she spans many sectors. Our focus was the issues personal - how do we as individuals engage others in the discussion, in the rational, in the passion, when so many other competing factors are at play in organisations. Missed it? Find out how the discussions developed.
Our dinner on 27th October focused on the Olympics 2012 - 'the value that the Olympics add to a country - social, financial and environmental'. Our conversation was engagingl led by Jon Lane, Business Development and Partnership Director, BT London 2012. This is what happened.... or hear about it via audioboo.
Tuesday 16th November 2010
The purest treasure mortal crimes afford, is spotless reputation; that away, men are but gilded loam or pointed clay. (Shakespeare)
Or, to be more modern, protecting reputation during a crisis. 'Every day without a crisis just brings it one day closer. Why you don't have to be BP to be concerned about protecting reputation.' (Caesar-Gordon 2010!)
Hosts: Deborah Jeff and Kehrela Hodkinson
Discussion Leader: Andrew Caesar-Gordon (Electric Airwaves). The return of our most regular speaker. And the one with the best videos!
Tuesday 20th July 2010
Communications in a digital world - how do we need to adapt in order to ensure our organisations' sustainability in tomorrow's political, social, environmental and economic atmosphere?
Hosts: Simon Card OBE, Deborah Jeff and Richard McKelvey
Discussion Leaders: Brian Bannister Director of Communications PwC llp and Filippo Addarii Executive Director of Euclid Network, Director of International Leadership Development at ACEVO.
To read an account of the evening: go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=95
Thursday 27th May 2010
Making an impact in tomorrow's economy - with many individuals and organisations reviewing the impact that they require their investments to achieve, we look at the growing trend amongst corporate investors and the wealthy of placing their finances in hitherto 'marginal' places. If organisations are providing merely a financial return but not a social return on investment, will they lose out long term?
Hosts: Sara Dixon and Richard McKelvey
Discussion Leaders: Mark Campanale (the Social Stock Exchange) and Jer O'Mahony (Killik Asset Management)
To read an account of the evening, go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=92
Tuesday 16th March 2010
London is a roost for every bird (Benjamin Disraeli)
In a year when the birds of the city threaten to flee the roost, to countries and jurisdictions where trade is still to be had, bonuses still flow freely and innovative thinking is equally to be found, what future is there for London and its businesses? Some say London is at an end and will never be as it was; as for others, they predict the Phoenix rising from the ashes - different but more sustainable than before.
Hosts: Kehrela Hodkinson and Sara Dixon
Discussion Leaders: Derek Wright (Kleinwort Benson Entrepreneurs Forum) and Julian Rhys (Frostrow Capital)
To read an account of the evening, go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=88
Thursday 21 January 2010
Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value (Albert Einstein)
For some, 2008 and 2009 were years not of success but of failure; for others, the opposite. Regardless of outcome, it is clear that the definition of success, and more importantly of value, has changed. What value does each of us hope to deliver in 2010? As always at the beginning of each year, Firm Eliters met to share plans, experiences and advice with other trusted guests. As usual, we start the new year ready to support our fellow guests for another year. This dinner event was open to existing Firm Eliters only.
Hosts: Deborah Jeff and Sara Dixon
Discussion Leader: Deborah Jeff
To read an account of the evening: go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=84
Tuesday 17th November 2009 - Back for a second event, Andrew Caesar Gordon of Electric Airwaves.
For a flavour of the evening, go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=78
Tuesday 15th September 2009 - An evening with Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of Law Works
A stimulating evening of discussion which spanned corporate responsibility, social impact and the strong role that pro bono plays in ensuring that lawyers fulfil their social responsibility. For a flavour of the evening go to http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=74
Tuesday 14th July 2009 - An evening with Graham Neale of Killik Asset Management.
We were lucky to capture Graham for an evening event as he is normally associated with early mornings - regular listeners to the Today programme on Radio 4 will be aware of his words of wisdom at unearthly hours of the morning. For those of you linked in to Radio 2's Wake up with Wogan, we feel you should try Radio 4's Get up to Graham... For a flavour of the evening, go to http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=69
Tuesday 19th May 2009 - an evening with Diana Garnham Chief Executive of the Science Council.
"I believe that a scientist looking at non-scientific problems is just as dumb as the next guy." (Richard Feynman 1918-1988). How do organisations and individuals achieve their strategic goals when working with professionals who are specialists in one technical skill or body of knowledge, yet are then expected by their organisations to deliver results using business and management skills. In today's world, professionals must at the very least be able to interract and engage with professional managers, even if they are not furnished with management skills themselves. Our light hearted evening focused on experiences of those who have to work with professionals, as well as some of the issues facing the future of Science and its application in the market economy of the UK - particularly the study of science by today's youth. For a guest's perspective of the evening, go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=64
Tuesday 10th March 2009 - Back to Basics?
What does this mean? We see the phrase everywhere in a downturn. Discussion focused on what does and does not work in terms of both personal and organisational development from the Back To Basics toolkit. How do we combine the old fashioned values and business methods, that we are told are now the only way to survive into the future, with the latest habits and expectations of purchasers who live in the ultra modern world of internet, instant communication and 'quick win' expectations of business and organisational relationships? For a guest's perspective of the evening, go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=55
Tuesday 20th January 2008 - how we can help our contacts to market their own organisations.
The first dinner of 2009 concentrated on how market developments in different sectors and countries means that contacts and connections are key to being successful in the future. For a guests's perspective on the evening, go to: www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/php?postId=44
Tuesday 18th November 2008 - an evening with Andrew Caesar-Gordon
The media can make or break an organisation. Andrew Caesar-Gordon of Electric Airwaves (one of the UK's largest media training companies) regaled us with stories from the sharp end! (www.electricairwaves.com) and generously gave us up a few tips along the way. For a guest's prespective on the evening, go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?postId=46
Tuesday 16th September 2008 - where are the opportunities today for new business?
And why is the current credit crunch a chance for innovative businesses and organisations to operate in a new world of risk and reward?
For a guest's perspective on the evening, go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/php?postId=39
Tuesday 15th July 2008 - an evening with Ruth Dearnley of Stop the Traffik
What does it take for a few individuals to make the UN listen to society's wish to stop human trafficking? And how does human trafficking pose one of the biggest risks to the corporate world? An evening which generated discussion ranging from theories of business and management practice to the 'reality' of operating in a globalised world with an aim which to many might seem impossible but which, once identified and articulated, appears possible.
For further information about the evening's discussions, go to: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?id=37
Thursday 17th April 2008 - an evening with James Knight
Owner of an award-winning practice, doing business in a traditional profession in a non-traditional way, James regaled us with why Lawyers-Direct has operated in the way that it has and what the benefits are for the business and for clients. He also brought us up to date with the business rebranding, as it becomes Keystone Law.
For further information about this Knight's Tale on the night, click on: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?id=33
Thursday 21st February 2008 - an evening with Kehrela Hodkinson
Kehrela is a partner at Hodkinson Law Group - a US law firm offering services in the UK. www.usvisalawgroup.com. What are the similarities between the US and the UK when it comes to doing business? What does that mean in terms of cross-cultural relationships? Kehrela, a stimulating speaker, led a valuable, informative and insightful discussion.
For further information about how the event went, click on: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?id=28
Thursday 24th January 2008 - an evening with Dan Whiter
Dan Whiter, whose fortunes we have been following as a newsger on our site (as a passionate, if slightly mad, marathon runner in between army commitments), focused on goals, achievements and regaled us with tales and turned our stomachs with photographs (festering feet etc...). As a start to the new year, it was a stimulating focus on what it takes to achieve what we set out to.
For further information about how the event went, click on: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?id=25
Thursday 20th September 2007 - an evening with Richard Brent
Richard is the editor of Managing Partner magazine, well-known as a stimulating and thought-provoking journal targetting those at the forefront of law firm development. Richard is one of our guest newsgers and we were able to hear more of his views about the future of the legal profession over dinner. As somebody who has worked in other industries and businesses, we were able to broaden the discussion to issues facing the business world as a whole and the implications of those issues upon the legal profession.
For further information about how the event went, click on: http://www.firmbeliefs.co.uk/news.php?id=21
