Alison Heppenstall’s Post

As we enter 2024, we are acutely aware of the increasing pressure facing membership organisations and the need to adapt and be resilient. Some of the priority areas that we are working on with our membership body clients include:  • Governance: The need to establish and uphold high ethical standards and transparent governance practices. Implementing policies, codes of conduct, continued accountability and regular reviews of governance structures. • Member Engagement and Development: To foster stronger member engagement and development to ensure continued relevance. This includes the evolution of continuous learning opportunities, mentorship programs and the development of resources, content, information and support across key thought leadership areas that your members need to adapt to changing industry landscapes. • Advocacy for Industry Sustainability: Membership organisations increasingly need to advocate and develop policies and practices that foster sustainability internally and within their industry. This includes climate change and environmental impacts, wellbeing, advocating for diversity and inclusion and promoting responsible industry growth. • Financial Strength: The pressure to generate non subscription income has never been greater. Identifying new income opportunities and diversification of revenue via partnerships and initiatives that align with goals is crucial. • Collaboration and Partnerships: Measurable commercial and cash equivalent collaborations are key to business success. Partnerships amplify impact, provide access to IP, content, expertise, new markets and revenue. Collaborations we are working on range from joint campaigns and research initiatives to sharing best practice, resources, or even co-hosting knowledge-transfer events to enhance collective action. • Social Value, Wellbeing, Equality, Inclusivity and Diversity: Implementing member facing EI&D, social value and wellbeing activities is crucial to member and employee engagement. Embracing diverse perspectives for all members contribute to a stronger and more engaged community. Ultimately, our focus in this new year is to work with membership organisations to identify new opportunities for growth, impact and revenue generation. To find out more about our current projects and client work, drop Alison Heppenstall a message or email. b2b, transforming the way membership organisations do business. #Partnerships #Associations https://lnkd.in/eCDmqCDT

Collaborating with the government offers a significant advantage by encouraging partnerships among small businesses, larger corporations, and the local communities in which we live in. This collaboration fosters an environment that values diversity and inclusion. At AS STRATEGY, we are dedicated to forging authentic relationships with our clients. Our personal approach is to gain a profound understanding of their requirements and goals, allowing us to deliver solutions that exceed their expectations. #ASSTRATEGY #CollaborationOverCompetition #CollaborateAndInnovate #GovContracting #BidAndWin

It was a pleasure to delve into some of the core issues organizations face in this piece, to offer insights into their complexities, and to propose potential strategies for adaptation and growth. The landscape for professional associations is undoubtedly challenging, but it is also ripe with opportunities for transformation. By embracing change, focusing on member needs, and staying agile, organizations can continue to play a vital role in the professional development and advocacy of their members. #EmployeeExperience #Diversity #Communication #Digitization

Accountability is a crucial aspect of our daily lives, both at home and in the workplace. However, it's often confused with responsibility, leading to misunderstandings in our relationships with others. To build stronger communities and businesses, we need to have a clear understanding of our identity and how we hold ourselves accountable. Here are some of my thoughts on accountability in business and community. I would love to hear your perspectives as well. https://lnkd.in/gK57yeGE #Zeytech #accountability #businesssuccess #businessjourney #strongcommunities

How does our B Corp status benefit you? What does this mean for you? Here's a glimpse into how our B Corp Certification benefits our clients and partners: 1. Trust & Transparency: Rest assured, we're committed to high standards of social & environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. 2. Positive Impact: Partnering with us means aligning with shared values and ambitions for a better world. 3. Sustainability Focus: Our low environmental impact and ongoing efforts to minimize it align with your eco-conscious goals. 4. Collaboration & Networking: We're part of a global B Corp family, ready to connect you with diverse skills and expertise. At Liven Creative, we're not just about profit—we're about making a difference. Read our full article here: https://lnkd.in/du87TK4v Let's chat about how we can work together to achieve your goals! 🚀 #BCorp #Sustainability #Collaboration #BusinessEthics

With all the conversations going around toxic work cultures, it’s a good time to revisit this thought-provoking Tedx talk from Alex Edmans on the social responsibility of businesses. While in the last few decades the mission statements of leading firms globally have evolved tremendously to incorporate social responsibility and a purpose-driven mandate beyond just focusing on profits, it’s unfortunate that market success, however, is still measured largely through short term financial gains. Time and again, studies have shown investing in ethical business practices, including employee wellbeing, is never at the expense of profit, it supports profit, if only companies start focusing on long-term value as much as they currently focus on quarterly earnings. https://lnkd.in/gzvJihek

Collaboration is often hailed as essential for change and systems work. And while this is recognised as important, through our work we have often experienced undertones of organisational singularity, sometimes exacerbated by opaque relationships to power and issues of competition. In a space where everyone has great intentions it can be difficult to raise these issues, but we think there’s a way to move dialogue, policy and practice forward with an 'ecosystem approach'. In this piece we draw on the typology of intermediaries we shared in our recent blog and explore the difference between field-building and ecosystem approaches to transformative change. We discuss reframing organisational relationships to understand how more nuanced forms of relationships and organising frameworks can stimulate and amplify impact with a commitment to collective rather than purely organisational goals. And we dive into ideas of duplication, amplification and how we might see both competition AND collaboration as important and co-existing. Read the full piece here > https://lnkd.in/gHcAhbZe #placebased #collectiveimpact Joanne McNeill Ingrid Burkett

DuPage County, with a population of 920,000, needed an adaptable plan to prioritize #diversity and #inclusion across the county's services, programs, and policies. Discover how our #localgovernment experts helped the county implement the plan and allocate resources effectively. https://bit.ly/3Y1jQ0U

Insights into #recruiting and #retaining staff was discussed at Uchelgais Gogledd Cymru | Ambition North Wales conference. Chair, David Roberts, emphasised the significance of the event as an important platform for #employers to address pressing issues in workforce management. Delegates heard from keynote speaker, Craig Weeks of JCB who delivered a personal perspective on #skills development, as well as from a panel of experts, who shared views on innovative solutions to challenges linked to attracting and retaining talent. David, who has supported North Wales SME leaders through business advisory service The Alternative Board for almost a decade, said: “An important strand of crafting the region’s skills and #employability plan was consulting company leaders to understand the key issues they are facing. With recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce high on the agenda, we hope the conference helped SMEs connect with education and training bodies, not only to ensure their own growth but to boost resilience and prosperity throughout the region. The day was filled with opportunities to receive advice, and from the feedback we’ve already received, the employers in attendance are feeling more confident to look for the relevant support they need.” Sian Lloyd Roberts, Regional Skills Manager added: “It was great to welcome organisations from across so many sectors to the conference – it really gave us an opportunity to look as what the similarities are and how we can work together to tackle some of the issues. We know that attracting, developing, and retaining talent are among the main challenges facing North Wales businesses, so we were keen to bring everyone together to explore solutions to some of these common issues.”

🚀 Exciting News for Cambridgeshire Businesses! 🌍 Join the With Purpose Community & Platform - the epicenter for businesses dedicated to growth with a positive societal impact! 🌟🤝 Connect with like-minded businesses, nonprofits, and community partners and contribute to the greater good, to showcase your commitment to responsible business practices 🌱💼 Unlock the immense value and benefits for your business: 1. Elevated Social Presence: Boost your company's visibility, not just in the market, but as a purpose-driven entity in society 🌐🚀 2. Cultivating Purposeful Connections: Build enduring customer loyalty, solidifying your reputation as a trustworthy and socially responsible business 🤝💙 3. Attracting and Nurturing Talent with Purpose: Enhance your ability to attract and retain talent, creating a workforce committed to a shared purpose and social value 🌟👥 4. Employee Fulfillment and Impact: Increase employee satisfaction and productivity by fostering a culture where each contribution makes a positive societal difference 😊🌍 These benefits not only add to your bottom line but also contribute to a positive societal impact across Cambridge and beyond! What are members saying "I believe good collaborations are essential in business and one that makes a positive difference to the community we all operate in is key. We all have a duty to make a difference to lives around us. Also, the energy and drive of Rachel Hales made it an easy decision to get involved!" Join here today to meet all the other members already committed and on the platform, and get priority access to our popular networking events and all the other significant benefits for you and your business👇 https://lnkd.in/eQgnjxaG 💰🌍 #ProfitWithPurpose #BusinessGains #SocialImpact ✨ #WithPurpose #BusinessForGood #esg #csr