Theme: 'Managing Complexity and Challenge in a Turbulent Market' and 'Company database update'

Date: Thursday 26th March 2009

Time: 17.30 - 20.30

Venue: The Cheshire Cheese, 5 Little Essex Street, London WC2R 3LD

Contact: Ron Cruikshank - cruickshankra@hotmail.com

The second meeting of 2009 took place on Thursday 26^th March 2009 at The Cheshire Cheese, 5 Little Essex Street, London WC2R 3LD (020 7836 2347). 

We were entertained by two invigorating sessions which was followed by a Q&A session that were both lively and informative.

WEATHERING THE STORM - Martin Down, Director of The Executive Coaching Partnership

Managing Complexity and Challenge in a Turbulent Market

Managing complexity continues to be a critical skill in dealing with the combined impact of the current financial crisis, climate change and other significant trends affecting global markets. 

Lessons learned from the current crisis are critical to developing fit for purpose organisations that are better equipped to navigate their way through the challenges ahead. 

Martin Down reviewed issues raised by recent ‘ Whistleblowers’ reporting to The Treasury Select Committee on the Banking Crisis, who gave warnings about the risks but claimed their voice was not heard and/or acted upon in a culture that had an ‘indisposition to challenge’. 

Drawing on his experience as an Executive Coach and Organisational Change Consultant he will explore key implications and lessons for Executive teams.  His view is that simplistic solutions such as changing the Governance or Bonus arrangements are insufficient and instead a more systemic approach is required that addresses both the process mechanics of governance and  reward, and the leadership dynamics of how leaders and their senior teams encourage constructive challenge to bring out the best thinking.

Company Communications and database – AN UPDATE Ray Kane and Bill Penny

Database development is a hot topic and we were fortunate that Ray Kane and Bill Penney brought us up to date using their work on The Company’s website and database as a vehicle for this. 

Now that database will be the basis for the new WCOMC database that will sit behind the new web site and Bill explained how we hope it will not simply record information but drive the development of the Company’s pro-bono activities.

• It will be the definitive current and historical record of company members and activities

• It enables booking for events via the web site - simplifying life for members and the Clerk

• It facilitates the matching and management of our mentoring programme 

• Finding the right members to resource our pro-bono consulting depends upon the information you give us via your CV and skill set

• It will allow the active management of our relationship with those who register via the website as Friends of the Company – and so, we hope, raise our public profile and increase our membership

But it is still work in progress – the members’ view is complete, but the admin side is still in development and the data is obviously incomplete!  So please bear with us – and help by making sure your entry is complete and accurate – including your skill set (marker turns green!) and CV, now simple to upload.  Any problems – please let Bill know at bill.penney@wcomc.org