Harvard Business Review, no less.

Flicking through one of many emails today I came across this 

"Management Tip of the Day" from the Harvard Business Review. 

I am not suggesting changing your job, but Volunteering is a means of getting experience you may not be able to achieve in your current role.

Trust yourself, you have so much more to give.

"It's impossible to know if you'll really like a career direction until you try it. To avoid costly mistakes — and wasting your energy — take a test-drive. If you can spare nights or weekends, or afford to go without a paycheck for a short period, try volunteering. Offer to help out at an organization or assist an entrepreneur who's working in the field you think you want to get into. It will allow you to network with people in your target career, build new skills, and enhance your resume — all of which will make you an attractive candidate if you eventually decide to apply for jobs in that field. You can even volunteer in your current job. Step up for committees and cross-functional projects that allow you to build connections in different departments. It might feel strange at first to work for another part of your company, but you'll be compensated with a broader internal network and added experience."

Yes Minister!

I have delayed my latest update to allow for the inclusion of an event I supported last week, attended by Nick Hurd MP, Cabinet Office Minister. During the visit Nick met one of my current connections appropriately entitled "Canal Connections", more about that enterprise later.
Nick is rather involved in the programme, as his office funded the initial pilot for Business Connectors and so is very proud of how it is growing and developing. Not only that but he is supporting Business in the Community's drive to recruit more connectors.
You can read more about the visit at http://www.bitc.org.uk/news-events/news/minister-calls-more-businesses-yorkshire-humber-support-their-local-communities

For anyone from Lloyds reading this then you can find out more at http://lbg.intranet.group/corporateresponsibility/business_connectors/default.shtm, otherwise, have a look at http://www.bitc.org.uk/programmes/business-connectors to understand how to get involved and/or support the local connector.


Retail Ready People is a programme run via The Retail Trust and provides a skills development programme for young people aged 16-25 from all backgrounds with a bespoke training programme, which culminates in them running their own shop for a month. The next two are in Leeds and Rochdale and I am working with them to support some of their needs around Marketing and Merchandising.
From the marketing angle, we are being supported by Brass Agency http://www.brassagency.com/who are based in Headingley and have such a broad range of experience that the young people will be able to understand how brands are created, supported and they get their message across.
The Merchandising support is coming from one of the UK's main youth brands JD Sports Fashion, which includes the likes of Scotts, Bank, Nicholas Deakin and many more. Paul Clarke the Head of Visual Merchandising has personally agreed to lead this and will showcase his background, how JD "do it" and help support and challenge the young people with their projects.

Canal Connections
I mentioned Canal Connections above and Nick Hurd's visit helped us showcase an awful lot of work by some very dedicated people. I am very proud of what they are building and the potential vision is to "enable young people to achieve their true potential using the waterways". To make this a reality we need to develop a robust and meaningful plan and that is where I have spent a lot of time with the principal behind the social enterprise Trevor Roberts. So many of our towns and cities are close to waterways and Trevor and others are seeking to capitalise on this.
Earlier today I met up with Hilton Hotels, who are interested in how they can support Trevor and it is another example of a business trying to do the right thing. This could be something we could link throughout the UK, but let's make it work in Leeds first!

A presentation entitled "Building the Social Economy through the Waterways" will be taking place at the Moyes Centre in Seacroft, Leeds on the 19 March and for anyone interested in finding out more then please click the following link http://canalconnections2013.eventbrite.co.uk/

Staying Connected
Access to the Internet is so important and for some this is not straight forward. This could be that they don't have access to the right equipment, cannot afford the cost of the service or are not confident to use the hardware.
LS14 Digital Lounge offers a friendly drop in service in Seacroft and Nic and Jo who run the lounge, really do engage and make a difference in their community. So when I found out that 3 of their machines had broken and could not be repaired, I made a request for replacements. Within no time David Clugston from Clugston Group came up trumps and has donated a number of second hand PC's that will help maintain the service Nic and Jo provide. Thanks to all at Clugstons.

SHOES
We have now agreed a framework with the primary schools involved and the retailer to provide a small range for boys and girls (5-11) to ensure that none of the children should have to go to school without the right footwear. Thank you to Michael Ziff from Barratts for his support and Louise Walker from the Seacroft and Manston Resource Team, who will be administering the scheme.

School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE)
I have mentioned the SSE before but the next round of applications closes in April, so if you have an idea that can help your community then have a look. Best of all, it is free. http://www.the-sse.org/schools/26/lloyds-banking-group-social-entrepreneurs-programme


Apprentice Training Agency
This is new to Leeds and backed by the council and City Region. I have started to try and connect them, but if you are a business that would be interested in a new approach to Apprenticeships, then you should consider the ATA.
The ATA is all about getting the right apprentice for you, but they will take care of the HR and payroll, as well as the apprentice being on their headcount until the end of their programme or when you have a permanent role for them. More information can be found at http://www.ataleeds.co.uk/


And finally...
No two days are ever the same in this role and with respect to Gary Larson's genius I have included this cartoon of his, but whilst sometimes we know just how the dinosaur feels we can all make so much difference in our communities. 

By going the extra mile we can and do make a huge difference. If you have done something to help or will be doing so shortly you have earned the right to feel good about it. Tell as many people as you can and encourage them to think about getting involved. Someone somewhere will be really grateful.

Thanks for reading.



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