The co-founder of the world-renowned Eden Project has told local businessmen to empower their employees to become successful.
Speaking as the key note speaker at the inaugural Spotlight Mid Wales conference, held at Theatr Hafren, Tim Smit KBE, Chief Executive and co-founder of the Eden Project provided strategies for personal development and business success which he said were vital to development.
Over 200 people attended the event which provided a day of learning and discussion around the theme of Opportunties through Change. The conference was hosted by popular broadcaster, Sara Edwards.
Mr Smit shared his experience of co-founding the Eden Project, which has become a thriving tourist attraction in an area with similar challenges to the Mid Wales economy. Eden began as a dream in 1995, opened its doors in 2000 and to date has contributed £900 million to the Cornish economy, playing a major role in regenerating the area.
“All our speakers challenged perceptions, offered new ways of working and highlighted the many opportunities that times of change such as these often bring” said Dai Davies, Chairman of the Spotlight Mid Wales consortium.
Lynne Hamilton and Sioned Rees of the Welsh Assembly Government provided the conference with an overview of the Economic Renewal Programme outlining the new direction for supporting businesses, which aims to provide the conditions for the private sector to flourish.
The conference was also addressed by John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses and main sponsors of the Spotlight Mid Wales event.
A Twitter experiment was undertaken by Red Shoe Biz Woman, Rebecca Jones linking the Mid Wales audience to businesses across Wales and beyond. She emphasised the need to embrace networking opportunities available through social media such as Twittter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Ideas expert Andy Green hosted a breakout session, assisting delegates to think creatively, innovate and spot opportunities while internet marketing specialist Nigel T Packer provided practical e-business strategies to help increase profitability.
Delegates were also provided with an opportunity to attend a funding workshop hosted by Keith Thomas outlining the range of funding options currently available for business growth.
Nick Servini, BBC Cymru Wales business correspondent hosted a panel discussion with successful Mid Wales businesses Dulas, Graig Wen, Gloversure, and TV and Radio producers, Unigryw. The BBC Radio Wales Wales@Work team visited the conference to record its programme focusing specifically on the Mid Wales economy.
“Feedback has been excellent with commitment from many members of the audience to take messages back to their teams and implement many of the ideas” said Mr Davies: “If this inaugural Spotlight Mid Wales has helped to inspire business leaders, offered new ideas and working practices and created valuable new contacts for all who attended, then that must be a positive outcome for our region.”
PICTURES:
TOP: Young Local Entrepreneurs with Tim Smit of the Eden Project at the FSB sponsored Spotlight Mid Wales. Rear: Llion Pughe - “Best of Wales”. Front: left to right: Esyllt Dafydd - Caron PR; Alwena Hughes Moakes - Indeg PR; Tim Smit the Eden Project; Richard Glover Davies - Gloversure.
BOTTOM: (Left to right) FSB personnel: Alex Rimmer, Recruiter Mid Wales; Mike Jones Regional Secretary; Dai Davies Development Manager Mid and South Wales; Kaye Derwas Powys Branch Secretary and Donald Melrose South Wales Regional Chairman.