Holly Bell’s Summary of 2023
2023, what a year it's been! Let’s take a moment to share the highlights of our journey at access2growth.
It’s been a year of steady growth for us, navigating two distinct channels: firstly, from new offerings with existing clients, and secondly using traditional offerings with new clients.
However, amidst the successes, we faced a significant challenge partway through the year when a devastating fire razed one of our client's sites to the ground. The shock to the company was profound, however strong disaster recovery plans kicked in and they saw a swift return to normal business operations. This event reinforced a fundamental truth: great companies can recover rapidly from tragedy! We wish all staff from this site luck and success in their future endeavours.
Work-wise, we've been in the trenches, mixing it up with old friends and new clients alike. Each training program was a chance to flex our creative muscles and work with some fantastic people, bringing a variety of ideas to life. Because let's face it, variety is the spice of life! The first quarter saw us complete a tailored Lean Leader Programme for an existing client, with one Lean Leader achieving the highest score in access2growth history! We also started something brand new – an Advanced Development Programme for another client, where each student has their own individually tailored programme
Our digital game got a serious upgrade this year. We unveiled a brand-new website – not just a digital space, but a reflection of our evolution and the essence of who we are. It's where clients and partners can explore our offerings, find out some more about us, and everything that makes us tick. But we didn't stop there. We added to our repertoire of learning tools with the addition of even more custom videos because learning should be an experience, not a chore, right?
Finally, we also kicked off the second half of the year with a bang – our very first Study Tour with LEAN FORUM NORDVEST. Picture this: Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (the birthplace of access2growth), a cross-cultural expertise exchange, with Norwegian delegates in the mix, all delving into the secrets of 'Sustaining Lean.' It was a unique experience, one that set the tone for the rest of our adventures.
The best part of planning the study tour was it gave us the opportunity to reconnect with some old friends and outstanding companies. With "Sustaining Lean" as our theme, we were able to discuss our belief that it's more than just about techniques, training, or development, it's a nuanced challenge and there's no one-size-fits-all solution! We caught up with Frank Walsh, a giant in UK Lean development, and also spent time at Ebac with John Elliott, the founder and chairman known in the North East as the Geordie James Dyson! We also extended our exploration to Paragon Customer Communications, Sunderland and Essity, Prudhoe, both of who graciously hosted us, enhancing our overall experience with their knowledge and expertise. To top it off, some of the brilliant speakers from these sites joined us, delivering insightful talks including Steve Pollard and Roger Turvey from Paragon, and Tony Richards and Clare Stewart from Essity.
The study tour beat our highest expectations, not just because of the way it was organised, the real power lay in the intellectual depth of our discussions – both before and after each session. It was a true testament to the richness of our collective knowledge! We're thrilled to share that the feedback from our delegates was nothing short of fantastic. High scores across the board: accommodation, food, experiences, and the overall event. This affirmed that our efforts to create a memorable and enriching event truly hit the mark.
As we bid farewell to 2023, the excitement for what's next is palpable. The Study Tour? We don’t want it to be a one-time thing; we’d love to turn it into a tradition. So hold onto your hats – there could be whispers about launching a brand-new event… No spoilers, but it's bound to be epic!
So, here's to a year of firsts, growth, and keeping things fresh. Thanks for being part of the journey, and stay tuned for the next chapter. Cheers to 2023 and all the adventures. Bring on 2024!
