Page 23 - BOSS Today Issue 44
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BOSS Today SS Today
60 SECOND INTERVIEW BO #44#44
ups - and the changes I have driven Young Leaders of the Future that there is a huge amount of
through my own organisation, will programme, I think BOSS can do goodwill for BOSS. If we can prove
assist me in helping drive the next more to promote networking and our value deeper into members’
chapter of development for BOSS, knowledge sharing from the newer businesses then we can once
whilst also being sympathetic members of our industry so we can again be the go-to destination
to the views of all stakeholders. continue to adapt and reinvent. I for helping with those difficult
We all need to go on this journey will also be trying to improve our business conundrums, for sense-
together! digital services and leverage online checking strategic thinking, for
social platforms so as to promote confidence in decision making and
MW: Back in 2018 you commented in BOSS Today communication between all of our for sharing both the challenging/
(issue 38) that BOSS should be “getting stakeholders. good times with like-minded and
more members to connect with each other like-spirited people. BOSS could
and engage in BOSS services.” Is that still MW: What other challenges do you see BOSS prove a sleeping giant and if we
true and – if so – how do you think this can facing and how should it best deal with can refresh our relevance to all
be done effectively? them? members of our industry, then
SD: It’s never been more relevant. SD: Some influential, industry – to borrow a strapline from my
We are an old-fashioned industry long-timers may have become previous employer – the future is
that can be slightly change averse: disengaged with the BOSS bright…
but the world is changing around Federation, perhaps because they
us and we need to change, too. don’t see its relevance, or they MW: Finally, please tell me something about
The best way to drive change don’t think that it can add value, yourself that few others know.
is through collaboration and to or that they think what it is doing SD: I’m a bad kite-surfer. Few others
learn from how others approach has ceased to seem interesting know this as I’m not good enough
it. Networking sits at the heart to them. But I believe that when to boast about it. As soon as I’m
of this, but the excellent services things are tough, or when there is good at it – everyone will know!
that BOSS can offer through lots of change, then investing time
its partnership with BPIF can in learning about what’s
also assist BOSS members in an going on outside
incredibly valuable way, so we need the window is
to get better at communicating the critically important.
value of these. I would like BOSS
to be one of these
MW: You’ve also said that BOSS should be windows and to
“better articulating the importance of a prove the value
network in challenging times”. How do you of BOSS deeper
think this can be done effectively? into members’
SD: Most successful business people businesses. That
are successful because they know means engaging at
how to get things done through all levels of member
their experience and the people organisations, not
they have met or worked with just through the top.
before. BOSS is also a network,
but as things change, any network MW: What other opportunities
also needs to change or it loses do you see BOSS facing and
creativity and the ability for how should it best take
fresh thinking. I am a massive advantage of them?
advocate of listening more to SD: When I talk to
younger cohorts in our industry: people about the
while we’ve got a very engaged Federation, I can see
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