How bosses beat the recession over dinner (From Worcester News)

How bosses beat the recession over dinner

1:01pm Tuesday 23rd February 2010 in

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A DINNER where company bosses could help each other come up with ideas to beat the recession has taken place for the first time in Worcestershire.

The inaugural meeting of the Executive Village, the first of its kind in the Midlands and only the second in the UK, attracted firms from all over the county to the Grafton Manor Hotel, Bromsgrove.

Described as a “revolutionary concept of business co-operation and self-help”, the initiative, launched by Chrysalis Performance of Worcester, gives company owners and leaders the chance to meet and discuss problems relating to their businesses during an informal round-table dinner, and seek answers from fellow guests.

Everyone attending the first get-together put forward a concern they had experienced in the course of business. Their fellow guests asked searching questions and then gave their opinion on how the matters should be tackled in a practical working environment.

Ian Williams, director of Chrysalis Performance, who acts as facilitator at the monthly meetings, said: “This is an entirely new method of encouraging businesses to help each other in a relaxed, informal atmosphere and we are tremendously excited about it.

“Effectively, we are providing senior company managers with access to a diverse and experienced non-executive board they could never otherwise afford and from whom they can seek and receive practical advice in the confidential environment of an informal private dining room.”

The Executive Village, which takes place at the Grafton Manor on the second Wednesday of each month, is aimed at senior decision makers who want to gain inspiration, bounce ideas around or simply seek advice.

The organisers say giving bosses the opportunity to exchange thoughts, experiences and ideas puts them in a better position to bring about changes needed to be successful in the future.

“Our philosophy is that with the support and input of fellow business owners and leaders, we can each develop the thinking to grow our businesses,” Mr Williams said.