CA Summit 2022 hosts a formidable lineup
By CA magazine
31 August 2022
CA Summit 2022 provides an ideal opportunity to explore winning insights from thought leaders who can inspire and inform your business strategy into 2023 and beyond, writes Fraser Allen
Business leaders of any description will know all about the importance of working on the business rather than in it. The phrase may have become a cliche, one often easier said than done, but it is no less true for its familiarity. And at this time of year, the post-summer glow can provide a prompt for business leaders to push their heads above the parapets and think about strategy.
The firms that flourish over the coming decade will be those with enquiring leaders who are sensitive to the changing world around them. Regular refreshes of business strategy, inspired by word-class thinking, will be essential to adapting to changing circumstances and identifying new opportunities.
As Bruce Rogers, founder and then Chief Insight Officer at Forbes Insights, remarked in 2015: “Thought leadership content should be informative and embody innovative and actionable components that, in time, because of their effectiveness and contributions, can become accepted industry practices.” Leaders who share their experiences, both positive and negative, will provide their audience with valuable insights and fresh perspectives.
Even if you think you have a watertight strategy that is unshakable and unimprovable, there is much to be gained from getting an outside perspective, especially from people who have been there, seen it and done it. Richard Whittington, author of the classic book What Is Strategy, and Does It Matter?, argues that even if a strategy is never implemented it isn’t necessarily worthless. Simply producing it means you have considered all the possibilities and fully analysed an issue. Whittington also firmly believes that “open strategy”, which involves greater transparency with internal and external audiences about strategy, not only benefits organisations and their immediate stakeholders, but also society as a whole.
With strategy to the fore as summer turns to autumn, CA Summit 2022 is the perfect place to get the thinking caps on and start to consider the bigger picture, the one that lurks beyond this year’s balance sheets. This award-winning event has fast established itself as an invaluable opportunity for business leaders to explore outstanding insights, provocative thinking and emerging trends with some of the biggest names in business and beyond.
Of course, this year’s event takes place during a time of continued uncertainty. With the ever-shifting post-pandemic landscape of financial volatility, conflict in Europe and climate change, there’s rarely been a more important era in which to think carefully about your choice of paths to take.
Whether you come away with the full complement of useful ideas for your business, or hear just one insight that proves pivotal to your future success, this is an event not to be missed.
CA Summit daily breakdown
CA Summit 2022 takes place on 4-6 October 2022 and is held entirely online to enable easy access wherever you work. The content is divided into three 90-minute lunchtime sessions (1-2.30 BST), under the themes Learn, Grow and Inspire, providing maximum food for thought with minimal disruption to your working day. New speakers are still being announced – so keep an eye on the website for details.
Tuesday 4 October
LEARN: What have we learnt from the pandemic?
We’ll be delving deep into the many changes we’ve experienced over the past two and a half years, revealing insights that can shape a productive way forward. Speakers booked so far include former British Ambassador to the US Lord Darroch, Financial Times columnist Elizabeth Uviebinené in conversation with author and podcaster Bruce Daisley, social entrepreneur Caroline Casey, solution-based therapist Gin Lalli and Andrew White of Saïd Business School.
Wednesday 5 October
GROW: How do we create sustainable businesses?
The second session gives attendees the opportunity to take part in challenging and informative discussions that will inspire ideas
for positive growth, change and development. Speakers include tech pioneer and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley, mental-health campaigner Alastair Campbell, Belu CEO Natalie Campbell, Sprout World founder Michael Stausholm and Helen Brocklebank of Walpole.
Thursday 6 October
INSPIRE: What will the business of the future look like?
The third session explores ideas from influential figures behind the growth of innovative and equitable organisations, revealing powerful visions and true innovation. Speakers include campaigner and businesswoman Margaret Casely-Hayford, purple pound champion Mike Adams, Giles Hutchins of Future Fit Leadership Academy, and Hamisha Mehta CA, co-founder of the Gold Bangle Club. City AM Editor Andy Silvester hosts a panel on Web 3.0.
For the latest speaker announcements and to reserve your free ticket, visit icas.com/ca-summit