DCA Business Growth Academy
In the past six months we have: Commissioned and had developed 7 training workshops, each of which has been live-tested, and 4 of which have been delivered in several locations. We had scheduled a total of 18 dates in different locations around the UK for February – May, sadly some of which have been postponed.
Covid-19 contingency planning
We are taking on board all Government recommendations in respect of delivering DCA’s public events and we remain mindful of the concerns of our member companies in respect of the health and wellbeing of employees. Many are now ruling that only the most essential of business travel should be undertaken, with some now having asked employees to work from home until the risks of contracting Covid-19 are lessened. On this basis, we have cancelled or postponed most of our upcoming live events. However, all planning for the scheduled DCA Annual Summit – June 11th 2020, Twickenham Stadium (which has provision for 4 training workshops alongside the conference) as well as the Direct Commerce Awards is continuing, on the basis that it will be able to take place.
We will though postpone the date if it proves to be the best decision in respect of the health and safety of our members, sponsors, speakers and delegates, following any updated guidance from the Government, the DCA advisory board, and/or the venue operator. Whatever the outcome we are still seeking additional panel members for conference sessions – if you would like to take part then please get in touch without delay.
To help counter the disruption being caused by Covid-19:
We are bringing forward the development of several initiatives to ensure that DCA members are able to continue to access expertise during these difficult times. We had already planned to explore the delivery of training materials and workshops digitally on the basis that it would be more cost-effective for member companies to allow more of their employees to access this support if it did not require them to incur the additional costs of travel or face staff shortages if several wanted to attend at the same time.
The production of a series of training workshops which can be delivered to members digitally, at a time of their choosing, based upon the topics already tested – would enable the DCA to begin to respond to the new market conditions imposed by Covid-19, as well as to evolve a more accessible range of training services.
We are also developing a new telephone-based consultancy offer for client side member companies which will match the requirement for expertise with the skills of a number of volunteer experts. This will form one of the primary DCA member benefits going forward and replace or supplement some of the learning which has ordinarily been gained by members through their attendance at DCA conference & training events, also better enabling those member businesses in more remote locations to have full access to expertise.
On its way
A new website for DCA is well into development and aims to provide much deeper learning content, as well as ensuring that all DCA members have access to the latest thinking, informed insight, as well as practical guidance across the full spectrum of departmental skills. With this in mind we urge you to send your news, viewpoints, case studies and any other content which you believe will be helpful to your fellow members. All contributions will carry full author credits and link to your company’s entry on the site.
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