The second coming of GlassTalk, the networking event launched in March this year following the cancellation of Glassex, has been hailed as another great success as 150 glass and glazing industry professionals – all senior managers, company directors and owners – gathered with the express aim of doing business, righting some wrongs and sharing successes and perhaps jointly shouldering the burdens of some failures.
Learning from the inaugural event, proceedings were slicker and better managed, with lessons learned as a result of dozens of delegate comments and positive feedback. Nonetheless, whilst the organisers had polished the programme great care was taken to preserve the simplicity and integrity of GlassTalk, recognised as key qualities by participants.
With more ‘speed-networking’ sessions, interspersed with GlassTalk’s characteristic ‘On the Couch’ interviews with key industry speakers, delegates each managed to meet at least half of those attending in the managed networking, with further opportunities for informal networking as proceedings carried on into the evening, with drinks for delegates provided by 10 sponsors.
On the Couch first was Chris Ball of MBA Associates, whose list of clients includes pretty much everyone who is anyone in the industry. Chris resisted attempts to prise any serious secrets from him but still managed to provide a fascinating insight into the workings – or not – of some of Britain’s biggest glazing brands. Chris also shared his views on employment – or perhaps the classic mistakes many of us make – perhaps bringing into focus what we know but too often ignore about putting the wrong people in the wrong jobs.
Dave Ruzicka, joint managing director of super fabricator Sash UK was next On the Couch, sharing with delegates his passionate and, from the systems companies’ point of view, highly contentious ideas about their actions when appointing new fabricators, and willingness to provide sustenance to Phoenix restarts. Many agreed with Dave but there were also dissenting voices from the floor and in post event comments, though all appreciated Dave’s fervour.
The star ‘Couch session of the day, however, was stimulated by the coming together of Steve Sutherland, the author of the now infamous Downing Street ePetition that called for the glass producers pricing policies to be investigated; with the world-wide manufacturing chief of Saint-Gobain Glass and MD of the Eggborough float line Alan McLenaghan on the opposing couch.
In a session that exceeded even the double time allocated for this key and highly emotive issue, the Saint-Gobain head, aided by his marketing manager Derek Dragten, explained his company’s position against the thoroughly researched propositions of Steve Sutherland, who runs curtain wall installer Dortech. The views of the glass processor were provided by Customs Glass boss Jeff Hooson, who brought the concerns of his customers to the discussion.
The discussion resulted in Steve Sutherland generally accepting Alan McLenaghan’s impassioned explanation of his company’s position and stated commitment to deliver such rises with more notice and information. In particular he stated the necessity for price rises in the face of huge losses throughout Europe by all of the glass producers and subsequently the difficulties in making price rises stick when attempting to deliver them in isolation. It was clear, however, that not everyone in the room was convinced.
The majority of delegates once again took advantage of the opportunity to continue into the evening, with entertainment and what may be best described as increasingly informal networking, as the night wore on.
Afterwards industry blog Renegade Conservatory Guy carried an early report which attracted numerous comments, all of which were highly favourable and many continuing the debates begun at GlassTalk. That the debates and exchanges that took place at GlassTalk were continuing several days afterwards was proof of the need for such a forum. The contacts made through the networking will, for many, continue well into the future.
A stated aim of the organisers is to make substantial donations to charity, with Heal, which supports orphaned children in India, and the unofficial glazing industry charity GM Fundraising for the Hope House Children’s Hospice, both benefiting with four figure sums. Thus the networking continued way beyond the glass and glazing industry, delivering an unusual outcome in the glass and glazing industry of 2009: a successful outcome for everyone involved, and for many that weren’t!
Very good post. I tried to post this with only 3 words on and it said that the reply was too short
Can i comment? Why is “Can I comment?” too short?
why’s that
Well done to all the developers on the new website