Connect’s networking breakfast on the 27^th Feb was held at Little Hay Golf Complex where our guest speaker was Louise Towler from Indigo Tree.  Louise’s presentation was about the reasons why helping her community is good for her business. 

The main three things she highlighted were:

Recruitment and retention – it is thought that is costs around £30,000 to recruit, induct and train a new member of staff. Indigo Tree is a company where staff feel valued and the work they do is meaningful, and the company they work for makes a difference by caring about the local community is one of the main reasons why staff are so loyal and retention is so high.

Shopping locally – using local businesses where possible in your procurement or supply chain keeps more money within your community and helps to maintain a thriving local community. Louise encourages us all to change at least one supplier for a local business where possible. 

Making a difference – Indigo Tree have developed websites for various local charities and worthwhile causes. These websites have proven to attract more people which increases the charity’s profile and also increases their donations.  The satisfaction of doing this very meaningful work is felt by the whole workforce.

Louise offered the businesses and charities at the event a free, no obligation deep dive look at their websites with some key actions that can be taken forward for improvement.  Anyone who would like to take it up to contact Louise directly.

It was so lovely to be able to present some of the Connect members who were at the event with their membership certificates and they were also able to talk about their business to the group.

Ruth George HR Consulting – has been a member since 2012 and who is most proud of her work with Connect and the Generation Dacorum careers fair.

Karate Kidz – have been members since 2014 and enjoy being part of the community and being able to keep up to date with other local businesses and charities.

Indigo Tree – have been members since 2014 and value the opportunities to connect with the local community and make a difference.

Step2Skills – have been members since 2023 and appreciate the connections with local companies and charities which enables them to train the next generation.

We also presented a certificate to our newest member – Caremark (Dacorum) who is looking forward to making great connections as their new business takes off.

Afterwards, it was also lovely to present Sheng Nuo with their certificate.  They have been a member since 2012.

Our next ‘Making Connections’ event is from 8am to 9.30 at the Community Action Dacorum offices in Hemel High Street.  Come along and promote your business/charity, meet your community and make connections.

Book on to our next event here