KAMLOOPS – If you have been following our latest articles, you will have noticed that leadership is a theme at the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce this year.
While meeting with a focus group of millennial business people recently, the question was asked, “What do you think of the Kamloops Chamber and the business community as a whole?” Their answers surprised us.
First, we were informed that these dynamic young people want to be a part of the business community and to enjoy chamber membership. What they told us is that they are just not sure how to fit in. While there are some who do not see value in joining groups and clubs, these individuals were definitely of the mind that being a part of the chamber was worthwhile.
When we dove a little deeper, there were some intriguing things that we learned. First, young business people highly esteem mentorship from those who have succeeded in business. To be able to glean knowledge from their values, best practices and general wisdom is something that they desire.
Next, millennial business people want to gain leadership skills. While leadership is taught academically, these young people understand that translating this knowledge into everyday practice can be difficult. They feel that mentorship in this area would be very useful to them.
Over the next two years, the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce will seek to address some of these areas for our future leadership. An eight-month course on the soft skills of leadership is currently being offered and other programs will be evolving from that.
We believe that it is our duty to develop the leaders of our future; to nurture and develop them so that they will be able to create an even better business environment than we enjoy right now.
Deb McClelland is Executive Director at the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at deb@kamloopschamber.ca.