Recent articles have covered stakeholder capitalism and promoted a Build Back Better Northamptonshire campaign, which is supported by the Lord-Lieutenant James Saunders Watson and the University.
This campaign is bringing together, on the one hand, leading local companies to discuss corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives and, on the other, charity and civic leaders to work on the resilience and independence of our vital local charity sector. Please do get in touch if you would like to join in these conversations.
My appeal is for all businesses to be more engaged with the local community, tapping into the growing localism movement as well as the great spirit of care, compassion and collaboration seen during the pandemic. Business needs to look after the community in which it operates, from which it recruits and into which it sells – if it does not, its own sustainability is at stake!
The charity sector can benefit and learn a lot from business – but business can also learn a lot from the charity sector, with exciting new concepts such as the Theory of Change, Collective Impact and the co-creation of value, with innovative tools and ways for business skills and energy to address the key social issues that matter to us all – and for the benefit of business.
To find out more, register for the next Lord-Lieutenant’s Leaders’ Forum using the email address given at the end of this article. This event is being held by webinar on Thursday, April 29, from 5.30 to 7pm, with expert keynote speakers discussing the co-creation of value and how to build better communities through better business – and better businesses through better communities.
Supporting community radio
One way that companies can engage with their community is through local radio. NLive Radio 106.9FM is the local radio station for Northampton and Northamptonshire, with a regular weekly audience of around 15,000 and growing.
On air it likes to be fun, engaging and entertaining, especially during the day, with coverage of what’s going on in Northampton and the county, interviewing people from community groups and local businesses passionate about the town and county. Its core daytime shows cater primarily for those in their 30s to 60s.
Evenings and weekends have the specialist shows. This includes my Tuesday evening ‘Open4Business’ show, discussing the business scene with local business, charity and civic leaders.
Do please let me know if you’d like to be a guest on the show. There is an arts and culture show on Sunday evenings. Wednesday evenings have rotating shows including ‘Shout to the Top’, a new programme on the first Wednesday each month hosted by the University’s Vice Chancellor Nick Petford, who takes an in-depth look at a topical issue with leaders and specialists in the field. Informative, challenging and thought-provoking – and, like my show, with great music too!
There are a range of specialist music shows, everything from local music, RnB, Latin, rock, pop and country. All the presenters are volunteers and, as a community-based station, NLive sees its role not only as supporting the community but also providing opportunities for everyone to learn media, journalism and presenting skills.
NLive seeks to support, showcase and collaborate with local organisations. NLive’s experienced and energetic Station Manager, Martin Steers, is keen to speak to businesses about possible contra opportunities – ways to raise awareness of NLive Radio in exchange for advertising or sponsorships, partnership and co-branding of events etc. Other creative ideas are always welcome!
Advertising on local radio is not as expensive as you might think – for as little as £100 a month, listeners can be hearing regular adverts promoting your business. Local radio advertising works – RadioCentre, the body that promotes advertising on radio – reports that radio has a return of £7.70 for every £1 spent.
In the pandemic more people are tuning into local radio, increasingly seen as their work-day companion. NLive Radio is there for all of us, businesses included, to help keep everyone informed and engaged, as well as entertained by great music and friendly voices that are all linked to or from the county, and more importantly, all passionate about Northamptonshire!
Get in touch with Martin at martin.steers@northampton.ac.uk
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To find out more about any of the above, contact Adrian via adrian.pryce@northampton.ac.uk or call 07720 297402
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