Following on from the successful launch of the Norfolk Knowledge Hub, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce is urging all businesses to make learning something new part of the working week, with the free-to-view digital knowledge and skills sharing platform adding a new channel for online learning.
A year of lockdowns has meant that many businesses are developing virtual content to help their business thrive. Webinars, online events, virtual networking, learning podcasts and tutorial videos have become as much part of business life as boardroom meetings, team workshops and face-to-face events.
To cut through the plethora of digital content, Norfolk Knowledge Hub was launched last month by Norfolk Chambers of Commerce. The Hub gives all businesses free-to-access and advert free content to support them in business. Now the knowledge and skills sharing platform has added a new channel – The Digital Academy.
Chris Sargisson, CEO of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said: “We want to make businesses see the importance of continuous professional development in recruiting and retaining talent, and improving productivity and wellbeing of employees by scheduling one hour a week for learning.
“The Digital Academy brings a third channel to the Hub where businesses can really get into the nitty gritty of what they want to learn. Here you can find videos, articles and podcasts on subjects from finance and budgeting, to presentations and digital marketing. All give clear learning outcomes, a structured learning plan and takeaways so that you can implement your learning into your business straight away.
“Businesses and organisations who have developed this free digital content can also share this on the Hub, so that more businesses can access these resources in one place.”
The Digital Academy already has good quality content from businesses such as learning and development company Turning Factor, NatWest and Archant. More content will be uploaded from these and other content partners to the Hub each month, providing an ongoing and relevant resource for businesses.
James Howells, Director of Turning Factor said: “Turning Factor is delighted to be a part of the Norfolk Knowledge Hub. As a Norfolk based company we are passionate about improving the wellbeing, performance and profitability of local companies. There is a direct correlation between the profitability and growth of a company and the skills used in management and leadership – as a county we need more focus on developing these skills within businesses. Having been born and bred in Norfolk, and as a business owner myself, I believe that the county has considerable unlocked potential that would allow more companies to become world-class in their sectors.”
Sarah Bilby, Regional Managing Director, London, South & East, Business Banking, for NatWest said: “We are delighted to be partnering with The Norfolk Knowledge Hub for the launch of their new Digital Academy. Our NatWest Business Builder programme has been hugely successful in supporting small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs across the country, and I’m really pleased this new platform will help us to reach an even wider audience. Learning is a key part of what we do at NatWest, so to be able to combine this with supporting local communities is really important to us.”
Andy Gray, Business Growth Enabler, Commercial Banking for NatWest added: “We’ve worked with Norfolk Chambers of Commerce for a number of years now and this opportunity to partner with the Norfolk Knowledge Hub is really exciting. We are already supporting many great businesses in Norfolk, however we hope that having our NatWest Business Builder learning materials available via the Digital Academy will help further inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of the Norfolk community.”
Businesses are encouraged to have a Knowledge Hour every week for them and their employees to learn something new, brush up on skills or share their knowledge with others using content in the Norfolk Knowledge Hub. The campaign When Is Your #KnowledgeHour is running on social media and is open to all businesses to take part.
The new Digital Academy can be found on the Norfolk Knowledge Hub at www.norfolkknowledgehub.co.uk or on the App store. You can also join in the conversation on social media using #KnowledgeHour
For businesses who would like to submit content for inclusion please email [email protected]
