Soccer boss Eddie Howe gave a fascinating insight into the business of winning at the Dorset Chamber’s first major event of the year.
The AFC Bournemouth chief and assistant manager Jason Tindall revealed the secrets of their success at the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President’s Lunch at the Goldsands Stadium.
It was the perfect match for new DCCI president Rob Mitchell, who is also the club’s commercial director, and the highlight of one of the most successful President’s Lunches in recent memory with nearly 200 guests.
Rob, who is the youngest chamber president in the country at 34, said: “It is a tremendous honour to host this lunch at AFC Bournemouth both as Chamber president and commercial director of the football club.
“There are exciting times ahead for the Chamber as well as for AFC Bournemouth and it is obviously edge of the seat stuff at the club as we work exceptionally hard to bring Premier League football to Dorset.”
Rob added: “My great thanks to Eddie and Jason for taking time from their very busy schedule to tell us how the principles of managing a football team are very much the same as running a business.”
Rob, who was also accompanied by AFC Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn as the club hosted the event, also underlined his commitment along with the Chamber and the club to education and sports linked projects.
The lunch in the stadium’s Balfour Suite kicked off Rob’s year in office in style after he was elected at December’s annual meeting.
Eddie and Jason, who were in conversation with BBC Radio Solent’s Kris Temple, told how their management style has contributed to the promotion chasing Cherries’ push for the Premier League.
They outlined the importance of a good attitude and strong character, self-improvement, motivation, teamwork, discipline, confidence, results and authority – all attributes transferrable from the pitch to workplace.
Eddie said: “Sometimes you have to be a counsellor or friend and sometimes you have to remove yourself and give honest feedback.”
Jason added: “We strive to get better all of the time. It is about looking for those 1% gains because they make all the difference.”
The Breeze Volkswagen sponsored event included a silent auction in aid of Wessex Heartbeat which raised £1,050 with prizes from Breeze, AFC Bournemouth, Bournemouth Sevens and the Marriott Bournemouth Highcliff hotel.
The annual Warde Award for most outstanding apprentice attracted the most entries so far – an increase by 33% on last year to 36 – and four highly commended positions for the first time.
Tonderai Taringa, 20, of JP Morgan, lifted the trophy for apprentice of the year and highly commended places went to Ashleigh Baker and Ben Wigley, both of Superior Seals, Benjamin Heffer of JP Morgan and Harry Tardif of Cobham plc.
VIP guests included the High Sheriff of Dorset Jane Stichbury, Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth Chris Mayne and June Matthews, Mayor and Mayoress of Poole Peter and Brenda Adams, and Lord Lieutenant Angus Campbell.
Rod Davis of the Dorset and Somerset Training Providers Network (DSTPN), DCCI chief executive Ian Girling and senior vice-president David McNair also spoke to welcome and thank guests.
Mr Girling said that with 190 guests it was the largest President’s Lunch in recent memory and also paid tribute to Rob as the youngest president in the accredited chamber movement.
