By Trudy Morris, Chief Executive, Caithness Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring the Highland Business Award for Resilience
The concept of resilience, is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the ability of a substance to return to its usual shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed”. This tenacious spirit perfectly embodies the strength and adaptability of our Highland business community. However, based on my experience, I suggest that the strongest businesses are not those that simply return to their original state, but rather those that use challenges as opportunities to grow, adapt, and flourish. They find new ways of working and uncover opportunities for prosperity.
Awards provide us with a moment to pause and reflect, to acknowledge our achievements, and to recognise how far we have come. As we eagerly anticipate the Highland Business Awards ceremony in 2024, let’s use this opportunity not only to celebrate success but also to utilise our platforms and voices to inspire younger generations, showing them that anything is possible.
In the North Highlands, we are not typically known for singing our own praises, standing up proudly, or shouting about our achievements. Our culture encourages us to stay humble and avoid drawing too much attention to ourselves.
There is a saying, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” This principle highlights that young people are less likely to be inspired about their future if they don’t have visible role models. We must demonstrate to them that a vibrant future as business owners and entrepreneurs is within their reach, and that business in the North Highlands are ambitious, energetic, and innovative.
The Highland Business Awards exemplify these qualities, offering an excellent opportunity to celebrate the very best of Highland businesses.
We are delighted and honoured to once again sponsor the Highland Business Award for Resilience. The entries we reviewed this year were of exceptionally high quality, making the judging process incredibly challenging. It’s always very inspiring to learn about the remarkable businesses and people that make our region a unique place to live, work, study and invest.
Contact information:
Laura O’Kane, Operations and Communications Manager
Caithness Chamber of Commerce
T: 01847 890076