Step inside the world of CLO100 where Cathy Hoy
experiences innovation, collaboration, and strategic vision
Picture juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle through treacle. This is a glimpse into the exhilarating, and somewhat chaotic, life of a CEO leading training start-up.
At CLO100 my role as Co-founder and CEO never ceases to challenge and inspire me, demanding resilience, creativity, and a relentless drive to lead our industry forward.
Strategic beginnings
Each week kicks off with a substantial cup of tea and a pivotal question: How do we propel CLO100 forward? As “The Home of Learning Leaders” our focus is razor-sharp on business development, aligning new L&D leaders with our elite community, and fostering partnerships with vendors who share our vision of excellence.
This week I’m working with Co-founder and business partner Robert Wagner on some of our newer projects as they are in the launch phase, which takes a lot of time and creative energy. Â
Crafting impactful narratives
Marketing is a cornerstone of our operations, where we create narratives that resonate with our audience. Collaborating with our creative allies, including the talented team at Media Zoo, we strive to ensure our offerings, such as the Learning Leaders Programme, stand out for their quality and innovation.
Often my week consists of meeting with our partners to ensure the message is consistent with our brand, but also supports our collaborative effort. We also have great fun using Jasper (our AI tool of choice) to help take our narrative and flesh it out into an email campaign.
Engaging the Industry
Sharing insights through blogs, podcasts, and events like the World of Learning and HR Talent Gathering, allow us to amplify our leadership position. These platforms provide not only a stage for our voice but also an opportunity to absorb and contribute to the evolving L&D landscape.
At the recent World of Learning event, I had the experience of interviewing the ball of energy that is Ruby Wax. Amidst the laughter and lively exchanges, we managed to highlight the crucial conversation around mental health, leaving the audience both entertained and enlightened.
Looking ahead, I’m gearing up for the Learning Network Connect conference just around the corner. It’s shaping up to be a dynamic gathering, and I can’t wait to dive into diverse topics and engage with brilliant minds, and it’s always great to take a trip back to London!
A focus on wellbeing
Since settling into my new home in Derbyshire, I’ve become quite the connoisseur of the stunning Peak District views outside my office window.
I find it so important to focus on my own health and wellbeing in the busy day to day and the view here is a prefect reminder for me to take time out for myself, even if it’s just to have a short walk, stretch my legs and get some oxygen into my lungs!
With a view of rolling hills that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a postcard and skies that put Instagram filters to shame, the view is the perfect backdrop for both inspiring action and reminding me to take a break.
Strategic growth and innovation
This week is particularly pivotal as we prepare for our first round of seed funding. The journey so far has been enlightening, requiring strategic clarity and a compelling pitch to potential investors and I’m learning so much.
One moment I’m deep in data analysis, uncovering insights about our industry trends and community impact; the next, I’m crafting presentations that convey our vision with flair. And then, there are those invaluable exchanges with fellow CEOs who are providing their own insights, fuelling our passion to transform innovative ideas into reality.
Customer-centric conversations
Connecting with fellow L&D leaders is always a highlight of my week. There’s something incredibly rewarding about diving into discussions that uncover their real needs and challenges.
This week, I had a chat about CLO100’s L&D Team Certification and how it syncs with the desire for external feedback and recognition. Conversations like these are at the heart of what we do, ensuring that our offerings stay fresh, relevant, and truly impactful for the L&D community. It’s this vibrant exchange of ideas that keeps us pushing forward with enthusiasm and purpose.
Collaborative excellence
A critical aspect of my role includes working alongside experts and facilitators to deliver a curriculum that meets our high standards. Weekly collaborations focus on preparing partners for upcoming sessions, ensuring our content remains current and tailored to meet the evolving needs of our cohorts.
It’s great working with creative partners
For example, this week, I had an exciting conversation with the wonderful team at ARuVR, as we plotted and schemed our next cohort face-to-face event, making sure that it will be relevant and impactful! It’s great working with creative partners as they can help you bring your (often rather crazy) ideas to life.
I also had time set aside to focus on the reflection statements from our main cohort, as we liaise with Leeds University business school on the final certification and want to ensure that people are as aligned with the organisational needs as possible – something that fires us up to ensure L&D leaves a positive impression.
Community and connection
As the week comes to an end, my attention turns to our CLO Community members. From planning events to launching new initiatives, like action learning and peer-to-peer conversations through the wonderful team at Voco, our goal is to increase engagement and maximise value for our members.Â
This week we’re planning our inaugural in-person meet-up in December, which promises to be particularly exciting as we have Amy Brann and Laura Overton booked as our guest speakers, reinforcing our community’s strength and connection with leading industry figures.
In the end, every day at CLO100 is a blend of strategic vision and creative execution. Our commitment to being “The Home of Learning Leaders” drives us to lead the charge in reshaping the L&D landscape, delivering solutions that are not only high-end but also transformative.
If you’re a learning leader, come check us out and #FindYourTribe
