Every Innovators Alliance chapter hosts month-to-month peer-to-peer member conferences that are facilitated by knowledgeable Chapter Chair. The Chapter Chairs’ major function is to make sure a supportive surroundings that ensures a robust collaborative surroundings, cultivating shared accountability, and inspiring accountability and respect.
Like all IA Chapter Chairs, Dundee Staunton, who facilitates two chapters, is captivated with innovation, progress, and growth – and understands all too effectively, the distinctive challenges of entrepreneurship.
We sat down with Dundee to be taught extra about his historical past with Innovators Alliance, and his personal entrepreneurial journey.
Learn on to be taught extra about Dundee.
IA: We all know that Innovation and Entrepreneurship is one thing that units Innovators Alliance aside from different Peer-to-Peer Networking Communities. Are you able to share extra about your personal entrepreneurial journey?
DS: I began my profession in a producing enterprise wherein my household had a major curiosity. We offered it within the early 1990’s. I did some interim administration consulting whereas in search of my subsequent alternative. Over the subsequent twenty-seven years, my path took me by possession and senior administration positions in three corporations. I retired from the final of those in 2019 however stay a shareholder and director.
IA: Very cool! Sounds such as you’ve had a number of fascinating experiences. Are you able to share extra about your historical past with Innovators Alliance, and the group members?
DS: I’ve proudly been a part of the IA group because the early 2000’s as a member, and later as Board Chair. Inside every chapter there may be an fascinating combine of individuals and companies, and a particular camaraderie and sense of teamwork in serving to every member tackle challenges and obtain targets. I’m very happy to stay concerned with IA as Chair of two completely different chapters: Toronto Mississauga and Toronto West.
IA: You’re within the distinctive place of being accountable to facilitate two completely different teams. What would you say is exclusive about your chapters?
DS: Inside the two Toronto chapters that I facilitate, there may be an fascinating combine of companies. Some have annual revenues in extra of $20 million and have mature processes (e.g. strategic planning), whereas different people within the group are main corporations that aren’t on the identical stage of growth. Whereas all members are centered on progress, they’re at completely different levels so, in our chapter group discussions, the members whose corporations are additional alongside the expansion path can present expertise and knowledge to the members from much less mature corporations. Then again, members who’re main much less established mature corporations contribute completely different concepts and insights to the group which can be equally related and useful. That is the worth of the peer-to-peer mannequin!
IA: Superb level and only one means Innovators Alliance focuses on supporting members creatively. Are you able to share your perspective on why innovation is so necessary for long-term success for entrepreneurs?
Certainly one of our visitor audio system at a current IA Chapter assembly shared the sentiment that “Innovation is a mindset”. It struck me as a really succinct means of defining the problem for entrepreneurs. Why? Properly, if the idea for his or her enterprise’ existence just isn’t progressive in a roundabout way, it won’t survive and prosper. Secondly, what begins effectively doesn’t at all times end that means, so there’s a fixed demand to remain recent available in the market. The speaker reminded our members that employers can leverage their impression by encouraging their workers to be progressive. On this means, innovation can change into embedded within the group and result in broader and extra speedy successes. I feel that could be a actual good thing about Innovators Alliance – we’re continuously difficult our members to view their enterprise by the lens of the place are you innovating now?
IA: What would you say to somebody who’s contemplating becoming a member of your Innovators Alliance chapter?
All senior enterprise leaders want a peer group the place they are often comfy, and the place they are going to be challenged. There’s a actual threat of lacking alternatives resulting from lack of knowledge of the surroundings outdoors one’s sector, and of falling sufferer to “what one doesn’t know.” Innovators Alliance gives numerous membership and the advantages of a collegial and stimulating surroundings inside every chapter. Our non-profit construction is one other distinctive benefit, as a result of the lion’s share of the group’s revenues is directed to program growth and chapter sources.
Learn on to be taught if IA membership is best for you.
Stefanie is a frontrunner, collaborator, and guide with 20+ years of expertise in fundraising, company growth, and government management for a number of organizations.Her skilled expertise spans healthcare, training, worldwide growth, and monetary companies.Stefanie is an authorized Skilled Coach, having obtained her CPCC from the Coactive Coaching Institute and is licensed with the Worldwide Teaching Federation, the worldwide credentialing physique for each coaching packages and coaches. She pushed to assist leaders and companies by innovation, curiosity and connection.
