Who remembers those terrifying ice-bucket challenges?
What about when water was found on Mars?
Did you see Hamilton, the biggest show on Broadway? If you did, we bet you were wearing a long leather skirt with clashing colours (some of us still are), or minimalist whites, all while showing off your fancy new smartwatch tech.
Even worse than that, Korean boy bands had just been invented.
We’re talking about 2015…. 10 years ago!
While some things definitely get worse over time (exhibit A: that old bit of Red Leicester in the back of your fridge), some things only get better… like Barn to Boardroom 10, for instance.
GETTING BETTER WITH AGE
Yes… Barn to Boardroom has been booting boredom up the bum for a whole decade now, and like the best friendships, it just seems to get better with age.
As it was a special anniversary this year, we decided to do something a little different… B2B10 – Leaders Unplugged!
Our tenth B2B event focused on collaboration and working together to address the challenges and issues presented by a panel of senior leaders.
Our intrepid B2Bers all got together into teams (decided by the farm animal on their name badges) to present their solutions in front of the rest of the class.
They were asked to demonstrate how they would engage with colleagues about change when the audience was not particularly interested, and how they would provide employees with hope in uncertain times.
Congrats to Team Sheep by the way, who won the challenge by really throwing themselves into this year’s ‘Baa-rn’ to Boardroom (sorry/not sorry about the pun).
GETTING EVERYONE TOGETHER
This year’s theme proved to be a fantastic way to bring together a diverse group of creatively driven minds and form actionable insights and practical takeaways for our band of B2Bers to apply in their workplaces.
Some teams were so absorbed they didn’t even look up when the pre-arranged ice cream van came tinkling around the corner (we’re looking at you, Team Chicken).
There was also plenty of top-level advice and tips from IC pros, of course, including a brilliant keynote address from NATS Head of Employee Comms, Lynsey Davidson, who told delegates how they helped NATS leaders understand the benefits of IC and start displaying best practice every day.
We also heard from Elsevier’s Director of Internal Communication, Kevin Ferneyhough, on how they internalise their customer promises so their people really live and breathe them in everything they do.
And as ever, it was a golden opportunity to network and learn from others over a glass of fizz, a BBQ, and with a game of ‘Get to Know Me’ Do Si Do.
OVER TO YOU
We think B2B10 was the best ever. Here’s what you thought…
“A great day to connect with IC colleagues, sharing insights to help me become more professional in what I do.”
“It was a comms hive of expertise!”
“Relaxed, interesting and engaging!”
“A fun way to discuss topical issues and build relationships.”
“A brilliant day as always! Thank you to all the Surgery Team for a fab event.”
“I really enjoyed my first B2B event and all the inspiring conversations, as well as meeting so many IC pros. Already looking forward to B2B11!”
So, a big thank you to our leadership panellists Caroline Welsh, Faye Blakes, and Gerry Davies, and of course, our leadership panel moderator and IC Director Seb Hearmon.
Thanks to all our keynote speakers and, of course, to all our friends and clients, old and new, who we saw on the day.
B2B10 was so good, we should do it all again next year! One thing we can promise for B2B11… there’ll be no Korean boy bands. Unless they suddenly become IC experts. Which is unlikely.
To register your interest for THE event for IC and employee comms pros in 2026, just click here
And as ever, please get in touch if you need our help to ban the boring in your next IC project!
