The UCI World Championships rolled into Scotland recently and it was a sight to behold as more than 8,000 cyclists took to roads across Scotland to race.
The global event welcomed elite cyclists from more than 120 countries to compete in 13 different races and seeing our country on the world stage was exciting.
Many culminated in Glasgow which is no stranger to hosting worldwide sports events – after all, we held the Commonwealth Games in 2014, showing our capabilities and opening up new possibilities.
For example, since then, we’ve also welcomed the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships and The European Athletics Indoor Championships in 2019, to name a few.
And next year’s looking positive as we’re set to hold the World Athletics Indoor Championships as well as The Open and the Women’s Open.
Events like this help to put Scotland on the map and give us an international audience which is something we can be so proud of.
It wasn’t just big cities in the spotlight either. It was brilliant to see there world-class cyclists whizzing through an array of smaller towns and villages.
It created a huge sense of excitement as people lined the streets outside their houses to watch this brilliant spectacle and get in on the action.
Let’s face it, it’s not every day you can stick your head out of your window and see some of the world’s biggest sporting talent competing on the roads that you usually use for your daily commute.
And because the coverage was being beamed to the world on live TV, I spoke to so many people who (despite not being particularly huge cycling fans) tuned in specially for the sheer novelty of seeing the bikes buzzing past their local landmarks.
The economic benefits an event of this size are immense, coupled with the tourism boost for Scotland as a whole.
Looking back at last year’s event which took place in Wollongong, Australia, UCI says more than 236,000 people attended with an economic impact of €35.6million. It will be interesting to see if Glasgow has pulled similar numbers.
And as well as the financial benefits, it should hopefully also leave a lasting impact on cycling, encouraging more people to get on their bikes.
Hopefully this will have more than just a short-term impact, but one that will continue for years to come.
If it’s similar to 2014’s Commonwealth Games, we could very well see improved environmental and economic activity in the longer term.
Sadly I don’t think there was quite as much impact as was hoped when it came to encouraging use of the brand-new facilities despite Glasgow City Council’s significant investment in venues, as they didn’t garner the anticipated level of public usage.
But with lessons learned and more experience under our belts hopefully we will only get better at leveraging the benefits of future sporting events and investment.
I should mention that not everybody was a fan of the recent cycling event, particularly those living and working in Glasgow city centre who were most impacted by the road closures and disruption.
Instead of experiencing a boost in customers, some businesses instead encountered problems welcoming deliveries or complained they were quieter than usual.
But I’d like to hope that despite any short term disruption, the exposure and attention Glasgow received will pay off in the longer term.
Being a business owner, I do sympathise with those who encountered problems, but ultimately we’re never going to be able to hold a week-long event of this magnitude without some kind of disruption. What’s most important is that the benefits outweigh the challenges.
Leadership without the mask
In a world where the image of the unwavering, resolute CEO dominates, it’s refreshing to see the emergence of voices willing to strip away the façade and acknowledge the silent battles within leadership.
Gone are the days when toughness and resilience were prized above all else. Modern CEOs are beginning to understand that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce.
That’s why I was impressed to see Glasgow business coach Gavin Bryce join this emerging chorus with his insightful new book, Unmask the Confident Leader Within, exploring the mental health challenges faced by CEOs.
In a recent study by InfoQ, staggering statistics showed that nearly half (49 per cent) of CEOs report
Bryce emphasises that vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength.
Mental health issues affect people of all backgrounds, and fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help can help create a more empathetic and understanding workplace.
Central to his book is ‘The Unmasking Plan,’ a compelling strategy to confront the inner doubts and negative thoughts that often plague even the most accomplished leaders.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book perhaps though, is Bryce’s call to confront the roots of stress and anxiety, rather than skirting around sanitised terms like ‘imposter syndrome.’
By acknowledging their past and upbringing, leaders can forge a path toward resilience and self-awareness.
As we navigate a business world that demands more emotionally intelligent and authentic leadership, it’s about time we held honest conversations about mental health within the industry.
It Made Me Laugh
Tongue in Peat: a mixer with bite
Move over, world – Port Glasgow isn’t just mixing cocktails; it’s stirring up global growth with the ‘ultimate bloody Mary mixer’.
In a tale that’s more “shaken” than “stirred,” Hannah Fisher, the entrepreneur behind Scottish business ‘The Start-Up Drinks Lab’ is making waves with this bold business venture.
Who would’ve thought that amidst the rolling hills and charming streets, a genius concoction was brewing with a distinctive Scottish flavour? Her secret? The tomato juice is peat-smoked.
It’s also aptly named Tongue in Peat.
So here’s to Port Glasgow, proving that even in the quaintest corners, innovation and ambition can thrive.
This venture might just have the mix of spice the world didn’t know it needed.
It Made Me Weep
Exam season isn’t the end
Amid the news that Scotland’s SQA exam results this year have taken a bit of a dip compared to the previous year, I can understand that a lot of young students may be feeling deflated.
But if you didn’t get the result you expected, take a moment to reflect and put things into perspective.
The world is still your oyster, and there are pearls of opportunities beyond those exam papers.
For example, clearing is still an option, and there are also brilliant apprenticeships out there providing hands on learning experiences can give you the skills and knowledge you need to work up that career ladder, all while earning your keep.
So chin up, Scotland’s next generation of trailblazers – your journey has only just begun!
