Connection over cold starts: highlights from our smart/community event

The January ‘slump’ is real, but last Thursday, the smart/community proved it’s also optional. 

There is a specific kind of energy that happens when you get a room full of ambitious, like-minded professionals together. There seemed to be a collective thaw in the room as we moved away from wet, stormy weather, far from the isolation of the desk and into the warmth of a fabulous space and great community. 

Over 80 people gathered at The Bike Shed in Shoreditch, an incredible space, with extra sound effects of trains and motorbikes. Surrounded by incredible bikes and other biking paraphernalia, it’s a venue co-owned by Charley Boorman, Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Round partner, and it acts as a hub for their adventures, often hosting them for special events, including recordings for their Long Way series. 

A decade of smart/tasking: growth and ambition 

This wasn’t just a networking event; it was the launch of our #10Strong theme and a high-energy start to a milestone year. Marking 10 years of smart/tasking and 5 years of The Company Doctor Podcast, this event was designed to build immediate momentum and empower our community of colleagues, clients, and suppliers to start the year in the strongest way possible. 

For us, 2026 is a year of massive ambition. Over the last decade, we’ve built a foundation of agility and expert delivery, and now we are scaling that impact. As we move into this 'big growth' year, our focus is on helping our clients and community accelerate their own progress and match the pace of this next chapter. 

The company doctor live: a Q1 diagnosis 

The highlight of the evening was a live recording of The Company Doctor podcast. Hosts Gary Gamp and George Clode took to the stage with an esteemed panel - Mark Pestridge (Telehouse Europe), Fiona Richards (Ephelia Group), Rich Best (RW Best & Co), and our own CEO Niall Anderson - to diagnose the common "January Blues" in business. 

And the diagnosis was that Q1 is won in Q4. The panel was unanimous: success in the first quarter isn't a happy accident that starts on January 2nd. As Mark Pestridge noted, you have to "galvanise the troops from day one" and ensure the planning happens long before the Christmas break. 

Top tips from the panel: 

Behaviour over clichés: "Nothing changes unless behaviour changes," said Mark. It’s about setting a simple, focused plan so the team knows exactly what they need to win. 

The power of people: Fiona Richards reminded us that a leader's first priority in Q1 must be the "health, well-being, and cohesiveness" of the team. If the people aren't right, the execution won't be either. 

Thin out the distractions: Rich Best warned against the temptation to do too much. "Thin out what's really important... pace beats perfection". 

Predicting the future: Niall Anderson emphasised the need for visibility. Using tools to predict resource capacity 3-4 months out ensures you don't launch a strategy that the team is too busy to actually deliver. 

The “George (Clode) grill” 

In a refreshingly different and fast-paced "grill" segment, the panel tackled the reality of when things go wrong. The overarching lesson seemed to be: if Q1 goes south, don’t spiral. Mark's advice was to "park it" and focus on creating positive energy for the rest of the year. A negative environment spirals fast, but a resilient leader pivots toward the future. 

Insights from the floor: audience Q&A 

As well as a great panel, we had serious engagement from our audience too, with thoughtful questions for all our panel members. The participation highlighted that while strategy is essential, the "how" of execution is what matters most. 

Three key takeaways from the night 

Beyond the stage, the room was buzzing with three consistent themes: 

1. Momentum is contagious: It’s hard to feel sluggish when you’re surrounded by people who are actively building. 

2. Clarity is king: As the panel noted, don't give your team 20 things to do. Give them 3 and make them crystal clear. 

3. Digital readiness is a big priority: Conversations have shifted from "what is it?" to "how do we get our data and people ready for it?". It sounds like success in 2026 will be defined by those who move from AI awareness to AI execution. 

What’s next? 

If you missed out on Thursday, don’t worry. There’ll be more events coming this year as we continue our 10th anniversary celebrations, from webinars to in-person networking opportunities. And if you’d like to be on The Company Doctor Podcast , please do get in touch; Gary would love to hear from you. 

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Content development by Sophie Pentony, an expert in clear communication and leadership storytelling.