January has a different rhythm for many businesses, especially across Australia and New Zealand. Clients are on holiday, diaries are lighter, and meetings often wait until February. It’s a welcome pause in many ways, but for support teams whose work is driven by business activity, it can also mean a quieter month.
At 5 ELK, we’ve learned that a quieter January is the best time to focus on development. The 5 ELK Summer Series was built with that in mind.
Running throughout January, the Summer Series is a structured programme of face-to-face and online workshops designed to help our team level up before the pace ramps up again. Each year, it gives team members the chance to sharpen skills, build confidence, and start the year feeling prepared rather than reactive.
This year’s programme includes more than 50 workshops across five key focus areas:
- Professional skills
- Technical skills
- Product skills
- Life skills
- Business improvement skills
The sessions are practical and relevant, ranging from productivity and communication skills through to deeper technical and product knowledge. There is also a strong focus on life skills such as confidence, mindset, and goal-setting, alongside business improvement topics that help team members better understand how their work supports real commercial outcomes for clients.
Workshops are delivered by a mix of internal 5 ELK leaders, external specialists, and 5 ELK client businesses. This blend brings together operational experience, fresh perspectives, and real-world insight into how businesses run, helping our team see the bigger picture beyond their immediate role.
Importantly, all sessions are scheduled around work commitments, and there is no cost to clients. It’s part of how we invest in our people and support the long-term success of the businesses they work with.
Here’s to starting strong in 2026.
