TRAINING
Leadership training – Teesside University Business School business development manager Lucie Burton and Suzanne Withrington , principal lecturer in enterprise and knowledge exchange .
WORDS : SARAH DALE PICTURE : TOM BANKS
HELP TO GROW :
MANAGEMENT How Teesside University is boosting Tees businesses
Are you the owner or senior leader of an SME and looking to grow ?
Accredited by the Small Business Charter and a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools , Teesside University International Business School has started running a course aimed at any business owner , or an employee of an SME in a senior leadership role , to support their growth .
“ SMEs are vital to the Tees Valley economy , given that over 99 per cent of businesses located here are classified as such . The business school works really hard to connect with the local business community ,” said Suzanne Withrington , principal lecturer in enterprise and knowledge exchange at the business school .
“ I am personally delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the region ’ s best small business leaders .
“ Help to Grow : Management provides a brilliant environment for them to share good practice , learn from each other and accelerate business growth .”
The Help to Grow : Management 12-week course is designed to help SMEs develop and grow and every participant leaves with a tailored growth action plan they can then share with their team .
The course , which is 90 per cent government funded , is divided into four key areas : Strategies for growth and innovation – looking at your business ’ s strengths and core capabilities ; current and potential markets and winning new markets ; and digital adoption . Engaging with customers – understanding who you are and why you do what you do ; your missions and values and how you can effectively convey your values and purpose in your brand ; and achieving a strategic approach to marketing . Building a sustainable and agile business – creating a suitable organisational structure to deliver your goals ; adopting good practice in the leadership and management of teams ; supporting the wellbeing of staff ; introducing agile ways of working . Operations and financial strategies – how you monitor progress and use information to inform decision-making ; strategic approach to operations , financial management and options to finance growth ; and how everything comes together in your growth action plan .
The course includes face-to-face and online sessions , one-to-one mentoring and peer networking . Learning alongside up to 25 other small business leaders means experiences and ideas can be shared and a new local network can be established .
With one or two sessions a week , it is designed to fit around existing work and personal commitments . Throughout the course , there will be 50 hours of leadership training and 10 hours of one-toone mentoring .
The first course was run last September , with the second about to start , and the
To find out more about the courses , contact Lucie Burton on 07920 250981 or via email on l . burton @ tees . ac . uk .
business school is opening applications for the September 2023 course .
“ The value of the course in terms of emerging from Covid is businesses are on an accelerated trajectory to future-proof their businesses for sustainability ,” added Suzanne .
“ People leave with direct access to a national alumni network and a local network from learning in a group of likeminded people .”
Lucie Burton , business development manager , said : “ There is a whole host of other executive education on offer at the business school .
“ My role as business development manager is to connect with businesses and support their workforce solutions . I would welcome conversations with any organisations in the region where we can add value and assist in their growth and development .”
To join the course , you need to work for an SME based in the UK , employ between five and 249 employees , be a member of the senior leadership team and have direct reports , have been operational for at least one year , and not be a charity .
Up to two people from a business can attend the course together if your business employs between 10 and 249 people ; if your business employs between five and nine , you can send only one person . As the course is 90 per cent government funded , the cost of the course is £ 750 .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 115