Vital help for SME’s available

Help to Grow: Management takes place over twelve weeks, starting on Monday 6 September, and will include both online and face-to-face sessions with leading figures from industry and experienced entrepreneurs.

The programme will cover several key areas of leadership, including strategy and innovation, growing national and international markets and adopting digital technology. It is open to all businesses with between 5 and 249 employees and 90% of the costs are covered by Government funding, leaving business to pay just £750.

Designed to be completed alongside running a business, the programme is built around a practical curriculum which includes eight online 2-hour sessions, one-to-one support from a mentor, four practical and interactive case-study workshops, and peer learning.

Dr Francine Morris, Associate Dean for Enterprise and Engagement at the University of Salford Business School, said: “This is a great opportunity for small business leaders to develop their leadership skills, peer network with like-minded individuals, and get the most out of their businesses by focusing on ways to increase productivity.”

Once completed, participants will gain a range of skills and practices, including learning how to innovate in their business, develop their value proposition and reach into growth markets, improve employee engagement, and learn responsible business practices.

The programme is 90% funded by the government and asks applicants to pay a fee of £750. To join, the following criteria must be met:

To join Help to Grow: Management, your business must:

• Be a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) based in the United Kingdom
• From any business sector, employing between 5 and 249 people
• Have been operational for at least one year
• Not be a charity

To join Help to Grow: Management, the applicant must:

• Be a senior decision maker, such as Chief Executive, Finance Director, Operations Director, etc. (Please note, only one person per business can attend the programme)
• Commit to completing all sessions

Expressions of interest for a place the first four cohorts to begin in September can be found on the Small Business Charter website. The deadline to apply is August 6 2021.