31 August 2010
Small businesses LEADing the way
Almost 250 small business owners in the Northwest have now
graduated from the LEAD programme following its launch 12 months
ago by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
LEAD is a leadership development programme which was designed
specifically for small business owners (with up to 50 employees) by
Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) with the support of
the NWDA. After a successful pilot at LUMS, in which 90% of
pilot delegates achieved an average increase in turnover of £200K,
the programme was rolled out across the Northwest via a network of
13 Providers in July 2009.
Over 500 small business owners have joined the programme over
the last 12 months and nearly half of them have now graduated with
great success. At graduation ceremonies across the region
successful delegates have been awarded their LEAD certificates and
have been reflecting on the experiences they have gained from the
programme.
“LEAD has helped me understand how other businesses work and the
things they do to grow. I compared this information with my
business to re-evaluate the ideas I had and address the challenges
I faced. It has made me realise that there are ample opportunities
for my business to grow in the future” says Nurajahan Begum,
Nurajahan Cosmeceuticals.
Kevin Thompson, owner of St Helens based The Removal Team, has
seen real growth in the last 12 months since joining the LEAD
programme reporting a rise in revenues for its last financial year
from £259,000 to £383,000, a 100% surge in profits and increase in
staffing from 8 to 17 full and part timers.
Kevin comments “The LEAD Programme has given me a new motivation
and energy to lead my business. Don’t be afraid to step out of your
comfort zone – the rewards
of the LEAD Programme are well worth it!”
As well as giving them the chance to reflect on their
achievements over the last 10 months, the graduation ceremonies
have afforded them the opportunity to focus on their aspirations
for the future.
“ Everyday we are making new changes and driving the
organisation forward – and a lot of it is due to what I have learnt
on the LEAD programme” says Margaret Massey, Jubilee Tower Credit
Union.
“ When you are running a business you can often feel alone. LEAD
has given me a whole team of like minded colleagues to call upon,
work with and learn from. My graduation has made me step back and
realise how much closer I am to my destination than I was 10 months
ago” remarks Susie Kirkham, J W Kirkham & Sons.
Lis Smith, Director of Skills & Employment, NWDA said:
“I am delighted the LEAD programme has been such a success and
helped develop the skills of hundreds of small business owners in
the region. By tailoring the programme to match the needs of small
and medium sized enterprises, LEAD creates the opportunities to
encourage enhanced productivity and competitiveness, the key
drivers of profit and growth.”
Business owners who don’t want to be left behind by their
competitors and who want to gain the same benefits as the LEAD
graduates have seen, can still apply for places on the Autumn
programmes.
Places are filling up quickly and there are a number of preview
events running over the next few weeks for business owners who are
in finding out more about the programme and how it can help them
develop their business. Visit www.businesslinknw.co.uk/lead
for a list of events in your local area.
Notes to editors:
LEAD is a 10 month programme and requires approximately 2 days
commitment a month. This is a high value course supported by the
NWDA resulting in a maximum cost to the business of £2K.
Funding may be available through the Train to Gain L&M
programme to reduce this cost further if businesses meet the
relevant eligibility criteria.
SME owner-managers who wish to participate on or hear more about
the LEAD programme need to complete a LEAD referral form at
www.businesslinknw.co.uk/lead.
They will then be invited to a preview event that gives a taste of
the key elements of LEAD where they will be able to sign up for the
full programme as part of the application process if they wish.
Preview Events
Provider Location Date
Runshaw College Chorley 31st August 1.30- 5.00pm
The University of Liverpool Liverpool 7th September
10.00-1.00pm 16th September 10.00 -1.00pm
LSN / PINNA Bilsborrow, near Preston 2nd September
4.30-7.00pm
Lancaster University Lancaster 17th September 2-3pm &
21st September 12-1pm
Cohort start dates
Provider Location Date
NoGuru South Liverpool, Merseyside 24 August 2010
Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester 2 September
2010
The University of Salford Salford 9 September 2010
University of Central Lancashire Lancashire 15 September
2010
The University of Cumbria Carlisle 16 September
2010
CXL Leyland, Lancashire 20 September 2010
LSN / PINNA Bilsborrow, near Preston 29 September
2010
Runshaw College Chorley 29 September
KTI Runcorn October 2010
TMI Manchester October 2010
Lancaster University Lancaster 30 September 2010
For further information please contact Rachel Scott at Rachel.scott@nwda.co.uk or on
07889218694
The Northwest Regional Development Agency works to deliver
economic success in England’s Northwest by building the
competitiveness of businesses, people and places. Our activities
deliver real opportunities for the region’s seven million residents
by increasing workforce capacity and encouraging development of the
skills needed to match the region’s economic ambitions. For further
information visit www.nwda.co.uk