Kingston Business School has offered a government-funded program for those small business owners who want to take their businesses to the next level; grow it, hire more people and expand their markets.
Since 2020, Kingston’s program has helped over 700 companies across the country maximize their potential. Being in their business, instead of being in it.
The Help to Grow Management Program is a unique offer that helps business owners and managers develop their leadership skills, engage their team and share their vision with them; all to grow their business and take it to the next level.
The 12-week program offers support through two hour workshops a week, a dedicated one to one mentor and coach, and peer support; all of these have been proven to help business owners work on their growth strategy and implement it.
During the program, business leaders work on innovation within their businesses, their marketing, their vision for their businesses, their team’s engagement, their business finances and cost structure, their customer relationships and much more.
The program is not a return to school; there are no exams or essays. Workshops are designed to be practical and interactive, and are combined with peer group support. Together, they create a knowledge-sharing community that encourages those who participate to focus on and apply learning in their business.
Dr Bahare Afrahi, associate professor of entrepreneurship and innovation and director of the program, said: “We have created an innovation space for entrepreneurs to step back from being in their businesses all the time, and instead be at their businesses.
“And almost every business owner has told us that they are now leading their business instead of managing it after going through the program.
“The entrepreneurs who take the time to invest in their skills are the ones who sharpen their ax when everyone else is frantically chopping wood; and their bravery is rewarded by exponential growth in their businesses”.
So, what is it for your business?
The program is designed to enable full-time work. It doesn’t take you away from your business; instead, it makes you focus on it. You will be:
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Develop your leadership skills, increase engagement with your customers and colleagues and expand your market.
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Realizing what drives productivity and growth in your business and industry and understanding what this means for your growth.
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Learn how to promote responsible business practices, such as creating an inclusive and greener workplace.
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Work on how you can innovate your business mode, how you make money and also adopt new methods and techniques if needed.
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Identify key domestic and export markets for your business while developing strategies to segment your offering, position it and then target the right customers
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Create and develop strategies to improve the efficiency of your business.
The program builds on a company’s key areas to compile an action plan for growth specific to your business. Once you’ve completed your course, you’ll continue to have access to expert advice through the Help to Grow Management National Alumni Network.
Who is eligible?
Help to Grow Management is 90 percent state-funded. Kingston Business School also offers a number of scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for. Business owner-managers who have been running their businesses for over a year and work with more than 5 employees are eligible to participate in the program.
Companies with more than 10 employees can register two people to participate in the program.
If you’re ready to sign up, go to www.kingstonuniversitybusinesstraining.com and if you have any questions or are still unsure whether or not the program is for you, contact the Help to Grow Team by emailing h2gm@kingston.ac.uk.
