University launches management programme with partial government funding

SMEs in Birmingham can enhance their growth and management capabilities through a new management programme which is a 90 per cent government funded initiative.

The Help to Grow programme is designed and collaborated by Birmingham City University (BCU) to provide business leaders with the tools, strategies, and support they need to accelerate their business growth.

Delivered over 12 weeks, the programme offers a mix of online and in-person workshops, totalling to 3.5 hours per week.

Participants will also benefit from tailored one-on-one mentoring and the chance to network with peers across industries.

Priced at £750, participants will gain access to a nationally recognised programme that enables SME leaders to develop various aspects of their business,

By the end of the programme, participants will have:

• Crafted a Growth Action Plan that is uniquely tailored to help lead and grow business
• Developed leadership and management skills, enhancing employee engagement and wellbeing in the process
• Been able to recognise what drives productivity and growth in the market and understand what this means for business.
• Learned how to advance responsible business practices, including how to create an inclusive workplace and greener workplace practices
• Understood how to innovate a business model, including how to adopt and invest in new and digital technologies.
• Identified key domestic and export markets and developed strategies for market segmentation, positioning and targeting
• Developed strategies to improve operational efficiency, saving time and money

Click here to register for the next cohort, scheduled to start on 24 September.

Meanwhile, BCU has put together two sessions for potential businesses who may want to register for the programme and would like to find out more.

An in-person Help to Grow Management taster workshop on Leading Change in an Inclusive and Engaging Way will be held on 20 August from 12. 30 to 3.30 pm. Participants will have the opportunity to network with current participants on the programme. Click here to register.

An online Discovery Webinar will also be held, giving an overview of the Help to Grow Management Programme on 3 September from 11 am to 12 noon. Click here to register.

Speaking about the programme, Dr Chinny Nzekwe-Excel, associate professor in enterprise and corporate development at BCU said: “The Help to Grow Management Programme provides an environment for business participants to learn and apply business concepts (knowledge and skills gained) to their businesses as well as enable them to build team resilience and support their people through change.”

For more information please contact [email protected] or the BCBS Business Services team at [email protected]