Insight 42 - Magazine - Page 14
HEAR HOW THE HELP TO GROW MANAGEMENT
PROGRAMME OFFERS SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES
A CRITICAL LIFELINE TO REBOOT, CHANGE AND GROW
T
he Help to Grow: Management
programme at the University of
Hertfordshire has a simple end
game; to drive up the confidence of
business owners and managers in taking
leadership decisions for growth. It follows
a tried and tested, 12 week high-impact
pathway, designed by leading small
business experts, with a combination of
online and in-person modules, introducing
practical tools and frameworks in
essential areas such as Strategy and
Innovation, Digital Adoption, and Financial
Management.
Participants benefit from one-to-one
mentoring, guidance from five dedicated
business consultants, and valuable peer
group discussions to deepen learning and
apply insights directly to own business
challenges.
It uses up-to-date tools, personal stories,
and hands-on case studies to guide you
through best practices in business. Here’s
one of the many success stories from the
programme: Richard, the Construction
Director at the award-winning RDT
Architects, experienced a significant
transformation in his business.
RDT Architects, a firm known for its
commitment to listening, collaborating,
and problem-solving, had been thriving as
a lifestyle business for 20 years but lacked
a clear growth or exit plan.
The turning point for Richard was his
discovery of this government subsidised
programme offering an introduction
to theoretical fundamentals alongside
practical business application. The
Richard Tavener, Construction Director at
RDT Architects
accessible blend of online and face-toface sessions, together with personalised
support from a mentor, made the course
manageable alongside his regular duties.
Key learning within the programme is
to give context and a bigger picture by
understanding the theory, which is then
applied in practical case study sessions.
Richard and his team used these insights
to redefine their brand through the
"Vision, Mission and Values" module,
which became central to their operations.
A renewed focus on company culture
helped them maintain a productive
and motivational environment, while
a digitisation and process strategy
improved efficiencies and created a
robust business.
When reflecting on his time in the
programme, Richard expressed that the
course allowed him to dedicate time to
working on his business, rather than just in
it. He stated, “Working with our business
mentor from the programme was a very
useful experience, and I will continue to
work with them. We also decided to bring
an additional business mentor onto the
board of directors due to the benefits.”
As a result, RDT Architects has exceeded
their targets, with turnover up by 50% in
the first 12 months of a three-year plan.
The business even acquired another
architectural firm to accelerate growth.
For Richard, the course was
transformational, reinvigorating his
passion for leading the business and
empowering employees. For any
business considering the Help to Grow:
Management course, Richard's experience
is a testament to its value.
The course has delivered high impact
returns for many other small business
leaders up and down the UK, eager for
practical tools and insights to drive
meaningful change, a refined strategy,
and an elevated business. With up-to-date
tools, personal stories, and hands-on case
studies to guide you through best practices
in business, peer support and your own
mentor, you’ll gain the insights and
confidence to take your business further.
Businesses will currently receive 90%
funding until the end of March, with a low
investment of just £750.
A further Hertfordshire Bursary is
available to referrals and members of
the University's Enterprise and Business
Academy community.
READY TO START YOUR JOURNEY? OUR NEXT HELP TO GROW COHORT BEGINS IN JANUARY 2025.
Visit www.herts.ac.uk/for-business/skills/help-to-grow-management or contact one of the team on
htgm@herts.ac.uk to take the next step. Quote C7/25 to enquire about your Hertfordshire Bursary eligibility.
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bIZ4BIZ INSIGHT MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2024
