Brunel University helps SMEs with Small Business Leadership Programme

The recent pandemic has placed insurmountable pressure on small businesses all over the world, where their survival hinges on the ability to pivot quickly in the face of threats and a changing business landscape.

In the UK, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) play a significant role in supporting the economy.

UK Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy reported that SMEs in the UK account for 50% of the total revenue generated by UK businesses and make up 44% of the labour force.

According to a recent McKinsey online survey of UK SMEs, 80% of small businesses reported their revenues were on the decline since the middle of 2020.

Leaders and founders of small businesses need to innovate and collaborate to navigate unchartered waters, while government support plays a critical role in their survival.

Brunel Hive: A unique business growth platform in the UK 

Brunel Business School at Brunel University London is one of the largest schools in the university and boasts of having an internationally diverse student body and academic staff.  Brunel University London is known for its higher education teaching and engineering research, but it also has a range of services to help UK SMEs grow.

Brunel Business School, part of Brunel University London, was accredited earlier this year by the Small Business Charter, a national accreditation awarded by small businesses to business schools that excel in supporting SMEs and the economy.

Brunel Business School focuses on employability, taking it on a trajectory that aims to drive social value.

It achieves this aim by nurturing employable and entrepreneurial global citizens that have the right skills to become business leaders of today.

In line with its desire to help UK SMEs grow, Brunel Business School is working with Small Business Charter to deliver a specialised government-funded Small Business Leadership Programme for leaders of small businesses to survive and thrive in the coming months and beyond COVID-19.

Dean of Brunel Business School and Professor and Chair in Organisation Studies, Professor Jane Hendy said, “At Brunel Business School, we are excited to be part of this national programme that enables us to continue our efforts in supporting local small businesses.”

She added that “Brunel Business School believes the first step for small businesses to bounce back from the impact of the pandemic is to better understand the process of business survival, resilience, and growth.”

Small Business Leadership Programme (SBLP)

The Small Business Leadership Programme supports senior leaders to enhance their business’s resilience and recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and develop its potential for future growth and productivity.

The key topics covered in this programme to help SMEs are:

• Make your business more resilient
• Boost business performance and growth
• Create an innovative and agile organisation
• Recover from the impact of COVID-19
• Plan for the future of your business
• Build leadership confidence and effectiveness
• Build lasting relationships with small business leaders
• Improve risk management and efficiency

Develop your leadership skills to steer your business through the pandemic with The Small Business Leadership Programme

SME leaders in the UK can develop their strategic capabilities to plan for the future of their businesses with the right leadership training interventions.

The Small Business Leadership Programme will provide SME leaders with in-depth knowledge of how business innovation unlocks greater productivity in challenging times.

Through this programme, SME leaders will also develop the vision and values for their business to ensure long term sustainability.

The programme achieves this by guiding leaders to explore their leadership style and to understand their business culture which will then help them tap into the strengths of their workforce.

SME leaders who complete the programme will be able to outline a strategic approach to operations management, efficiency, and value creation in their business through the adoption of new technology.

This translates to improved business productivity and resilience as SME leaders build stronger management and leadership skills.

The programme also focuses on providing business leaders with the skills to assess employee engagement and identify the right actions to achieve high performance.

SME leaders are also set to gain from the confidence boost that this programme provides them, resulting in better decision-making, improved business performance, and overall effectiveness.

The programme will not only provide important learning outcomes to take their businesses further but will act as a platform that facilitates the formation of a network of SME leaders and business experts.

The Small Business Leadership Programme is open to SME leaders in senior management roles, with at least one direct report, in businesses that have been operating for at least one year and with five to 249 employees in England.

The programme which is designed for individuals who are on full-time employment will be delivered virtually, through eight 90-minute webinars over 10 weeks.

The webinar sessions will be delivered online by business experts from world-leading business schools and participants will also complete up to two hours of independent study and peer-supported learning per week.

Here are some of the comments from participants who are already part of the first few cohorts.

Brendon O’Connor From Simon Harrison Ltd

This programme has allowed us with new ways of thinking and some time to reflect.  I also learned awareness of my own leadership style and how I can adapt it.

Howard Wong From Little Moons (V&H Ltd)

This programme has given me a better insight on the Importance of customer segmentation, learning about the difference between vision, mission and purpose and how to lead effectively during challenging times.

Anuuj Kohli From SWJ UK LTD

This programme has helped me learn how my business can innovate and react to changing nature of the market, How Leaders need to work and motivate their team, how a good leader engages with his/her team.

I have also been able step away from the business and understand my companies’ vision and how this has changed with times and again during this pandemic. This programme has also helped me become a much effective leader and a more strategic thinker. I also really enjoy the peer group sessions and be able to learn from other business owners.

Mark Perry from Oregan Networks

I learned how to apply the Customer Based Brand Equity Pyramid to my business and identifying how we want to be perceived with the reality via feedback from a direct discussion with a key customer.

I also found studying the “GROW” model and how it can apply to my team very valuable. Working on the Business Canvas, evoking consideration of re-packaging services as subscriptions and generating recurring revenues as been very useful too.

Rich Jones from Testrade Ltd

I have learned how to adapt our offering to suit the needs of the customer, I found the discussion about KPI and value for marketing very useful. Being on programme also gave me an opportunity to see how my previous leadership experience translates into business. I also gained better insights on brand analysis.

Eligible participants can join the Small Business Leadership programme by signing up here.