Tailored to cater to the needs of business leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Help to Grow Management programme is ideal for those aiming to elevate their business growth, strengthen resilience, and ensure sustained advancement.

The comprehensive 12-week programme delves into a spectrum of modules including strategy and innovation, building a brand, efficient operations, winning new markets and internationalisation, and much more.

Last month Scott was interviewed by Business School team staff about his experience of working with an experienced business mentor and the value of learning from fellow local business learners in his cohort.

Why did you choose to take part in the Help to Grow programme?

One of my LinkedIn contacts recommended me the Help to Grow Management programme. He believed I’d get a lot out of it and said his experience was really good. It was the ‘grow’ part of the programme title that caught my eye and made me go for it. I felt as though our business became stagnant and set in our ways during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I realised it was time to shift our focus towards growth and actively pursue opportunities to grow the business.

Out of the 12 modules, which one do you think was the most beneficial for you and the business?

The module ‘Winning new markets and internationalisation’ was the most impactful for me. It enlightened that we could reach new audiences with subtle adjustments, rather than major changes. For instance, by repositioning our brand, updating our website, or refining our marketing strategies, we can appeal to a wider audience while staying true to our core values.

Every week offered valuable insights to varying degrees. In some areas where our business is already strong, there was less new information to learn. Even so, those sessions provided validation, confirming that what we were doing was right and should be continued.

Considering your learnings from the programme, how will you take these into the business and improve any ways of working or any processes?

After each session, I would have a list of things I wanted to do, but I had to cherry pick the ones that I thought would have the most impact. For me, it meant realigning many of our best practices. We had grown somewhat complacent in our sales and marketing efforts, often neglecting to follow up on proposals. During COVID-19 we didn’t expect to win any new business, so we didn’t try to push it. So, it was about getting that thirst for winning sales again.

The programme has given me a renewed appetite for growth. Currently, we are planning to reposition one of our service offerings to appeal to a new market. I arrive at work each morning raring to go, motivating my team to accomplish tasks and drive the business forward again.

How did you find having one-on-one support from an experienced business mentor?

Having a business mentor was integral for me. There was a wide array of mentors available, spanning different sectors, locations, and experience but I think the mistake some people make is selecting a mentor based on their success in swish industries or proximity to London/Southern areas.

For me, it was really important to choose a mentor that was in a similar industry and lived relatively local, so they understood the nuances of the local market environment. I was paired with a mentor based in Huddersfield, with expertise working in the tech industry and digital sectors with knowledge in sales and marketing—a focus area for our improvement. What set her apart was her focus on ensuring compatibility and alignment with myself and my business needs before committing to the partnership.

In our initial five remote sessions, we delved into the specific challenges my business faced and how to tackle them, drawing on her industry-specific and local insights, which was incredibly valuable. As we saw progress, my mentor suggested a three-hour in-person session at our office to meticulously map out my growth action plan.

It was just like having a dedicated sounding board, allowing me to bounce ideas off an expert. We didn’t just put big, vague ideas out there; we focused on the specifics, starting with the end goal and working our way backwards to structure the steps. She took plenty of notes and put the basics of the growth action plan together for us to then use as a working document.

The final two hours will be dedicated to refining and solidifying the plan, ensuring it is not only achievable but also equipped with contingency measures.

What would you say to business leaders who are thinking of joining the programme?

I personally found the access to 10 hours of one-to-one support from an experienced business mentor hugely valuable and would definitely say this is a reason to join the programme if you are thinking about it. My advice to learners would be to take your time to carefully filter and select your mentor. Look beyond the dashboard and conduct your own research to ensure they are the right fit for you and your business. Putting in effort to find the right person can significantly amplify the value you derive from those 10 hours together.

Not only does the Help to Grow Management programme provide you with structured learning, it also allows you to learn from peers and share our challenges, successes, and knowledge with one another—which is incredibly beneficial! These individuals, from various industries, have shared a similar journey with us over the past three tough years as small business leaders. We were all driven by the common goal of change and growing our business.

I got so much out of talking to the other learners in the room—almost as much as the structured learning. I would have paid the fee to sit in a room for 12 weeks and just talk to my peers.

To hear how other leaders of small and medium-sized businesses across Calderdale, Kirklees and Huddersfield are achieving results through the Help to Grow Management programme at University of Huddersfield visit: https://www.hud.ac.uk/helptogrow/casestudies/