Take a LEAD in boosting skills

OWNER-managers of businesses in Oldham who believe they would benefit from professional development support in leadership, management and growth are invited to a 60-minute taster event at The Oldham College on Wednesday next week.

The Leading Enterprise and Development (LEAD) programme targets companies with up to 50 employees and is designed to equip owner-managers with the skills and abilities they need to increase profits, capitalise on new opportunities and make the most of their existing resources.

Course leaders will outline the LEAD programme, explain how businesses can get involved and offer an opportunity to question a previous LEAD delegates.

Designed around the needs of SME owner-managers, LEAD concentrates on two areas: the business itself and the personal development of the owner-manager.

Comprising several elements which run alongside each other during a 10-month period, the disciplines include business and leadership masterclasses delivered by industry experts, action learning, coaching, peer shadowing and work exchange.

Since its inception, more than 150 owner-managers have benefited from the programme and a further 230 delegates are in the process of graduating.

Research from the Lancaster pilot shows that businesses benefited from a significant increase in turnover — an average of £200,000 — and improved staff productivity.

Veronica Jones, the University of Salford’s LEAD project manager, said: “These smaller events are proving popular as they are less formal, allow businesses to ask questions of a previous participant and also are quick, minimising time out of the office.”

Hosted by the University of Salford, the one-hour LEAD taster session starts at 8.30am in the Bellis Building, Rochdale Road.

Visit www.business.salford.ac.uk/LEAD, contact Liz Walker on 0161-295 2888 or email l.walker@salford.ac.uk to register.