Scale up Network and Support (Cohort 5)
A safe, friendly environment facilitating purposeful networking and trusted support from specialists and fellow businesses looking to scale.
Who is this Network and Support programme for?
Almost 673K start ups were founded in the UK during the 2018/2019 tax year; that's the equivalent of 1,843.5 per day. Although sadly, 57.6% of those companies were gone 5 years later; with a reported 65% of UK employees wanting to start their own business, the start up trend will only continue to rise over coming years.
Start up, whilst having its challenges, is easier than achieving sustained business growth over the long-term. You have an idea, a concept; you're full of energy and enthusiasm; the first year or two goes well; but then turnover and/or profit either plateaus or doesn't quite reach the highs you'd envisaged or hoped for. This is a common occurrence for many business owners, and vision, together with focus, drive and momentum can be difficult to maintain during these periods.
These sessions are for business owners with a level of trading history, who are looking to truly take their business into the next stage of growth, and who believe they would benefit from sound advice and knowledge sharing from experts and fellow business owners as to how they can go about doing this.
What can I expect from this Network and Support programme?
The UK continues to emerge from a period of unprecedented uncertainty and disruption and there is an incredible appetite amongst small business owners to collaborate and help their fellow businesses recover and prosper. We will use these sessions to tap into that energy, exploring amongst other topics:
- Growth objectives and priorities
- Core challenges and obstacles to growth (within and outside of your control)
- Innovation and diversification
- Growth enablers
- Planning and growth strategy execution
Sessions provide a safe and friendly environment where long-lasting, purposeful, and trusted relationships can be built. An experienced facilitator together with a small cohort of your peers (and specialist advisors where applicable) provide a vital sounding board to challenge your thinking, unlock opportunities, and enhance your decision-making ability.
How will the Network and Support group work?
Cohort spaces are limited to 10-12 individuals in order to maximise the benefit for those participating. Applicants may be required to complete a short questionnaire to help assess suitability and compatibility. You may also receive a phone call as part of the application process.
Dates & Structure
Meetings are held virtually via Zoom.
IMPORTANT: The value these sessions deliver is as much dependent on the business professionals that participate as it is on any specialist facilitators and speakers. Your input is hugely appreciated and valued by your peers, therefore, you MUST be able to attend all 6 sessions.
Schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday 25th October 2022 – 12.30-14.30: Meet and Greet. Getting to know each other
- Tuesday 8th November 2022 – 12.30-14.30: Growth strategy, objectives and challenges
- Tuesday 22nd November 2022 – 12.30-14.30: Client acquisition and retention
- Tuesday 6th December 2022 – 12.30-14.30: Securing and retaining talent and skills
- Tuesday 20th December 2022 – 12.30-14.30: Optimising operational effectiveness
- Tuesday 3rd January 2023 - 12.30-14.30: Financing growth
For more information about the eScalate programme, visit: www.oxfordshirelep.com/escalate