Announced in the 2021 UK Government Budget, the Help to Grow: Management programme offers practical management training delivered by world-class business schools across the UK. Quadruple-accredited Strathclyde Business School, based in the centre of Glasgow City Innovation District, has been delivering the programme since 2021 and in just two years, has seen over 200 companies graduating from its delivery, with a further 40 due to complete it by the end of 2023.
This 12-week, part time programme is aimed at leaders and senior decision-makers of SMEs to boost performance, resilience, and long-term growth. The high-quality curriculum, alongside Strathclyde’s signature offering of focused peer learning with delivery of content through a combination of real-world practitioners and world class research, offers the opportunity to build capabilities in areas such as leadership, innovation, digital adoption, and responsible business – to name but a few. By the end of the course, participants have developed a business growth plan, created connections, and widened their networks.
As part of this programme, a company with 10 or more employees can choose up to two senior leaders to take part, an offer that directors and co-founders of Iconic Resourcing, Lauren Jow and Hannah Green, took advantage of in 2022.
Founded in 2019, Iconic Resourcing is an award-winning professional services recruitment company: matching key talent in roles across the Human Resources, Accountancy & Finance, Legal, and Marketing disciplines with a whole host of organisations across the UK. Distinguished by its meticulous approach, Iconic Resourcing goes beyond the conventional recruitment, exemplifying a dedication to forging relationship-led partnerships. With an impressive track record, Iconic has not only etched its name in the industry but has also become a pivotal player, collaborating with some of the most innovative, reputable, and sought-after companies in the marketplace.
Recognising the company’s steady growth year on year, Lauren and Hannah identified the need to enhance their leadership skills and gain insights into contemporary business strategies. The decision for both co-founders to participate stemmed from a strategic vision to strengthen the leadership foundation within Iconic Resourcing.
Reflecting on their experience early 10 months after completing the programme, both Lauren and Hannah recognised a real benefit from attending the course at a similar time when they began to use time at their Director’s meetings to reflect on their learning, and agree action plans of implementation.
“One of the key outcomes for us has been a noticeable enhancement in leadership capabilities, with both of us as co-founders gaining valuable insights into strategic management, organisational dynamics, and effective decision-making. The programme has also played a pivotal role in shaping our business strategy, leading to a more refined, collaborative, and forward-thinking approach and its even inspired a culture of continuous improvement within our organisation – with an emphasis on innovation and adaptability”.
In terms of tangible results from the programme – Iconic Resourcing has experienced not only an increase in turnover, but also an increase in headcount, and the number of clients they partner with.
Talking about their own personal experiences in the programme, Director and Co-Founder Lauren Jow discussed the teaching and learning style at Strathclyde, and how the make-up of her cohort enhanced her overall experience:
“The teaching style was dynamic, with a real mix of lectures, case studies, and interactive discussions. The University’s expertise and real-world insights added value to the overall learning experience. Working with other SME leaders was insightful too, as it allowed me to gain perspectives from different sectors. The collaborative projects also encouraged us to apply theoretical frameworks to real business scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.
On a personal level, the program instilled a deeper understanding of our leadership styles and strengths. The self-awareness gained allowed us to lead with greater authenticity and adaptability. The emphasis on change leadership enabled us to approach growth and challenges with confidence and resilience”.
From Director and Co-Founder Hannah Green’s perspective, it was much more about the peer-to-peer learning that enabled her to gain confidence and knowledge in what Iconic Resourcing was doing:
“Much of the content was not completely unfamiliar to me, but I still benefitted from taking a half day away from the business to learn and refresh knowledge. While the other leaders from SMEs were from very different industries to Iconic Resourcing, there were many commonalties during brainstorming, and it was comforting to hear of similar challenges faced.
My favourite part of the programme was that I was surrounded by a particularly great cohort who were all dedicated to attending every module and ready to contribute and participate in sharing their own experiences”.
Summarising the overall experience of taking part in a fully face to face, 12-week, part-time programme, both Lauren and Hannah agreed that Help to Grow: Management at Strathclyde helps senior leaders in stepping away from the business – with time to work “on” the business rather than “in it”.
As parting advice to those considering taking part in the programme, Lauren and Hannah strongly encourage senior leaders and SME business owners to take part, especially “to fellow business leaders and professionals seeking to elevate their leadership skills”. Further describing the course, Hannah notes “The programme is particularly useful for attendees seeking to collaborate with other organisations and learn from other’s experiences – regardless of whether they’re in a similar industry. The programme’s practical insights and collaborative learning environment make it valuable for leaders across various industries.”
Interested in the Help to Grow: Management Programme at Strathclyde? Join Now for next intake in February 2024.
