|
"Being on LEAD has been great at putting me in touch with people from other sectors who can give advice. You quickly realise that you are not alone and that other people are facing the same problems and challenges as you.”
Karen Law, Cumbria Pest and Hygiene
|
LEAD is an innovative leadership programme specifically created for owners of small businesses with up to 50 employees. The 10 month programme provides hands on advice, expert coaching and practical support to help you tackle real-life issues facing your business, and enable you to make decisions with confidence.
Professor Steve Kempster was core to the development of the original LEAD programme at Lancaster University Management School. Steve is now the Assoicate Dean for Business at the University of Cumbria Business School and has played a key part in bringing his experience of Leadership and Change Management to inform the development of the programme for delivery in Cumbria. The programme is being delivered across the North West supported by the NWDA. It will be available in Cumbria in Workington, Carlisle, Penrith, Ambleside and Furness.
Follow the link to the left to listen to Emma Watton's interview on BBC Radio Cumbria.
What LEAD involves?
LEAD concentrates on two areas of the business: the business itself and the personal development of the owner.
The programme is made up of several elements which run alongside each other throughout the 10 months:
-
Overnight Experiential – the programme starts with a two day overnight event. This helps delegates get to know each other and helps them to start thinking about their current leadership style.
-
Masterclasses – 10 masterclasses are split into two themes, business growth and leadership.
-
Coaching –a solutions focussed coaching approach changes how members work with people both inside and outside their organisation.
-
Action Learning Sets – a group of 6-7 cohort members who meet to discuss and resolve real business issues.
-
Shadowing and Exchanges – delegates are partnered for a series of shadowing visits and exchanges.
-
Learning and Reflection Days - an opportunity to consolidate learning and assess the impact of LEAD.
-
On-line forum- members share what they have learnt in Masterclasses and discuss issues from Action Learning Sets. They also have access to podcasts, Masterclass presentations and additional reading.
Benefits to your business
The businesses that have taken part in the LEAD pilot have benefited from a significant increase in sales turnover as a result of their participation. Other benefits include:
What is the commitment/cost to your business?
To make LEAD manageble for business owners the programme is spread over 10 months. The estimated time commitment is approx 2 days per month. Some of this activity is timetabled in advance (e.g. masterclasses) and other activity is arranged to suit your own schedule (e.g. coaching and action learning).
LEAD is a high value course supported by the NWDA resulting in a maximum cost to your business of £2,000. Owner-managers who employ between five and 999 employees may be eligible for additional funding towards the cost of the programme via the Train to Gain: Leadership and Management Advisory Service.
For businesses in Copeland and Allerdale additional funding is available to support a limited number of business. Applications must be received before July 2010 in order to take full advantage of this funding.
Other frequently asked questions about the LEAD Programme
For other questions you may have about whether the LEAD programme is right for you please click here|.
Locations and Dates for LEAD in Cumbria
|
Location
|
Start date
|
Taster Sessions
|
|
Energus Campus, Workington
|
November 2009
|
Programme Started
|
|
Carlisle/Penrith Campus
|
Sept 2010
|
For details of taster session please click here
|
|
Ambleside Campus
|
February 2011
|
TBC
|
|
Furness or Energus, Workington
|
June 2011
|
TBC
|
For more information about the LEAD programme
or Contact Rachael Sterrett, Lead Project Manager on 01524 384166, rachael.sterrett@cumbria.ac.uk|
