Enterprise4All

On Thursday 24th September, companies from across Lancashire gathered at Blackburn College’s University Centre to take part in a free leadership development workshop organised by  the Blackburn based business support company, Enterprise4All.

The event, which attracted around 40 senior managers and business owners, was hosted as part of the LEAD Programme – a £9.5 million initiative funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Comprising a series of short presentations and a lunchtime networking session, the event was designed to give delegates an insight into the programme, its principles and objectives.

Following an introduction and welcome by Kevin Murray, LEAD Delivery Manager at Blackburn College, The Internet Marketing Show’s Mark Bowden then gave a short masterclass on the subject of online marketing for local businesses. This gave delegates an impression of the kind of subjects that will be covered during the course of the LEAD programme. Speakers will include Sir Chris Bonington, Chris Moon and Kavita Oberoi, who recently appeared on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire

Two former LEAD delegates then spoke about their experiences of the programme, explaining how it had helped them to think more strategically and to bring about positive change within their businesses.

Lesley Swinn of the Accrington-based estate agency, Buy The House, said: “LEAD was absolutely inspirational for me. It was great to meet and work with like minded entrepreneurs who were all on the same journey as myself. We were at different stages, but we could all learn from one another and share ideas and encouragement. From every session, I brought home a kind of ‘golden nugget’ – an idea, a solution or a new way of approaching things, and it all helped to give me the confidence to transform my business. 

“I had started the programme by hiding in the corner and feeling like a bit of a fraud; someone who was uncertain of herself and surrounded by far more experienced and accomplished managers. Now, however, I know that most entrepreneurs feel the same way and that by sharing our experiences, we can really help one another. As a result of my experiences of LEAD, my confidence has soared, my business has won a string of awards and I have launched a number of additional businesses. Once, I was ‘the woman who couldn’t cope with any more’ – always far too busy and with little or no time to think – but now I feel equal to any challenge: I launched another new venture earlier this week and I’ve even started working with a North West university as a tutor on an entrepreneurship degree course.”

Richard Baguley of the Blackpool based PR agency GDR echoed Lesley’s comments, saying: “I joined the LEAD programme at a time when the business was growing quickly and it felt like we were going off the edge of the map. Everything was changing – our roles, our structure and objectives – and I was feeling increasingly isolated, with no one to talk to about the issues I was facing. I knew that there were new skills I needed to develop but, worse than that, I felt that there were other things I should change that I might not even be aware of.

“LEAD was ideal for me. It provided a support package that helped me deal with change and it made a difference at both the business and personal levels. For the company, the support of my fellow delegates provided what I like to think of as ‘the board you can’t afford’ – people who challenge us, help us find solutions and inject new ideas. And for myself, the masterclasses and one to one coaching really changed the way I thought about the buck stopping with me.”

LEAD is a 10-month leadership development programme open to businesses employing up to 20 people. It emphasises leadership and strategy and comprises a mixture of interactive workshops, coaching support, management exchanges and inspirational masterclasses.

Enterprise4All is now inviting companies in Pennine Lancashire to find out more about the programme and how it can help local business managers to develop their leadership skills. Anyone wishing to learn more should contact Business Link North West on 0845 00 66 888 or should visit www.businesslinknw.co.uk/lead.