(Target audience: Businesses with 5–10 employees and approx. £1 million turnover)
Join us for a practical, high-impact 3-hour webinar designed specifically for leaders of growth-stage SMEs looking to scale sustainably. Delivered by an expert in Project Management from the faculty of Business & Law at The University of Northampton, this interactive session will guide you through building a clear strategic vision and aligning your operations, finances, and team for long-term success.
What to Expect:
Set Your Growth Strategy – Learn how to assess your market using SWOT/TOWS, explore growth options (organic vs. partnerships), and define realistic strategic goals. You’ll kick things off by identifying one key strength and one pressing challenge in your business.
Boost Operational Efficiency – Discover how to map internal processes, pinpoint bottlenecks, and implement simple yet effective digital tools like CRMs, ERPs, and automation platforms. A live poll will help reveal which processes are costing you the most time.
Plan for Sustainable Financial Growth – Understand the balance between profitability and cash flow, avoid common growth pitfalls, and explore funding options through a real-world case study.
Build the Right Team – Get expert tips on hiring key roles, motivating lean teams, and monitoring performance effectively. Reflect on your hiring roadmap for the year ahead.
Wrap-Up & Action Planning – Solidify your learnings with actionable takeaways, share your 30-day implementation goals, and leave with a clear roadmap tailored to your SME’s unique journey.
Whether you're scaling operations, hiring your first key staff, or refining your financial strategy, this workshop will equip you with the tools and clarity to move forward with confidence.
Ideal for: SME founders, directors, and senior managers in the growth stage of their business, with 5–10 employees and approx. £1 million turnover
Workshop Structure
10:00 - 10:15 | Welcome & Introductions
– Brief intros from participants (name, sector, size)
– Overview of the session objectives
10:15 - 10:45 | Setting a Growth Strategy
– Understanding your market using SWOT/TOWS
– Organic growth vs partnerships
– Defining achievable strategic goals
Mini task: Participants identify one strength & one challenge
10:45 - 11:15 | Operational Efficiency & Digital Tools
– Mapping internal processes
– Identifying bottlenecks
– Simple digital solutions: CRM, ERP, automation
Live poll via Mentimeter: Which processes cost you the most time?
11:15 - 11:30 | Break & Networking
11:30 - 12:00 | Sustainable Financial Growth
– Profitability vs cash flow
– Managing growth without overstretching
– Grants, funding & managing risk
Mini case study: Business that grew too fast and what went wrong
12:00 - 12:30 | Building the Right Team
– Hiring your first key roles
– Delegation & motivation in small teams
– Monitoring performance & leadership styles
Write-down task: Which 2 roles do you plan to hire next year? Why?
12:30 - 12:45 | Closing & Takeaways
– Key takeaways from participants
– “What will you implement in the next 30 days?”
– Feedback & thanks
This webinar will be hosted on MS Teams and you'll receive the joining link once registered. If you have any queries please contact samantha.hunter@southmidlands.org.uk