Course overview
With 87% of small business owners seeking more support to grow*, Help to Grow: Management delivers the essential tools, insights, and mentorship needed to achieve long-term success. This programme is designed for SME leaders looking to strengthen their leadership, refine their business strategy, and improve operational efficiency.
Delivered by Teesside University International Business School with support from entrepreneurs and industry experts, the course provides practical strategies for scaling your business, improving operations, and strengthening financial resilience. Participants develop a tailored business growth plan and gain access to an extensive alumni network.
The course covers key topics such as leadership, marketing, employee engagement, financial management, and innovation. Delivered through a mix of online and face-to-face sessions, it includes 12 structured modules, peer group learning, and 1-to-1 mentoring from experienced business professionals.
Five reasons to join the programme
- Strategic growth planning: develop a tailored Growth Action Plan to drive long-term success.
- Expert-led learning: gain insights from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experienced mentors.
- Flexible and practical: learn in a way that fits around your business commitments, with a mix of online and in-person sessions.
- Peer networking: connect with like-minded SME leaders, share experiences, and build valuable relationships.
- Affordable and accessible: 90% government-funded, with a one-time fee of just £750 per participant.
*For details, visit tees.ac.uk/source
More about Help to Grow: Management
Course details
What you study
This course covers key areas essential for business growth, including:
- leadership: develop strategic leadership skills to drive business success
- marketing: learn market segmentation, positioning, and targeting strategies
- employee engagement: build a motivated workforce and enhance company culture
- financial management: strengthen financial decision-making and long-term planning
- operations and productivity: identify new technologies and processes to enhance efficiency
- innovation and digital adoption: discover strategies for staying competitive in a fast-changing market.
How you learn
The programme is designed to fit around work and personal commitments, with just one session per week. Learning is delivered through:
- 12 structured modules: covering critical aspects of business growth
- peer-learning sessions: collaborate with up to 25 business leaders
- one-to-one business mentoring: tailored support from experienced SME mentors
- access to the Alumni Network: ongoing learning through exclusive events and resources.
How you are assessed
The Help to Grow: Management programme is designed to provide practical, actionable learning with no formal exams or coursework. Instead, assessment is based on:
- growth action plan: throughout the programme, you will develop a tailored growth action plan, applying key concepts to your own business. This plan serves as a strategic roadmap for scaling your business and implementing the insights gained during the course
- mentor feedback: you receive personalised guidance and feedback from an experienced business mentor, helping you refine your strategies and address specific business challenges
- peer learning and participation: active engagement in peer group discussions and case studies is encouraged, allowing you to share experiences and gain diverse perspectives from fellow SME leaders
- practical application: each module is designed to help you immediately apply learning to your business, ensuring measurable progress throughout the 12 weeks.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
This course is ideal for senior decision-makers in UK-based SMEs who want to develop their leadership skills and scale their business. To be eligible, businesses must:
- employ between 5 and 249 people
- have been operational for at least one year
- not be registered as a charity
- be a senior decision-maker with at least one direct report
- commit to completing all course sessions.
Employability
Career opportunities
By completing this course, you:
- enhance your strategic leadership skills across business functions
- develop a growth strategy tailored to your business
- gain access to a national peer network to share challenges and opportunities
- improve operational efficiency and financial management
- identify new digital technologies to boost innovation and productivity
- build a resilient and scalable business model to support long-term success.
