The Help to Grow: Management Course has given thousands of business leaders of small to medium-sized enterprises the tools to improve their leadership since 2021. In the latest independent report from Ipsos published last month, a total of 1,875 course participants were asked about their experience of the course.
The survey, which was completed by those who had finished and were still on the course, took place between July and September 2023, and the results are now in.
The course is still appealing to a wide audience. Business leaders from across a variety of industries from the arts to agriculture joined the course, and the most popular sectors were “Manufacturing”, “Construction”, and “Professional, Scientific, and Technical”.
In addition to a vast array of industries seeing the appeal of the Help to Grow: Management Course, 39% of those enrolled in the course are women compared with 24% of female-owned and led businesses in the wider UK business population. Additionally, 14% of participants were from an ethnic minority group compared with 6% of SMEs which are led by people from an ethnic minority background nationally.
The top drivers for business leaders to join the course were improving leadership and skill management (76%), gaining confidence (73%), and increasing awareness of productivity and growth (73%).
Importantly, the vast majority of those who attended the course saw benefits in these areas. When asked how they felt 6 months after the course, 92% of alumni said that it had helped them improve their leadership, and 83% said they understood the different types of customers they have and their needs.
Other benefits experienced after 6 months included more than 70% of alumni understanding effective operational processes as well as how they could be improved and knowing how to use digital technology to further the business. 89% of alumni have also made changes to their leadership and their employee engagement strategy.
In addition to the significant impact on both individuals’ leadership skills and businesses, there was very positive feedback about Help to Grow: Management itself. The way the course was delivered satisfied 90% of attendees, and 89% were satisfied with the 10 one-hour sessions with a mentor that they received. Not only that, but 93% of respondents said they would recommend the course to another business leader.
If you’re interested in experiencing the same benefits as the course participants, you can find out more here.
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