From crisis to confidence with Help to Grow: Management

In the past, growth into new premises had been judged by feelings rather than financial and operational viability.  

“We didn’t know when to stop growing. Then we ran into issues and I just felt like a failure. We just weren’t used to getting advice from outside professionals with expertise in finance and growth.”

Early on in the course, as Leah looked at organisational structures and strategies for growth, she recognised that changing her approach was an important first step.

Leah found the programme’s  structure gave her time to absorb the learning from the modules and apply it directly to her business in the week between the next session. Rather than simply completing the course, she returned to the business weekly, after each module, to consider what needed to change.

In one of the first sessions, a business expert said they felt finance, branding, and marketing were the areas that business leaders often struggle with. The fact that these areas were identified as common pitfalls made Leah feel less isolated.

“It gave me clarity and comfort to know that it wasn’t just a mistake that Sarah and I made,” she explains.

This environment of understanding helped Leah make plans for renewed growth.

Leah’s first action was to revisit the company’s mission, vision, and values. She realised that despite years of running the business, they had never clearly defined them. This meant that members of staff would not reflect the values she held close or would become confused about the direction of the company, leading to higher employee turnover. Leah and Sarah brought the team together to establish three values: children first, a sense of belonging, and growing together.

“Our mission is to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment where children and staff feel valued. I want every child and every staff member to feel safe and secure and to grow together.”

The learning also prompted a wider review of the business’s identity, from its logo and website to the way families were welcomed into its nurseries.

Financial management changed too after looking at break-even analysis methodologies and cash flow forecasting tools on Help to Grow: Management. Leah began monitoring cash flow more closely, meeting an accountant every three months and looking at profit as a key indicator of performance rather than turnover.

She also became more open with the management team about the financial position, helping them understand where savings or staffing changes might be needed. This change was implemented after the module on employee engagement, which provides frameworks for communicating with staff. This has built trust and enabled the team to make better-informed decisions together.

Since the course, profits have increased. Leah and Sarah have done this by reducing the number of nurseries, putting a greater emphasis on financial tracking, and investing in employees.

Importantly, Help to Grow: Management has changed how she sees herself and her capabilities. “It’s made me realise that I know and understand business.”

 Looking back, Leah believes the course accelerated her development: “I would have got there eventually, but it would have taken a lot longer.” Her ambition now is to build a business that can stand independently without her, while sharing her experience to help other business owners navigate their own challenges.

You can find out more about how the Help to Grow: Management Course can enable you to tackle your business challenges here.