9 minute read
The benefits of bespoke training
The benefits of tailored training
Alongside the usual calendar, the Chamber’s commercial training team provides bespoke packages designed to upskill SMEs according to specific requirements. Business Network speaks to Ian Lawrence (pictured), CEO of Chesterfield-based United Rental Group Ltd, a car agency with 67 staff, about his company’s experience with tailored training.
Tell us what your business does and who you work with?
We manage and operate a network of more than 600 independent vehicle rental businesses, which are licensees of United Rental System. It’s similar to a franchise network, except they each trade under their own name and we provide them with everything they need to run their business – hopefully at better terms than they could achieve on their own.
What type of training did you require and why did you decide to work with the Chamber’s commercial training team?
We have an internal leadership team and I wanted them to benefit from understanding leadership versus management, along with all aspects of getting the best out of colleagues through example and motivation. It needed to cover a broad range of business areas, which as a group they’d all be responsible for at some point – and ensure there were common approaches towards achieving similar goals.
What did the training delivered by the Chamber involve?
It was a little more complicated than normal in that everything had to be delivered via Microsoft Teams one afternoon each week – over an eight-week period. The trainers were great – even splitting the delivery between them depending on their specialism. After each session, I was sent an update and summary so I could see what they had been working on. I found that extremely helpful and thoughtful.
How will this support your business aims and objectives?
Most importantly, it bought each section leader together as one unit, highlighted some common objectives and brought home to everyone that although they all have different areas of responsibility, they were one team – and should endeavour to work to the same principles. I was more than pleasantly surprised at the enthusiasm with which each trainee greeted the opportunity to participate each week – testimony I think to the quality of the training and delivery.
Why should businesses place a strong emphasis on continuous staff development?
Business changes all the time and legislation can change too. It’s important that we invest in keeping our teams up to speed with those changes – and even more vital they see we are investing in them too. It’s motivational as well as educational. It’s also important they all sing from the same hymn sheet and understand the challenges their colleagues face on a daily basis.
What do you believe were the main benefits of a bespoke training course?
One of my concerns was that our leadership team is already really good and mostly very experienced. I didn’t want to insult those people or look as if we were teaching them to “suck eggs” – so it was important we pitched the content at the right level.
Because we got that right, we came out of it with an even more enthusiastic set of leaders who had all learnt some new skills. I also had the chance to speak to the trainers beforehand and describe our culture, which gave them the opportunity to tailor the delivery and content of each section of the course to match our business and ethics.
We now have a clear indication on where we need to go next in terms of investing more time in educating our teams – and which areas we should focus on. I think it’s easy as a business leader to drive a company forward and forget that what you’re “driving” needs some maintenance or a “service” now and then. Our people are our greatest assets – offering bespoke training that makes clear sense to them is key to ensuring a more secure future for the business.
More than 100 businesses are supported by the Chamber with bespoke training courses each year.
A dedicated staff member assigned to each company will design and develop tailored face-to-face or online sessions, which are delivered to either individuals or teams of up to 12 people. They will liaise with the business lead throughout the programme, selecting a training specialist most suited to its requirements, ensuring these are met by the course content and completing a quality check following delivery.
For more information on bespoke training, contact business training manager Vicki Thompson on vicki.thompson@emc-dnl.co.uk or call 0333 3200 333 (ext 2153).
Understanding how to be a good manager
Learning how to be an effective and efficient manager will be the focus of the next instalment of the Chamber’s Managers Development Programme.
Key topics covered by the training course include understanding the management role, motivation and organisational culture, communication skills, coaching skills for developing others, managing performance and identifying opportunities for innovation.
The programme will be delivered online by a trainer from Challenge Consulting. It runs for six half-day sessions, lasting between 1.30pm and 5pm, from Monday 10 May to Monday 21 June.
The course costs £735 + VAT for members and £1,050 + VAT for nonmembers.
Generation Next Awards now open
Young talent in businesses across the East Midlands will be celebrated in the first ever Generation Next Awards.
Entries can now be made for the awards, which are delivered in partnership with the University of Derby and form part of the Chamber’s new Generation Next network for professionals and business owners aged under 35.
There are seven categories, covering a broad spectrum of people in organisations – from apprentices to business leaders –as well as an award for a fastgrowing start-up.
The deadline for entries – which can be made by either employers or their employees – is 26 April, with finalists to be announced on 17 May. Winners will be crowned at a virtual awards ceremony on 16 July.
Lucy Robinson, the Chamber’s director of resources and Generation Next lead, said: “Generation Next is a really exciting new initiative from the Chamber and these awards promise to be a fantastic celebration of the amazing young talent we have across the East Midlands.
“Young people don’t always receive the recognition they deserve but this is now their chance to tell their stories and showcase their successes.
“It’s also a great opportunity for employers to shout about the great work and innovation coming out of their businesses thanks to the contributions that young employees make every day, who we know are a great asset in ensuring organisations remain fresh and relevant in today’s world. We have carefully crafted a broad range of categories, and there’s an award to suit every young professional and entrepreneur at each stage of their career.”
The University of Derby is the headline partner for Generation Next, with GBS Apprenticeships, Nottingham University Business School and The Lettings & Sales Business also partners.
Professor Kamil Omoteso, pro vice-chancellor and dean of the University of Derby’s College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, said: “Generation Next is the ideal initiative for providing young professionals with support for their new career or business, and these awards are a superb way of celebrating how those taking part have responded to the challenge of establishing themselves in what is a very competitive environment.
“I hope many employers across our region take up the invitation to nominate candidates for the Generation Next Awards, which will provide everyone whose name is put forward with deserved recognition for their contributions and ideas that are helping to take businesses forward, and to make our region’s economy more dynamic and resilient.”
GENERATION NEXT AWARDS 2021 CATEGORIES – WHO DO THEY RECOGNISE?
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Current or past apprentices aged between 18 and 35 who can demonstrate an exceptional contribution they’ve made to their workplace.
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Dynamic, creative and visionary business leaders who define the qualities of successful entrepreneurship, including those with drive, ambition and tenacity.
COMMUNITY AWARD
Individuals who have developed and implemented CSR policies, or promoted inclusive workplaces, as part of their overall business planning or daily life in the office.
CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
People who are dedicated to continuously improving customer satisfaction and exceeding expectations, or have overcome key challenges.
EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Business leaders or employees who have used and integrated innovative technology to boost performance within their organisation.
BREAKTHROUGH AWARD
New businesses that started in the past three years and have achieves consistent growth backed by strong financial performance – with continued growth ahead.
OVERALL WINNER – GENERATION NEXT FUTURE LEADER
An influential individual who has significantly contributed to their industry during their career to date, making a visible difference to their workplace’s growth.
To enter the Generation Next Awards 2021, visit www.generationnextemc.co.uk/ awards
Raise your profile and share your successes
Entries remain open for the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2021. Chamber members have until 7 May to stake their case for recognition across 14 categories.
They include new categories for Collaboration Project of the Year and Excellence in Innovation. There will also be a return for the Environmental Impact Award introduced last year, as well as regular favourites such as Apprentice of the Year, Community Impact, Excellence in International Trade and Small Business of the Year.
An overall Business of the Year will be crowned for each county, as chosen by headline sponsor Mazars.
Finalists will be announced on Thursday 30 June. Winners will be chosen by a panel including members of the Chamber’s leadership team and board, as well as sponsors.
They will learn their fate at ceremonies for each county – Derbyshire Business Awards on 12 November, Nottinghamshire Business Awards on 19 November and Leicestershire Business Awards on 3 December.
For more information and to enter the Chamber Business Awards, visit www.emcdnl.co.uk/businessawards2021
Award sponsorship opportunities available
Sponsorship opportunities remain available for the Chamber’s Business Awards and Generation Next Awards.
Companies can sponsor a category at either event, offering them a platform to raise their profile, engage with fellow members and to reach wider audiences.
There are three categories available at the Derbyshire Business Awards – Commitment to People Development, Excellence in International Trade and Collaboration Project of the Year.
Three categories are also up for grabs at the Nottinghamshire Business Awards – Commitment to People Development, Apprentice of the Year and Excellence in Innovation.
Generation Next is seeking three further partners for the network and each of these will be allocated a category at the Generation Next Awards.
