Optimistically cautious or cautiously optimistic?

The bespoke programme ran between January – March 2023 and comprised seven peer cohorts; 126 one-to-one coaching sessions; 24 three-hour leadership and management sessions on business themes chosen by the business leaders.

These themes included: effective decision making, understanding leadership styles, business exit, accessing finance, developing a clear vision and strategy and building high performing teams.

The ‘50 Leaders’ were surveyed before and after the programme of intensive support and the results are here.

50 leaders from businesses in Sussex and Surrey

Total of seven cohorts

600 hours total support

24 three-hour leadership and management sessions

126 one-to-one coaching sessions

To what extent on a rating of 0-10 would you recommend the 50 Leaders Programme to a colleague or a friend?

Average Score: 8.5 / 10

NPS Score: 41+

How did your turnover compare between Dec 2021–Dec 2022 to the previous year?

Up Up

Same Same

Down Down

What has been your strategic response to the current economic and political landscape?

I am likely to close my business 54% 28% 16% 2% 0%

I need to make some significant changes

How does your forward pipeline look today compared to this time last year?

51% 23% 7% 12% 7%

58% 25% 3% 8% 6%

Considering selling my business within the next 2-5 years

Has Brexit impacted your business? (Before only) more Slightly more

Roughly

9% 17% 26% 19% n Before programme n After programme 65% 64% Visionary Coaching Democratic Easy going Transformational Bureaucratic Authoritarian Transactional 16% 19% 26% 26% 7% 2% 2% 2% 27% 22% 26% 4% 13% 4% 0% 4% n After programme n Before programme

How do your company’s total employment levels compare to the previous period last year?

I am considering an acquisition Up The same Down less than 10% Down 10-20% Down 20-40%

What sort of leader would your team say you are?

What is the most difficult part of being a leader?

Feeling alone

Dealing with conflict

Being focused on strategy

Setting and achieving goals

Making tough decisions

Achieving buy-in

Setting the tone for the business

Knowing the plan inside out

What aspects of being a leader have been helped since doing the 50 Leaders Programme?

Setting the tone for the business

Setting and achieving goals

Making tough decisions

Feeling alone

Achieving buy-in

Dealing with conflict

Avoiding being dragged into the day-to-day

Knowing the plan inside out

56% 61% 37% 50% 30% 50% 28% 42% 26% 33% 21% 19% 12% 19% 5% 19% 0% 14%

Do you have a better understanding of your leadership style as a result of participating in the 50 Leaders Programme?

65% say they have a better understanding of their leadership style

Over the past six months, how productive have you been as a leader?

How has your productivity changed in the last three months?

78% claim to have been more productive in past three months

What do you believe to be the most important leadership traits you have demonstrated in the past 12 months? (top five)

What do you believe will be the most important leadership trait for you to employ to achieve your plans this year? (top three)

57% said communication skills

43% said effective delegating

38% stated showing resilience would be a required trait

Who is the leader you have admired most in the world in 2022?

Over the past six months, how productive have you been as a leader?

% increase since the start of the 50 Leaders Programme

Q. What leadership skill would you most like to develop in 2023 and why?

❛❛ Delegation – to be able to empower my team, so I can grow the business ❜❜

❛❛ Communication – to ensure all staff understand our business journey and are able to connect to it ❜❜

Q. What topics did you find the most beneficial for you as a leader on the 50 Leaders Programme?

❛❛ ‘Business Strategy and Vision 2023’ and ‘Effective Decision Making in Business’ ❜❜

❛❛ Leadership styles and finance workshops and one-to-ones with Phil and Rob ❜❜

Q. Have you revised how you measure your success as a leader as a result of your participation in the programme?

❛❛ My measure is how engaged I am and how I feel rather than just waiting for the financial success ❜❜

❛❛ I realise that I need to give more responsibility to individuals to help them develop. It will be their development that will be the measure of my success ❜❜

Q. Since the 50 Leaders Programme, what is the one thing you have noticed has change about the way you think or act in your business ?

❛❛ It has really helped me to realise that, although everyone's business journey is unique to them, there are many similarities. Therefore, advice can be easily drawn from business to business ❜❜

❛❛ The relatability is massive. It made me feel a lot more confident in how we are operating ❜❜

❛❛ I have a lot more understanding on general operations/business management. I also have more hope for the future of the business, which I am now looking forward to. The programme really was a lifeline in terms of understanding what running a business really means ❜❜

If you are interested in finding out more about the MDHUB, please visit www.mdhub.co.uk

Email MDHUB Directors: Fiona Shafer: fiona@mdhub.co.uk or Phil Green: phil.green@mdhub.co.uk