forum partner Northumbria University

Through tailored, actionable growth plans, a government-backed leadership programme is providing SMEs in the region with the opportunity to enhance their productivity, gain critical skills and access personalised mentoring to boost their resilience and stimulate economic growth across the North East and beyond.

And the opportunity is right on their doorstep!

Hosted here in the North East by Northumbria University, the programme is helping increasing numbers of local SMEs to discover their competitive advantage, streamline their operations and learn how to face challenges proactively. Help to Grow: Management provides participants with a 12-week curriculum, a bespoke growth plan and wide-ranging networking opportunities – all 90% subsidised by the government.

To learn more, we sat down with Help to Grow participant Esther McHugh, to chat about her experience, her advice to anybody considering signing up and what the future looks like for her business, Helm.

Can you tell us about your

business?

At Helm, we are a leading construction consultancy practice operating across a range of industries for both public and private sector clients. Our success has primarily been built on our exceptional service delivery; we are run by a highlyskilled, experienced and diligent team of project managers and cost consultants who genuinely care about their clients.

What is your role at Helm?

I’m the Business Manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations and working closely with the directors.

What made you decide to sign up for the Help to Grow: Management programme?

We’d recently undertaken a tricky corporate rebrand and were in the process of finding our feet, ensuring our new narrative and communications were consistent and on-brand while ensuring we didn’t inadvertently step into an identity crisis or experience resistance or confusion from current clients.

Secondary to this, like many other industries, we were finding it particularly challenging to attract and retain talent. This is by no means a challenge unique to us, but nonetheless still caused us problems. Finally, we had challenges in attracting new clients at the optimal rate. Striking a balance between not enough clients and too many for the team's capacity is never easy, but when compounded by the issues in staffing, we had to take action.

What has been the most significant benefit of the programme to Helm?

The Help to Grow: Management Programme has helped us in so many ways. We now ensure that we promote our vision and values and place our narrative in a human context. This means that we communicate to potential new clients or employees not just what we do but who we are. Having an experienced and impartial personal mentor, who acts as your own advocate and understands the nuances of your business, is crucial to ensuring your plans make sense and that you understand the specific challenges you are facing correctly. The programme teaches you the theory you need to grow, but it also works with you to develop it into a bespoke, actionable strategy specific to you.

How has the programme aided your personal and professional development?

The programme has been incredible for me; it’s exposed me to aspects of the business that I haven’t experienced or considered before, taught me how to optimise each piece of the puzzle and to work proactively to predict and neutralise challenges.

What does the future look like for Helm?

Our new narrative has proved invaluable to us, particularly considering our recent rebrand, because we now have a solid and consistent voice. Developing a marketing strategy consistent with the new rebrand and identity is key for Helm’s continued growth.

What would your advice be to another business considering the Help to Grow programme? Give it a go! Even though you know your business inside out, this course gives you the vision to readdress your strategy and ensure that the business is moving with the times. The mentoring sessions alone are worth it, and it’s completely manageable alongside full-time work.

The next Help to Grow: Management cohort will start on 27 March 2023, with further cohorts starting in September. To get in touch with the Help to Grow team, please contact: bl.h2gm@northumbria.ac.uk.

To find out more visit: northumbria.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow-management-programme/ or to sign up visit: smallbusinesscharter.org/h2gm-registration/