Who is this Network and Support programme for?

Almost 673K start ups were founded in the UK during the 2018/2019 tax year; that’s the equivalent of 1,843.5 per day. Although sadly, 57.6% of those companies were gone 5 years later; with a reported 65% of UK employees wanting to start their own business, the start up trend will only continue to rise over coming years.

Start up, whilst having its challenges, is easier than achieving sustained business growth over the long-term. You have an idea, a concept; you’re full of energy and enthusiasm; the first year or two goes well; but then turnover and/or profit either plateaus or doesn’t quite reach the highs you’d envisaged or hoped for. This is a common occurrence for many business owners, and vision, together with focus, drive and momentum can be difficult to maintain during these periods.

These sessions are for business owners with a level of trading history, who are looking to truly take their business into the next stage of growth, and who believe they would benefit from sound advice and knowledge sharing from experts and fellow business owners as to how they can go about doing this.

What can I expect from this Network and Support programme?

The UK continues to emerge from a period of unprecedented uncertainty and disruption and there is an incredible appetite amongst small business owners to collaborate and help their fellow businesses recover and prosper. We will use these sessions to tap into that energy, exploring amongst other topics:

• Growth objectives and priorities
• Core challenges and obstacles to growth (within and outside of your control)
• Innovation and diversification
• Growth enablers
• Planning and growth strategy execution

Sessions provide a safe and friendly environment where long-lasting, purposeful, and trusted relationships can be built. An experienced facilitator together with a small cohort of your peers (and specialist advisors where applicable) provide a vital sounding board to challenge your thinking, unlock opportunities, and enhance your decision-making ability.

How will the Network and Support group work?

Cohort spaces are limited to 10-12 individuals in order to maximise the benefit for those participating. Applicants may be required to complete a short questionnaire to help assess suitability and compatibility. You may also receive a phone call as part of the application process.

Dates & Structure

Meetings are held virtually via Zoom. A framework of topics for each session is provided below, HOWEVER, subject matter is 100% client led so the agenda is entirely flexible in order to meet your needs as a peer group.

IMPORTANT: The value these sessions deliver is as much dependent on the business professionals that participate as it is on any specialist facilitators and speakers. Your input is hugely appreciated and valued by your peers, therefore, you MUST be able to attend all 6 sessions.

Schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday 7th February 2023 – 10.00-12.00: Meet and Greet. Getting to know each other
• Tuesday 14th February 2023 – 10.00-12.00: Growth strategy, objectives and challenges
• Tuesday 7th March 2023 – 10.00-12.00: Client acquisition and retention
• Tuesday 21st March 2023 – 10.00-12.00: Securing and retaining talent and skills
• Tuesday 4th April 2023 – 10.00-12.00: Optimising operational effectiveness
• Tuesday 18th April 2023 – 10.00-12.00: Financing growth

For more information about the eScalate programme, visit: www.oxfordshirelep.com/escalate

Please note that these 1:1 sessions are part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and are delivered as part of the eScalate programme to help SMEs. By engaging in this programme you are being offered assistance under the De Minimis regulation which allows a company to receive up to but not exceeding €200,000 of public funding (at the applicable exchange rate) of De Minimis aid over a rolling three-tax year fiscal period. This de minimis declaration does not cover undertakings engaged in: the primary production of agricultural goods and fisheries/aquaculture, road freight, services of general economic interest and export related activities and activities favouring domestic over imported goods. Please note, support cannot be given to undertakings (businesses) in difficulty. In order to receive support from this programme, you will be required to complete an application form and other relevant documentation.