The Lead Programme

The programme has been specifically designed for owner/senior managers of businesses with up to 20 employees, who want to develop their business, but feel they need support of some kind to give them the confidence to grow.

The businesses that have taken part in this 10-month programme, originally piloted by Lancaster University, have benefited from a significant increase in sales turnover, improved staff productivity and business processes, and an increased confidence of owners-managers allowing them to make the right decisions in business.

“I have found it extremely valuable, as it gives you contact with other people who are facing similar challenges and it helps build your confidence. Running a small business can be isolating; meeting other people and listening to their experiences makes you realise that everybody is facing the same problems as you” Lynne Fotheringham, Director, InsideOut Buildings - Previous LEAD delegate – Lancaster University.

Delegates take an integrated approach to developing not only the business, but also the manager themselves. It primarily tackles practical issues that owner-managers are facing in their business rather than focussing on theoretical concepts. The programme is unique in that it offers long-term sustained support, using a combination of hands-on, ‘real-life’ learning and peer-to-peer support, which has been proven to have a positive impact on business performance.

The programme is made up of a number of elements which run alongside each other – an overnight experiential, where participants get to know each other and start to build trust; a series of masterclasses, which have been described as ‘revolutionary’ by participants; action learning sets, where owner-managers learn by sharing business experiences; one-to-one coaching; and work shadowing and exchanges.

Find out more about how the LEAD Programme can help you and your business develop. If you choose to become involved in the LEAD programme at Lancashire Business School's Preston or Burnley campus, you can also gain access to a wealth of advice, support and services from across the University that can help your business in many other ways.