Elevate is a new and exciting business support programme recently launched for selected businesses that have growth ambitions throughout Worcestershire.
The Elevate Principle Offer is currently being delivered by Kevin Brent from BizSmart with the first Cohort made up of 7 businesses successfully underway. Within hours of the Governments lockdown instructions a ‘physical to digital’ approach was implemented by BizSmart and the programme moved rapidly from face to face to remote delivery. It is a testament to our ability to provide alternative solutions to safeguard the delivery of much needed support, that all sessions are now being delivered via virtual peer to peer boards with absolutely no negative impact on content, participation or delivery.
The first Cohort are now half way through the support programme and are entering the second phase of the programme where they will discuss the challenges they have faced and start implementing the solutions and guidance learnt thus far. The transformation from face to face to ‘virtual’ has not prevented the businesses from developing successful peer to peer relationships with other participants, which has reinforced how quickly situations can be modified and adapted when necessary. Feedback throughout the Programme has been extremely positive and businesses have shared that they have found it to be worthwhile and valuable:
Nick Baxter of Baxter Williams had this to say “We find ourselves in a challenging time right now and as such the Elevate Programme couldn’t have come at a better time. We are requiring some agile planning to get through this and the network of likeminded business owners and the unique insight and experiences of the facilitators is a much needed sense of support for us all”.
Julie Breakwell of Breakwells shared: “I just want to say a big thank you to the Elevate Programme, it is incredible, and could not have come at a better time for me and my family business. I have never classed myself as narrow minded but can very clearly see that our business has tunnel vision due to a lack of skill and knowledge and the right people. Elevate is now giving us the tools to change that. I am very grateful”.
Despite the current situation, we are delighted that 11 Worcestershire businesses have applied, and have been approved to join Cohort 2 of Elevate which will commence, as originally planned, on the 21st April 2020. It is hoped that Elevate will help these businesses look for alternative solutions and develop the strategies to achieve their ambitious growth plans once we are through these difficult times. We very much look forward to following their journey and finding out how they each benefit from the programme and will continue to support them throughout.