New AMBS partnership to support SME鈥檚 post-pandemic recovery
Support for SMEs in Greater Swag直播 to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic is to be accelerated by a new collaboration between Alliance Swag直播 Business School and other leading business schools in the region.
Open SME is a free, on-demand online learning programme for SME leaders that aims to give them the tools they need to grow their business beyond the pandemic. The programme has been developed in partnership between the University of Swag直播, Swag直播 Metropolitan University, Salford University, the University of Bolton, and the Business Growth Hub, and is funded by Greater Swag直播 Combined Authority (GMCA).
The programme, which will be self-directed by the business owners, aims to help at least 400 SMEs, particularly from under-represented areas in Greater Swag直播, to increase productivity, profitability, resilience, and sustainability. The scheme will also establish 250 longer-term mentoring relationships.
Prof Fiona Devine, Head of Alliance Swag直播 Business School, said: 鈥淎lliance Swag直播 Business School is very proud to partner with Swag直播 Metropolitan University, University of Bolton, and the University of Salford on the OPEN SME programme.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檇 like to thank the Greater Swag直播 Combined Authority and Growth Business Hub for supporting this strategically important initiative.
The programme has been developed from research investigating the barriers to learning for small businesses located in Greater Swag直播. It provides on-demand learning that will enable participants to develop skills that they can put into practice in their business. The programme will support senior managers of small and medium sized companies to boost their business鈥� performance, resilience, and long-term growth.
Open SME forms part of Greater Swag直播 Leadership Hive, a new resource for SME leaders who want to grow their business and become more profitable. Delivered by Greater Swag直播鈥檚 leading university business schools and the Business Growth Hub, the Leadership Hive brings the best leadership and management training available in the region together in one place.
Joanne Roney, Greater Swag直播 Combined Authority (GMCA) Lead Chief Executive for Economy and Business, said: 鈥淭he launch of Open SME is fantastic news for SMEs in Greater Swag直播.
鈥淭he programme takes the wealth of knowledge and expertise that exists in our world-class business schools and makes it available to the wider business community. Open SME is free of charge and easy to access, with modules completed at a pace to suit you.
鈥淪MEs will help drive Greater Swag直播鈥檚 economic recovery from the pandemic, so it鈥檚 vital that we find creative and effective ways to support them. Our Economic Vision for Greater Swag直播 includes help for small businesses to grow, wherever they are based, so that we can build a greener, fairer, more prosperous city-region. We encourage all business leaders who could benefit from Open SME to get in touch to learn more.鈥�
Open SME is an online portal, allowing business owners and managers to work their way through several modules in the areas of finance, digital and markets and models at their own pace.
The universities will work closely with referral and delivery partner GC Business Growth Hub and will draw on the best experts from all partners to develop the content.
Sustainability and inclusivity will be embedded throughout the programme, with Greater Swag直播鈥檚 2038 carbon neutrality goal in mind.
Janine Smith, Director of Business Growth at GC Business Growth Hub, said: 鈥淢any SMEs have endured a tough couple of years and the business environment is still challenging, so it鈥檚 right that we鈥檙e doing all we can to support them as they navigate their companies across unfamiliar/changing business landscapes.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited to be working with Greater Swag直播鈥檚 outstanding business schools to apply their knowledge and expertise; helping SMEs across Greater Swag直播, and in turn benefiting the city-region鈥檚 wider economy.
鈥淭hrough the delivery of on demand training that aims to increase productivity, profitability, resilience, and sustainability, the Greater Swag直播 Leadership Hive and Open SME will provide the best leadership and management support that Greater Swag直播 can offer.鈥�
The will launch on May 5, 2022.