Expert workshops will help Marches companies grow their business

December 12, 2023

Two expert Shropshire workshops will give inspirational insights on how companies can develop new ideas and grow their business.

Stuart Hartley – who has supported more than 600 businesses to innovate and grow over more than two decades – will deliver the workshops in Shrewsbury on January 31 next year.

The events are being staged by the Marches Growth Hub Shropshire and businesses can sign up to one or both.

The first three-hour workshop – From Garage to Glory – starts at 9.30am and will help any business which wants to develop new products or services that will attract new customers and increase sales.

Topics covered during the session include identifying market opportunities, generating new product and service ideas, evaluating and selecting ideas, developing prototypes and testing products and launching new products and services.

Anna Sadler, Marches Growth Hub Shropshire officer said: “The workshop will cover everything you need to know about the new product and service development process, from ideation to market launch.

“We will also provide you with the tools and resources you need to bring your new products and services to life, so that by the end of the workshop you will have a clear understanding of the new product and service development process, and you will be well on your way to developing new products and services that will grow your business.”

The second session – Innovate Your Business Model & Stay Ahead of the Competition – starts at 1pm and will also run for three hours. 

It will explain the idea of business model innovation, why it is important for small businesses, how to identify opportunities for business model innovation, and how to develop and implement a new business model.

Anna added: “In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s more important than ever for small businesses to innovate their business models. Business model innovation is a change in the way a business creates, delivers, and captures value. It can involve changes to the value proposition, the customer segments, the channels, the revenue streams, or the cost structure.

“By the end of this workshop, you will have a clear understanding of how to innovate your business model and you will be well on your way to growing your business.”

Both workshops are ideal for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to learn how to innovate their business model or grow their business.

Stuart Hartley has been a management consultant at one of the leading boutique consultancy organisations and spent seven years working in enterprise and innovation at De Montfort University.

For details of the morning workshop and to register visit https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/events/from-garage-to-glory-2/

For details of the afternoon workshop and to register visit https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/events/learn-how-to-innovate-your-business-model-stay-ahead-of-the-competition-2/

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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