• DAY 1 - LEADERSHIP
  • Take the lead and inspire
  • Leaders versus Managers
  • Role of the Leader
  • Leadership Styles
  • Identifying your preferred learning style
  • Personal vision and values
  • Developing a vision for your business
  • Strategy - how to get your business going in the right direction
  • Business Review - establishing where you are now
  • Action Planning - Business Improvement and Development Action Plan
  • DAY 2 - STRATEGY
  • Take the lead and inspire
  • Understanding how business works - key functions i.e. finance & marketing
  • Working on the business as well as in it
  • Knowing and understanding your market
  • Identifying your Unique Selling Points
  • Developing your competitive advantage
  • Generating new ideas
  • Setting business objectives
  • Changing for the better - introducing and managing change
  • DAY 3 - COMMUNICATIONS
  • Take the lead and inspire
  • Effective communication
  • Personal presentation skills
  • Establishing key performance indicators
  • Measuring performance, monitoring progress and evaluating results
  • Gathering & using management information - making informed decisions
  • DAY 4 - FINANCE
  • Take the lead and inspire
  • Understanding business finance
  • Identifying costs and pricing for profit
  • Calculating breakeven
  • Budgeting and credit control
  • Monitoring financial performance
  • Raising money and securing investment
  • DAY 5 - MARKETING
  • Take the lead and inspire
  • Knowing your customers - understanding their needs
  • Developing relationships - getting more business from existing customers
  • Customer care - exceeding expectations
  • Generating new business - creating opportunities
  • Managing perception - what people think about you & your business
  • Networking
  • DAY 6 - PERSONNEL
  • Take the lead and inspire
  • Planning for staff - identifying the needs of the business & the costs
  • Recruiting for the first time - getting the right staff
  • Establishing values and culture
  • Motivating staff
  • Managing expectations
To be eligible for a funded place on the Fastest 50 programme your business must be based in County Durham