Print chiefs across the North West are being encouraged to register for the Made Smarter Leadership Programme running at Lancaster University, starting on 7 October and again on 10 November.
“Industry 4.0 sounds big and scary to most small and medium businesses, and it's easy to bury your head in the sand. This programme gives you the opportunity to talk through your fears, arm yourself with vital knowledge and understanding to make sensible decisions about the future of your business - to start small and gather momentum,” said Alan Ryan, managing director of Technoprint, who has already undertaken one of the previous courses
To date, five cohorts of managers and directors from SME manufacturing companies - including PSPs - have now completed the Made Smarter Leadership Programme through the Lancaster University Management School the University of Liverpool and Manchester Metropolitan University.
The programme encourages business leaders to develop a new way of looking at their operations and create a strategy to enable the adoption of digital technology, including how that can drive the net zero agenda. It uses a blend of workshops delivered by academics and experts in digital and leadership, site visits to SME manufacturers who are already on the journey of adopting digital technology, facilitated-learning sessions, and special project ‘sprints’ to test new ideas. The programme also uses peer-to-peer coaching.
With 60 SME leaders now having taken part in the programme, its director Donna Edwards, said: “I am delighted that the Leadership Programme has helped create 60 new digital leaders by giving them time out of their business to reflect on the bigger picture and share ideas and experiences alongside their peers, and then return to their own business and develop a digital strategy to create growth and efficiencies.
“They are among hundreds grasping the opportunities offered by Made Smarter which include expert, impartial technology advice, digital transformation workshops to help take that first step to transform a business, funded digital technology internships, and support with technology adoption projects.
The programme, which takes place over eight months, includes seven workshops led by both academics delivering leading edge thinking and business practitioners demonstrating adoption in real business settings.
Delegates will also embark on 'sprints' where they will test their ideas with other business leaders to build engagement and learn from each other.