Businesses encouraged to join peer networks

Businesses are being encouraged to meet their growth ambitions by seeking support from like-minded organisations.

The government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has funded a Peer Networks programme which is being delivered in Lancashire by Boost.

Boost has appointed 17 delivery partner networks, who will each facilitate groups of 8 to 11 businesses across a range of sectors.

All Lancashire businesses more than a year old employing more than five people, with a turnover of more than £100,000 and an appetite to improve are invited to take part.

It is hoped that, together, SMEs will build resilience against a challenging economic backdrop, develop in-house capabilities and grow.

The programme includes interactive action learning, flexible topic selection and one-to-one coaching. Cohorts will cover areas of business including business resilience, finance, HR, sales and marketing.

Andrew Leeming, programme manager, Boost, said: "We have a huge amount of business talent, insight and experience already within the county. Giving businesses the platform to learn from each other and apply that gained knowledge in a structured way will help us tackle the short-term challenges and position Lancashire for further long-term growth."

The following organisations will be delivering Peer Networks cohorts: Community and Business Partners, Cube Thinking, Cummins Mellor, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Elementas, The Growing Club, Growth Lancashire, Marketing Lancashire, North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, North West Aerospace Alliance, Northern Automotive Alliance, Northern Power Women, Project 808 Limited, Scale-Ability, Selnet, Shout Network and Winning Pitch.

More details can be found here.

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