University launches resilience workshops for SMEs

Lancaster University Management School to to host a fully-funded programme to help Lancashire businesses adapt their business models to better face oncoming challenges.

The Business Model Innovation will help SMEs to negotiate challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and climate change enabling them to become more agile and resilient.

The first cohort for Lancashire SMEs will start on 18th November and will run as three half-day sessions, delivered online. Participants will take part in workshops and explore topics such as changing customer needs in the ‘new normal’, how to innovate to create new workable business models and how to build resilience to ensure businesses can withstand external forces.

Matt Hutchinson, project manager at Lancaster University Management School, said: "Many of our regional SMEs operate using business models that rely on face-to-face interaction, so they were effectively paralysed for months due to Covid-19 restrictions – their processes and systems unworkable.

"Being able to change and flex existing business models is an invaluable skill and if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that businesses need to invest time to prepare for the unexpected.

"We know that time is precious for the businesses trying to get back on their feet after a turbulent few months so we have designed the programme to be as accessible and effective as possible."

• For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.