Why productivity matters
Productive companies get more out of what they’ve got, enabling them to increase their profits, pay higher wages and invest in their future. More productive businesses mean a more prosperous country. Discover why productivity matters below.
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I felt like I was in my dad’s shadow
It took Liz Davis a long time to realise she didn’t need to be her dad after taking over the family business – she just needed to be herself.
Mentoring for Growth
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There’s lots to be learnt from businesses outside your sector
When Sally Ainsley realised her Productivity through People course was full of manufacturing sector firms she did wonder if there was any value taking part.
Productivity through People
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Our mentor’s productivity improvements saved us time and money
Allsee Technologies managing director Baoli Zhao joined the Mentoring for Growth scheme to get advice on his rapid expansion plans.
Mentoring for Growth
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Joining a peer action learning group helped Tina regain her confidence
The sudden loss of Tina Fairhurst’s husband and business partner hit her leadership confidence hard. An action learning group has helped rebuild that.
Networks
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Being accountable was exactly the kind of challenge I needed
As a business leader who operated at a mile a minute, a mentor made Jo Scott accountable and encouraged her to slow down and look at her company objectively, rather than emotionally.
Mentoring for Growth
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My mentor’s experience gave me leadership confidence
A mentor helped Jake Lavelle transition from being the creative driving force behind his busines to one more befitting of his managing director status.
Mentoring for Growth
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Mentoring felt almost like business therapy
As a new non-engineer recruit in an engineering company, Nicola Seferta felt she faced a steep learning curve. A mentor helped her successfully adjust.
Mentoring for Growth
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I’m making quicker decisions now
When Chris Mayne was offered a mentor through Be the Business, the timing was serendipitous: in January, he’d taken over as managing director of navigation engineering company Forsberg.
Mentoring for Growth
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I’ll never stop investing in myself and my team now
Taking a step back helped Stephanie Chamberlain turn a lack of direction into clarity, a confused message into a clear vision, and lost mojo into reinvigorated passion.
Productivity through People
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My people management skills improved overnight
Fairmont Residential had little scope to develop in-house expertise and its technology infrastructure was stretched. Mentor Nick Rubega stepped in to help.
Mentoring for Growth
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This mentoring opportunity is like gold dust
When Glenn Bemment joined Mentoring for Growth he had no idea how much it would help with his day-to-day job and personal development.
Mentoring for Growth
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A Siemens business mentor re-united our family firm behind the same vision
With the third generation at family firm Carrs Pasties not finding things straightforward, mentoring turned out to be the experience-based support needed.
Mentoring for Growth
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We didn’t want coronavirus to stop us in our tracks
CGA Strategy was determined to not let coronavirus put paid to plans to develop its workforce – despite the challenges of remote working.
Mentoring for Growth
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There is nothing I wouldn’t want another person to see – even a competitor
An open approach to business, and a belief in the power of networking, has seen Lisa Smith, founder of Ginger Bakers, through a multitude of personal and professional challenges.
Networks
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The family business that relishes a challenge
Second generation sales and marketing manager Izzy Whitehead explains why and how a Be the Business Next Gen workshop helped.
Networks
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We were suffering from growing pains
Milexa managing director Richard Wilde joined the Mentoring for Growth programme when he realised he needed some guidance with growth.
Mentoring for Growth
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A £4 toothbrush was the catalyst at The Old Mill House
Changes made at The Old Mill House might seem blindingly obvious, but they happened because of an effort to think about what might frustrate a guest.
Networks
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It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top if you find like-minded people
Finding a way to regularly meet with other business owners going through similar challenges has made life less lonely at the top for hotelier Clare Bond.
Networks
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What a butcher can learn from a steel supplier
Sharing common business problems has brought companies from very different backgrounds together and begun to form long-lasting support networks.
Networks
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Being a mentor has helped me keep my ideas fresh
Being a mentor to three different SMEs has helped BAE Systems’ Pete Boddy bring new and relevant insights and ideas to his day-to-day job.
Mentoring for Growth
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A networking culture helped substitute competition for community
Turning an underperforming business round is never easy, but Steven Hawke is using the help of people running similar firms to make the challenge easier.
Benchmarking
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I’m sharing info with my advisory board that has never left the business
With ambitious growth plans of 20 per cent a year, Hydraulics Online are using an advisory board made up of experienced business leaders to mark a clear route.
Networks
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Shielding, but far from isolated from his team
When a health condition for Mark Holden required him to shield during the pandemic, the pub landlord sought advice from a mentor to help him lead effectively from a distance. The results have been astounding.
Mentoring for Growth
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Business books are no substitute for talking to someone who has done it
With Anton Hanley ambitious and eager to learn from others who’ve trodden a similar path, Mentoring for Growth has helped him do just that.
Mentoring for Growth