Kingston University supports small businesses hit by Covid-19 pandemic by delivering government-funded leadership programme

Posted Tuesday 10 November 2020

Kingston Business School has launched the Small Business Leadership Programme to help entrepreneurs affected by Covid-19.

To help entrepreneurs in developing their company's resilience and recovery from the impact of Covid-19, Kingston Business School has launched the Small Business Leadership Programme. The programme is led by Dr Bahare Afrahi, the director of highly successful undergraduate course in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management within Kingston University.

The 10-week course will be held online and has been designed to help entrepreneurs develop the skills and the confidence to make difficult decisions about how to keep their enterprise afloat and boost growth and productivity during these challenging times, and beyond.

Programme coordinator at Kingston Business School, Eugene Fisher, said the coronavirus pandemic had put enormous pressure on directors and CEOs of small companies trying to navigate unchartered waters. "One of the most pressing challenges small businesses face is cash flow management, as these businesses are more vulnerable to financial risks than larger companies," Mr Fisher said.

"There's also the mental overhead of stress and worry caused by immediate challenges and ongoing uncertainty from the crisis. Taking a step back to assess challenges and identify solutions makes businesses more resilient and can enable them to thrive in crisis situations - this is the goal of the Small Business Leadership Programme and what participants can expect to achieve," he added.

Kingston Business School – part of a consortium of business schools accredited by the Small Business Charter (SBC) for its expertise in supporting small firms and entrepreneurs – will be working with the SBC to deliver the government-funded programme.

Chief executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools and executive director of the Small Business Charter, Anne Kiem OBE, said: "As we continue to grapple with the coronavirus crisis it is also essential we look long-term to ensure small businesses are supported to build resilience, survival and growth. Business schools can provide the expertise and knowledge all business owners and directors needs to continue to thrive in uncertain times."

The practical curriculum will explore leadership, innovation, employee engagement, operational efficiency, marketing, sustainable practices, and financial management. It will also provide an opportunity for networking among those entrepreneurs who participate in the programme.

The programme consists of weekly webinars and independent and peer-supported study so entrepreneurs can participate alongside their work.

Participants must be in senior management roles, with at least one direct report. Their businesses has to have been operating for at least one year and have between five and-249 employees in England.