There are over 80 different government supports available to small businesses but many of them are not well known or understood. Each week in the SFA e-zine, we will profile a different support that could improve your business, giving you information and advice.

Accelerate Management Development Programme

What? 

6-9 month part-time management development programme for the owner-managers of small businesses. 

The programme is aimed at those who have been in business for at least 18 months and will help them to:

• Effectively address their business challenges
• Develop and grow their business

Each business is allocated a mentor as part of the programme.

The programme will cover the following modules:

• Why am I in business? (two workshops)
• Being the boss
• Finding and keeping customers
• How can my business do better
• Managing the money
• Selling for profit

Why? 

The aim of the Accelerate programme is to provide the owner-manager with the management, leadership, business skills and knowledge to achieve sustainability and grow their business.

Management capacity is a clear weakness in Irish small firms. International studies have shown that Ireland has a long tail of poorly performing firms, which was not seen in other countries. Improved management skills can improve sales growth, market share growth, lead to higher productivity and, ultimately, improve the survival rate of small firms.

How? 

The scheme is run by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). For more information and to find your nearest LEO, visit the LEO website. The specific website of your nearest LEO will have details of the starting date for the next course, the application process and any costs involved. 

Tips

If you are interested in applying, don’t forget:

• The programme comprises of seven workshops and six mentor consultations.
• Most modules include an opportunity to exchange ideas with peers. Implementation progress will be reviewed by the participant and their peers on the programme.
• More information is available here. 

SFA Webinar - Government Supports

SFA Acting Director, Linda Barry will deliver a webinar on 26 July from 2:15pm - 2:45pm on 'The what, where and how of grants, loans, tax savings and other government supports.' Register online now for the webinar.