Leadership Business Acceleration (8 sessions) from 24th September

• Date: 24th September (Hub on the Hill, D7, In-person),  1st October (Online), 8th October (Online),  15th October (Online), 22 October (Hub on the Hill, D7), 5th November (Online),  12th November (Online), 18th November (Guinness Enterprise Centre, In-person)
• Time: TBA
• Venue:  Hub on the Hill in Dublin 7/ Online/ Guinness Enterprise Centre
• Cost: €250

About the trainer

Optimum Results is an international award winning specialist SME Training and Consultancy firm which builds the skills of Owner Managers to optimise the potential of their businesses. Operating to ISO9001:2015 standards, we have a fulltime team of 22 people, 18 subject expert Associates and a wide network of sector specific partners.

For 30 years we have delivered tailored services to more than 30,000 clients (250,000+including online services) across 22 Countries. The Optimum Results’ Management Development Programmes have been peer reviewed by the European Union’s Training Foundation (ETF) and classified as being “International Best Practice”

Programme Overview

This Leadership for Business Acceleration programme supports SME owners and managers to strengthen their leadership capability, improve business performance and build a practical Strategic Growth and Development Plan.

Programme Delivery

• Delivered over 8 weeks by experienced, subject-specific trainers and business practitioners.
• Small-group format for 12–15 SME owners and managers.
• 8 workshops: 3 full-day in-person and 5 half-day online.
• Three connected programme strands: strategic business growth, personal leadership and team development, and practical AI adoption through AI Solution Sub-Groups.
• Access to the Optimum Results ‘HELP DESK’ throughout the programme and for two
  months after completion.

Programme Outcomes

• Strategic Plan for Leadership for Business Acceleration (with a strong emphasis on
  implementation)
• AI Readiness Canvas, Tool Evaluation Checklist and a shared AI Solutions Register
• ETF “Advanced Certificate in SME Strategic Management” awarded to those who submit a Leadership for Growth Plan with an award ceremony in 2027

The AI Solutions Lab

• Participants will work in sub-groups to explore how AI can support key business functions including finance, marketing, operations, HR and strategic management.
• Each workshop, participants will investigate related practical SME use cases and consider:

1. Potential time, cost and productivity benefits
2. Data, privacy, accuracy and compliance risks
3. Costs and ease of implementation
4. Teams will share their findings throughout the programme, contributing to a practical AI Solutions Register that participants can use when deciding which tools
   and opportunities are right for their own businesses.

Programme Content

The Local Enterprise Office SME Leadership training programme is based on the Optimum Results’ Holistic Business Model, showing how managers must think in terms of
all aspects of the business if they are to implement an effective Growth Strategy. This framework is used for both Analysis and Planning.

Approach Starts With

A pre-training assessment programme which includes learner profiling and participant registration and information gathering, where a three part online self-assessment
exercise is completed including:

1. Current Business Performance Assessment
2. Ambition & Potential for Growth
3. Management Competencies & Needs Assessment

Course outline

Module 1: Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Leadership and management effectiveness in
  SMEs.
• The Holistic Business Model.
• Strategic planning frameworks.
• Business systems mapping.
• Setting goals, targets and dashboards.
• Identifying priority areas for business growth.

Module 2: AI Compliance, PROMPTS & Practical Tool Evaluation

• AI capabilities and limitations.
• Privacy, accuracy, transparency and data
  risks.
• EU AI Act awareness for SMEs.
• Using the PROMPTS framework.
• Evaluating AI tools before adoption.
• Creating a simple AI use case register.

Module 3: Behavioural Productivity: Managing Self and Others

• Understanding leadership versus management
• Managing yourself, time, focus and priorities.
• Communication, confidence and motivation.
• Organisational behaviours and culture.
• Delegation, coaching and performance
  conversations.

Module 4: Managing and Developing People

• Recruitment, induction and onboarding.
• Employment law essentials.
• Contracts, policies and fairness.
• Communication and rapport building.
• Handling difficult conversations.
• Performance management and feedback.

Module 5: Financial Management

• Understanding financial statements.
• Cashflow, funds flow and profitability.
• Costing and pricing.
• Financial ratios and KPIs.
• Scenario planning.
• Case study exercises.

Module 6: Marketing Made Easier with AI: Plan, Create and Repurpose Content

• Quick refresher on safe AI use and
  PROMPTS.
• Reviewing current online presence using AI
• Choosing suitable online platforms for trust, visibility and lead generation.
• Competitor and customer insight using AI.
• Content pillars and campaign themes.
• Repurposing one idea into multiple formats.
• Building a 90-day content rhythm.
• Scheduling and content tools.

Module 7: GREEN & LEAN: Sustainability, Efficiency and Continuous Improvement

• Lean methodology and TIM WOODS.
• Quality systems.
• Sustainable operations.
• Waste elimination and productivity.
• Circular economy opportunities.
• Practical improvement opportunities.

Module 8: Target Markets, Value Proposition & Strategic Growth Plan Guidance

• Defining target markets with precision.
• Crafting a compelling value proposition.
• Reviewing growth priorities.
• Aligning leadership, finance, people, marketing,
  operations and AI opportunities.
• Drafting the Strategic Growth and Development
  Plan.
• LEO supports, next steps and scaling
  opportunities.