Leadership for Business Acceleration (8 sessions) from 12th March

• Date:  12th March (Full Day - id8 Studio, The Digital Hub, Dublin 8) / 19th March (Online)/ 26th March (id8 Studio, The Digital Hub, Dublin 8)/ 2nd April (Online)/ 16th April (Online)/ 23rd April (Online)/ 30th April/ (The Riasc Centre, Kinsealy, Swords)/ 7th May (The Riasc Centre, Kinsealy, Swords)
• Time: 9:30am - 4.00pm
• Venue: id8 Studio, The Digital Hub, Dublin 8/ The Riasc Centre, Kinsealy, Swords/ Online
• Cost: €250

This Local Enterprise Office Fingal and Dublin City “Leadership for Business Acceleration” Programme provides an exceptional opportunity for SME Owners and Managers to build on the necessary leadership skills and knowledge needed to successfully compete in existing, new and international markets. This highly successful “International Best Practice” training programme will run from September - November 2025 and delivered to small groups by way of onsite skills development workshops and online
workshops.

Course outline:

Module 1: Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Programme Overview, Objectives & Outcomes
• Introductions
• Leadership & Management effectiveness
• The Holistic Business Model
• Strategic Planning Frameworks
• Business Systems Mapping
• Setting Goals, Targets & Dashboards
• Output: Initial Leadership Profile + Draft Strategic Growth Map

Module 2: Behavioural Productivity; Managing SELF and Others

• Understanding leadership vs management
• Managing and motivating yourself: communication, confidence, personal development
• Organisational culture: behaviours, values & leadership influence
• Building teams, motivation strategies & developing people
• Delegation, coaching, performance management & feedback
• Output: Enhanced self-management, communication and motivation skills + practical frameworks for building stronger teams and shaping a positive organisational culture.

Module 3: Financial Management & Decision Making

• Understanding financial statements
• Cashflow, funds flow & profitability
• Costing & pricing
• Financial ratios & KPIs
• Scenario planning
• Case studies exercises
• Output: 2-Year Financial Overview + Pricing Strategy Review

Module 4: Managing and Developing People

• Recruitment, induction & setting people up for success
• Employment law essentials: contracts, policies, fairness & statutory obligations
• Effective communication, rapport building & handling difficult conversations
• Output: Improved personal leadership effectiveness and practical tools for managing people.

Module 5: Marketing & Social Media Visibility

• Identifying the right platforms
• Social media strategy & content pillars
• Digital storytelling & brand trust
• Engagement metrics & optimisation
• Building a 90-day content rhythm
• Output: Social Visibility Plan + Content Calendar

Module 6: GREEN & LEAN: Sustainability, Efficiency & Continuous Improvement

• Lean methodology & TIM WOODS ethos
• Quality systems
• Sustainable operations
• Waste elimination & productivity
• Circular economy opportunities for organisations
• Output: Green & Lean Opportunity Register

Module 7: AI Compliance, Prompting and Practical Tools

• A hands-on “live-lab”; please bring your laptop
• Understanding AI capabilities & limitations
• Safe use of data & privacy considerations
• Using the P.R.O.M.P.T framework for business
• Building your first simple automation/GPT
• Output: AI Readiness Plan & Automation Checklist

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

• Defining your target market with precision
• Crafting a compelling value proposition
• Drafting the Strategic Growth & Development Plan
• LEO supports, next steps & scaling opportunities
• Output: Strategic Growth & Development Plan Guidance
• LEO Speaker: Linking your Growth Strategy with LEO Supports & Assistance

Programme outcomes:

• Strategic Plan for Leadership for Business Acceleration (with a strong emphasis on implementation)
• ETF “Advanced Certificate in SME Strategic Management” awarded to those who submit a Leadership for Growth Plan with an award ceremony in 2026.

Dates and location:

• Thursday, March 12 - In-person - Full Day - id8 Studio, The Digital Hub, Dublin 8
• Thursday, March 19 - Online - Half Day
• Thursday, March 26 - In-person - Full Day - id8 Studio, The Digital Hub, Dublin 8
• Thursday, April 02 - Online - Half Day

EASTER WEEK

• Thursday, April 16 - Online - Half Day
• Thursday, April 23 - Online - Half Day
• Thursday, April 30 - In-person - Full Day - The Riasc Centre, Kinsealy, Swords
• Thursday, May 07 - In-person - Full Day - The Riasc Centre, Kinsealy, Swords