Going For Growth: Make your business profitable today
Take a step back from the day-to-day and gain the clarity to move your business forward. This course helps you create a practical action plan, refine your route to market, set clear goals, and build confidence in your financial planning, all while learning alongside other motivated business owners and leaders.
Dates: 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th and 30th April
Times: 9.30am-2.30pm
Location: Catterick
Learners receive a NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Developing Enterprise Skills on completion.
Funding Availability
Funding is currently available to York/North Yorkshire residents. See full funding requirements here.
Course Overview
Going for Growth is designed to use your own business as the case study so that everything you do and everything you learn has a practical application to your business. This will directly influence the growth of your business profits.
What To Expect
Embark on a journey of self-improvement as you momentarily step away from the day-to-day of running a business. This course isn’t about taking time off; it’s about taking time to enhance your business, surrounded by peers who are just as driven to succeed. Prepare to gain insights and strategies that will clear the fog and illuminate your businesses path forward.
What You Will Learn
- Action Planning: Develop a tailored action plan that pinpoints your current strengths and areas needing improvement.
- Route to Market: Create a strategic blueprint for introducing your products and services to the market efficiently and effectively.
- Collaborative Feedback: Engage with peers to exchange valuable insights that sharpen your business perspective in ways you might not achieve on your own.
- S.M.A.R.T. Resources: Master the art of setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals that guide your business toward growth and sustainability.
- Financial Forecasting: Delve into essential financial planning techniques to anticipate and shape your business’s economic future with confidence.
Who Should Take This Course
This course is aimed at business owners, senior managers and those in a business development role. Limited companies, partnerships, sole traders, charities and social enterprises are all welcome.
Find out more and apply

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