“I was a little surprised when the first sessions went a lot deeper, encouraging me to get under the skin of our family leadership style and business strategy.
“But it became clear that we are getting to grips with the fundamental principles on which we can make good business decisions in future, whether that’s about digital or any other change.”
LEARNING TO LEAD
WITH CONFIDENCE So, what was the reception to Jen’s new found insight back at Northern Kilns?
“Dad and Adam have been very supportive of me taking the time out for the programme. Being away from the office is a sacrifice but I have come back brimming with plans so they can see it’s an investment.
“We are fortunate to have a really close and positive wider team, too, who get behind improvements. That said, the leadership techniques I have learned so far were a confidence boost when I stood in front of our whole team to set out our ambitions for growth.
“In three words, I’m feeling optimistic, positive and empowered and ready to work with dad and Adam to maximise the potential of new technology in the business.”
There are Evolve Digital cohorts beginning on February 10, 2021 and at the end of April. The sessions will be delivered online over three months, for around 15 hours per month. Evolve Digital is fully funded by BEIS and Innovate UK and places are available to eligible businesses.
To find out more, and to register interest in joining the programme, go to
lancaster.ac.uk/lums/evolve-digital
THE EXPERT’S VIEW
The Evolve Digital programme is based on research by Professor Steve Kempster, Lancaster University Management School’s professor of leadership, learning and development. Steve says: “The pandemic has made it clearer than ever that if we don’t shape the digitalisation of our businesses, it will shape us.
“For some companies, that perhaps didn’t have a strong focus on technology before, this shift can be really tough, and in family-run businesses in particular it can bring emotional as well as practical challenges.
“It means grappling with issues like ‘who has the power to make the final decision?’ and ‘is it riskier to make a change or stick with the status quo?’. There is a great deal of pressure on leaders: no one wants to be the last generation of a family business.”
If we don’t shape the
digitalisation of our businesses, it will shape us
Steve Kempster, Lancaster University Management School
The key to successfully implementing new technology, says Steve, is in leaders first knowing themselves and their business. He continues: “Evolve Digital is first about building leadership skills – courage, conviction and strength of character – in our participants and then supporting them to think strategically about their business objectives.
“This grounding in knowing themselves and their business provides a solid foundation for assessing new technologies – or indeed any future change – gaining buy in and leading implementation.”
APPLY NOW Places are strictly limited, to apply and secure your place, contact us today: Delivered by Funded by
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
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