Scaling-up: a working conference on why it matters, what the options are & how to do it effectively

“Competitive advantage doesn’t go to the nations that focus on creating companies, it goes to nations that focus on scaling companies.”
Sherry Coutu, The Scale-up Report, Nov 2014

Concept

In her 2014 report, Sherry Coutu describes the range of challenges that are encountered by companies attempting to scale their businesses. But every company experiences a unique path to growth which is influenced by factors such as the motivations and interests of founders, the industry sector of the business and the ability of leaders to develop the skills, finance and facilities necessary to grow.

This free half-day event explores how business leaders can overcome the inevitable challenges on the path to growth. The event is suitable for senior managers who are considering or in the process of scaling their companies. It offers the chance to work with a select number of senior business leaders in exploring the challenges to growth in several different learning environments.

Delegates will hear from a panel with a range of experiences, from seasoned business veterans to business leaders in the thick of scaling-up themselves, describing the challenges they have faced. This will be followed by a series of workshops that will allow delegates to roll up their sleeves and debate common challenges and their solutions. Towards the end of the afternoon there will be an open plenary session for delegates to explore together how to navigate their own paths to growth.

Objectives

Help the leaders of scaling companies explore and understand the challenges that growth poses along with the options available to help maximise the chances of success.
Support scaling companies so that they can play a part in improving the prosperity and quality of life in the local area.

Agenda

13:30 Registration, refreshments and networking

14:00 Introduction, Sam Dods
Introduce the importance of scaling, the motivations behinds it, and outline the objectives, structure and approach of the day.

14:20 The voice of experience, Charles Cotton, Tony Milbourn, Gareth Marlow and Andrew Orrock
A panel discussion around the motivations and challenges of scaling.

15:10 Break
Drinks and networking.

15:30 Workshops, Clare Joghee
Introduction to the workshops including the rules of engagement and a brief introduction from each workshop host on what they’ll be covering.

Accessing talent, Jo Lee
Organisational and leadership development, Clare Joghee
Increasing customer sales at home and abroad
Access the right finance, George Neville-Jones
Accessing infrastructure

16:30 Plenary

Open discussion around what struck the participants, what it means for them and their business and what their next steps would be.

17:20 Summing up, Sam Dods

17:30 Close
Networking and drinks, tours of The Bradfield Centre available.

Speakers

Partners

Scaling-up: why, the options and how