Monday 10th January 2011 - Published by Kelly Jackson - Communications Executive
Businesses are 'Showing Off' in Lancashire
A business school in the North West is on a drive to grow small and medium businesses across the UK.
With the launch of its 12-month programme in March, Lancaster-based Showing Off Academy aims to educate business owners how to boost their profits and grow sustainably; putting wealth and jobs back into their local community.
The course, which covers all of the fundamental elements of growing a profitable business, including finance, sales, marketing, technology, time management and planning, differs from most training, as it is delivered by a range of business owners with expertise in their specific topic areas, rather than an academic.
Business owners previously enrolled on the course, now entering its fourth year, have already experienced some fantastic results. James Brown, Director of AWOL Recruitment Ltd, who completed the course last year, said:
“It’s developed every aspect of our business, because the quality of the speakers and the information that we were given was such that it all fed into the different angles that apply to what we do, giving our little business the ability to grow and improve”.
Joanne Allday, Director of Showing Off Academy, echoed James’ remark:
“We've been amazed at the results we've achieved in such a short time and are thrilled we can now open the course to business owners across the country. It's really making a difference, growing successful companies that recruit or subcontract more work, which for me is the way this country will come out of recession”.
Showing Off Academy also teaches giving back; the Academy gives 10% of its profits to Bolton-based charity ‘Ambassadors in Sport’ in support of its work in South Africa, where the business school is currently considering plans to open an international academy.
