Fast-growing Worcestershire creative tech businesses got expert coaching to deliver sustained growth with a free course by business development specialists Rockfine Group.
Creative tech companies in the county were supported on ways to build growth effectively on the Elevate programme, organised on behalf of Worcestershire Growth Hub, which helped business owners to reshape and grow their firms for stronger futures, backed with support on securing funding grants.
The companies
Rockfine Group, who specialise in coaching business leaders to achieve greater success, took applicants actively using technology in a range of creative sectors through a series of impactful workshop sessions designed to develop achievable business growth plans, backed with 12 hours of one-to-one support each.
To qualify, applicants had to have been trading for a minimum of three years and have at least five employees. The companies to benefit included Worcester-based design agency F8 Creates, Droitwich-based teambuilding workshop providers EML Team and design engineers Pactivate Ltd in Redditch. Others taking part included: Gosh! TV, Herlig Architecture, Collar & Tie, Split Second Research, Music Industry Group and Glideology.
Workshops
The cohort attended expert workshops facilitated by the Rockfine Group team, each selected to support the development of their business growth plans. The topics chosen were all essential knowledge for successful business owners, led by experienced specialists all able to provide a deep dive into the content.
The topics covered included ‘Development and Implementation of a Marketing Strategy’, in which Jimmy Leach, whose roles include Head of Digital Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office under Tony Blair and then Gordon Brown, as well as extensive experience in key roles at government departments and leading agencies. Jimmy drew upon his experience in media, government and agencies to explain how businesses can create messages and a communications strategy that delivers authority and authenticity.
‘Recruiting Staff and HR issues as your creative tech business grows’ saw HR company founder Sarah Brewster focus on the areas that cause problems for growing businesses including staff management, staff retention, attraction and engagement as well as co-ordinating business growth and the development of company culture.
In ‘Seeking Investment and how to Access Finance’ Paul Heaven, who has more than 25 years’ experience of raising finance for businesses, outlined the finance options and opportunities available to businesses, the obstacles to be overcome and advice on how to maximise the chances of successfully raising the funding required.
For ‘Stand and Deliver: Pitching and Presenting for New Business’ leading coach and pitching expert Mike Pagan guided the cohort through enhancing their personal strengths when presenting their business. By addressing the fears and trepidation many share around public speaking this workshop offered techniques to impact delivery style, approach, and success with audiences.
Recommendations
“I’ve been having coaching sessions with B.D. Dalton from Rockfine for a few months now. In that time he’s helped me focus on the value we offer to our clients and how to work more effectively with those clients. We’ve also streamlined systems within the business to work towards these goals. I would highly recommend talking to B.D. If you’re a business owner.”
Greg Smith, Director at F8 Creates
“I strongly recommend this service. I now feel like our business has a more meaningful direction. I can now see a clear path through the fog. It’s great to get an outsider’s perspective because working inside your own business can make you too short-sighted and focussed either too narrowly or on the wrong thing. I was surprised about the benefits I’d get from our interactions.”
Dr Eamon Fulcher – CEO & Co-Founder at Split Second Research
“Alongside his infectious enthusiasm and energy, I found B.D’s insight and strategic vision to be helpful and we are already implementing some of his ideas.”
Robin Taylor, Director at Pactivate
“We have really enjoyed working with B.D. He has had a big impact on our business. Thanks to B.D. we are clearer on the value we offer and more systematic in our approach to attracting the right clients and growing our business. Finally, through B.D’s consultancy and wealth of experience in gamification and digital, we have identified an entirely new ‘virtual’ direction of travel for EML that we are really excited about. Highly recommended!”
Neil Cleaver, Co-Founder at EML
Impact
Rockfine Managing Director Michelle Dalton said: “The Elevate Scale Up Programme was designed to support ambitious small to medium sized companies ready for growth by providing a specialist coach to help in the creation of a viable growth plan.
“The programme encouraged business owners to look at all options, including grants to implement their plans, giving everything needed to take each company to the next level in six months. Creative tech is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK, providing exciting new possibilities. As an emerging industry which relies on cross sector innovation, targeted support is often needed so Elevate provided expert support to improve processes, raise productivity and overcome barriers to growth.
“The expertise of the Rockfine team enabled us to host targeted, engaging and informative workshops whilst the one-to-one business coaching provided invaluable mentoring.”
Tom Young, Elevate Project Manager at Worcestershire County Council, said: “The Elevate programme was designed to help Worcestershire creative tech businesses focus on growth to secure future success. Working with Rockfine, Worcestershire County Council delivered business support from November 2021 to January 2022 which helped companies plan during the economic uncertainty. Worcestershire has a thriving mix of creative tech businesses so Elevate met our ambitions for creating future economic growth in the county.”
Find out more
Email Rockfine Managing Director Michelle Dalton Michelle@Rockfine.co.uk