Researchers at Kent Business School have spent four years working with more than 500 small and medium-sized businesses across the South East and have identified the ten top factors separating success from failure.
Now businesses are being invited to find out about these top ten tips for success in a series of free workshops across Kent taking place next month.
Dr Mark Gilman, Director of Kent Business School’s Centre for Employment, Competitiveness and Growth, said: ‘The study employed rigorous research to investigate the drivers of growth and performance in the region’s smaller businesses and evaluate how they changed over time.
‘We found that, although company behaviour differs according to sector, there are some clear common characteristics that distinguish firms achieving patterns of longer-term sustainable growth from those that fail.
‘The top ten reasons for success identified by the research ranged from a clear strategic focus, through to engaging employees and an openness to learn from others.’
Now the research findings have been translated by the Centre into a new programme tailored for business owners and managers called The Business Improvement and Growth (BIG) Journey.
‘I’m keen to share the research with as many regional businesses as possible, which is why we’ve organised a series of free taster workshops,’ added Dr Gilman.
Businesses are invited to learn about these findings and the BIG Journey programme through the series of workshops taking place in Canterbury, Chatham and Tonbridge from 12-14 July.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Businesses are asked to reserve a place by emailing S.O.Raby@kent.ac.uk