Programme for Growth
Welcome to the Programme for Growth (PFG)—an initiative dedicated to fostering sustainable progress and empowering businesses across Scotland. Backed by the Pathways Fund and supported by the Scottish Government, PFG focuses on unlocking potential, driving innovation, and delivering meaningful impact where it’s needed most.
PFG is designed for businesses looking to scale their journey to success. This dynamic programme includes a one-day event hosted in key locations across Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and the Borders, featuring inspiring speakers and valuable insights.
On the second day, business owners will have the opportunity to meet the panel, where our carefully selected experts provide tailored advice and actionable strategies to help businesses achieve their next stage of growth.
Join us and take the next step toward a thriving future.
Supported by the Scottish Government, the one day course allows participants the opportunity to take time out of their business to work on it.
As well as talks and seminars on strategy and business planning, there’s advice on decision making, motivation and all-important finance. There’s also a unique chance to present your business to a panel of specialists who can offer bespoke guidance.
Ready to join us?
The guide to help you decide how to market and grow your business, and plan out your future business model.
We cover these 6 points for your roadmap to success. The end result? Women moving forward confidently to expand their business.
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Mindset
In this module, we will cover Mindset. How we feel creates the thoughts we think, which determine what we do. Let do of limiting beliefs and ensure you feel the way you need to in order to take action.
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Purpose
How do you use your purpose to create your brand and business? You will conduct a competitive analysis and learn how to stand out.
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Audience
Discover what your customers want and how to cultivate a community that knows and trusts you. Find out what your customers like and what they trust.
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Revenue
Lean how to make more money and keep more money by understanding how to manage money and cash flow.
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Systems
Having systems in place that lets your business work for you instead of the other way around, allowing you to maintain a work-life balance and allowing it to grow.
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Growth
With personal and personal development, your business will grow just as much as you.
What to expect on Day 1
When to Scale
Identifying the Right Time
Understanding the growth potential of your business
Evaluating market conditions and demand
Assessing internal readiness for growth
Identifying key indicators for scaling
Strategies for Business Growth
Expanding your market reach
Developing new products or services
Increasing sales and marketing efforts
Building strategic partnerships
Exploring international expansion opportunities
Seeking Investment for Growth
Understanding different sources of investment
Researching and approaching venture capitalists
Exploring angel investors and crowdfunding platforms
Pitching your business effectively
Negotiating funding terms and agreements
Growing Your Team
Identifying skill gaps and hiring needs
Determining when to hire employees vs. freelancers
Recruitment strategies and best practices
Onboarding and integrating new team members
Creating a positive and inclusive work culture
Accounts and Financial Management
Importance of understanding your numbers
Financial statements and key performance indicators
Budgeting and cash flow management
Seeking professional accounting and financial advice
Using technology and tools for efficient financial management
Writing the Next Business
Evaluating your current business
Setting new goals and objectives
Conducting market research and competitive analysis
Developing a strategic roadmap for growth
Communicating your vision and plan effectively
Conclusion and Next Steps
Recap of key takeaways from the training
Action planning for participants
Providing additional resources and support networking opportunities
Day 2
(on Zoom)
After the final seminar, each participant will have the opportunity to present to a panel of specialists from different areas of business who will be able to provide advice and support. Every participant will leave equipped with further information to assist in their business growth and help them confidently expand their business. The guide to help you decide how to market and grow your business, and plan out your future business model. We cover these 6 points for your roadmap to success.
Testimonials
Thinking of coming on the next round of Programme for Growth? Listen to previous candidates talk about their experience below.
Edinburgh Cohort September 2024
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Alvina Menzies
Owner of BWC Edinburgh
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Rachel Haynes
Director, Fulcio Services Limited
Operations Management and Strategy as a Service - I help those I work with feel confident that their businesses run effectively and ethically. How I do this adapts from client to client. I engage with people in many different ways: as a direct support, a sounding board, a fixer, a problem solver, an HR manager, a CRM expert, a mentor, a guide.
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Karen Swanston
At Bonjour Khufu, we provide fun and colourful clothing for the whole family, including the fur babies! Clothes that make you smile because life's too short to wear boring clothes!
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Susan Graham
Embra Digital is a two-person web design studio creating user-friendly websites that showcase the best of a business. Our focus lies in small to medium sized businesses and we build websites that are easy to update and maintain, removing the need for ongoing fees.As well as creating websites from scratch, we also offer support for improving existing websites, such as SEO or design enhancements. The world of websites can be overwhelming, so I draw on over 8 years of experience in various tech roles, such as product and project management, to work closely with our clients and understand their unique needs, goals, and budget, and make sure the process is both collaborative and enjoyable!
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Claudia Romero
Description of your Business: I help entrepreneurs and business owners reclaim 8 hours a week and enjoy stress-free life, I offer a holistic and peaceful approach to productivity. Discover how to transform your productivity, cultivate peace of mind, and thrive in both work and personal life—guilt-free.
Have you encountered any challenges?: Many personal issues while running the business have impacted my continuity and also I think a lot of Impostor Syndrome going on, I feel that I go forward 3 steps and then all go to a standstill or backwards.
Mother, speaker and coach, more than a productivity Coach.
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Jacqui Houston
Jacqui Houston, founder of Jacqui Houston Brand Photography and The VISION Hub. I am at the heart a storyteller and a people person, and I have coupled this with photography and videography know-how to help businesses unleash their business vision.
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Tea Nicolae
My business idea is a platform and club for women entitled "Women Vitae" which is centred on the exploration of taste through the medium of whisky and through Machine Learning tools. The Machine Learning tools are used to map and decode cyclical changes of taste through different phases of the cycle and while experiencing different emotions. The aim of this platform is to support women in understanding their inherent access to taste which is biologically refined and which can be maximised in industries centred on taste such as that of whisky in the creation of individualised products, as well as to empower them in making economical choices that are in accordance with their own unique physiology.
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Alice Nisbet
Alice is naturally curious consultant with a real passion for learning and helping her clients to thrive. She is an experienced and adept problem solver, helping clients to find straightforward and deliverable solutions for their most complex and frustrating challenges.
She has been offering mentoring services for small businesses and charities across Scotland for over five years now. In 2023, post leaving her corporate role and beginning to work full time in her own business, she undertook some overseas volunteering working in Nepal teaching as part of a Women's Empowerment Programme which she said was a wonderful experience and a great way to reset. She is now also providing business consulting services for bespoke projects and offer tailored growth programmes (through Executive Training & Consultancy). She also have experience providing career coaching, helping clients achieve promotions and new roles.
Meet the Panel
Alan Morrison
PR Practitioner
ASM Media
Barbara Brown
PR Practitioner
ASM Media
Peter Samson
PR Practitioner
ASM Media
Sandra MacLean
PR Practitioner
ASM Media
June Walker
PR Practitioner
ASM Media
Michelle Ferguson
PR Practitioner
ASM Media
Jane Grant
PR Practitioner
ASM Media
Yvonne Greeves
PR Practitioner
ASM Media
Programme for Growth Supporters
Spotlight: Rickie Tank
Rickie Tank took part in Programme for Growth after setting up Home Help Me Care with Diane Francey. Providing care at home services for older people, including those with dementia, in the Edinburgh area, the business launched with less than £500 of funding in 2017, going on to turn over £1.2m in just over three years. Rickie puts those figures down to the success of participating in Programme for Growth.
“We wanted to grow our business and, like many business owners, were so invested in working in the business we weren’t spending enough time developing and shaping our future growth,” said Rickie.
“Pitching to a panel of business experts helped us validate that we had good core values, we needed to propel forward and we shouldn’t hesitate to sell ourselves as a premium care service. We went straight on to conclude a lease on a new office and undertake a £40,000 renovation. Programme for Growth gave us the confidence to make such a big investment, an important step in locating ourselves in the heart of our community.”
The women met Ros Taylor of RCT Leadership at Programme for Growth and went on to work with her on executive coaching. They also made contacts with Royal Bank of Scotland key contacts and joined RBS Accelerator.
“A huge benefit was meeting other female entrepreneurs and we have gone on to collaborate with Michelle Milne of Property Studios, who we worked with to design our new shop front and essentially redefine our brand,” added Rickie.
“And Celia Joicey of Dovecot Studios arranged access to art exhibitions for our clients. Some have dementia and having access to the arts warms their hearts as they recall their favourite artists.
“There’s a lot to be said for meeting like-minded female leaders, we thank Business Women Scotland for starting us on our journey.”