The five-day programme

Rather than squeezing the programme into short workshops, this cohort will spend five full days together over five weeks. Each day gives time for expert conversations, facilitated work, discussion with the group and the useful exchanges that happen when nobody has to sprint immediately back to another meeting.

There will be coffee. There will be lunch. There will be room to continue a conversation rather than cutting it off because the workshop slot has finished.

Day 1 · Positioning

Where are you now?

We start with the business you have today. We will look beyond the numbers at the culture you are creating as the company grows, with expert input on building workplaces where people and profits can grow together. You will also start working on how you communicate your business - what you do, why it matters and where you are going in a way that people remember.

We will explore: positioning, business model, customer, communication, founder strengths, current challenges

Day 2 · Ambition

Where are we going, and why?

Growth is not a destination in itself. This day looks at what you actually want from the business and what success means for you. That opens up questions about purpose, values, leadership, sustainability and the trade-offs that appear as a company gets bigger.

We’ll also consider the person running the business. Ambitious companies need leaders capable of sustaining the work, not simply surviving it.

We will explore: conversations around purpose, values, leadership, resilience, sustainable growth, priorities and Mind, Body, Business.

Day 3 · Growth

Where will your next growth come from?

We will explore how your intellectual property, expertise and existing assets could create new commercial opportunities, including different approaches to IP exploitation, licensing, partnerships and collaboration.

We will explore: IP, licensing, commercial models, customers, sales, partnerships, new markets and routes to growth.

Day 4 · Structure

What does the next version of your business need?

We will look at your operating model, leadership team and organisational structure, including recruitment, fractional C-suite expertise, advisers, non-executive directors and governance. We will complement this with a practical deep dive into the tools, technology and AI that could strengthen your business and help you work differently as you scale.

We will explore: teams, recruitment, leadership, fractional expertise, governance, systems, technology and AI.

Day 5 · Future

What is the plan?

You will review what you have learned about the business, test your thinking with peers and experts and identify the priorities that matter most for the next stage of growth. Our communications expert will also return, giving you the opportunity to put everything you have developed into practice and articulate the future of your business with confidence.

We will explore: priorities, growth planning, funding, partnerships, communication and your next steps.

Indicative Agenda

Each session is held in-person at Bath Innovation Centre and will be facilitated by two expert facilitators.

09:30-16:00

This is the typical format of the Smart Scale workshops.

09:30 Arrival

09:45 Welcome & Energiser

10:00 Speaker (incl. morning break)

12:30 Lunch

13:00 Speaker (incl. afternoon break)

15:00 Peer Group Coaching

15:45 Reflection & Feedback

16:00 End

Every Smart Scale day brings in external voices alongside the programme facilitators. These might be specialists in areas such as investment, finance, leadership, sales, people, IP, communications or international growth, or founders who have already navigated similar growth challenges.

Our last Smart Scale included speakers from The Ecosystem Studio, Omnigenix, ISL Talent, Sinister Solutions, and Always Possible, amongst many others!