The Business Growth Service, which incorporates the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), has undertaken research in collaboration with the Centre of Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University, to look at what leadership behaviours drive high growth in small to medium sized firms.
The six key components identified are active-decision making, business vision, growth drive, innovation drive, market expertise and sales drive.
As a result, the Business Growth Service is now inviting manufacturers to assess their own mindset, with 20 questions. By answering them honestly, they will receive a personalised insight into their current mindset, suggested areas to focus on and how they can access the right support to help them get there.
"The 'Mindset of High Growth' study revealed the importance of learning cognitive skills, such as market expertise, a drive for selling and effective decision-making. It also suggested that the ability to grow your business is something you can learn and is not something you are born with," explained Steven Barr, head of manufacturing at the Business Growth Service.
"We want to test this principle out on our SME manufacturing base, as we believe it will help them identity areas where they may need additional support or external expertise to achieve their expansion plans."
He added: "The online tool – available at www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/mas – is very simple to complete and will deliver bosses a personalised report on how they have performed against the set criteria. From there one of our manufacturing-focused Business Growth Managers can offer the advice and strategic guidance they may need to take the next step in their business growth journey."
