Support for SMEs in Greater Manchester to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic is to be accelerated by a new collaboration between Alliance Manchester Business School and other leading business schools in the region.
Open SME is a free, on-demand online learning programme for SME leaders that aims to give them the tools they need to grow their business beyond the pandemic. The programme has been developed in partnership between the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Salford University, the University of Bolton, and the Business Growth Hub, and is funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
The programme, which will be self-directed by the business owners, aims to help at least 400 SMEs, particularly from under-represented areas in Greater Manchester, to increase productivity, profitability, resilience, and sustainability. The scheme will also establish 250 longer-term mentoring relationships.
Prof Fiona Devine, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School, said: “Alliance Manchester Business School is very proud to partner with Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Bolton, and the University of Salford on the OPEN SME programme.”
“We’d like to thank the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Growth Business Hub for supporting this strategically important initiative.
Open SME forms part of Greater Manchester Leadership Hive, a new resource for SME leaders who want to grow their business and become more profitable. Delivered by Greater Manchester’s leading university business schools and the Business Growth Hub, the Leadership Hive brings the best leadership and management training available in the region together in one place.
Joanne Roney, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Lead Chief Executive for Economy and Business, said: “The launch of Open SME is fantastic news for SMEs in Greater Manchester.
“The programme takes the wealth of knowledge and expertise that exists in our world-class business schools and makes it available to the wider business community. Open SME is free of charge and easy to access, with modules completed at a pace to suit you.
