ALWAYS up for a challenge, Pamela took a trip down memory lane when she completed the Help to Grow Management (H2G) course at Leeds University.

Some 20 years after earning her undergraduate degree at the institution, our director returned to its city campus to participate in the 12-week course.

“We’ve achieved exciting milestones at Blueberry recently: maturing our EMI scheme, advancing business development and launching a new website,” said Pamela. “But this is just the start! For me, the H2G programme represented the next phase of our growth journey.

“Starting with just five employees, our business has grown significantly. I was keen to leverage the course to gain insights from SME peers and support our expansion beyond our current team of 45.

“I joined a diverse group of 30 successful business owners from sectors including bakeries, caravan installation companies and high-tech firms. In addition to meeting with my dedicated mentor, I attended weekly sessions with a group of six SMEs to share insights and learn from one another’s experiences.

“I really valued the peer networking aspect of the programme. I appreciated the honesty and openness shown by everyone. Sharing ideas, seeking advice, and discussing common challenges was especially beneficial. Their transparency in sharing setbacks and difficulties was very encouraging.

“The group sessions led to our own business growth action plan, which each cohort member presented and discussed during a dedicated question-and-answer session. We reflected on our current position, set clear goals, outlined steps to achieve them, and considered strategies to stay on course.

So, what’s next, and how will our inspiring leader use her course experience to propel Blueberry to new heights? Well, she’s got several strategic initiatives up her sleeve.

“Looking ahead, our focus is very much on doing the fundamentals exceptionally well,” added the mother-of-two. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel or make drastic changes to reach the next phase of growth — we simply need to keep refining and strengthening what already works.“

“Business development will remain a key priority, with a clear focus on sectors where we know we deliver strong ROI and genuinely meaningful results for our clients. By concentrating our efforts in these high-performing areas, we can apply proven strategies, targeted messaging and deep sector understanding to create long-term value and build partnerships that last.“

“Alongside this, continued investment in our people is essential. Developing individuals, clarifying roles, strengthening leadership and supporting the team’s growth is fundamental to building a resilient, high-performing business. At the same time, we’ll continue to review and invest in digital tools and technology, ensuring our systems enhance our offering, support our teams, and deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.“

“A big part of that evolution is the value-added services we’re increasingly delivering alongside our core offering. From customer journey mapping and data modelling to hands-on customer workshops, we’re passionate about sharing knowledge and embedding ourselves within our clients’ teams and processes. In fact, only recently we delivered a lead nurture and pipeline optimisation workshop to 16 members of a client’s team — helping them better understand their customer journey and maximise the value of their pipeline.“

“Ultimately, sustainable growth comes from investing in digital tools, people and processes – ensuring best practice lives within systems, not just individuals. That’s how we continue to deliver consistency, build trust, and help our clients grow alongside us.“

“The course has changed my outlook on the business, providing me with greater clarity, purpose, and a renewed commitment to accountability. I’ve learned to focus on the bigger picture rather than get bogged down in daily details. I’ve become more proactive and recognise that meaningful change begins with the leadership team.”

Great job, Pam! 👏 We’re excited to see all your new ideas come to life.

To learn more about Help to Grow: Management and how it can support SME growth, visit the Small Business Charter website.