At Keele University we’re proud of our impact on the local business community, offering several support initiatives to help give organisations across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire a competitive advantage at zero cost to participants.
Linked to our brand-new facility, Innovation Centre 7, our latest offering focusses on harnessing and developing the digital technology that will place the region at the heart of the UK’s digital revolution.
Glenn Handforth, one of Keele’s Entrepreneurs in Residence, delivers part of that offer. ‘Thriving in the Digital Age’ is a fully-funded two-day programme that provides local small and medium-sized enterprises with a variety of proven strategy tools and digital marketing techniques that will enable them to take their business from strength to strength.
Glenn has worked with a diverse range of businesses, both large and small, supporting them in developing their business strategies and translating them into brand propositions that resonate with their customers. This approach has seen Glenn working alongside organisations from Ikea of Sweden, Capita, the Design Council and Keepmoat – through to Parkinson’s UK, YMCA North Staffordshire and numerous SMEs.
“I have seen how rapidly the digital landscape has evolved, the plethora of new systems and technologies, along with the sheer amount of data we can access can be a daunting prospect for business owners.
“Our two-day programme affords the time to take a step back and explore the strategic aspects of digital marketing that can contribute to business growth, together with the types of digital techniques that can be developed into marketing campaigns that resonate with your customers. On the second day focus shifts to the internal functions that will enable you to ensure your people, processes and systems are aligned, including a 90-day digital planning session.
“The programme is a blend of theory, case studies, real-life examples, and workshops, delivered by a mix of academics and digital marketing professionals. Myself and fellow Entrepreneur in Residence, David Lowe, are also on hand to bring the topics to life and ensure the content speaks to you – the business owner. In addition to this, there are keynote guest speakers who are invited to share their insights – having built successful businesses by developing the digital capabilities described over the two days.”
The programme is open to SMEs based in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and is part-funded through a suite of funders including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) so there is no cost to eligible organisations.
With dates available in May and June, you can find more details and check your eligibility here.
Innovation Centre 7 and its associated programmes are part-funded through a suite of funders including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (as part of the England 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme), the Research England Development Fund, and UK Government funding through the Getting Building Fund.
