LEAP, the Galway-based management and leadership development organisation, has signed a licence agreement to deliver the fully accredited, transformational futureSME business process in Ireland.
What makes the futureSME process unique is that it has been developed over a four-year period through an EU Framework 7 Project involving 26 partners across Europe, seven of whom are Irish – in a project that was spearheaded by the University of Strathclyde.
After years of extensive research, refinement and practical application, and an investment of €8 million, futureSME methodology emerged as a business model for all SMEs to help grow their business.
The development of the future SME methodology involved taking the best practices and disciplines from highly successful larger international companies and designing a unique roadmap that allows these practices to be effectively applied to all small to medium-sized businesses.
LEAP will provide businesses in the futureSME based process with dedicated mentors who are qualified and steeped in the best practices of the process and whose role is to help identify how to actively apply those tools. The programme uses visual strategy mapping as a key component in getting business owners and managers to see their business in a new light.
LEAP, a national provider, now has the licence to deliver futureSME in Ireland and a number of companies nationally have already embraced the process resulting in improved performance to the bottom line. A programme has already started in Shannon and a dedicated Galway programme will commence in April.
Speaking about the importance of futureSME methodology to SMEs, Mike Gaffney Managing Director of LEAP said: “We are delighted to be taking on the futureSME transformation process which will give businesses the tools and support they need to make success and growth happen in 2014. SMEs are critical to the economy’s future success as we continue on the road to recovery after the recession. Now is the time for SMEs to refocus and concentrate on growth”.
Speaking at the agreement signing, futureSME Ireland’s Denis Kearney said: “LEAP is an organisation dedicated to helping SMEs achieve real, tangible success with proven results. Delivering the futureSME methodology is an extension of what they currently practise and provide to business owners and managers, and we look forward to hearing the success stories which will come out of their involvement in delivering this unique process”.
Companies can avail of futureSME directly through LEAP or through government funded supports such as Enterprise Ireland , Udaras na Gaeltachta and Skillnets initiative ManagementWorks.
For more information on futureSME contact LEAP at [email protected] or call the LEAP office on 091-755 736
