A WARRINGTON business is urging others to follow its lead and take part in Peer Networks, allowing them to connect with a range of diverse businesses and tap into how others have dealt with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Warrington-based Claremont is one of more than 60 businesses across Cheshire to take part in the Peer Networks programme, working with others to tackle common challenges, share ideas and drive growth.
Peer Networks is a national, fully funded programme for SME owners and leaders who want to grow and develop their organisations.
The programme brings together business owners from a range of sectors and specialisms in Cheshire and Warrington to generate new ideas, develop strategies, drive up productivity and find new solutions to problems they may be facing in their business.
Tim Frankland is managing director at Claremont and last year he joined a Peer Networks programme to help improve his business and is encouraging others to do the same.
He said: “I found the programme really interesting, being able to tap into how other businesses were dealing with the challenges that the pandemic was throwing up was invaluable even if it was only confirming that we weren’t missing a trick.
“The conversations with some of the younger members of the group, were invigorating and full of energy and enthusiasm, which for an old dog like me was often like a breath of fresh air. Even if you don’t come out of it with a great idea for your own business, it’s worth doing just to remind you how you got to where you are and not to forget the basics.
“The fact that the businesses are quite diverse gives you a really broad perspective on how other sectors operate and often there are little gems that help you think of things in slightly different way to help improve your own business.”
The national programme is delivered in the region by Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, part of Cheshire and Warrington LEP and is delivered through online sessions by expert facilitators.
Three new cohorts are planned to start in November and December and businesses are being urged to sign-up now. A further one is planned for January specifically for hospitality and retail businesses.
Andy Devaney (pictured), director at Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, said: “We know that Cheshire and Warrington business owners have faced and are still facing a challenging environment and they are now looking at ways to drive growth in their businesses.
“Peer Networks is all about creating a supportive network amongst business leaders in our area, so they can learn from one another. Through the structured sessions with the help of an experienced facilitator, businesses can find solutions to the real issues they are facing, by working with other like-minded business leaders who are also facing similar challenges.”
Businesses interested in signing up to the cohorts taking place this year are advised to visit Peer Networks – Cheshire and Warrington or contact programme lead Mark Shepherd on 07494 869282.
