OnCourseInnovation Leadership Programme

In our busy and stressful lives we make daily decisions to ensure we choose products that help us to look after ourselves.  Good quality, reliable products that support our lifestyle may also raise our self esteem, helping us to look and feel our best.  Niche entrepreneurs in the health, food and beauty sectors enjoy phenomenal success with innovative product ranges that fulfil these lifestyle ambitions.

Businesses that offer products and services of exceptional quality and style have high expectations placed upon them.  Business leaders that can maintain these high standards whilst continuing to introduce innovation and added value will be rewarded with customer loyalty and an enhanced reputation.

Cutting-edge technology and pharmaceutical innovation is essential to tackle the increasing challenges that disease and ill health place on our society.  To find effective solutions that improve health and quality of life will result in innovative products, treatments and services.  This topic will be a further opportunity to build upon Nottingham's Science City status and the commercial exploitation of science and technology.

Committed and passionate leaders who constantly take their business to new and successful heights must also have the skill and the confidence to take their people with them.  Finding innovative ways to energise others so that they feel part of the bigger picture allows everyone to make a difference.  Intuitive leaders that take the time to create a culture where all share the same vision and goals will make sure that everyone celebrates success together.

As we respond to climate change and global warming by assessing our own lifestyle and carbon footprint, businesses also recognise that they have to look at doing things differently. Leaders are conscious of the wider impact of their operations upon the environment and look for sustainable and innovative ways to support the local economy. They seek new ways to lower greenhouse gas and carbon emissions whilst bringing in energy efficiencies that help the bottom line.

We are familiar with blogs, social networking and podcasting and many other trends that are affecting the business landscape and transforming the way we reach the people who matter.  Leaders with energy, talent and power of imagination use web based technology to create new and exciting businesses that reach global customers and employees and help to transform the lives of millions of people.

Most of us are happy to run just one business, but for serial entrepreneurs one business venture is not enough.  Successful and passionate about what they do, habitual entrepreneurs are dynamic ideas people who are excited by new things and in creating new companies.  They are driven from one start-up challenge to the next – a process that becomes smoother after years of experience.

Nottingham has a wealth of creative businesses that have helped the city to become a cultural hub with a growing national and international reputation. The concentration and diversity of these businesses continues to grow and thrive and the creative sector provides an enormous boost towards the city’s economy.

Innovation can be more than plugging a gap in the market with a niche product. Innovative thinking helps some leaders to meet the conflicting demands of running a successful business and managing a rewarding family life. Thinking out of the box allows them to juggle the important things in their life and create balance.

Having a simple idea for a new product or a manufacturing process is easy. To exploit this idea and turn it into commercial success requires passion, perseverance and self-belief.

Are you successful at promoting your business in the local media? Maybe not, and maybe you don’t contact journalists because you don’t know what they want.  Find out what makes a good business story, both from the media and PR side of the fence, and an insight into some of the competeing pressures.  Hear thoughts on emerging media trends, including online news, the changing role of journalists and the future of local newspapers.

In today's real-time computer-focused environment, entrepreneurs are making the most of different approaches to generate business growth. They are using the latest software and hardware and harnessing the rapid and widespread revolution in digital and wireless technologies.

Increasing regulation and healthy eating initiatives mean that food and drink businesses are under continuous pressure to innovate, seek new markets and reduce costs whilst maintaining nutritional quality, ensuring food safety and improving quality. Business leaders know that their future success depends upon their ability to innovate faster, more consistently, and with greater understanding of consumer needs.

Reducing global carbon emissions to tackle climate change requires the commitment from everyone and business is already in the driving seat. The emergence of entrepreneurs who provide products and services in the low carbon sector are creating successful businesses that influence others. In their relationships with suppliers, customers, employees and the wider business community they raise carbon impact awareness and help to change thinking and practices.

Nottingham’s Science City status has been the catalyst for business and science collaboration and encouraged entrepreneurs with vision, inspiration and original thinking to seize powerful commercial opportunities. In this competitive market environment successful science and technology leaders have accelerated their own business growth and played a key role in stimulating the city’s local economy.

Design-led entrepreneurs are energetic, passionate individuals who turn great ideas into much sought after products. Their use of innovative techniques and materials in their work produces memorable and unique creations that provide business differential and success to the bottom line and helps them thrive in a competitive environment.