In his latest blog, Craig Humphrey, CEO of CW Growth Hub, outlines the importance of working with businesses to gain their trust before offering advice

Craig Humphrey, CEO of CW Growth Hub, looks ahead to Autumn in his latest blog and outlines the importance of working with businesses to gain their trust before offering advice.

“I always like the beginning of September. The summer sees lots of people away taking a well-earned rest but then it feels like everyone returns this month to focus on delivering for the final stretch of the year feeling reinvigorated.

“Following Covid, we need to begin to settle back into a more stable pattern for our economy and it is important that we do so because we are in a competitive global race.

“We need to maintain inward investment – an area in which Coventry and Warwickshire is particularly strong – and focus on productivity if we’re going to remain competitive.

“The UK is often labelled as having a lack of productivity, particularly when it comes to our leadership and management capabilities and while support has been available to help with this in the past, it hasn’t always been deployed in the right way for the market place.

“I have often said that in order for you to work with a business and then be constructively critical of their management and leadership capabilities, you need to build trust.

“Those kinds of relationships need to develop over a long period of time which is one of the strengths of our account managers at the Growth Hub. You can’t go into a business on day one and assume their management and leadership capability is not very good and begin to recommend changes without getting to know them first.

“It is your role as an adviser to businesses to talk to them and get to know them over a period of 12 months, two years or even longer. It builds trust and then, with an understanding of what they need as a company, you can recommend initiatives that they will benefit from. You are much more likely to get take-up if you adopt that approach.

“We have not done enough of that in this country. We have not invested in support over a long period of time which is when you build trust and empathy and then you get the results.

“I have never believed in time-restricting interventions in being the way forward for business support.

“Sometimes we can have a conversation with a business and within an hour we have resolved what their barrier to growth is but on other occasions that might take a lot longer and it is that flexibility that I have always emphasised here at the Growth Hub.

“Our account managers know they are not restricted by an allocated length of time to spend with businesses and that is one of the reasons why we have built up such great rapport with firms of all sizes in Coventry and Warwickshire and provided the help that they need.

“That is why taking the time to build trust is so important in supporting businesses to grow.”

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Client testimonials

Without the Growth Hubs help and assistance, we would never have been able to increase our sales & output and also grow our local business. With this help in purchasing new equipment we have expanded our operations and gained a new and increased customer base.

Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans.

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

Thank you for the comprehensive and professional guidance

Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information. It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers. We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events. When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,