“During and since participation on the Rural Leadership Programme I have implemented a new business structure to enable growth from a small company to a medium sized company. We are developing additional services and employing more people to assist us with this”. Quote from a past Rural Leader
Introduction
Are you an ambitious farmer or rural business manager involved in running or working in a small to medium sized rural business in Scotland and looking to develop your leadership skills and grow your business? If so, Scottish Enterprise’s Rural Leadership Programme may be right for you. For some participants it has acted as a catalyst to take their business to the next level, for others it has been a life or career changing experience.
Spread over 12 days with participation from late October 2011 to March 2012, the programme represents a fantastic opportunity for anyone working in the rural sector to develop the leadership skills, network of contacts and rural and political knowledge that can enhance their business and the role they play in the wider rural community.
Already the programme is making a difference. There is clear evidence that the experience participants have gained by being on the programme is changing the way businesses are being led and managed with a clear demonstration of a focus on strategy, staff motivation, and collaborative working towards clear and shared objectives. This in time will lead to more effective, efficient, competitive and sustainable rural businesses across Scotland.
The programme is primarily intended for those running or involved in small to medium sized rural businesses however applications will be considered from individuals who work in the wider rural economy who wish to develop their leadership skills and make a greater contribution to Scotland’s rural economy.
Objectives
The Rural Leadership Programme aims to equip future rural leaders with the necessary leadership skills to help rural businesses lead the way to success through increased confidence, widen boundaries, building industry and parliamentary trust, provide an awareness of rural economic and broader issues and introduce individuals to the wider rural leadership network.
The programme will equip group members with:
· The confidence to take the lead
· An understanding of the role of key institutions in the rural economy
· A high level of communication and interpersonal skills
· An ability to think globally and act locally
· An awareness of the important economic and social issues
· The confidence to make decisions and negotiate desired outcomes
· An understanding of the political scene and political decision making process at all levels
· An ability to efficiently get things done
· The ability to identify innovative solutions to challenges
In turn Scottish Enterprise believes this will lead to Scottish rural business leaders creating growth in rural Scotland through strong leadership, team working, networking, influencing and ultimately by being ambitious.
Overview
The many and diverse interests in Scotland’s rural economy and the current economic environment make successful and effective leadership more important than ever. Rural Leadership programmes have been run successfully in many countries and work on the premise that investment in enthusiastic and ambitious individuals produces a lasting legacy in their business, sector and community for the rest of their lives.
To date over 200 rural leaders have completed the unique Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme and SAC are delivering the 2011/12 programme on behalf of Scottish Enterprise. We are now looking for a total of 45 applicants across the Scottish Enterprise area who will be formed into 3 groups around:
· North East and East Scotland.
· West Central and South West Scotland.
· East Central and South East Scotland.
Whether you join the programme as someone who does not feel they have “leadership capability” or join with extensive business experience and directorships, the result is the same. You will gain in confidence and use your experience to realise your potential. You will also gain a wide network of contacts and learn how to engage effectively with other organisations.
Participants have come from a diverse mix of rural occupations including farmers, those involved in tourism and the food and drink sector as well as vets, auctioneers, estate managers, the processing sector, the supply trade and other rural businesses. The most important criterion is a desire to improve and grow your own business and/or the performance of the rural sector.
Come along and find out more…
SAC will be running a series of informal information evenings for those who are interested in finding out more about the Rural Leadership Programme and hear from past participants about their experience of their Leadership journey. The evening events will take place on the following dates:
· North East Scotland – Thursday 18 August 2011 (contact Alistair Laing, SAC Facilitator on 07979 245909)
· West Scotland – Thursday 25 August 2011 (contact Douglas Bell, SAC Facilitator on 07803 222376)
· East Scotland – Tuesday 30 August 2011 (contact Iain Riddell, SAC Facilitator on 07884 118208)
If you are unable to attend the meeting in your area you are welcome to join one of the other evening meetings. Alternatively if you none of the dates are suitable (and we appreciate this is a busy period for many businesses) please contact one of the SAC Facilitators listed above for an informal discussion about the Rural Leadership Programme.
Programme Format
The programme will be delivered through a series of modules and learning journeys starting in the last week of October 2011 and finishing with a final Awards Conference in March 2012. Each of the 3 groups will have their own dedicated facilitator who will act as a point of contact throughout the programme. Programme venues will be based in the vicinity of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Ayr.
Subject Area / Format and Duration /Welcome and Introduction / 1 One day workshop – October / 1
Leadership Skills Workshop / 1 Two day workshop – November / 2
A Strategic Picture of Rural Scotland / 1 One day central meeting – November / 1
Effective Communications / 1 One day workshop – December / 1
Rural Innovation Workshop / 1 Two day central workshop – January / 2
Learning Journeys / 1 One day visit – Holyrood – Jan/February
1 Three day visit – London and Brussels – February / 1
3
Coaching / 3 Individual (60min) sessions with coach
Closing Conference and Awards Ceremony / 1 One day conference – March / 1
Welcome and Introduction
A welcome from Scottish Enterprise and SAC and an opportunity for group members to get to know each other in a relaxed and informal environment. The day will also be an introductory session from facilitators and David Pike, First Eclipse Consulting.
Leadership Skills Workshops
Led by Leadership Skills coach David Pike of First Eclipse Consulting the 2 day workshop includes building influencing skills and understanding emotional intelligence, personal assertiveness, managing difficult conversations, getting what is wanted from others, negotiating skills, psychometric testing interpretation, strategic planning and time management.
An opportunity to network with and hear success stories from past participants takes place in the evening over dinner.
A Strategic Picture of Rural Scotland
An opportunity to meet with senior officials from Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government to discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by the rural economy in Scotland. An engaging day with key players in public office.
Effective Communications
This one day workshop will incorporate 2 key areas – Media and Social Networking. Led by former BBC presenter Ken Rundle, now Head of Communications with SAC the session will prepare participants with the knowledge required to deal effectively with the media. Participants will be asked to prepare for interviews on a subject of their choice and get feedback on how they performed. The session will also raise awareness on the growing popularity of social networking and how this can be used effectively by businesses.
Rural Innovation Workshop
An inspiring and creative 2 day workshop focusing on key economic opportunities for growth (in areas such as tourism, food and drink and renewable energy). An opportunity to explore the issues and challenges faced in growing the Scottish economy and be part of identifying innovative solutions which could be taken forward.
Learning Journeys
The journey to Holyrood and Edinburgh will comprise a tour of the Scottish Parliament, meetings with MSPs relevant to your area, members of committees and successful lobbyists. You will gain an understanding of how the Parliament and the Scottish Government works and how you can influence the legislative process.
The three day, two night, learning journey to Brussels and London is another highlight of the programme and sees participants fly from Edinburgh to Brussels for visits organised by Scotland Europa to gain an insight into the workings of MEPs, the European Parliament and Commission, as well as presentations from several organisations representing Scotland’s and the UK's interests in Brussels. The group then travels to London to visit the Houses of Parliament, meeting MPs and representatives of the House of Lords, and businesses based in London. Again the outcome is to gain an understanding of how parliaments work and how individuals or groups can influence decision making.
Individual Coaching Sessions
One-to-one coaching with David Pike which are undertaken confidentially and provide participants with the life skills to cope with a variety of situations as well as gain confidence to grow in their leadership role. One to one coaching significantly accelerates leadership development, because it is able to address the unique background and abilities of each individual, something that is not possible through group work alone. For many past participants this area has been one of the most valuable elements to the programme.
Personal Growth Ambitions
A key strand throughout the programme – from beginning to end – will be an individual action plan developed alongside the Leadership workshop with input from David Pike. The action plans will focus on specific areas around personal, organisational, business and wider rural engagement focusing on individual ambitions and aspirations.
Programme Costs and Commitment
Scottish Enterprise has made substantial financial commitments to the programme and is again meeting the vast majority of the costs for the programme. You will be required to contribute to a proportion of the programme costs which has been set at £750 (excluding VAT) per delegate. Sponsorship of delegates is permissible and has been used by past participants.
Commitment is a key requirement of the programme and you will be asked to sign up to a code of conduct to attend all sessions and learning journeys.
Applying
To apply for this year’s Programme or to have an informal discussion about eligibility, please contact Catriona Clark at SAC on 01224 711084 or for an application pack or to discuss further. Completed forms must be sent back to Catriona no later than 12 September 2011.