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Innovation Lab

We work with top corporate and academic partners to turn the dial on SME productivity - through insight-led action.

We test data-driven hypotheses in the field to figure out what works. Find out how we can work together.

Have a chat with our team

Trusted by global brands

A list of logo's from the following companies: Amazon, american-express-logo-black-and-white.png, Bae Systems, GSK, KPMG, Lloyds, bt_logo_2019.png, Accenture, Cisco, meta-facebook-rebranding-name-news_dezeen_2364_col_hero2.webp, McKinsey & Company, and image.png.

What's in it for you?

  • Access to SME communities. A ready-made, engaged SME audience through an independent and trusted voice - direct access to SMEs without the barriers of traditional sales channels.

  • Seamless product and service placement. Showcase your solutions to SMEs in a way that adds value, not a hard sell while building trust with potential customers.

  • Demonstrate real social value and impact. As a charitable organisation that genuinely support SMEs with growth, we enhance your brand’s credibility and build long-term customer loyalty.

  • High-value content for your PR, marketing and policy activities. Third-party insights and real SME case studies to power your campaigns. Our data-backed storytelling helps you demonstrate industry leadership.

  • Research, test and learn what drives SME productivity. Our programmes act as real-world testing grounds, helping you refine your offerings, tailor messaging, and build solutions.

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See us in action

Take a look at some of our partner-sponsored projects

Innovation Lab

What we do: a tailored 3-stage SME journey

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Data

✓ Region(s) is selected, based on where a pilot programme can be localised. Focus / priority of corporate partner established

✓ We use unique data sets (our Productive Business Index) to assess regional productivity performance against 5 key levers

✓ Benchmark data against national average; understand gaps and inform intervention design

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Pilots & workshops

✓ Run pilots and workshops at our partner’s employer facilities.

✓ Themes (innovations that drive productivity) include: tech / AI adoption; investment readiness; leadership & management for growth

✓ Methodology based on academically developed framework in partnership with UCL

✓ SMEs get a specific action plan to take forward: designed for immediate progress

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Community of practice

✓ We build this, you message into it: tap into a pre-existing Be the Business community

✓ Maintain SME engagement; drive onward activity and encourage best practice sharing

✓ Strengthens long-term productivity impact

✓ Provides high quality insights into SME experience, through follow up engagement, surveys, focus groups

What our partners say…

Leone Shaw, Customer Support, BT

"Easiest thing I've had to do at the moment"

Victoria Lawton, Leadership & Talent Management, BT

“This has given us positive oomph during a time of change at BT."

Bart van Ark, Managing Director, The Productivity Institute

“I am delighted by the launch of the partnership – a practical way for leaders of small businesses to learn from their peers and support one another in their drive to increase the productivity of their organisations.”

Premal Patel - Founder (Aveea), SME

“What stood out most was the genuine connection and engagement among the attendees – it was clear the event was designed with people in mind rather than just speakers flexing their knowledge!”

Our impact (2017-27):

would you like to know more?

Every initiative that we run with corporate partners is tailored to your SME audience and organisation need.

We listen to where you are at with your SME ecosystem, co-designing a bespoke initiative that really gets to the bottom of your social value, marketing, PR and insight goals.

Get in touch - chat to a team member.

Book a call now strings.external_link
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Trusted by global brands

Our partnerships: evidence-based solutions to pressing productivity challenges

A list of logo's from the following companies: Amazon, american-express-logo-black-and-white.png, Bae Systems, british_land_hl1gaye.width-630.png, byrden_wood_logo_qoqehbx.width-630.png, GSK, KPMG, Lloyds, bt_logo_2019.png, Accenture, Cisco, Ey, meta-facebook-rebranding-name-news_dezeen_2364_col_hero2.webp, McKinsey & Company, image-(1).png, and image.png.