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Empowering business owners in the technology sector to improve productivity and drive growth

Through a partnership between BCS and Be the Business, technology business leaders can access expert support, practical tools and experienced advisors to help improve productivity, embrace digital transformation and accelerate growth.

We know that running a business can be challenging and, at times, isolating. Leaders are often required to make complex decisions without a trusted space to test ideas, challenge assumptions or discuss opportunities for growth.

This programme provides access to a dedicated advisory board of experienced professionals who act as a trusted sounding board, offering fresh thinking, constructive challenge and practical insight. Together, they help you navigate challenges, improve decision-making and identify new opportunities for your business.

Delivered entirely online, the programme is designed to be flexible and practical, fitting around busy schedules. You set the agenda, your board brings the expertise and support, and together you build the capability, confidence and clarity to move your business forward.

Supported by

A list of logo's from the following companies: BCS.

Be the Business & BCS

A new partnership to help technology businesses improve productivity and growth

Be the Business is an independent charity dedicated to improving UK productivity by connecting business leaders with the expertise, insights and support they need to overcome today's challenges and seize tomorrow's opportunities.

Through a new partnership with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, we are bringing together practical business support, technology expertise and peer-to-peer learning to help small businesses in the technology sector achieve sustainable growth.

Together, BCS and Be the Business are committed to supporting ambitious technology businesses to improve productivity, strengthen their competitiveness and contribute to a more prosperous UK economy.

Supporting the growth of technology SMEs

This partnership provides technology sector businesses with access to practical guidance, proven productivity tools and personalised support, helping them build the capabilities needed to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

Looking to turbo-charge your productivity efforts?

The Advisory Board Programme

Join our monthly Advisory Board Programme and gain access to experienced business leaders who will challenge your thinking, provide strategic guidance and support your growth ambitions. To build momentum and achieve meaningful outcomes, we recommend a minimum commitment of six months. Available through your BCS membership.

Express your interest strings.external_link Find out more and download the brochure

What's Included

Your own advisory board

We'll match you with an advisory board of leaders and senior managers from successful firms, bringing expertise across areas such as finance, marketing, operations and HR.

Meeting every eight weeks, your advisory board will take the time to understand your business, providing strategic challenge, fresh perspectives and practical advice drawn from real-world experience. They will act as an impartial sounding board and trusted source of support, helping you navigate opportunities, tackle challenges and achieve your growth ambitions.

One-to-one mentoring sessions

We'll pair you with a member of your advisory board for one-to-one mentoring sessions, giving you the opportunity to explore specific challenges and areas of focus in greater detail.

These sessions take place in the months between your advisory board meetings, providing ongoing support, accountability and guidance to help you maintain momentum and make progress against your goals.

Access to online peer sessions

We run regular interactive learning sessions with peers and experts. All hosted online, these sessions cover a range of business topics and give you access to people navigating similar challenges.

Real Business stories

What participants gained from having a board

Our board helped the management team define their job roles

Prioritisation was critical for Stream Loyalty, as the business pivoted from a service-led business to a SaaS model and pushed for growth.

Stream Loyalty has specialised in loyalty software for B2B businesses for 15 years. Its three directors were on the brink of a huge pivot from service-led business to a SaaS model when they heard about Be the Business.

Douglas McCormick, MML Marine

Douglas McCormick, Director at MML Marine, joined the programme to create space away from day-to-day operations and take a more strategic view of his business.

“It has provided me with a forum and discipline to step away from the day-to-day routine and really review my strategy, particularly do I have the correct business vision, plan and people.”

Through the programme, Douglas increased his awareness of effective leadership and management practices and felt more confident tackling challenges as they arose. He also valued the opportunity to connect with other business leaders, reducing the sense of isolation often felt at senior level.

As a result, Douglas made practical changes to his management approach and refined the business plan to better align with his long-term vision.

My board helped me get to grips with business basics

After a tumultuous period of growth in her business Ultimate Sync Access, CEO and founder Amelia McCloskey sought help from Be the Business to prepare for raising investment.

Learning to work better

Amelia recalled that she started The Productivity Programme because she was considering seeking investment. 

“A lot of our customers aren’t in the UK, so we’re already a global business and I could see the growth potential, which we’d need a cash injection for. So this programme came at the right time, just as we’re launching everything new,” she said.

“The main thing in terms of productivity is streamlining processes. There are things we’re doing that can be done in a better way. We’re a small company, the staff are overloaded and at risk of burnout. So we need to find ways to work together and get things done efficiently, so we can save costs and eventually increase staff.”

Going into the programme, Amelia was keen to learn from the experts. “I’m really open to receiving advice from company leaders on how I can improve my leadership skills because the way I do things affects the whole team,” she said.

Tools and Templates

Bringing about successful change in your business

A strong strategy helps leaders turn plans into action, but its success rests on the implementation process. Get that stage right and you can bring about real change in your organisation

Read more →

Conducting a business health check

A business health check is a simple way to evaluate the strength of critical elements like cash flow, systems and staff performance. Fill in this template from business advisors JPAbusiness to rate your business health.

Read more →

Creating a monthly routine to set goals and assess progress against long-term objectives

Developing a monthly goal-setting routine allows you to check your progress against long-term objectives and reflect on any changes you need to make.

Read more →

Action Plans

Action Plans

Action plans are a list of five things we recommend you do to help with a business challenge. Interact with each step in the plan by setting the dates for when you will complete the action and assign ownership of the action to one of your team if applicable.

See Action Plans strings.external_link

Still got questions?

If you'd still like more detail about our programmes, resources and support then we're on hand to provide you with whatever information required.

Pick a time that works for you and we'll give you a call to discuss your query.

Schedule a call

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