SBIC’s Innovation Director, Bernard Page has been keen to set up a peer group here at the centre for some time, having seen how beneficial they can be for businesses taking part in the past.
Having floated the idea, he got commitment from enough businesses to participate in a highly open, candid and collaborative first session. There had to be a commitment on their behalf to actively share their experiences, challenges and practical solutions.
Bernard facilitated the session with the goal being to enable the sharing of experiences and ideas, discuss proven approaches and explore impacts and how best to practically tackle the challenges faced.
Some key outcomes and themes emerged in the session:
1. Creating Time Through Efficiency
A need to create more time and capacity to focus on high-value work. Customers highlighted growing pressures on teams and the importance of structuring work more effectively.
Key approaches and tools discussed:
- Value Stream Mapping to identify inefficiencies and remove bottlenecks
- Skill Will Matrix (Ken Blanchard) to align individual capability and motivation with task allocation
- Coaching approaches, including the T-GROW model, to improve team performance and ownership
There was strong agreement that improving operational efficiency is critical to unlocking both capacity and growth.
2. AI as an Enabler
Participants explored how AI could support day-to-day operations and be embedded into existing workflows.
Discussion points included:
- Automating routine and repetitive tasks
- Supporting better, faster decision-making
- Integrating AI into current operating models
AI was viewed as a practical and immediate lever to create additional bandwidth.
3. Scaling with Finite Resources
A key challenge identified was how to scale effectively while resources remain constrained.
Key considerations:
- How to prioritise and marshal scarce resources
- Avoiding overstretch while maintaining service quality
- Focusing effort on the highest-value activities
This reinforced the importance of structured approaches to resource planning and prioritisation.
4. Alternative Resourcing Models
The group explored flexible ways to extend capability without increasing fixed overheads.
Solutions discussed:
- Fractional resourcing as a scalable and flexible option
- Targeted outsourcing and delegation
- Bringing in external expertise for specialist needs
These approaches were seen as practical ways to maintain agility while supporting growth.
5. Business Fundamentals: Growth & Stability
Alongside operational improvements, customers also discussed core business priorities:
- Business development and pipeline generation
- Cash flow management
- Opportunities around launching new businesses
These conversations reinforced the need to balance short-term stability with long-term growth ambitions
Outputs captured above, a consistent theme emerged – Creating bandwidth — through efficiency, smarter allocation of resources, and effective delegation — is the key enabler of sustainable growth.
Customer Feedback
- The session was described as valuable, open, and highly practical
- Participants appreciated the honest and candid nature of the discussion
- There was a strong collective appetite to continue and build on this peer group format
Next Steps & Opportunities
From both the discussion and facilitation insights, several opportunities were identified for further support from Bernard:
- Providing practical coaching tools and frameworks (including expanding on models such as T-GROW)
- Supporting customers with time management strategies and approaches to managing scarce resources
- Developing guidance on delegation and prioritisation
- Signposting and facilitating access to fractional services
- Continuing to introduce practical operational tools (e.g. Skill Will Matrix, Value Stream Mapping)
Conclusion
This peer group session demonstrated the value of bringing customers together in a structured but open environment to share insights and tackle common challenges.
Facilitation is key, with the session enabling participants to:
- Identify practical ways to improve efficiency
- Explore tools and frameworks to enhance performance
- Gain clarity on how to create capacity and scale sustainably
The strong engagement and positive feedback provide a solid foundation for continuing to grow a high-impact peer group community at SBIC as we continue to support our customers and their businesses here at Innovate Stockport.
