On track with Cranfield
WHEN lockdown forced healthcare trainer ECG to cancel its courses, owner manager Jane Lambert “cried then digitised” she says, with help from the free support programme set up by Cranfield University’s School of Management.
Although in the throes of developing online training, the crisis required an immediate pivot for ECG.
A leader in the community pharmacy market through its team of 15, and 70 freelance teachers, it provides training for pharmacists and works with the NHS, Boots, Superdrug and other multiples.
Lambert, who expects a £ 1 million turnover this year, explains: “We have a one- stop shop for clients. For a community pharmacy, say, when they want to set up a new service, as well as the training, we offer all the other elements including marketing support, legal documentation right through our partnerships.”
Seeing increasing outsourcing in healthcare was opening up opportunities for other providers needing training, she took Cranfield’s flagship Business Growth Programme ( BGP) a few years ago which led to her restructuring the team, rebranding, moving offices and investing in IT.
“Having the right people to do the right job was a key takeaway and we now have an in- house web developer,” says Lambert.
“Those changes I made as a result of the course proved priceless when it came to lockdown. But as a healthcare professional I knew nothing about a pandemic involves a quick fix. “That’s where Cranfield’s peer network made a huge difference. I wasn’t lonely and had no desire to hibernate. “I had an extended family I could talk to, who were facing the same problems, offered options and were rooting for me to get through it. I had a safety net.” Lambert was both a speaker and a participant in the lockdown briefings which reflected the business school’s super practical approach. The BGP Response Programme took place over spring and summer. Enabling alumni and local businesses around Cranfield in Bedfordshire to access a stream of free support events these included a breakfast club, webinar discussions and guidance on topics such as tax and making best use of government help as well as guides about the practical realities of ensuring firms were Covid- secure.
It took a lightening pivot too for Stephanie Hussels, director of Cranfield’s Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship, to set up the crisis response which resulted in some 2,000 SMEs taking part. Helping save livelihoods “made it a rewarding time,” says Hussels. “We worked very quickly getting the technology right. We were able to give back and nurture our network.”
Now Hussels and Cranfield are helping firms arm themselves with the tools to face Covid- 19’ s next critical stage with its Owning the Winter programme. This covers Brexit, sales, talent management and organisation with a virtual conference on October 15.
● www. cranfield. ac. uk/ som/ research- centres/ bettany- centre- forentrepreneurship; ecgtraining. co. uk