IMPACT30 programme sets its sights on third cohort

With applications open until Friday 30 August, IMPACT30, the groundbreaking intensive business development programme, is gearing up to select the next 12 Highland business leaders of the future to take part in its third cohort.

IMPACT30 is a 12-month, fully-funded business growth programme, delivered by Anderson Anderson and Brown (AAB) in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Offering a structure that provides personalised support within a framework of responsive coaching and mentoring, the programme works to support the next generation of business leaders by helping them achieve individual growth and development needs. Participants join a community of like-minded individuals, sharing the journey as they learn from expert coaches, self-directed endeavour, and each other. 

Over 20 young business leaders from the first two cohorts are already benefitting from the programme designed to maximise efficiency and product potential, which encourages participants to think outside the box. Working to apply solid business principles to product development, IMPACT30 invites them to throw away preconceptions and create a business model that gives their offering the strongest marketplace advantages.

IMPACT30 has already delivered a total of 200 days’ support to participants across its first two cohorts, enabling young companies to test and refine operations, products and services to raise their profile and increase market potential.

AAB’s Mark Bell explains why IMPACT30 stands apart from most business development courses:

“It’s different because we create an environment that can focus on each business, while the individually relevant, innovative content pushes boundaries for growth and ambition. Our approach increases practical knowledge, driving the Highland businesses of the future forward to achieve their potential.

“It’s effective because of the custom-designed structure that blends virtual webinar sessions with group workshops, one-to-one coaching and mentoring. By respecting business needs and creating a flexible delivery mechanism, IMPACT30 gives participants an exhilarating, wide-ranging learning culture.

“And why is it successful? Because it offers access to expert business practitioners who have completed the journey to building successful companies, and can speak from wide-ranging experience, contributing invaluable insights and knowledge to meet the objective of turning promising businesses into industry leaders.”

There’s certainly been no shortage of applicants stepping up for a chance to hone their business skills with  IMPACT30. The game-changing programme targets people under 35 in a key decision-making role within young ambitious businesses of less than three years old. Specifically designed to develop a new generation of talent across the Highland region, it teaches participants to think flexibly – if something isn’t working, it’s time to throw it away and develop a different approach to building and delivering plans for business growth.

The high volume of applications plus the high standard of candidates demands something special if you’re going to be noticed. Applicants are asked to create their own short video, pitching their business, their ideas, and what they want to take away with them at the end of the programme. Winners are selected by a panel from the IMPACT30 coaching team, HIE, and AAB.

Third cohort applications close on Friday 30 August. If past form is anything to go by, the next cohort will be made up of people from a variety of backgrounds and locations, running a wide range of businesses – each with different directions, goals and objectives. Watch this space to find out who made the grade, and who is being lined up to join the ranks of an emerging class of rising business stars.

To find out more about Northern Innovation Hub and to apply for future cohorts for IMPACT30 visit nih.hie.co.uk/programmes/impact30.

Got a question? No problem! Get in touch with the programme coordinator, Roisin Meehan on 07973125202, or via email at roisin.meehan@aab.uk