A series of 'bite-sized' leadership courses have been launched - aimed at helping business chiefs to plan their future road ahead in a post-lockdown economic landscape.

The Business Lab is being promoted by inward investment agency Locate in Kent and will be led by academics from the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University.

Throughout this summer, the programme of short courses will be delivered in a live 'virtual learning environment', with the aim of teaching business leaders and entrepreneurs to learn about global business best practice based on academic research.

It will aim to help firms identify and maximise future opportunities.

Gavin Cleary, CEO at Locate in Kent, said: “We are seeing major social, economic and technological transformation playing out as a reaction to the coronavirus pandemic. With this, it is unlikely that businesses will return to the way they did business before, which is why Kent businesses must reshape for the future.

“We are helping businesses to take a proactive approach and are thrilled to launch Business Lab, a brand-new initiative for Kent, together with world-leading academics at the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University. Business Lab will support participants to meet the needs of their business, today and in the future, through this leading-edge professional development and training programme.”

Dr Christopher Russell, director of Christ Church Business School, added: "Recent events surrounding the pandemic and lockdown has placed immense pressure on businesses and produced unique challenges. Business Lab will be run by our academics, all of whom have worked in business services or consultancy and will support local businesses to reconceive their strategy and digitally transform their business, helping them to be stronger and well prepared for the times ahead."

Carole Barron, director of knowledge exchange and innovation at the University of Kent, said: “The University of Kent always looks to be on the forefront of cutting-edge innovation and teaching, and the Business Lab courses will provide this for the business leaders of tomorrow's post-pandemic world.”

Business Lab offers two course options, priced at £700 plus VAT each, which are easy to access, bite-sized, half day segments, across either a two or three-week period.

Spaces are limited and the first course begins on August 11.

For details click here.

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