Helping organisations & businesses through turbulent times

How can we help our people, in these difficult times, to be more outward-facing and entrepreneurial? How can we take advantage of new opportunities when everyone’s busy just trying to keep afloat?

Senior decision-makers, from private, public and third sectors, are a vital part of the country’s past success and are being asked to come together and work together to build on this for the future of our towns, cities and rural areas.

Common Purpose leadership development courses deal with real life issues and insights. We go beyond standard leadership models and learn instead from the successes and failures of leaders from all sectors. Participants are taken out of their familiar environment so that they examine, why, when and how they lead.

Described as ‘the street-smart MBA’, they give people the inspiration, skills and connections to become better leaders at work and in society.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the programme. It was a truly mind opening, learning journey which has altered my views and opinions on certain things totally, and made me a more rounded individual. I have a more balanced understanding of problems/issues/ concerns, seeing things from others’ points of view. I have a greater understanding of this area and what makes it work. I’ve had the chance to meet and learn from people in organisations that I would never come across in normal life/ job. I have a greater understanding of my own leadership style and growing confidence in my ability to lead and effect change - both internally and externally. By working together collaboratively we can achieve a whole load more than we can ever do as individuals or organisations on their own.”
- Oracle Corporation Scotland

“This course changed my perspective on organisational issues - feel more confident in my own abilities as a leader and better able to seek solutions that are informed by external influences. I have brought fresh ideas back to internal discussions and been better able to challenge prevailing opinions and mindsets.”
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde

“I learned a lot from talking to such a broad range of people, who were all leaders in their own field or within their organisation. Sometimes, working in the private sector you can develop quite a stereotypical view of those that work in government. However the course introduced me to a number of public sector employees and I had the chance to exchange a whole range of ideas with them. Ultimately, I saw that we are all facing the same problems and we all have to come up with innovative solutions.”
- Dunfermline Building Society

“For me the course really helped build my confidence as a leader and widened my understanding of the diversity within the leadership role. So much of this knowledge came from my time spent in the learning groups, visiting other businesses and services and reflecting and challenging our own practice. It is truly a great experience that I will talk about for years to come”.
- Carevisions

I would rate this course better that any I have been on. It has really made me look at my management and the style of management and leadership we use.
- The Inn at Lathones, Fife

The Common Purpose courses fast-track people’s ability to step up to next levels of responsibility. Over coming months many organisations and companies will be looking to cut costs, if they haven’t done so already. Often that will mean doing more or the same with less people resource. Therefore others will have to step up to higher responsibilities – possibly more quickly than previously thought or intended. How does an organisation support that?

How do Common Purpose courses help people? By broadening their vision of how challenges are tackled in different sectors and other types of organisations and companies; Through hearing directly of the successes and failures of leaders from all sectors – and the opportunity to talk with and question them; By being taken out of their familiar environment so that they examine, why, when and how they lead; By helping people in difficult times to be more outward-facing & entrepreneurial; By affording people a little ‘head-space’ to consider the bigger picture, gain inspiration and fresh ideas and consider new opportunities.

In 2009 we had the highest number of participants yet on many of our courses in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK.

Common Purpose Scotland’s Director Connie Young explains: “I am constantly amazed at what happens when diverse people from different sectors are brought together, by sharing their experiences, thoughts and challenges.”

And for small organisations in the public and not-for-profit, and SME sectors (including tenants of Hillington Park Innovation Centre and Alba Innovation Centre, as well as clients of Wellness and Health Innovation, Wireless Innovation and Interactive Scotland, we are offering bursary supported places on courses across Scotland. Applications will be accepted from 2nd December so if you are interested please get in touch with linda.mcdermott@commonpurpose.org.uk or visit www.commonpurpose.org.uk.