Stephen Bolton talks about his experiences of Peer Networks, powered by Boost Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. He took part in one of the Scale-Ability delivered group cohorts Connecting Brand, Strategy and People with Paul Aisthorpe.
Peer Networks is a national peer-to-peer networking programme for SME leaders that want to grow and develop their organisation alongside diverse cohort groups of individuals working collaboratively through common business issues. The service offer included interactive action learning, trained facilitators, small groups, flexible topic selection and one-to-one coaching.
Why did you want to get involved with Peer Networks?
I chose to get involved with this particular Peer Networks group after it was recommended by associates who had been on the journey before. I’d also seen the positivity around the earlier Peer Networks programme and I’d been through Boost Growth Mentoring. I loved the idea of Peer Networking and working in a group and I wanted to explore this more.
What did you hope to get out of the programme?
I went in with an open mind without a defined outcome, but I knew I wanted to use it to engage with other businesses in a room with like-minded individuals.
What did being involved in the Scale-Ability delivered group programme deliver?
It exceeded my expectations.
Hearing other people’s challenges, realising that there are common issues, and learning from fellow business owners and directors was a changing experience.
Our group gelled well and that was down to Paul’s work before the group had even met. We had an initial interview and, after talking to everyone, Paul was able to bring together a group of people that would blend and work well together.
Our group was so strong that we were keen to keep it going after the Peer Networks programme concluded.
I took away one or two real nuggets from every session and when you have help and support given to you, you want to give it back. It was a safe environment and developed into a close-knit team. If the dynamic is right, you can achieve great results.
Have there been any specific challenges it has helped with?
I realised that I had become obsessed with work. I still see that as a positive, but I needed to learn how to step back and work out for myself that a 24/7 lifestyle wasn’t helping my productivity.
This self-reflection made me look at how I can be different and how that will benefit the business and the people in it. I take more time with my colleagues now to recognise when people have achieved and done something good. We stop, bring the team together, take time to reflect, give praise and celebrate positive outcomes.
I’ve learned the value of stepping back, reflecting and evaluating.
What skills did Paul bring to support and facilitate the group?
Paul is a skilled, gently-probing guide. The fact that everyone wanted to continue on the programme after Peer Networks was finished is testament to his work.
What are you taking away and what’s next?
It’s increased my confidence in being open and sharing with like-minded and ambitious peers. It’s made me think about what skills I need to develop next for myself, for the business and to support the business community we serve and represent.
Stephen Bolton joined Lancashire Business View in 2004, just prior to its 2005 launch. He has been the Commercial Manager of Lancashire Business View since 2004.
About Lancashire Business View
Lancashire Business View brings together the county’s business community, celebrating excellence and providing platforms to share success. Launching as a magazine in 2005, the brand has grown to encompass events, awards and initiatives online, in print and in person.