StrategyStory and XpoNorth Digital set to roll development workshops to support rural businesses in the Highlands
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
RURAL businesses across the Highlands will have the opportunity to participate in series of strategy and storytelling workshops to support their development.
The free two-hour workshops will focus on digital strategy and story development for rural creative businesses.
Running un on November 10, 24 and December 8, they will be delivered by XpoNorth Digital- Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s specialist digital support programme.
Alex Smith, XpoNorth Digital Programme Manager said: “We’re pleased to be working with StrategyStory to offer this exciting series of workshops to creative and heritage networks based across the Highland and Islands. Custom designed to respond to the distinct opportunities and unique needs of regional businesses, these taster sessions built around The Red Squirrel model are a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of this potentially transformative approach.”
Participants will be introduced to the ‘Red Squirrel’ programme, which is the brainchild of Professor Donald Maclean and Kate Hooper, co-founders of StrategyStory and who will be overseeing the sessions.
Individuals can sign up to attend this free series of workshops here.
Drawing its name from an analogy between grey and red squirrels, the programme accommodates both the localness and rootedness of rural businesses, their community-oriented focus, and the more measured nature of their growth.
Mr MacLean, said: “We know that many business development offerings are not tailored to the specifics of regions, or the nuances of businesses that operate within them. We know that rural business is often misunderstood. We’ve developed Red Squirrel to sort that. The programme offers tailored training in strategy and communications for rural and creative businesses so that they can grow in a way that suits their distinctive needs.”
Ms Hooper added: “Rural and creative businesses have many distinctive qualities to be proud of. We’re really looking forward to these taster sessions, and to sharing some of our Red Squirrel tools and techniques to help our region’s brilliant businesses play to their strengths.”
A former BBC producer and an Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland, Ms Hooper has extensive experience of the media industry, as well as helping clients maximise audience engagement through the medium of storytelling.
Mr Maclean also works at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow. His internationally published, ground-breaking research on strategy is used by business and academics across the world.
