The Programme

A structured, mentor-supported programme that transforms ambition into clear plans, disciplined action and measurable progress.

Each participant leaves the programme with a detailed, executable business plan - and the momentum to begin implementing it immediately.

Time Investment Over A Year

  • 1 day a month of preparation x 5

  • 0.5 day pre-programme online session

  • 6 days of in-person residential learning (three Fri - Sat sessions)

  • 3 days of mentor time

  • 1 day for the Business Plan presentation

  • 1 day for the Business Plan progress review (6-months after presentation day)

Participants work in both whole-group sessions and small mentor groups throughout the year. The programme is designed to fit alongside the demands of leadership while providing enough intensity to drive real change.

DETAILED PROGRAMME CONTENT

  • Focus: Introduction, capacity creation, customer segmentation, financial preparation

    You will:

    ✓ Understand the programme rationale, content and commitment

    ✓ Learn delegation and time-management techniques

    ✓ Present progress against your SUS plan and current issues

    ✓ Complete customer analysis pre-work

    ✓ Share financial information where appropriate

    ✓ Be assigned your peer cohort and mentors

    Topics include:

    • Creating capacity

    • Current business assessment

    • Customer segmentation

    • Introduction to financial review

  • Strategic Direction & Financial Performance

    Goal: To support leaders to define a clear, profitable market strategy and understand their business’s financial health.

    Day 1 — Leadership, Purpose and Market Clarity

    Topics:

    • Leadership & purpose

    • Where is the profitable market?

    • Competitive advantage

    • Where is the profitable customer?

    You will learn to:

    • Understand each cohort member’s business and current state

    • Recognise your leadership style and its impact

    • Identify profitable market opportunities

    • Understand customer decision drivers

    • Make informed decisions on where to compete

    Day 2 — Financial Performance & Investment Decisions

    Topics:

    • Financial performance review

    • Budgeting & zero-basing

    • Cash flow planning

    • Investment decisions

    You will learn to:

    • Analyse your financial performance

    • Understand what “good” looks like

    • Use the FINTOOL for cash flow projections and stress testing

    • Identify key cash-flow drivers

    • Make sound investment decisions

  • People, Marketing & Sales

    Goal: To build a high-performing team and a robust go-to-market strategy.

    Day 3 — People & Capability

    Topics:

    • Team capability

    • HR fundamentals

    • Recruitment

    • Job specifications & handbooks

    You will learn to:

    ✓ Identify team issues and solutions

    ✓ Understand the value of clear HR structures

    ✓Manage and performance-manage effectively

    Day 4 — Marketing, Digital & Sales

    Topics:

    • PUVs to value proposition

    • Marketing channels

    • Digital marketing & AI

    • Sales & business development

    You will learn to:

    ✓ Create customer-specific value propositions

    ✓ Reach profitable customers effectively

    ✓ Maximise existing customer value

    ✓ Apply practical marketing, AI and channel insights

    ✓ Strengthen sales, BD and key account management

  • Business Planning & Execution

    Goal: To translate strategy into an executable business plan and ensure its successful implementation.

    Day 5 — Organisation, Processes & Leadership

    Topics:

    • Organisational design

    • Process & tool assessment

    • Leadership principles

    • Business plan structure

    You will learn to:

    ✓ Assess and improve organisational design

    ✓ Identify future processes and tool needs

    ✓ Update vision, values and leadership principles

    ✓ Understand the requirements of your business plan and presentation

    Day 6 — Change Projects, Risk & Rhythm

    Topics:

    • Change project definition

    • Risk and opportunity assessment

    • Business rhythm

    You will learn to:

    ✓ Define and resource key change projects

    ✓ Manage risks and opportunities

    ✓ Establish a rhythm for your team, clients and board

    ✓ Develop your own execution rhythm

  • Business Plan Presentation (Cohort Review)

    Goal: Entrepreneurs present their full business plan and six-month action plan for cohort and mentor feedback.

  • Day 8 — Progress Update Presentation

    Goal: Entrepreneurs present progress against their business plan, share challenges, and receive structured feedback.

What You Will Leave With

At the end of the programme, each participant will walk away with clarity, confidence and a disciplined plan for growth. The focus is on creating an actionable blueprint that leaders can immediately begin to implement — supported by practical tools, peer insight and mentor guidance.

You will leave with:

✓ A clear, detailed and executable business plan

✓ A refined understanding of your market, customers and competitive position

✓ Identified change projects with owners, timelines and resource requirements

✓ A practical business rhythm to support consistent execution

✓ Strengthened leadership focus, principles and decision-making discipline

✓ Peer accountability and mentor insight to maintain momentum

Programme Investment

The Execution Edge is a non-profit initiative, designed so cost is never a barrier for the right leaders. Participants contribute £5,500 + VAT, covering all sessions, materials, mentor input, and cohort facilitation.

Thanks to the backing of Scott and Michelle Smyth, who contribute £35,000 to each cohort, this subsidised rate allows the programme to deliver high-quality mentoring, practical tools, and an immersive development experience far beyond its commercial value.

REGISTER INTEREST FOR NEXT COHORT

Programme Dates

Register your interest and you’ll be first to hear when the next programme dates are announced.