Enterprise Ireland and DCU have launched a new leadership development programme aimed at providing Irish SME leaders with the skills required for sustainable and international growth.
Dynamic Leadership: Roadmap to Growth builds on its predecessor programme, Go Global 4 Growth, which ran from 2016, and is intended to help small businesses overcome growth barriers and achieve internationalisation.
More than 600 people from 172 companies, including Chupi, Osborne Recruitment, Wicklow Wolf Brewing, and Banagher Concrete, took part in Go Global 4 Growth.
There are 51 senior managers from 15 companies participating in the latest iteration of the programme, representing sectors such as construction, digital tech, food, sustainability, engineering, and fintech.
Dynamic Leadership incorporates executive education, hands-on mentorship, and actionable strategies to address critical challenges such as scaling operations, digital transformation, market penetration, and leadership development.
"Irish SMEs are the backbone of our economy, and their ability to innovate, grow, and expand internationally is critical to Ireland’s long-term economic success," said Paul McKeown, executive director of Enterprise Ireland.
"Dynamic Leadership is a future-focused programme designed to address the complex challenges of scaling and internationalisation.
"By fostering leadership excellence, strategic decision-making, and innovation, we aim to empower Irish SMEs to achieve sustained success in both local and global markets.”
Delivered by Enterprise Ireland in partnership with DCU, the programme incorporates key learning modules on sensing growth opportunities, seizing competitive advantages, and transforming businesses through innovation and sustainability.
Participating teams will also benefit from dedicated growth advisors, peer networking opportunities, and access to a thriving alumni network.
Programme highlights include:
- In-Person and Online Learning Residential module and interactive online workshops tailored to specific growth challenges.
- Expert Coaching Dedicated growth advisors offering bespoke guidance and support.
- Focus on Innovation and Sustainability Workshops on digital transformation, sustainability, and calculating carbon footprints.
- Peer Learning and Networking Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing with fellow leaders.
"The outcomes are transformative: firms will refine their value propositions, develop strategic growth plans, and build the resilience to compete on an international scale," said Prof Finian Buckley, professor of organisational psychology at DCU.
"As Ireland’s only Small Business Charter-accredited institution, DCU Business School is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative and deliver exceptional results for SMEs and their leadership teams.
"This programme is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to elevate Irish businesses, setting them on a path to long-term success and global impact."
Photo: (l-r) Professor Finian Buckley, Professor of Organisational Psychology at DCU; Yvonne Lowry, Senior Executive - Leadership, Talent & Skills at Enterprise Ireland; Paul McKeown, Executive Director at Enterprise Ireland; Anne-Marie Morrison, Programme Delivery Manager; Daire Keogh, DCU President. (Pic: Supplied)
