Digital Acceleration in Professional Services
Realising your Digital Vision
About the Programme
New technologies present the opportunity to increase productivity, competitiveness and resilience in your firm but with the digital landscape constantly evolving it can be difficult to harness these benefits. Deciphering the best route can feel risky and the investment of time and finance required to transition can prevent adoption. This newly developed programme, based on world leading research from Lancaster University Management School will enable your firm to seize the opportunities for growth that digital adoption presents.
Digital technologies including AI can transform the professional services sector and you don’t want to be left behind. By having a future focus, you will improve resilience and ensure you are able to maximise the innovation opportunities available. This programme will demonstrate how AI and digital technology can help you to develop new products, services and processes to future proof your business and enable you to meet the changing demands of customers and employees. You will consider how to manage the introduction of new to firm processes or software and how to develop a cultural mindset within the firm that embraces the integration of digital technology.
Designed for senior decision makers from Preston-based professional services firms in the accountancy or legal sectors. This programme would suit businesses with 5+ employees.
Starts: 5th November 2024
Join us for an information webinar on 3rd October - Register Here
If you have a query about the programme please get in touch.
Apply Now
Benefits to Business
By taking part in the programme, you will be able to realise the benefits of envisioning a digital future in line with your existing strategy. You will scope and understand the Digital Toolkit Landscape with sector experts and benefit from tailored discussions to determine the best options for your firm. This will enable you to create new innovative products, services and processes helping to ensure you are meeting current and future needs of clients.
Gain competitive edge
Drive firm efficiencies and gain competitive edge
Explore
Create new market opportunities for your firm
Build
Enhance client value and experience
Reflect
Develop a digitally aligned team
Enhance
Tailored 1 to 1 consultancy opportunity to maximise the impact of your chosen project
Establish
Enhance your leadership approach to enable successful roll out of new to firm initiatives
What's Involved
Delivered over 4 months, the programme starts with 2 consecutive half day sessions, followed by a series of in person half day workshops. Throughout the programme you will work collaboratively with a trusted group of firm leaders to share challenges and find solutions. You will also have the opportunity to engage with academic experts aligned with your operations and benefit from their pioneering research. The programme will also inform the development of a blueprint for sector wide programmes of support alongside the findings of a national research project.
Drop down section describing the Inception Sessions on the 5th & 6th November accordion
The programme kicks off with two back-to-back half day sessions that will accelerate relationship building and form a productive peer group. We will explore what it takes to effectively introduce technology and address the leadership challenges this presents. We’ll also prioritise identifying problems first before exploring technology as the solution ensuring that any digital strategy aligns with your purpose.
We’ll also benchmark our individual starting points and consider how value will be measured as we map progress throughout the journey
Meet some of our Academics (and Practitioners) whose expertise includes sector specific AI, Data Analytics, Cyber & Data Security, New market development, Technology adoption & more. Engage in conversation about key challenges and incorporate best practice as you scope your project plans.
We’ll discuss the suite of digital tools that is available to the Professional Services sector and how you can identify which is the right technology for your needs.
We’ll cover the design process for new products, services and processes, including how to capture and convey value. We’ll consider how to update your people strategy to include new roles, AI competencies and how you can redeploy talent into more meaningful roles. We'll explore new business models and creating potential value through collaborations.
You will have the opportunity to have a 1-hour individual consultation with a Sector Technology Expert to progress project ideas and develop key implementation plans.
In this session we'll master the art of creating and communicating a compelling vision that achieves buy-in and maintains momentum. Learn to engage hearts and minds while developing new AI skillsets, ensuring your team is future-ready and fully invested in the journey ahead.
As well as the internal benefits digital adoption offers, we’ll discuss how you can use it to increase client engagement, deliver an enhanced experience, build robust relationships, and create new value propositions that elevate perceived value.
In our final session, we will come together to review your progress and hear from each firm on their project journey. It will be a valuable peer learning exercise as you share successes and hear how others have overcome barriers to implementation and plans for ‘the Future Firm’.
Costs & Eligibility
This programme is fully funded and available to businesses who are eligible under the Shared Prosperity Funding criteria, as follows:
- Business based in Preston city council local authority district
- Received less than £315,000 of subsidies in the last 3 years
Find out more about how and why Lancaster University and our funding bodies holds your information.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
Next steps
If you’re ready to accelerate digital innovation in your firm then apply to our pioneering programme today. Or if you would like to speak to us to find out more before applying then do get in touch.