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ABOUT US
More information about what we do and how we do it...
The Agility Centre has been working with small companies (SMEs) in Merseyside since March 2000. It is one of a number of business support and technology transfer centres based at the University providing expertise in management and technology transfer to the wider business community. Run by experienced staff in operations management and marketing, the Centre offers companies assistance with growing the business. Small firms (that is, firms with less than 250 employees) get most of the assistance for free.
After an initial meeting, we carry out an analysis using Agility diagnostic tools to identify your immediate requirements, overall problematic areas and likely future issues. From the analysis, a bespoke plan is then developed prioritising areas for immediate action, taking into account company resources that can be made available. The analysis includes manufacturing product and process operations, market analysis and a strategic analysis of the product/process portfolio. A plan is then developed in conjunction with staff and one or more agility analysts. The Centre involvement can take a number of forms:
1. Mentoring and project monitoring: This involves the analyst assisting the company in carrying out detailed collection and analysis of data and providing support to company staff with respect to developing a route map for recommended improvements.
2. Bespoke workshops: Where there is a shortage in the required skills in the company, the analyst develops a set of workshops for SME staff where the content is bespoke and relevant to their existing problems.
3. Project Implementation: This involves the analyst developing a number of solutions for the company and directly assisting in the implementation process.
4. MSc project placement: Where the level of support required is high and the company lacks resources to implement the plan, MSc students can be placed fulltime in the company for three months. Read more about our project placement scheme here.
In cases where the project is long term, and the company lacks the resources or skills to sustain the implementation plan a Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) is proposed. This scheme is part-funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
You can download more information about the KTP scheme here.
View a video clip of a KTP carried out in Richardsons Healthcare here. (14.2Mb)