Digital Acceleration in Professional Services

Realising your Digital Vision

Good Growth Preston partner logos which include: Funded by UK Government, Levelling Up and Preston City Council

About the Programme

Are you a forward thinking leader looking to harness AI technology for your accountancy or legal firm?

AI is here, and it will completely disrupt the accountancy and legal sectors. The rollout of AI has the potential to be as revolutionary as the invention of the World Wide Web in 1989, which led to huge changes in business operations, client expectations, marketing and the roles required within firms. To remain competitive, firms are encouraged to embrace the power of AI and harness this technology to offer greater value to clients.

This is a worrying time for some, but by taking control of these changes and working AI into strategic planning this can pose a real opportunity. Clients will always want human interaction, interpretation, explanation and compassion. Humans have the creativity, passion, experience and insights which AI cannot provide. But AI can release time to harness these skills and truly add value to client services.

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 accountancy or legal firms. This programme would suit businesses with 5+ employees.

Timetable

Starts: 5th November 2024

If you have a query about the programme please get in touch.

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Business delegates during a Lancashire programme workshop.

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.

Develop

Discuss with like minded peers in shared sectors the challenges and opportunities AI brings

Explore

Consider new market opportunities by fully embracing AI

Gain competitive edge

Add value to your business and client services through utilising the right AI technology for your firm

Reflect

Consider AI implications on all areas of your firm – people/staff, clients, value of service, marketing, operations, planning and KPI management

Enhance

Benefit from 1 to 1 advice from a tech consultant specialising in your sector and create meaningful and impactful plans to harness emerging technologies

Establish

Enhance your leadership approach to enable successful roll out of new to firm AI 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

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

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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.

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