Supporting Productivity in West Yorkshire: What We’ve Learned and What‘s Next

A distinctive, research-led approach to business support

The Business Productivity Service brought together academic insight and practical delivery expertise. Leeds Beckett University worked alongside Exemplas to provide specialist advisory support.

At the heart of the programme was an integrated model that moved businesses from diagnosis to action:

• Productivity diagnostics to assess how businesses measure and manage performance
• Productivity Improvement Plans (PiPs) to identify clear, prioritised actions
• Expert input from university specialists, helping businesses interpret data (and collect the right data) and refine plans. It was akin to dropping in a productivity consultant.
• Implementation pathways, supported initially by grant funding for investment in technology, processes and skills

Because of the collaborative partnership with Exemplas we were able to adapt and improve the client journey as programme was rolled out.

A key innovation was the triad model, bringing together the business, a productivity adviser and a university expert in a single session. This ensured that academic insight translated directly into practical, relevant improvements for each organisation.

Delivering support at scale

Across the programme, delivery partners supported hundreds of businesses across West Yorkshire, particularly small and micro enterprises.

* Over 300 businesses completed improvement plans.

* Businesses were primarily SMEs, with a strong representation from the manufacturing sector.

* SMEs reported major improvements in how they manage and plan their operations.

Building capability: the programme’s strongest outcome

One of the most significant achievements of the programme was its impact on business capability.

Businesses reported clear improvements in how they understand and manage productivity:

• +30% improvement in performance management
• +30% improvement in action planning
• +26% improvement in understanding productivity

These findings highlight the value of combining academic expertise with hands-on support. By working closely with businesses, our teams helped translate abstract productivity concepts into practical tools, measurable indicators and structured plans for change.

In simple terms: businesses became better at identifying issues, prioritising improvements, and following through with actions to address.

Businesses also reported wider benefits, including:

• Improved employee skills - 154 jobs created and 338 jobs safeguarded
• Greater resilience and operational efficiency
• Increased adoption of new technology and improved use of existing systems

This reflects a broader contribution to job quality, business resilience and sustainable growth: key priorities for both the university and the region. Importantly contradicting the often-lazy assumption that improvements in productivity tend to lead to job losses rather than gains.

The role of investment and implementation

The programme’s integrated model, combining advisory support with grant funding proved particularly effective.

Where businesses accessed grant funding:

• 78% said they would not have made the investment without it
• 90% said it allowed them to act more quickly

This demonstrates the importance of pairing insight with action. While advisory support builds capability, access to investment helps businesses implement change at pace.

Looking ahead – Creating the Peer Productivity Network

If you’re feeling inspired after reading this, we have just the ticket for you. On the back of the success of this programme, we have launched a fully funded Peer Productivity Network, designed for SME leaders who want to improve how their business performs.

Through small, trusted peer groups, you’ll work with other business owners and senior leaders to tackle real challenges, share ideas, and take practical action. These sessions will be facilitated by the same Productivity experts who worked on the Business Productivity Service.

What you’ll get:

• Monthly 2-hour sessions over 6 months
• A supportive, confidential peer group
• Practical tools to improve efficiency and performance
• Help to develop or implement your Productivity Improvement Plan
• Ongoing accountability to keep your plans moving

We’ve learnt that many SME leaders know what needs to change but struggle to find the time or momentum to make it happen. This network gives you the space, structure and support to turn intentions into action, alongside others facing similar challenges.

You’ll leave with clear priorities, measurable actions and the confidence to lead change in your business. The first cohort starts on Thursday 4 June. You can sign up here.

(Please note the network is open to both previous participants of the Business Productivity Service and businesses at any stage of their productivity journey, including those unsure where to start. You’ll be placed in the right group for you.)