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Proud to be an Export Champion

East of England Export Champion 2020 4Col thumbnail2US2U Consulting have been awarded the prestigious title of 2020 Export Champion by the UK Department for International Trade.

This is in recognition of the international work we have done over the last few years, with international projects and trade visits to the likes of Belgium, Ireland, Canada, USA and across the Middle East - along with the insights our teams can share with other businesses looking to export their goods and services. Read more >>>

News & Events

Bite-Size Online Project Management Training

US2U Consulting are pleased to launch a new bite-size version of our trusted and world-renowned Project Management services. Learn about this below, and view our service sheet at the end of this article for more details.

You are probably already familiar with the five main benefits for businesses to invest in project management training for their staff:

1. Improved Project Success Rates

Proper project management training equips staff with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively plan, execute and monitor projects. This leads to improved project success rates as teams are better equipped to meet deadlines, manage resources efficiently, and deliver high-quality results.

2. Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency

Project management training teaches employees how to streamline processes, prioritise tasks, and allocate resources effectively. This results in increased productivity and efficiency within the organisation as teams are better equipped to manage their time and workloads efficiently. Overall, the result should be to have increased capacity to deliver more projects.

3. Cost Savings

Investing in project management training can ultimately lead to cost savings for companies. By ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget, organisations can avoid costly delays, rework, and resource wastage. Additionally, trained project managers are better equipped to identify and mitigate risks, minimising potential financial losses.

4. Better Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration

Effective project management training emphasises the importance of clear communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders. By improving communication skills and fostering collaboration, teams can align their efforts more effectively, leading to smoother project execution and greater stakeholder satisfaction.

5. Career Development; Employee Wellbeing and Retention

Providing project management training opportunities demonstrates to employees that the company is invested in their professional development and growth. This can increase employee satisfaction, engagement, and loyalty; ultimately leading to higher retention rates.

Additionally, trained project managers are more equipped to take on leadership roles within the organisation, contributing to succession planning and talent development initiatives. Regarding wellbeing and stress, proper project management training can enable projects to be delivered to time, specification and budget without putting an unrealistic amount of stress on the workforce.

 

For the last 18 years, US2U Consulting have been delivered project management training sessions face-to-face. Whilst this option is still available, we have developed a Bite-Size Online Project Management Training Programme where the training is delivered via Zoom or similiar over 4 one-hour sessions. These sessions are still interactive but enable a cost-effective option for clients, particularly if people are based over multiple sites and/or countries.

These world-class sessions are delivered by one of our expert Consultants, Chris Croft MBA, CEng (pictured below), and can be tailored in line with specific requirements and delivered at the best time of day. An outline of the four sessions is given in our service sheet below. A recording of your sessions can be provided on request.

View here: US2U Consulting Bite-Size Project Management Online Training Programme - Service Sheet

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Chris Croft 2024 photo websiteChris Croft 2024 photo 2

Sizewell C Supply Chain - Engage : Update : Inform

Sizewell C is a planned nuclear power station based in the East of England which will supply low-carbon energy to 6 million homes for 60 years. The construction and maintenance should support 70,000 jobs and the aim is to leave a legacy of social value to benefit the local region and wider UK.

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO, Rachel Blackburn (pictured), recently attended the 'Sizewell C Supply Chain - Engage : Update : Inform' meeting in rural Essex along with hundreds of other businesses that are keen to bring their key competencies to play an active role in the supply chain.

Rachel's conclusion from the session is that it appears there are three key areas where we can specifically support businesses as part of the SZC supply chain:

1. Creating a Diverse Workforce

This is a key plank of the SZC strategy and legacy; indeed this is something which businesses will need to demonstrate they have evidence of when competing to win a contract. The industry at the moment is not very diverse at all and it appears that this has not been a priority for a lot of businesses in the sector until now.

US2U Consulting has a strong track record of working with clients to improve their Diversity and Inclusion strategies, understanding, recruitment and behaviours.

2. Project Management Training

Whilst there are significant budgets for the whole project, the emphasis is that businesses need to be competitive with their pricing when pitching to win contracts. This puts the emphaiss on them to ensure that all Project Managers and Project Team members are well trained in world class techniques to lead and execute projects, ensuring that projects are delivered right first time to project specification and still enable the business to make a reasonable margin for their shareholders.

US2U Consulting have expert Consultants who can deliver Project Management Training in person and/or in bite-size online chunks if required. See more details of our Project Management services here.

3. Leadership Skills Development and business coaching

It is apparant that to deliver the technical skills required, a significant number of people will be leading teams and/or teams of size for the first time. Enabling these people to do this competently and confidently will be a critical part of the success or failure of the project, staff engagement and retention.

US2U Consulting has spent the last 18 years working with businesses across all sectors to enable them to have highly skilled talent able to demonstrate resilience and leadership in challenging environments.

 

Rachel said, "We are keen to play our part in collaborating to make this project successful. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a confidential conversation about how we can enable you to have that competitive egde when competing for contracts."

UK Export Champions Again...

We are pleased to announce that for the fourth consecutive year Rachel Blackburn, Founder and CEO of US2U Consulting, is the named person within our business to be an Export Champion. Rachel said "I am proud to be a Department for Business and Trade Export Champion since 2020."

Export Champions are a community of selected volunteers who have been appointed based on their experience and success in exporting. They encourage and inspire more UK businesses to trade internationally, largely via their own social media channels and by speaking at events. By sharing their own story and experiences, Export Champions help other companies realise there is a global demand for their products or services and if necessary help them navigate the challenges ahead and signpost to DBT support services.

It also adds to credibility when meeting potential new clients in the UK and overseas. US2U Consulting has exported its services to over ten countries around the world as it works with clients to create world class solutions for world class businesses.

Pictured is Rachel Blackburn bumping into another Export Champion, Gareth Lewis, Co-CEO of Delio based in Wales, at a recent St George's Society event in New York.

If you wish to discuss your exporting strategy with us, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

US2U Consulting Comes of Age! Celebrating our 18th Anniversary

We are excited that today, 1st April 2024, we celebrate the 18th Anniversary of US2U Consulting. Wow - think how much has changed since we started the company on 1st April 2006!

Even our strapline has changed from 'Achieving Success Together' to 'Guaranteed To Make A Positive Difference'. One thing that hasn't changed is our set of values: tailor-made solutions, inspirational, integrity, responsive customer service, strong relationships, encouraging diversity, and understanding client needs. These remain at the heart of our business today and influence everything that we do. Thank you to our clients, suppliers, current and former team members who have all been a significant part of this journey.

We estimate that we have worked with businesses to increase their value in excess of £250 million during these last 18 years and remain committed and passionate about delivering excellence in each of our projects.

Whether you are in the UK or overseas, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss how US2U Consulting can help grow the value of your business.

Next Phase of US2U Expansion in the U.S.

Thank you to BritishAmerican Business for supporting our week-long business to New York last week, 17-22 March 2024. It was great to meet so many people and discuss how our Executive Coaching services can help them and their businesses achieve their ambitious growth plans.

Please see details of Executive Coaching Services for more information, along with our 2 minute overview video here.

Now to plan the next visit!

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how we can make a positive difference to your organisation.

US2U in India - She Inspires Foundation Chat With Rachel Blackburn

Following US2U Consulting's trade mission to India in 2023 and efforts to develop relationships with key partners for the India business market, US2U Founder and Director Rachel Blackburn recorded a discussion with She Inspires Foundation CIC. The discussion focused on Rachel's experiences of attending a trade mission to India, and devising US2U Consulting's international strategy for this market as a UK Export Champion.

In association and support from DBT (Department for Business and Trade) and Manchester India Partnership and other associates, SheInspires Group is hoping to change the landscape for women in business, one market and industry at a time.

Watch the video below and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how US2U Consulting can make a positive difference to your organisation.

US2U Consulting in New York January 2024 - Rachel Video Diary

US2U Consulting Founder & Director Rachel Blackburn visited New York City in January 2024, in the latest visit to expand our Management Consultancy, Executive Coaching & People Development services into the United States.

Rachel filmed a video diary during her trip, detailing a few of her various visits during the trade mission. Have a listen below to what she got up to in NYC!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how US2U Consulting can make a positive difference to your organisation - no matter what challenges you are facing.

New Year, New York! US2U Consulting's USA Expansion

As part of our 2024 expansion plans for delivering our Executive Coaching Services for clients in New York, we have joined BritishAmerican Business and produced an introductory video to explain who we are, what we do and what makes our services special.

Take a look below and let us know what you think.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how US2U Consulting can make a positive difference to your organisation.

Change at Change The Race Ratio ExCo Forum 23 November 2023

As one of the signatories of Change the Race Ratio, US2U Consulting are pleased to see the changes in the organisation as it continues to keep leadership focus on race equity in the face of tightening economic conditions.

US2U Consulting Director Rachel Blackburn was pleased to attend the quarterly event in London organised by Change the Race Ratio CEO Richard DeNetto and attended by the new Chair Sir Trevor Phillips - both pictured with Rachel.

"Whilst progress is being made by some businesses, there is still a significant amount to do to achieve the organisation's aims" said Rachel.

Please get in touch to see how US2U Consulting can support you with your Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy for 2024 by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Positive Feedback From Long-Term Client Snap-on

At US2U Consulting we have always been passionate about working in partnership with clients to develop their people to assist with achieving their ambitious business plans.

We have recently completed another Leadership Programme with one of our international automotive clients, Snap-on. We have worked on multiple projects with Snap-on since 2014 and always focus on making a positive difference.

Mark Ost, General Manager at Snap-on said, "We have worked in partnership with US2U over many years and have always been delighted with the professional training our associates have received. With Rachel's support we have managed to progress our associates' careers and development. We look forward to working together for many years to come."