Here at the IOEE, we often hear stories from our centres and academies across the country that inspire us. One inspiring IOEE learner is Anthony Byrne, who recently completed our Level 7 Diploma in Professional Business and Enterprise Support Services.
A seasoned professional in the world of business and business support, Anthony joined the programme looking not just to enhance his skill set but to evaluate and refine his approach to supporting entrepreneurs and organisations.
In a recent conversation with the IOEE, Anthony shared how the programme helped him to strengthen his confidence as a practitioner while challenging long-standing norms and practices within the field.
Enrolling onto the qualification through his workplace, Anthony’s employer wondered if he would want to engage in the professional development. Anthony jumped at the opportunity, specifically focusing on the aim of formulising his approach to business advice. Anthony told us “I’ve been a business advisor for many years, but my approach to business advice wasn’t formulated. I supported based on what I knew.” following a more practical and experience led approach to business support, Anthony would provide advice and guidance based on previous experiences, which went down well with his clients. However, Anthony knew that he needed to have a more structured approach to this practice, and one that is based in academic theory. He continued “I thought what more can I do to meet and exceed the expectation of clients.”
One element of the programme Anthony enjoyed was understanding how to develop trust and a rapport with clients, in a short time. During his workshop sessions, Anthony explained how the importance of rapport and trust was a fundamental part of the business support experience. He also stated that developing a structure to understand the needs of the business and create meaningful change was really important, and a turning point for his practice
One of the key elements of the Level 7 Business Support Programme is its emphasis on reflective practice. Participants are encouraged to pause amidst the demands of their roles and take a deeper look at their practice and methodologies. For Anthony, this was an invaluable aspect of his learning journey and promoted further development in his practice.
Anthony highlighted how the peer feedback element was particularly transformative. By engaging with other experienced professionals in the programme, he gained fresh perspectives that challenged him to think differently and adapt his approach to better serve his clients on a case-by-case basis.
As a result, the impact on his practice has been significant. Anthony shared how he now approaches his work with renewed confidence and a more adaptive mindset.
The Level 7 Business Support Programme is designed for professionals like Anthony who are committed to raising the bar in enterprise and business support. It equips participants with advanced tools, frameworks, and the opportunity to critically reflect on their role within the sector.
Anthony’s experience underscores the programme’s power to inspire meaningful change not only for individuals but also for the organisations and entrepreneurs they serve.
We are pleased to celebrate Anthony’s achievements and look forward to seeing how he continues to make a difference in the world of business support. His story is a testament to the value of taking the time to learn, reflect, and grow.
To find out how you can take a journey like Anthony, please visit https://sfedidirectory.co.uk/get-qualified