Lee Walker, the founder of Walker Business Transformation, has recently leveraged support from the Tees Valley Supply Chain programme, enabling him to significantly expand both his regional impact and client base.

Purpose of Support

The primary goal of this support was to assist Lee in showcasing and promoting his well-established training consultancy services to a broader, more localised audience. Over the years, Lee had successfully built a robust client base, but it was largely concentrated outside the North East region. The support aimed to help Lee reach a more local audience, thereby increasing his business opportunities closer to home.

Challenges Faced

Despite his extensive business experience, Lee’s main challenge was in opening up new markets for his services and widening his geographical coverage. The Tees Valley Supply Chain programme has currently over 200 businesses signed up, and this has enabled Lee to engage with a larger local network to promote his service offering.

Engagement Process

The engagement with advisors on the programme for Lee, began as part of the process to onboard new providers for the Supply Chain programmes. As a beneficiary on the Tees Valley Supply Chain programme itself, Lee signed up immediately, and benefitted from the programme’s networking opportunities, attending several events that facilitated connections with local businesses.

Building on this foundation, the RTC Supply Chain Team supported Lee to organise Six Sigma workshops in Tees Valley, Durham and West Yorkshire. These workshops were tailored to meet the needs of local businesses and were exceptionally well received. The success of these events not only boosted Lee’s visibility but also established his reputation as a valuable resource for local businesses.

Support Outcomes and Benefits

Participation in the Tees Valley Supply Chain Programme has yielded several key benefits for Lee:

Increased Exposure: Lee has gained access to a whole new business audience in Tees Valley, significantly raising his profile in the region.

Knowledge Transfer: The workshops provided Lee with a platform to share his expertise with local businesses, helping them improve their operational efficiencies through Six Sigma methodologies.

Commercial Opportunities: Several local businesses have sought further consultancy and training services from Lee after attending his workshop.

What’s Next?

There are plans to expand both the range of topics offered and the geographical reach of Lee’s workshops. Future workshops are planned for Sunderland and the North West, aiming to replicate the success seen in other regions. This expansion is expected to further solidify Lee’s presence, enabling him to continue growing his consultancy business within the North East.

Quote from advisor – Jim Barr

“Lee is great to work with, he's a very calm and professional person, and his delivery has been first class. He's always flexible and open to developing solutions for clients as well as the workshops he's put on.”

Quote from Lee Walker

“Collaborating with RTC's exceptional team on the Supply Chain program has enhanced our business. Their extensive network has unlocked new business opportunities throughout the North of England. Together, we've crafted and executed a Six Sigma Mastery workshop that has resonated with our audience. As we look ahead, we're eager to deepen our partnership with RTC to conquer new markets and expand our reach.”