Beyond Busy: Boosting Productivity and Growth for Small Business

Insights and proven strategies for supporting productivity and growth in small business.

Produced by Exemplas and Leeds Beckett University, this six-episode podcast delivers practical, research-backed insights for policymakers, commissioners and SMEs. Drawing on data from over 600 SME engagements and three years of collaboration between Exemplas and Leeds Beckett University, each quick-digest episode translates proven strategies into actionable tips to boost productivity and drive sustainable growth. The series also helps commissioners make informed, evidence-based decisions to support effective SME investment and policy planning.

Host

Martin Coats

Chief Operating Officer at Exemplas

Martin Coats' expertise lies in developing strong partnerships with funders to design, set up and run successful business support contracts. Working closely with our partners, he creates powerful propositions, builds high-performing delivery teams, oversees client acquisition, drives continuous improvement and ensures measurable success for funders and SMEs. A former SME owner himself, Martin moved into business support in 2005, working across an array of funding mechanisms and delivering start-up and university-linked innovation programmes.