Building Business Leaders: A Curriculum-Based Program for Rising Managers and High-Potential Employees
Workforce Training Fund Express Grant course: C-15429
Invitation to Enroll a High-Potential Employee in a 2026–2027 Leadership Cohort
I’m Ira Bryck, inviting owners and presidents of small and mid-sized companies to enroll a high-potential employee in a new cohort-based leadership program designed to help them grow into a stronger, more capable leader within your company.
Strong companies deliberately develop their next generation of leadership. This program brings together one emerging leader from each of ten Western Massachusetts companies to build practical business judgment, strengthen leadership skills, and learn alongside peers from other respected organizations.
Program Structure
The cohort meets monthly from September 2026 through June 2027 for ten in-person sessions (3 hours each, 30 total hours). Each session blends:
- Expert instruction
- Facilitated discussion
- Hands-on workshops with immediately usable tools
Each cohort includes 10 participants and is led by Ira Bryck, alongside a different expert co-instructor for each session, selected for both subject expertise and teaching ability.
Funding Opportunity
Eligible Massachusetts businesses (100 or fewer W-2 employees) may qualify for reimbursement through the Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Training Fund Express Program. Under current guidelines, companies may receive up to 100% reimbursement of the $3,000 per-person cost, subject to program rules.
Program Overview
Building Business Leaders is a 10-session curriculum designed for rising managers, key employees, and next-generation leaders. It develops business acumen, leadership capability, and “ownership thinking”—the ability to think like an owner without being one.
Each session includes:
- 34% expert/guest teaching
- 33% structured dialogue and Q&A
- 33% applied workshop
Led by Ira Bryck—former owner of a fourth-generation family business and longtime director of the UMass Amherst Family Business Center—the program emphasizes practical, real-world learning.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn to:
- Interpret financial statements and apply insights
- Think strategically and contribute to planning
- Make better decisions using structured frameworks
- Coach and mentor effectively
- Understand organizational dynamics
- Build influence as a strong “#2” leader
- Develop emotional intelligence
- Lead and manage appropriately
- Connect branding to customer experience and culture
- Use improvisation skills to improve collaboration
Who Should Attend
This program is ideal for employees ready to take on greater responsibility, including rising managers, future department heads, technical contributors transitioning into leadership, and trusted “right-hand” team members.
Cohort Advantage
Participants gain not only skills but also a peer network—a built-in sounding board that strengthens their judgment and effectiveness back in your organization.
Contact and Application
For questions, email: ira@irabryck.com
Apply here: https://commcorp.org/subprogram/wtfp-express-program-for-applicants/
Course ID: C-15429
some info about high potential employees, from a presentation I gave
