Invest in Angus

An introduction to business strategy
2024-10-31 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-11-20 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-05 13:00 - 15:00 UTC
This webinar is practical, outcome driven, and designed to fit with the needs of small businesses in both B2C and B2B environments. It will help you develop a strategically led approach that can turbo charge business growth, identify the core growth strategy(ies) that are right for your business, and develop an action plan.
We will look at:

Your business today – identifying your strengths and areas for development
The key pillars of a business and why balancing all areas is essential for success
Personal and business ambitions and using these to guide strategy development
Ansoff’s Matrix as a tool for identifying core growth strategies
The core components of your business delivery
How to develop a methodical, strategic approach to developing your business for future success

After the webinar, you will understand:

How to undertake a balanced review of where your business is that helps identify areas for development
Ansoff’s Matrix and how to use it as a core strategic planning tool
How to create a strategic plan for growing your business

Business Support – Drop In Sessions
2024-10-31 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Kirriemuir Library, 28 Reform Street, Kirriemuir, DD8 4BS
The Business Gateway team will be at Kirriemuir Library to offer expert advice and support for all your business questions.
Drop in and speak to us, or use the book now button and a member of the team will be in touch to book an appointment.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow business, our advisers are here for you every step of the way.

Business Support – Drop In Sessions
2024-11-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Brechin Library, 10 St. Ninians Square, Brechin, DD9 7AD
The Business Gateway team will be at Brechin Library to offer expert advice and support for all your business questions.
Drop in and speak to us, or use the book now button and a member of the team will be in touch to book an appointment.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow business, our advisers are here for you every step of the way.

An introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for small businesses
2024-11-07 10:00 - 12:00
You’ve heard of Artificial Intelligence, but do you know how it can help you as you run your business? This practical webinar will explore how AI can help improve your business marketing to be more efficient and cost-effective, through the automatic creation of content for all your digital platforms; as well as helping you better understand your customers and business opportunities.
This webinar will cover:

What is Artificial Intelligence
Current AI tools and systems to use right now (including ChatGPT and MidJourney)
Automating digital content for blogs and social media
Using AI for business strategy and customer profiling
The pros and cons of AI for small businesses

This webinar will help you understand how you can integrate AI into your existing marketing, looking at the potential consequences (good and bad) of Artificial Intelligence, and its impact on small businesses and their customers.

Tourism Experiences: Discover the Travel Trade
2024-11-07 11:00 - 12:00
Join VisitScotland’s last webinar of the series and discover the world of travel trade.
Learn about the landscape of travel distribution, market insights and trends. Explore the opportunities of working with the travel trade and how diversifying routes to market can help you grow business year-round.
This free, hour-long webinar takes place on 7 November from 11am – 12pm.
What is today’s visitor expecting? What is tomorrow’s visitor looking for? Find out more about travel and booking preferences of UK and international visitor markets.
Discover how to work with travel trade to bring to market new bookable products and experiences and explore how you can engage in regional and sectoral collaboration to accelerate business growth.
Also covered in this session – a product sheet for travel trade, with industry experts to help you navigate this.
This webinar is not to be missed, packed full of support, insights and practical tips that you can implement within your business.

Continuous Improvement Business Breakfast Workshop
2024-11-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Engineering Partnership Innovation Centre, Keptie Road, Arbroath, DD11 3EA
Our breakfast workshop – delivered by our Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) – is an opportunity to take a step back and look at an alternative way of working and thinking about your business.
As well as providing a short overview of the SMAS, we’ll explore how lean manufacturing can help engage people and create a sustainable change and culture in your business.
Because the workshop takes place at the EPIC, there will also be an opportunity to engage with our partners at Tay Cities Engineering Partnership. You’ll see first-hand how EPIC provides a wealth of resources for students, businesses, and the wider community.
You’ll also learn how it’s home to new equipment, including fully operational CNC mills and lathes, micro CNCs, 3D printers, and cobots.
What you’ll learn from this event
Improving productivity in your business can lead to a reduction in production costs and make your business more competitive. By focussing on adding value through lean techniques, you can improve quality, cost, and delivery performance, along with increased capacity.
Our highly interactive event will simulate how businesses are run. It highlights some of the typical daily challenges that businesses experience and will demonstrate an alternative way of looking at your business.
You’ll learn how to think and act differently to improve your business efficiency by applying simple lean thinking principles.
You’ll gain insight to the potential integration of automation within your organisation that can increase and expand ambition, productivity, growth, and profitability as part of our Q&A session.
Capital Investment queries to assist automation requirements.
Why attend?
This event is for progressive people who wish to understand the basics of improvement through team-building exercises and practical application.
Through the manufacturing simulation provided, you’ll gain an understanding of the wastes and learn the importance of performance management.
This activity workshop provides the opportunity to step back from current operations, review the essential implementation elements of improvement, and assess the way forward for your organisation.
Who should attend?
This event is suited for people at a senior management level. This includes those who have responsibility for championing or driving business improvement within the workplace, and/or are involved in the implementation of new processes and new ways of working.
The event has been timed to ensure minimum time away from the workplace. It starts at 9am with breakfast and refreshments. It will finish promptly at noon.
There will be ample opportunity to network with like-minded people and explore ways that SMAS can support your business.
This event is free of charge, with limited places, so book early to avoid disappointment.

SMAS engaging in Lean workshop
2024-11-12 09:30 - 12:30 | National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, 3 Netherton Square, Paisley, PA3 2EF
This event is aimed at outlining the easiest way to engage with your people to start to make improvements to the way work is done, and how these activities fit within the wider philosophy of lean.
This event will use a simulation to demonstrate these tools and techniques in an engaging way. It will take you through the change process and emphasise how best to achieve sustainable change.
Why should you attend?
The rate of change in your business may be slower than anticipated and the appetite for change not quite what you would like it to be.
You may have heard about Lean – but perhaps you’re not quite sure what it is and what it will involve. You’ve been on your journey for a while, but you could do with a chance to reset and get your juices going again.
This workshop will help you to identify opportunities for improvement in your approach to change. It will help you increase the likelihood of securing sustainable change going forward.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to find out how you and your workforce can work together in the best interests of the business.
Why SMAS?
Learn how SMAS can help manufacturing businesses plot a course to take advantage of new opportunities, such as efficiency and cost saving measures, that will increase productivity and boost competitiveness.
With an average saving of £153,000 across all projects, SMAS will deliver an immediate return on investment through the improvements that arise from your business improvement activity.
Who should attend?
This event is designed to be engaging for all levels of an organisation and will cover an introduction to the tools and techniques, so no pre-knowledge is required.
Key information and timings
The event will be fast paced to minimise time away from the workplace. The session will start at 9:30am, with refreshments, and will finish promptly at 12:30pm.
There will then be an optional tour of the facility at the end.
This event is free of charge, with limited places, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Retail Support for Independent businesses
2024-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Strathmore Rugby Club, Inchmacoble Park, Forfar, DD8 1RL
This session will include a presentation from our retail and business expert followed by an interactive discussion, giving the opportunity for attendees to share experiences, exchange best practices, and learn from one another.
In this session we’ll explore the realities of operating a business in today’s challenging economic and political environment, while also identifying key strategies and opportunities to help independent retailers and business owners thrive.
Book now and get ready to connect, learn, and leave with actionable insights to strengthen your business for the future.
This event can be followed up with online one to one sessions for individuals interested in getting further personal support.

Ready, Steady, Grow: How to Expand Your Business
2024-11-13 10:00 - 12:00
This workshop will take place online via Zoom. Joining instructions will be shared with you once you have reserved your space.
Ready to accelerate your business growth but unsure where to begin?
Look no further than our Ready Steady Grow workshop focused on accelerating business growth. Led by experienced business advisers, this session is designed to help you identify your growth potential and create a roadmap for success.
Through collaborative discussions with like-minded businesses, you’ll gain new insights, tools and knowledge to help support your growth plans. You’ll also walk away with a network of fellow business owners to connect with for ongoing support.
Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to new heights!

Selling Your Business Masterclass
2024-11-14 10:00 - 12:00
Have you considered a succession plan for your business? It’s never too early to start thinking about your options. Employee ownership is fast becoming the preferred exit route for business owners.
Aimed at business owners who are considering an exit from their company, this session will give attendees the opportunity to hear from industrial machinery manufacturer Fusion Mechanical and publishing services company Prepress Projects. Speakers from the companies will explain considerations they undertook when choosing employee ownership and how things have worked out as a result.
Louise Fisher from Baxendale Employee Ownership will talk through all ownership succession options before focussing on employee ownership and how to ensure the employee buyout is a smooth process.
Timings:
10:05am Welcome – Glen Dott, Scottish Enterprise
10:10am Ownership Succession Options – Louise Fisher, Baxendale Employee Ownership
10:35am Employee Ownership Case Study – Fusion Mechanical
11am Employee Ownership Case Study – Prepress Projects
11:25am Support available – Glen Dott, Scottish Enterprise
11:30am Q&A
11:45am Close
Attend this workshop to learn how employee ownership offers a tax efficient exit route that protects your company’s legacy, while providing a competitive price for the business. It could it be the perfect succession solution for you.

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2024-11-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-11-29 13:00 - 15:00
New and established businesses will require a business plan for getting a loan, grant or just to consider the direction they wish to go in. This webinar will teach you what you need to include and how. We will walk you through what should be included within a business plan, how a business plan is used to improve your prospects for a loan or a grant, and how you can develop a business plan to meet your needs.
We will:

Provide a structure for a business plan
Review each section of what should be included within the business plan
Explain when and how to use a business plan
Explore the connections (and importance) between the words and the numbers
Look at how to identify and manage cashflow within the business planning process

Business Support – Drop In Sessions
2024-11-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Carnoustie Library, 21 High Street, Carnoustie, DD7 6AN
The Business Gateway team will be at Carnoustie Library to offer expert advice and support for all your business questions.
Drop in and speak to us, or use the book now button and a member of the team will be in touch to book an appointment.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow business, our advisers are here for you every step of the way.

Don’t let GDPR block your Innovation
2024-11-21 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for an in depth GDPR Masterclass designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate and leverage GDPR regulations effectively.
What we’ll cover:

Understanding the Regulations: Separate fact from fiction and gain a clear understanding of GDPR requirements.
Turning GDPR into a Competitive Advantage: Discover the opportunities GDPR presents for your business.
Using CRM Systems: Learn best practices for importing, purchasing, and sharing personal data within your CRM.
Utilising 3rd Party Marketing Services: Safeguard your reputation while using external marketing services.
Cookies & Transparency: Master consent management and ensure transparency with your website’s cookie policies.
Effective Marketing Communication: Enhance your marketing strategies through compliant emails, texts, newsletters, and cold calling.
Maintaining Customer Relationships: Build and maintain trust with your customers through GDPR-compliant practices.
Communications Impact Toolkit: Equip yourself with tools to improve your communication effectiveness.

Attendees will have the opportunity to book a one-on-one session with GDPR expert Susan, allowing for personalised advice and guidance.

The Employee Ownership Transition: A Deep Dive
2024-11-21 10:00 - 12:30
Are you considering employee ownership as a succession plan for your business? Join us on our deep dive into the process of selling to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
Aimed at business owners considering employee ownership as a succession option, this interactive online workshop will cover topics that are fundamental to every employee ownership transition.
The workshop will include a presentation and a breakout session.
The presentation will cover:

How a transaction or sale of shares to an EOT works
Valuation, purchase price and repayments
Seller protections and the role of the exiting owners
Governance structure of the business post transition
The role of the board and the trust and their relationship with each other
Employee engagement and employee incentives (bonuses and share schemes)

The breakout sessions will be on:

The transition process and legal implementation – led by Louise Fisher, Baxendale Employee Ownership
The importance of employee engagement – led by Hannah Welch, Baxendale Employee Ownership

Schedule:
10:00 Introductions – Glen Dott, Scottish Enterprise
10:10 Presentation – Louise Fisher and Hannah Welch, Baxendale Employee Ownership
11:10 Facilitated breakout sessions (attendees participate in each session)
12:00 Q&A and learning outcomes
12:30 Close
Attend this interactive workshop to learn more about the EOT process when considering a transition to employee ownership.

Scotland’s Towns Conference 2024
2024-11-27 09:00 - 16:30 | Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
Set against the backdrop of Perth’s major assets investments, STC24 highlights the importance of cultural, built, and natural assets in driving economic, social, and environmental progress in Scotland’s towns and places.
Join us to discuss, learn about and connect with the resilient and thriving places showcasing at Scotland’s Towns Conference 2024: “Investing in Our Assets for Sustainable Towns of the Future.” This year’s conference, held on 27th November at Perth Concert Hall, will delve into the critical role of cultural, built, and natural assets in fostering local economic, social, and environmental transformative change.

Built assets and infrastructure: The backbone of our towns and places.

Cultural and heritage assets: Providing both economic and wider societal benefits.

Natural assets: Greenspace, water, and biodiversity that sustain our environment.

Human, social, and financial capital: Leveraging the skills and abilities of individuals, the strength of community, public and private partnerships, and the wealth accumulation potential within our towns.

Explore how these assets open up potential for new jobs, industry and enterprise, driving forward economic growth and innovation.
Learn how to leverage these diverse assets to create sustainable, vibrant towns for future generations. Connect with industry experts, share best practices, and be part of the drive for positive change across Scotland.
Join us for an inspiring yet practice-based experience featuring study visits, keynote speakers, interactive workshops, collaborative world café sessions and a solutions-based exhibition.

Delivering profit to drive growth
2024-11-27 10:00 - 12:00
The course covers financial analysis, strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and the role of innovation and scalability in leveraging profit for long-term success.
We will cover:

Getting to know your financials
Controlling growth
Improving decision making
Opportunities
Cash is king
Controlling change
Pricing strategies for maximum profit
Measuring profit

Screen Ready Online 2024
2024-11-27 10:00 - 12:00
Do you want to collaborate with film and TV crews? Or maybe you’re already involved in the industry and want to expand your reach?
Join TayScreen for a free online event on Wednesday, 27th November at 10:00 AM.
Discover how your space or service can become sought-after for production and thrive by partnering with production teams. Don’t miss this chance to hear what’s happening in the Fife Tay region and Scotland and learn how to make your location or business stand out in the world of film and television.
We’re thrilled to welcome industry experts who will share insights, answer questions, and discuss opportunities:

Rhian Howells, Location Manager and CEO Crew Network
Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Director, Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science and technical adviser on multiple crime dramas
Chris Wilson, Head of Communications and Media, V&A Dundee
Jenni Steele, Film & Creative Industries Manager, Visit Scotland

What you’ll hear about:
· What’s involved in location scouting and management, what productions look for and why productions work with location and production managers.
· With the region being a magnet for crime drama, like Karen Pirie and Traces, it’s a chance to hear if the science is fact or fiction
· The experience of hosting production such as award winning TV series, Succession, by V&A Dundee – a location that’s a museum and open to the public
· An update on screen tourism as Visit Scotland continues to work with big names in production including Disney’s National Geographic CreativeWorks to target US and UK visitors

From Vision to Reality: Understanding the Business Model Canvas
2024-11-27 18:00 - 20:00
In the session, you will be guided through each segment of the canvas, from identifying your key partners and resources to understanding who your customers are and the value your business will bring to them. You’ll also gain practical insights into what will cost and make money.
The Business Model Canvas is an effective tool at all stages of business development. It can be used as a pre-stage to writing a formal business plan, essential for any funding applications.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your existing business model, this webinar will provide the strategies you need for success. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your business idea into a viable, scalable venture.

The Basics of Starting a Business
2024-12-03 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar will give you the information needed to build a start up action plan. The plan will enable you to consider which actions are relevant to your plan, start building a set of SMART Goals, give thought to business skills development and provide a clear path for steps to launch your business.
You will also learn about the key considerations when starting a business and what steps you will need to take from legal, financial and strategic standpoints.
By the end of the webinar, you will have the information required to start building an action plan and be confident about understanding the next steps.

Behind the business: Challenges, wins & strategies for success
2024-12-03 12:30 - 13:30
In celebration of Small Business Saturday, we’ve brought together three business owners from across Scotland to reflect on their business journeys so far, and plans for the future. The panel will discuss the challenges that come with running a small business, as well as the various opportunities for growth and learning.
The session will explore:

The most rewarding parts of running a small business
The biggest challenges and how to overcome them
What support has made the biggest difference
Different options for financing growth
What changes would make a difference to Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Whether you’re looking to start-up or grow your business, this session will offer tools and inspiration to help you succeed.
Panellists include:
Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer, Business Gateway National Unit (Host)
Dr Kate Smith, PhD, Founder & CEO, ProfessorMe
Karen Robinson, Founder, Three Robins
Douglas Hardie, Director, Highland Food & Drink Trail

Intellectual Property (IP) Masterclass
2024-12-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Arbroath Football Club, Gayfield Park, Arbroath, DD11 1QJ
This masterclass will explain Intellectual Property (IP) and provide clear guidance on how to address issues related to copyright, trademarks, patents, and more that SMEs might encounter. Our expert speaker, Alan Rae, has years of experience with IP legislation, offering guidance to a number of academic and commercial organisations on raising IP awareness and managing any arising issues.
During the masterclass, you will see several relevant examples of IP issues that may affect your business. This is an interactive workshop, and we encourage participants to ask specific questions they may be facing in their own business. This is your chance to get expert feedback and help others who might be dealing with similar issues.

Understanding Co-ops
2024-12-04 09:30 - 12:30 | The Studio Glasgow, 67 Hope Street, G2 6AE
Are you thinking of starting a business? Or looking for a different approach to your existing business or community venture? Have you considered a co-op?
If you’re looking for an inclusive, democratic approach to your business, then a co-op could be the perfect fit.
Our free event, Understanding Co-ops, is brought to you by Co-operative Development Scotland, one of Scottish Enterprise’s services, and explores how your business can thrive as a co-operative.
Why co-ops?
All kinds of businesses operate as co-ops. These include pubs, energy suppliers, taxi firms, bookstores, community gardens, wine sellers, farms, sports clubs, and much more.
Co-ops are run by their members. They can be customers, employees, residents, or suppliers. They have a say in how the co-op is run – this makes it a fairer, more collaborative, and democratic way of doing business.
Co-ops are also resilient as a business model. They are more than twice as likely to survive the early years of trading when compared to other start-up businesses.
What to expect
The workshop will be led by a co-op specialist from Co-operate Scotland LLP and will feature guests from local co-ops:

Radiophrenia
Greencity Wholesfoods

Our guests will share their experiences of starting and running a co-op.
This informative and interactive workshop will give you a more in-depth understanding of co-operatives, as well as the initial steps required to start one. You’ll discover:

The different kinds of co-ops available and learn which type might suit you best
What membership means
The strengths of co-ops versus traditional business models
Co-op values and principles
Co-op facts and figures
The different legal forms a co-op can take
Support for co-ops from Co-operative Development Scotland

Ready, Steady, Grow: How to Expand Your Business
2024-12-04 16:00 - 18:00
Ready to accelerate your business growth but unsure where to begin?
Look no further than our Ready Steady Grow workshop focused on accelerating business growth. Led by experienced business advisers, this session is designed to help you identify your growth potential and create a roadmap for success.
Through collaborative discussions with like-minded businesses, you’ll gain new insights, tools and knowledge to help support your growth plans. You’ll also walk away with a network of fellow business owners to connect with for ongoing support.
Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to new heights!

Improving Your Business Using Lean and Digital Tools
2024-12-05 09:30 - 11:00 | HALO Enterprise and Innovation Hub, Hill Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 3HY
This event will give you an overview of the support and guidance available from the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS).
This will be followed by a case study of ACS Clothing Ltd that details how it created its roadmap for success. We’ll look at various traditional Lean Tools and how these can effectively solve business problems.
Finally, we’ll discuss digital technologies, their potential limits, and provide examples of where they can help bridge gaps.
Who should attend?
Anyone who has responsibility for driving business improvement within the workplace should join our event. We invite people who are involved in the implementation of new processes and new ways of working. This includes those who have responsibility for the financial side of business improvement and expenditure.

Inclusive business models: identifying opportunities for plural ownership
2024-12-05 10:00 - 12:30
Hosted by Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS), this workshop will explain how inclusive business models can help your organisation deliver your Community Wealth Building (CWB) agenda.
CWB is described by the Scottish Government as a practical approach to economic development focused on five pillars of activity: spending/procurement, workforce, land and property, finance, and plural ownership.
Co-operative Development Scotland contributes to the plural ownership pillar by supporting companies and community groups across Scotland that want to adopt an inclusive business model, such as employee ownership or forming a co-operative.
The event is aimed at frontline business and community advisers, individuals with a policy or strategic role, and other interested parties from across local authorities, the enterprise agencies and third sector interfaces (TSI).
It will help you develop an in-depth understanding of inclusive business models, so you can identify, develop and signpost appropriate referral opportunities to CDS.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have:
• An in-depth understanding of inclusive business models such as co-operatives and employee ownership, including legal structures and governance
• An increased awareness of why these models are important against Scottish policy landscape
• The knowledge to identify future opportunities for start-ups and existing enterprises to adopt inclusive business models
• An understanding of the support available from Co-operative Development Scotland on behalf of all Scotland’s enterprise agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise)

Unlocking productivity: the power of collaborative robotics
2024-12-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Smart Hub Lanarkshire, New College Lanarkshire, Motherwell, ML1 2TX, United Kingdom
Smart Hub Lanarkshire helps small to medium-sized manufacturing businesses explore the uses of collaborative robots (cobots). Scottish Enterprise helps Scottish companies unlock productivity through capital investment. This event combines both areas of expertise to help companies understand the support that’s available when they invest in collaborative robots.
The event will run for two hours from 10am to 12pm, with the following agenda:
• Scottish Enterprise’s mission: capital investment for productivity
• Overview of Smart Hub and cobots capability
• Case studies – the applications of cobots in different manufacturing settings
• Interactive cobot demonstration and learning session
• Next steps – exploring the cobot offering and grants
If there is enough demand for this workshop, an additional afternoon session will be arranged to accommodate the numbers.
The Smart Hub team will be in contact a few days before the workshop to share a welcome pack with logistical details. They’ll also ask about your areas of interest to help shape the workshop content to suit the audience and maximise learning.
