Why Great Ideas Fail Without Great Teams - And How to Fix It
2025-06-24 10:00 - 11:00 UTC
Why do great ideas fail? Because innovation lives or dies with the team behind it.
Join this webinar to learn what sets high-performing innovation teams apart. You’ll leave with practical, research-backed insights on how to:

Unlock the power of diverse teams
Lead with emotional intelligence
Avoid hidden traps that undermine collaboration

Led by Professor Anna Brattström from the University of St Andrews Business School, the session draws on the latest research and real-world examples to explore the unique challenges innovation teams face. You’ll get clear, actionable strategies to help your team work more effectively.

Mastering prompt engineering with ChatGPT for global business success
2025-06-25 10:00 - 13:30 | Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, 50 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6HQ
This comprehensive masterclass will immerse you in the world of AI and prompt engineering.
Prompt engineering is the term used for the way you craft your questions or tasks – the ‘prompts’ – for AI models to get the best results. If you’re looking to save time, improve communication, and stay ahead of the competition in a global marketplace, effective prompt engineering can transform the way you work.
This session will help you master interactions with ChatGPT, OpenAI’s advanced generative AI model. It offers a deep dive into the nuances of AI communication, focusing on the intricacies of crafting effective prompts that lead to meaningful and insightful AI-generated content.
After the workshop, you’ll be able to use AI models to work smarter. You’ll learn to craft prompts that help you improve productivity, streamline tasks, spark fresh ideas, and save you time and money.
This masterclass is perfect for Scottish business owners, managers, and professionals who want to unlock the full potential of AI to drive innovation and efficiency. Whether you’re using ChatGPT already or just getting started, this session will give you the skills to craft smarter prompts and get more accurate, useful responses.
This event will be delivered by business owner, writer, speaker, and digital guru Stephen Whitelaw. Stephen has started and grown several successful businesses and has received a Deloitte & Touche Fast 50 Award for establishing one of the UK’s fastest growing businesses.

Land & Rural Business Webinar - Protecting Your Farm's Future
2025-06-26 12:30 - 13:30
The Scottish agricultural sector is facing one of the biggest shifts in legislative and budgetary frameworks in a generation. From proposed changes to the Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs from Inheritance Tax, to the ongoing Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, there are big challenges on the horizon.
Join experts from Thorntons’ Land and Rural Business team as they discuss these and other significant challenges to help you navigate what may lie ahead. Topics covered will include:

The Autumn Budget – Opportunities to consider
Land Reform and Agricultural Tenancies – What will it mean for farmers
Voluntary Registration and RCI – What you need to know
Preparing for the next generation – succession planning and relationship breakdowns

How to build your brand
2025-06-30 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-25 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar will define what a brand is (and is not) and explain how it is more than just creating a logo. We will explore how a business can use their brand to show its identity, purpose, personality, message, and values in order to stand out from competitors, build a loyal customer base and make more sales.
This session will:

Provide you with a clear understanding of the difference between brands and branding
Help you understand what a brand is
Show you why branding is important
Look at your brand strategy, brand identity and action
Help you learn how to develop your brand’s positioning, character, and purpose to differentiate your business from its competitors
Demonstrate how to set up a brand kit and style guide to ensure consistency across websites, social media, business cards, posters etc.
Teach you how to create simple promotional graphics using a variety of tools including Canva
Highlight a variety of free tools including Google Drive, Hubspot and Mailchimp that can save time and simplify marketing tasks

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2025-07-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-30 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-03 10:00 - 12:00
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

Delivering profit to drive growth
2025-07-03 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

Launching a Wedding Venue: Lessons Learned & Planning Ahead
2025-07-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Kinclune Estate, Kirkton of Kingoldrum, Forfar, DD8 5HX
Kinclune Estate has recently opened its new wedding venue – hear from Aylwin Pillai as she shares insights from the journey so far, lessons learned along the way, and plans for the future.

How to generate and increase sales
2025-07-23 10:00 - 12:00
Sales are the lifeblood of every business. This webinar focuses on a pragmatic approach to sales strategy and delivery and is designed to fit with the needs of small businesses in both B2C and B2B environments.
We will cover:

Why a clear understanding of what an ideal customer looks like, and a good understanding of their problems, needs and wants is key to sales success
How to develop your sales platform using digital tools, platforms, and techniques
The different motivations potential customers may have and how to identify which ‘buttons’ your business needs to press
The key phases in prospecting, qualifying, and converting sales prospects
The value of a ‘sales funnel’ and how it can be used to help plan and achieve sales
Why keeping the customers you already have is the best sales strategy of all
The importance of appropriate customer service in retaining customers

2025 Outlook – Key business trends at the halfway mark
2025-07-30 12:00 - 13:00
As we’ve reached the midpoint of 2025, the business landscape for SMEs is evolving faster than ever.
From shifting consumer behaviours to rapid tech innovation and regulatory changes, staying ahead requires insight, agility, and smart strategy.
Join Hugh Lightbody for a dynamic panel webinar where our panellists unpack the key trends shaping the SME landscape in the second half of 2025. Whether you’re already running a small business or thinking of starting up, this session will equip you with the information you need.
This session will cover:

What trends are defining the SME space right now—and what’s coming next?
How can small businesses stay agile amid tech and market disruption?
What practical strategies are helping SMEs stay resilient and competitive?
How to navigate evolving regulations without getting overwhelmed
The changing face of social media in 2025—what to focus on, and what to leave behind
What digital transformation really means for small businesses today
Unlocking growth through partnerships and collaborations

Our panellists are:

Colin Borland, Director of Devolved Nations, Federation of Small Businesses
Sarah Johnson, Director, IndigoLeap
Jordan Kay, Head of Innovation & Growth, Connect Three

Lunch and Learn: What makes a good (or bad) small business strategy
2025-08-04 12:00 - 12:30
Strategy tends to confuse businesses not because it’s complicated, but because it’s often misunderstood, misapplied or miscommunicated.
This session, led by Melissa Wusaty, clarifies what strategy is (and what it isn’t), explores the difference between good and bad strategies and introduces the essential components every business, regardless of size, needs to begin building one with confidence.
Key takeaways from this session:

What strategy is (and isn’t)
What makes a good strategy
How to start building a strategy for your business

Over the past two decades, Melissa has navigated change for businesses and organisations, sought or imposed. Whether building on strengths or forging a new direction, she is often tasked to explore and evaluate possibilities to transform a challenge into an opportunity.

An introduction to business strategy
2025-08-05 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-02 10:00 - 12:00
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

Growth bites: Get started with CRM
2025-08-06 12:00 - 13:00
Are you looking to better manage your relationships, boost productivity and drive more effective outreach for your business or charity?
Join us for an insightful and practical webinar that will introduce you to the power of customer relationship management (CRM) systems!
This webinar is perfect for anyone looking to move beyond spreadsheets and into a more organised and efficient way of managing their contacts and interactions.
We’ll show you how a CRM can transform the way you operate, helping you build stronger relationships and achieve your goals.

Lunch and Learn: Understanding the purpose and benefits of a business plan
2025-08-11 12:00 - 12:30
Do you regularly think to yourself, “I must sit down and write a business plan?” Or have you started to write plans in the past but never seemed to have the time to finish them?
If you fall into one or more of these categories, you’re in very good company. Most businesses (other than those that are “forced” to produce a plan to apply for bank finance), don’t have the motivation, resources, time or knowledge to write a really effective plan.
This session led by Mark Painter of plana will help you understand the purpose and benefits of a business plan and help you to start writing a practical and effective plan today.
Topics covered in this session:

The benefits of a practical business plan
How to approach effective business planning
The format of the plana “4 Step Business Plan”

Lunch and Learn: The biggest data mistakes SMEs make and how to avoid them
2025-08-14 12:00 - 12:30
Is your business data helping you grow or holding you back?
In this practical session led by Jane Jawad, you’ll find out how to clear the clutter and focus on what really matters. You’ll learn what to fix, what to build, and what to stop doing so your data starts working for you.
Topics covered in this session:

A simple data plan you can act on immediately
Confidence in using your numbers to guide decisions
Tools that suit your size – no tech team required

Scaling lead generation and developing a clear value proposition
2025-08-20 13:00 - 15:00
How to grow your business by scaling your lead generation with Laura Burton

How to design a scalable online lead generation system
The key assets and tools you need to do the heavy lifting for you (yes, we’ll talk AI)
What to consider before you scale your leads (There might be another way to grow)

Developing a clear value proposition with Leisa Pickles

Discover the three essential ingredients of a killer value proposition
Learn how to reflect your customer’s exact needs using their own language to build connection and trust
Explore how to communicate your value clearly on social media to attract better-fit leads and generate more interest

How your customer can tell you what you could do better
2025-08-21 11:00 - 12:30
This session will be delivered by GrowBiz Chief Operating Officer, Karen Nichol who has a background in business development, planning and marketing.
Karen will show you how collecting both numbers and stories from your customers can unlock powerful insights. You’ll discover how to use that feedback to elevate your offering—boosting loyalty, satisfaction, and ultimately, sales. Whether you run a product-based or service-based business, this session is packed with practical learning you won’t want to miss.
Join this session and you’ll walk away with:

Simple ways to ask customers for meaningful feedback
Tools to collect both data and rich customer stories
Tips to identify what customers really value (and what they don’t)
Strategies to use feedback to improve your offering and increase sales
Confidence to build feedback into your everyday customer journey

Join us to explore how small shifts in how you ask—and listen—can lead to big wins. One thoughtful question could spark your next breakthrough.

How Leaders Learn Leadership
2025-08-26 10:00 - 11:00
Join this webinar to learn how leaders learn leadership.
You’ll leave with practical, research-based insights that:

Show how your own experiences can help you understand your leadership strengths
Introduce strategies leaders use to enhance their learning
Build your understanding of the skills leaders see as essential to developing their practice

Led by Professor Carole Elliott from the University of St Andrews Business School, the session draws on the latest research and real-world examples. It explores how leaders use their unique environments to grow their leadership practice.
You’ll come away with clear, actionable strategies to help you reflect on your own approach to leadership.

Lunch and Learn: The state of small business marketing in the UK
2025-08-28 12:00 - 12:30
Running a small business in 2025 is no small feat. Between rising costs, shifting customer expectations and the constant buzz around AI, it’s hard to know where to focus your marketing – or if what you’re doing is even working.
In this Lunch and Learn session, we’ll share some of the latest trends shaping small business marketing in the UK – including how businesses like yours are approaching email, trying out AI tools and navigating the impact of inflation and global trade.
You’ll hear new findings from Constant Contact’s 2025 State of Small Business Marketing report, along with practical takeaways and ideas to help you plan your next steps.
Whether you’re hands-on with your marketing or just trying to keep up, this session is designed to give you a clearer picture of what’s working, what’s not, and where small businesses are headed next.
Topics covered in this session:

How UK small businesses are adapting their marketing strategies in 2025
Actionable ideas and strategies to improve your marketing
Practical ways to navigate current challenges

Lunch and Learn: Spotting opportunity in disruption
2025-08-29 12:00 - 12:30
When the pandemic made Gail Irvine’s core business model unsustainable, she didn’t scale down – she redesigned.
In this 30-minute session, Gail shares the real story behind that reinvention and offers practical strategies any small business can use to pivot, simplify and scale, even with limited resources.
This session is ideal for founders, community interest companies (CICs) and business owners navigating change, uncertainty or growth.
Topics covered in this session:

How to spot opportunity in disruption: Learn how to read the market and pivot strategically without starting from scratch.
A clear path to reinvention: How to tidy up your offer, simplify your day-to-day and grow – even without a big team.
Tools and tactics to work smarter, not harder: Get practical ideas to automate admin, increase visibility and boost income without a big budget.

Future-Proofing Our Independent Businesses
2025-09-02 18:00 - 20:00 | The Montrose Playhouse, The Mall, Montrose, DD10 8NN
Are you a local independent retailer in Angus and feeling a bit uncertain about what the future holds? You’re not alone, this session is here to help!
Across Angus, we’re lucky to have a large number of fantastic independent businesses that bring life, character, and community spirit to our high streets. But with rising costs and global changes, it’s understandable that things might feel a bit tough right now.
This session is all about helping you feel more confident about the road ahead. We’ll share useful tips, fresh ideas, and expert advice to help your business stay strong and continue to thrive. Our expert business and retail consultant, Kimberley Guthrie, will guide you through new ways to connect with customers, how to make the most of your footfall, and explore simple digital tools to save time and money.
And the best part? This session is designed to be interactive, so feel free to ask questions at any time! Whether you’ve got a specific challenge or just want to bounce around ideas, Kimberley is here to help and happy to chat.
What we’ll cover:

Getting to know your customers even better
Turning footfall into sales
Making new trends work for your shop
Simple ways to use digital tools and AI to save time
How local shops can spark a social buzz in our towns

Let’s build a bright, sustainable future for Angus’s independent businesses. We’d love to see you there!

Black Friday 2025 - Plan For Success
2025-09-03 14:30 - 16:30
With demand set to surge across eMarketplaces around Black Friday 2025, now is the perfect time to refine your online selling strategy and skills.
Whether you’re an experienced online seller or just starting out, this session will provide actionable steps to set you up for success on eMarketplaces like Amazon.
This event will guide you through the essentials of preparing your product listings, optimising keywords, and ensuring your offers are visible to the right customers at the right time.
We’ll dive into practical tactics for boosting conversions, including how to create compelling product content and designing strategic pricing strategies.
Attendees will also learn how to leverage Amazon’s promotional tools, advertising options, and customer insights to capture more buyers during peak traffic hours.

Selling Your Business Masterclass
2025-09-18 10:00 - 12:00
Have you considered a succession plan for your business? Have you considered selling your business to an employee ownership trust? It’s never too early to start thinking about your options.
Employee ownership is fast becoming the preferred exit route for business owners. Attend this free online workshop to learn how employee ownership offers a tax efficient exit route that protects your company’s legacy while ensuring you get a competitive price for the business.
Aimed at business owners considering an exit from their company, this free online session will give you the opportunity to hear from Isle of Arran based Auchrannie Resort and UK and Ireland specialist holiday firm McKinlay Kidd. They’ll talk about the factors they considered in choosing employee ownership and how things have worked out.
Ralph Leishman from 4-consulting will talk through all your ownership succession options before focussing on employee ownership and how to ensure the employee buyout is a smooth process.

Lunch and Learn: Simple, low-risk ways to start outsourcing today
2025-09-22 12:00 - 12:30
Great leaders focus on the road ahead, not clearing up what’s already passed.
In this session led by Abi Phillips, we’ll explore how outsourcing helps you step out of the weeds and lead from the front. From virtual assistants to accountants and specialist freelancers, you’ll learn how to identify the right tasks to delegate, choose the right people and make it cost-effective.
Create the space to focus on strategy, growth and the work only you can do – without hiring a full team.
Topics covered in this session:

How to spot the tasks holding you back from leading effectively
Simple, low-risk ways to start outsourcing today
How to treat outsourcing as a strategic investment in leadership and growth

Lunch and Learn: Building your business without sacrificing your wellbeing
2025-09-26 12:00 - 12:30
You know entrepreneurship is hard. But do you know why it’s so hard, and how you can support yourself to thrive, rather than burn out?
In this webinar, Nonie White, positive psychology practitioner and founder coach, reveals the often-neglected links between wellbeing, performance and creating a sustainable business. She also lays out some evidence-based practical takeaways so you can optimise your results alongside your wellbeing.
Topics covered in this session:

The paradox of entrepreneurship – why it’s so potentially brilliant and bad for you, all at once
Why you’ve been focusing on the wrong metrics – and how you can feel better, while doing better
Auditing your own wellbeing and performance habits – then select your evidence-based practices for more sustainable success

The BG Interview: Roan Lavery
2025-09-29 12:00 - 13:00
Join host Hugh Lightbody for a virtual Q&A with Roan Lavery, co-founder of FreeAgent, one of Scotland’s most successful tech stories. This is your chance to hear firsthand how a personal challenge evolved into a game-changing platform for small businesses—and how it grew into a scalable company now backed by NatWest.
In this conversation, we’ll explore:

The personal inspiration behind FreeAgent’s creation
Pivotal moments that signalled scale-up potential
Tough early decisions and their long-term impact
Customer-driven innovation and product pivots
Core values that shaped and sustained company culture
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in Scotland
The role of community and support networks in startup success
The unique advantages and challenges of building a tech company in Scotland

Whether you have a business idea you’d like to turn into a reality, are a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the journey from startup to scale-up, this session promises insights, inspiration, and practical advice.
