Thorntons Employment Law Academy - Disability & Reasonable Adjustments
2024-02-29 09:00 - 12:00 UTC
Employers are legally obliged to take steps to minimise difficulties or disadvantages which may arise in the workplace for those with a disability. These steps are known as reasonable adjustments. It is crucial that employers are aware of their responsibilities towards employees and job applicants who require reasonable adjustments.
This workshop aims to provide attendees with the necessary knowledge to manage reasonable adjustment requests and ensure that employees with disabilities are treated fairly. Not only will this help all employees to feel supported and well-equipped to do their jobs, it will also reduce the risk of discrimination and other tribunal claims.
In this half day workshop, Employment Law specialist Noele McClelland will look at issues such as:
The duty of care as an employer.
Examples of reasonable adjustments.
Responding to a request for reasonable adjustments during recruitment and employment.
The risks of failing to make reasonable adjustments.
Best practice and creating a disability positive environment.
Who should attend?
HR professionals
Business owners
Managers and those with people management responsibilities
This is a half day workshop. Qualifies as 3 hours CIPD.
The costs of each workshop is £125+VAT per person, which includes all papers.

Social media strategy
2024-02-29 14:30 - 15:30
Join this session to learn how you can build a social media strategy into your business plan.
In this session you will learn:

how social media can help you reach new customers online
the building blocks of a simple social media strategy
tools that can help you save time when creating social posts

This session is run using YouTube and is 60 minutes long.
The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary.
There will be opportunity to ask questions during the session.

GlobalScot Briefing Session: Capital Investment to Drive Productivity (Timeslot 2)
2024-02-29 16:00 - 17:00
Following the announcement of Scottish Enterprise’s new strategy for economic transformation, our mission leads are keen to share this approach directly with the GlobalScot network. Join this session to hear from mission lead Elaine Morrison on Driving Capital Investment for Productivity.
Driving up levels of capital investment is critical to driving up productivity, leading to higher value jobs and improved standards of living. If Scottish productivity matched the OECD top quartile today, the Scottish economy would be £35 billion better off, with annual average wages growing by between £2,000 and £5,500 annually. We want to do more to attract new capital investment into Scotland and to work with our partners to support more companies to invest in their future growth potential.
GlobalScots and the network will play a key role in helping to deliver this strategy and this session will provide more detail about this mission, give you an opportunity to ask questions, comment and consider how you can help.
Please note there will be two briefing sessions for each of the three missions to accommodate different world time zones.

Sustainable Business Practices For Independent Retailers
2024-02-29 18:00 - 20:00 | The Meffan, 20 West High Street, Forfar, DD8 1BB
Join us for an insightful workshop looking at the challenges facing businesses today, as we offer a selection of considerations and provocations designed to inspire business owners to reimagine their long-term goals.
This will involve a business health check with a 5 point plan

Customer Engagement and Retention – A New Era
Driving Sales and Footfall – Marketing for Success
Overall Business Proposition – Developing a USP
Financial Health Check – Controlling Costs
Business Modelling – Creating Competitive Advantage

Engage in discussions at each of these points, followed by a comprehensive wrap-up at the end of the session. We’ll also ensure every participant leaves with actionable next steps and a commitment to their business’s growth.
This interactive event guarantees valuable insights through the business health check, with real-time feedback provided by Kimberley. It’s also an excellent opportunity for networking and gaining insights into other businesses’ operations.
Attendees will have the chance to schedule a one-hour, one-on-one online meeting with Kimberley Guthrie to receive personalised guidance and advice on their business’s development.

Build an effective strategy to grow your business
2024-03-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-05 14:30 - 16:30
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

Community Wealth Building – Spending and Procurement
2024-03-05 10:00 - 11:00
Ready to continue your learning with Co-operative Development Scotland’s (CDS) Community Wealth Building programme?
This is the first of four webinars that explore how inclusive business models can contribute to the four key pillars of CWB: spending and procurement, workforce, land and property and finance.
Delivered by support partners of CDS (including the Federation of Small Businesses, Sustainable Procurement, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies and the Supplier Development Programme) this webinar will explore how you can maximise community benefits through procurement and commissioning, developing good enterprises, fair work and shorter supply chains by commissioning Inclusive Business models. There will also be a chance to ask your questions to the expert panel.
Please note, to attend this webinar you must have already attended the CDS workshop Inclusive Business Models – Identifying the Opportunities for Plural Ownership.

Boost your productivity with AI
2024-03-05 11:00 - 12:00
This Google Digital Garage session introduces learners to cutting-edge AI tools that are already available from Google and others, to show some of the smartest ways digital-age workers can use them to save time at work and on tasks.
In this session, you will learn:

an introduction to generative AI and how it works
how to use AI-powered tools and techniques to save you time
an overview to crafting effective prompts

This session is run using YouTube and is 45 minutes long.
The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

Fair Work Workshop
2024-03-06 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-03-19 09:30 - 12:30
Fair Work is an investment in everyone, for everyone. It can improve productivity, innovation, organisational reputation and recruitment. It can also reduce staff turnover and help create inclusive workplaces with a richness of talent and a diversity of ideas.
For staff, Fair Work can increase financial security, physical health and psychological wellbeing. For businesses, it brings more engaged, committed and adaptable workers who spot challenges and opportunities, solve problems, offer insight and ideas for business improvement, and create value.
What’s the event about?
This is a fully funded workshop which will help participating companies to:

Understand the benefits of fair work (for both the business and its staff)
Develop an action plan to embed or improve current people practices
Prioritise and take next steps to implementing an action plan

This type of actions that could result from a fair work action plan include:

Improving people and fair work practices
Skills, leadership and management development
Creating a positive culture and values-based approach
Improving employee engagement and supporting performance management practices

What’s Involved?

Complete the Fair Work Employer Support Tool and familarise yourself with fair work and benchmark your company on where you are on your fair work journey.
Join your three-hour workshop to explore the key concepts of the five dimensions of fair work, along with some practical solutions to embed and improve this in your organisation and begin to develop your action plan.

The programme is for Scottish SMEs. You’re particularly suitable if you:

Are you business leader or individual who wants to understand more about Fair Work and the support available.
Have the autonomy and influence to implement an action plan

Ready, Steady, Grow: How to Expand Your Business
2024-03-06 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!

Build a customer focused business
2024-03-08 14:00 - 16:00
Did you know that a returning customer will typically spend more than two thirds more with your business than a brand new one?
Did you know that retaining just 5% of your customer base can give an increase of over 20% in profits for your business?
Having an effective strategy in place for your business to deliver great customer service is critical for your business.
We will cover:

Why good customer service is critical for business growth
What are the essentials of delivering great customer service and how should this be delivered?
How to effectively manage different types of customers and their expectations
How, why, and when you should measure the service a business delivers
How to use the service provided to promote a business and enable growth

Keep your business safe online
2024-03-11 10:00 - 12:00
Join us to find out how criminals are targeting small businesses online, the risks you face, and what you can do to minimise your exposure to online crime.
This webinar includes a number of live demos, covering the following areas:

What are the main online threats to your business?
The 5 pillars of prevention (Backup, Malware prevention, Securing your hardware, Passwords & Phishing attacks)
Simple and practical measures you can implement to protect yourself and your business
Best practice recovery steps for your business if the worst should happen

As a result of attending this webinar, you will gain a deeper understanding of the digital threats facing your business and what you need to do to secure your website, social media and company data from cyber criminals.

Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service Continuous Improvement Workshop
2024-03-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Engineering Partnership Innovation Centre, Keptie Road, Arbroath, DD11 3EA
If you’re looking for ways to adopt sustainable continuous improvements in your business — especially to increase productivity and competitiveness — then this free workshop is for you.
This breakfast workshop focuses on how to learn and understand Lean principles through fun, interactive exercises.
The event will be hosted in partnership with Dundee and Angus College at the brand new Engineering Partnership Innovation Centre (EPIC), Arbroath Campus, Keptie Road, DD11 3EA on Tuesday 19 March 2024 from 9am to 12pm.
What you’ll learn from this event
Improving productivity in your business can lead to a reduction in production costs and a more competitive business. Focusing on adding value through applying Lean techniques leads to improved quality, cost and delivery performance along with increased capacity.
This highly interactive event will simulate how businesses are run. It highlights some of the typical daily challenges that most businesses experience and demonstrates an alternative way of looking at your business.
You’ll find out how, by applying some simple ‘Lean Thinking Principles’, you can start to think and act differently to improve your business efficiency.
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 Manager level, those who have responsibility for championing or driving business improvement within the workplace, and/or those 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 and finishes 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.

The business benefits of running a sustainable business
2024-03-19 14:00 - 16:00
It’s becoming increasingly important to customers to source their products from companies who have strong green credentials. This webinar will show how by becoming more sustainable you can increase sales and profits.
We will look at:
Understanding the problem
What is sustainability and why it is important
Innovation
Profiting from being a green business
Embracing a purpose beyond profit
The sustainability triple bottom line
Developing your own green charter
Examples of those practicing this way of growth with remarkable success
Top tips for going green

How to protect and manage your intellectual property
2024-03-20 10:00 - 12:00
You have invested time, energy, and money into your project, however, have you protected the innovation?
Following this webinar, you will understand how to manage your intellectual property (IP) or how to start the process of registering it.
Topics covered include:

What are intellectual assets (IA)?
What is intellectual property (IP)?
How to use IP (in the real world)
Where to get more insight and information

Participants will leave with:

An understanding that all businesses create IA/IP
A framework of knowledge about IP
A little more knowledge about the diverse types of IP
An insight into how to identify, protect and exploit IP/IA
Context of why IP/IA matters
Links to useful learning resources

Quit stalling and build your brand
2024-03-20 12:00 - 13:00
Join this webinar to explore the current range of low-cost digital technologies that can help you build your business and your brand.

How to write and develop your business plan
2024-03-20 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-03 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-25 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

Managing the growth of your small business
2024-03-22 14:00 - 15:00
Starting a venture is one thing, growing it is another. Scaling effectively can be one of the most challenging aspects, with mis-managed growth often leading to downfall after so much time, effort and money has been invested. So if you are a business owner that has started to see growth, this webinar will help you to gain more creative, time and financial freedom as your venture transitions to offer greater reach and impact.
Overview:
This session will look at the principles of growth and:

the distinction between self-employment and business ownership
identifying and implementing optimal systems for record-keeping, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation
devising a range of risk-management processes to better manage business functions and the people involved
how to hire to enable and enhance expansion
improving workflow and project management
licensing, franchising, acquiring another venture

Productivity and Retention Benefits that flexible working can bring
2024-03-25 10:00 - 12:00
This interactive, online masterclass will explore the transformative benefits of flexible working, from boosting employee productivity and wellbeing to addressing the challenges of candidate shortages. Through real-world examples and practical insights, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how flexible working can serve as a strategic tool in your recruitment efforts.
Our expert facilitators, from Flexibility Works, Nikki Slowey and Lisa Gallagher, will guide you through interactive discussions and actionable strategies, including:

Discovering the diverse forms of flexible working and how they can be seamlessly integrated across different job types and sectors to attract top talent.
Unveiling the latest trends and insights into the flexible working landscape in Scotland and beyond, providing you with a competitive advantage in recruitment.
Exploring practical tips and strategies for piloting, implementing, or reviewing flexible work arrangements to suit both your company and your employees’ needs, including our acclaimed Flexibility Works 7-step framework.
Delving into inspiring case studies and success stories from organizations that have successfully embraced flexible working, highlighting their impact on recruitment and retention efforts.
Takeaway resources, including the Flexibility Works ‘Business Case for Flex,’ flexible recruitment guides, and guidance around how to measure the impact of flexible working in your business.

Delivering profit to drive growth
2024-03-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-23 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.
This course explores the relationship between a company’s profitability and its potential for growth. Participants will learn how to optimise profits and strategically reinvest them to foster sustainable growth. The course covers financial analysis, strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and the role of innovation and scalability in leveraging profit for long-term success.
The course 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

Cyber security for your small business
2024-03-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-24 13:00 - 14:00
Around 83% of small and medium-sized businesses are not financially prepared to recover from a cyber attack – which could mean going out of business.
This event aims to introduce start-ups and new businesses to the risks they face and provide top tips on how to avoid some common threats, protect their organisation and enable them to win new business and gain stakeholder support.
Your host Jim Wright will introduce security, how it can benefit businesses and allow them to seize opportunities while minimising risk. Jim will also discuss common frameworks and fundamental principles that business leaders should know from the start of their business venture.
By the end of this webinar, attendees will:

understand security risks
understand the benefits of security
have an awareness of threat actors
have an awareness of threat vectors
have an awareness of the services that can be offered to support start-ups
understand the regulatory environment in which they work
understand the common frameworks relating to security

Jim Wright is the founder and principal consultant of Principle Defence, a Hertfordshire-based security and data protection consultancy and training provider. Jim has over 17 years of experience in security having served in the British Army before moving into the private sector.

Understanding machine learning
2024-04-23 14:30 - 15:30
This session teaches the foundations of how machine learning models learn and work, the components of designing a problem for machine learning to solve and a basic understanding of the resources and tools needed for a business to invest in machine learning. Aimed at small business leaders / owners or anyone looking to get a better understanding on the subject.
In this session, you will learn:

how different machine learning models work
the essentials for preparing data for a machine learning project
options for implementing machine learning for a business

This session is run using YouTube and is 60 minutes long.
The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

Managing the growth of your small business
2024-04-26 10:00 - 11:00
Starting a venture is one thing, growing it is another. Scaling effectively can be one of the most challenging aspects, with mis-managed growth often leading to downfall after so much time, effort and money has been invested. So if you are a business owner that has started to see growth, this webinar will help you to gain more creative, time and financial freedom as your venture transitions to offer greater reach and impact.
This session will look at the principles of growth and:

the distinction between self-employment and business ownership
identifying and implementing optimal systems for record-keeping, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation
devising a range of risk-management processes to better manage business functions and the people involved
how to hire to enable and enhance expansion
improving workflow and project management
licensing, franchising, acquiring another venture

Creating accessible destinations
2024-04-30 12:30 - 14:00
Accessibility is rightly growing in importance. Those organisations who get it right reap the benefits of accessing the disability market.
You will gain better access to customers by providing better access to:

physical destinations and attractions
website information

Making your destination accessible will naturally improve visitor satisfaction. It will encourage repeat bookings and boost positive word-of-mouth communication.
Information is fundamental. Research shows that 83% of people are looking for access information when planning a trip will use a destination’s website. But only 39% find this information easily.
The key is making access information easily accessible which will be covered in this interactive workshop session.

Ready, Steady, Grow: How to Expand Your Business
2024-04-30 18:00 - 20:00
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!
