Managing the growth of your small business
2024-06-20 15:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-26 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
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

Understanding machine learning
2024-06-20 16:00 - 17:00
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.

STP Learning Event: Creating Inclusive and Accessible Towns and Places
2024-06-24 10:00 - 11:30
As the go-to body for towns, STP continues to support Scottish Government’s delivery of the Town Centre Action Plan vision – “Towns and town centres are for the wellbeing of people, planet and the economy. Towns are for everyone, and everyone has a role to play in making their own town and town centres successful.”
Our wider work programme covers action themes of planning, town centre first, taxation and fiscal levers, town centre living, digital towns, enterprising communities and vibrant local economies, climate action, measuring and evaluating progress, demonstrator towns.
As part of this work programme, our 2023 – 2024 Learning Event Series has covered Climate, Digital, and Community Wealth Building. The fourth and final topic in this series centres around inclusive and accessible towns.
Learning Event #4 – Creating Inclusive and Accessible Towns and Places
Imagine a town where every individual, regardless of age, ability, or background, can navigate with ease and participate fully in community life, supporting the vulnerable, elderly, disabled and young families. This not only enhances the quality of life for residents but also boosts the local economy by attracting residents and tourists from all walks of life.
The event will explore why we should invest in accessibility? What makes a place accessible? Is it good for business? – exploring the benefits, challenges and solutions around pedestrianisation.
Join us to envision and discuss practical steps toward creating towns and places that are inclusive, accessible, and economically vibrant, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Chaired by STP’s Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie, our speakers will share context, vision and success stories. But importantly, this event features you! With an opportunity for participants to share their experience and ideas.
This session is for anyone with an interest in supporting Scotland’s people, planet and economy to flourish, but especially relevant to those involved in place-based initiatives from across public, private and third sectors.

Lean Introduction Workshop
2024-06-26 09:00 - 12:30 | Fife Fabrications Ltd, 29 Rutherford Road, Glenrothes, KY6 2RT
This three-hour event, followed by lunch and refreshments, is an ideal 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 Business Improvement Academy (BIA), it will explore how lean manufacturing can help engage people and create sustainable change.
There will also be an opportunity to engage in a short factory tour of Fife Fabrications Ltd.
The event is open to all manufacturers and producers large, small and sector wide who wish to improve business efficiency.
It’s aimed at business leaders and managers who are looking to introduce a culture of change within the business and who wish to engage the workforce to look for opportunities to ‘do things better’ and deliver process improvements that can benefit the business.

Cyber security for your small business
2024-06-27 11:00 - 12:00
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.
He has worked with both private and public sector clients as a consultant, working on multi-billion pound projects providing information security and data privacy advice and services. He holds a number of certifications including Fellow of Information Privacy from the International Association of Privacy Professionals and the Lead Security and Information Risk Advisor (L-SIRA) from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Principle Defence is a Trusted Partner of the Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (a policing-led initiative) and is a Cyber Essentials Certification Body.

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2024-06-27 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-22 14:00 - 16:00
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

Understanding and Implementing Value Stream Mapping and Management
2024-07-10 09:00 - 12:00 | ETZ Ltd, 53 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen, AB25 2DY
Join our Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) on 10 July 2024, from 9:30am to 12:00 noon, for a free Lean Breakfast Workshop at W-Zero-1 collaboration space at ETZ, Aberdeen, which will provide you with the tools to support you through the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme’s Process Excellence requirements.
The series is designed to help you develop your own continuous improvement strategies, to apply process improvements, improve workplace organisation and much more. Each workshop will also begin and end with a 30-minute networking opportunity.
Workshop three – Understanding and Implementing Value Stream Mapping and Management
Our third session of the series will focus on helping you understand value stream mapping and how to integrate the technique into your business. You will learn:

How to create a value stream
Practical tips and tools to help interpret a value stream map

Our event is open to all manufacturers and producers – large, small and sector wide – who wish to improve business efficiency and begin their F4OR accreditation. It’s aimed at business leaders and managers who are looking to introduce a culture of change within the business and who wish to engage the workforce to look for opportunities to do things better and deliver process improvements that can benefit your business.

How to generate and increase sales
2024-07-19 09:30 - 11:30
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

Engaging in Lean
2024-07-24 09:30 - 12:30 | Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, 50 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6HQ
The Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) is pleased to invite you to this exercise-based workshop.
Through the workshop, you’ll discover the easiest way to engage with your people to start to make improvements to the way work is done, and how these fits within the wider philosophy of lean.
With simulation, we’ll detail the tools and techniques of Lean, as well as taking you through the change process and emphasise how best to achieve sustainable change in your business.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to find out how you and your workforce can work together in the best interests of the business.

Ready, Steady, Grow: How to Expand Your Business
2024-07-25 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-08-14 10:00 - 12:00
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!

An introduction to business strategy
2024-07-26 11:30 - 13:30, 2024-08-06 09:00 - 11:00
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

Delivering profit to drive growth
2024-07-30 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

Cyber security for your small business
2024-07-30 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.
He has worked with both private and public sector clients as a consultant, working on multi-billion pound projects providing information security and data privacy advice and services. He holds a number of certifications including Fellow of Information Privacy from the International Association of Privacy Professionals and the Lead Security and Information Risk Advisor (L-SIRA) from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Principle Defence is a Trusted Partner of the Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (a policing-led initiative) and is a Cyber Essentials Certification Body.
Please note, the webinar may be recorded, however, having your Camera and microphone on is optional.

Implementing and Sustaining Workplace Organisation
2024-08-14 09:00 - 12:00 | ETZ Ltd, 53 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen, AB25 2DY
Join our Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) on 14 August 2024, from 9:30am to 12:00 noon, for a free Lean Breakfast Workshop at W-Zero-1 collaboration space at ETZ, Aberdeen, which will provide you with the tools to support you through the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme’s Process Excellence requirements.
The series is designed to help you develop your own continuous improvement strategies, to apply process improvements, improve workplace organisation and much more. Each workshop will also begin and end with a 30-minute networking opportunity.
Workshop four – Implementing and Sustaining Workplace Organisation
Our fourth session of the series will focus on supporting your business with workplace organisation methods. You will learn:

A structured approach to implementing and sustaining workplace organisation
Solutions to potential challenges when implementing workplace organisation techniques
Practical tips and tools to organise your office or shopfloor

Our event is open to all manufacturers and producers – large, small and sector wide – who wish to improve business efficiency and begin their F4OR accreditation. It’s aimed at business leaders and managers who are looking to introduce a culture of change within the business and who wish to engage the workforce to look for opportunities to do things better and deliver process improvements that can benefit your business.

Is it too soon to talk about the C word?
2024-08-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Pathhead Farm, Forfar Road, Kirriemuir, DD8 5BY
Join us for an exciting joint networking event with Appetite for Angus at the Pathhead Farm Shop and Café. This event is your chance to connect with like-minded individuals and businesses in your community and to kickstart your business’s Christmas plans.
Learn about upcoming events hosted by both Business Gateway and Appetite for Angus, and explore the various support options available to you in the lead-up to the festive season.
In addition to networking, you will have the chance to hear from Ally, the owner of Pathhead Farm. Ally will share his vision for the farm shop and café while discussing his search for local suppliers to feature in his business. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore potential collaborations and gain insights into local market opportunities.
Don’t miss this opportunity to network with local businesses and discover how you can benefit from the resources and support provided by Business Gateway and Appetite for Angus.

Register Your Interest - Amazon Accelerator Programme
2024-08-20 10:00 - 16:00
Please note this is just to register your interest in the programme. A member of the team will be in touch to discuss whether the programme is right for you.
Amazon Accelerator commences on 20th Aug and runs with weekly involvement until 29 Nov , with regular content and 1-2-1’s.
Our team of experienced Amazon sellers will provide 1-2-1 support to address your company-specific issues and offer expert advice for successful sales growth. By the end of the programme you will have developed your:

Amazon profile.
launched your Amazon site.
established a significant and consistent revenue stream.

Delivery

Online learning platform.
bi-weekly online group sessions on Friday mornings.
ongoing 1-2-1 support.

Managing People for Growth - Hybrid
2024-08-21 09:00 - 16:00 | Scottish Enterprise, 99 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HD
Our workshops cover several key areas that can help you develop the skills of your people managers. You’ll learn how to:

Identify the skills and approaches managers require to perform their roles successfully both now and in the future
Implement fair and progressive work practices through an understanding of key drivers that can develop new ways of working (for example, the fair work framework, productivity and benefits of employee engagement)
Understand the importance of effectively maximising and improving existing staff skills, while identifying the style and attributes of an effective manager

Areas our workshops will focus on:
1. The role of a manager
2. Empowering teams and individuals
3. Communication, influencing and collaboration
4. Coaching and delegation
5. Managing individual performance
6. Creating a culture of innovation

From side-hustle to start-up
2024-08-21 12:30 - 13:30
Whether you’re running a small online shop, offering freelance services, or pursuing a passion project, the session aims to help give you the confidence you need to take the next step and transform your side gig into a full-time business.
Join us for an engaging, practical session where you’ll learn the essential steps to building out your side hustle and navigate the challenges of starting-up. Our expert speakers will share actionable insights on:

Strategies to build confidence
How to overcome a fear of failure
First steps to launching your start-up
Challenges in transitioning from side-hustle to start-up
Time management tips to balance your side hustle with other commitments

Who Should Attend:

Side hustlers ready to scale their projects into full-fledged businesses
Aspiring entrepreneurs looking for guidance on starting their journey
Anyone interested in monetising their skills or hobbies

Managing People for Growth - Hybrid
2024-08-22 09:00 - 16:00 | Connect Three, 4 Rogart Street, Bridgeton, G40 2AA

SMAS Business Improvement Academy
2024-08-28 09:30 - 16:00 | Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, 50 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6HQ
The Business Improvement Academy is an innovative new approach that combines business improvement with behavioural change. A mix of five workshop based learning days combined with best practice, and on-site project work will support companies wishing to engage in the concept of sustainable continuous improvement by combining improvement tools and techniques with cultural and behavioural change.
Benefit to companies
Participants of the academy will become cultural enablers for their business, capable of delivering sustainable improvement through developing employee engagement and embedding supporting behaviours.
The guiding principles of the academy are:

Continuous improvement combined with behavioural change – tailored to the participant’s own business improvement project
Use of active learning techniques – supported by experienced practitioners
Focus on sustainable change – embedding learning to deliver future business benefits
Leadership excellence – practical improvement and embedding of leadership skills
Business excellence – improving the competitiveness of business
Engagement – encouraging continuous improvement by engaging with others

Why should you attend?
You have the ambition to drive significant improvements forward (process and behavioural) within your business. However, the rate of change is slower than anticipated. The appetite for change isn’t quite what it should be and any process changes achieved may have been short lived. There is also an expectation that any changes won’t be fully supported, with a consequential migration back to previous practices.
Who should participate?

Those who have responsibility for enabling change in the business and are keen to secure a higher level of ownership and engagement from their colleagues
Those who wish to clearly understand and better appreciate their own respective roles in the change process

Please note that sponsoring business leaders will be required to attend. These include:

Half-day sponsors session in order to fully understand their role in supporting their delegates back in the workplace as they implement change – 28 August 2024
The final delegate presentation day – 27 November 2024

Course Dates

Sponsor Day 28/08/2024.
Delegate Day 1 03/09/2024.
Delegate Day 2 11/09/2024.
Delegate Day 3 18/09/2024.
Delegate Day 4 25/09/2024.
Delegate Day 5 02/10/2024.
Best Practice Visit 09/10/2024 – This will be on site at a company/innovation centre.
On site Coaching – 3 half day session – dates to be agreed.
Feedback Day 27/11/2024.

Please Note that the sponsoring business leaders will be required to attend:

Half-day Sponsors Session on the (28th of August 2024) in order to fully understand their role in supporting their delegates back in the workplace as they implement change;
The final delegate presentation day (27th November 2024).

Eligibility
The academy is open to applications from businesses with aspirations for growth. An initial review will ensure the academy is the best option to meet current business needs. The cost is £1000 (excluding VAT) for an SME and £1250 (excluding VAT) for a non-SME per delegate paid in advance by credit card. It will be held at Scottish Enterprise Collaboration Suite, Floor 4, Atrium Court, 50 Waterloo St, Glasgow G2 6HQ.

Learning Journey to IKM Testing UK Ltd, Aberdeen – Lean Transformation
2024-08-29 13:00 - 16:30 | IKM Testing UK, Peregrine Road, Westhill, AB32 6JL
This informal half day session will paint a picture of how IKM Testing UK Ltd has transformed its business by adopting lean thinking across everything it does.
Although still a work in progress, the adoption of lean thinking has been the springboard for cultural change across the business, has made it more profitable and enabled expansion plans to go ahead through the ongoing development of its people.

Cyber Security for your small business
2024-08-29 14:00 - 15:00
To attend this webinar, there are no prerequisites or prior experience needed. It is aimed at start-up businesses and those who are interested in creating a start-up.
It would also be beneficial for more established businesses who are looking at security as a business differentiator and learn how it can be used to win new business.
Your host Jim Wright will introduce security, how it can benefit businesses and allow you to seize opportunities while minimising risk. Jim will also discuss common frameworks and fundamental principles that business leaders should be aware of from the start of their business venture.
By the end of this webinar, attendees will:
1) Understand security risks
2) Understand the benefits of security
3) Have an awareness of threat actors
4) Have an awareness of threat vectors
5) Have an awareness of the services that can be offered to support start-ups
6) Understand the regulatory environment in which they work
7) Understand the common frameworks relating to security

Maximising Trade Show Success
2024-08-29 14:00 - 16:00 | Strathmore Rugby Club, Inchmacoble Park, Forfar, DD8 1RL
Are you looking to exhibit at trade shows in the UK or overseas? This workshop will teach you proven strategies to maximise your participation through pre-event, on-site, and post-event tactics. These tips will help you capitalise on your participation, meet your target audience, and stand out from competitors.
With over 25 years of experience in PR and marketing, our expert speaker Mandy Queen has created successful campaigns for more than 40 trade shows, including top events like Cosmoprof, Paperworld, and Seafood Expo.
In this workshop, Mandy will explain how to attract the right people, engage with them effectively at the event, and maintain momentum afterwards.
Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your trade show success. Book your place now.
