Build your brand and promotional graphics
2023-06-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-08-25 12:00 - 14:00 UTC
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

Build an effective strategy to grow your business
2023-06-14 11:00 - 13:00, 2023-07-14 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-08-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-09-04 15:00 - 17:00
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

Develop your Workforce Skills
2023-06-15 13:00 - 14:00
As we look to the future, now is the time to think about the development needs of your workforce.
Join us to find out how our fully funded Graduate Apprenticeship Programme with University of Dundee can help you to develop the knowledge, skills, and experience of your workforce, whilst helping your business grow.
With fully funded courses available in Business Management, IT Management for Business, IT Software Development, Civil Engineering, and Engineering, Design and Manufacturing, a GA Programme can help you develop employees from across your business.
At the event, you will hear from both apprentices and employers who are currently utilising the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme, so you can find out about their experience first-hand and the benefits the programme can bring to your business.
You will also hear from Engagement Manager Wayne Paul, so you can find out everything you need to know about the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme, and how it can help you to develop your talent, boost your performance, and grow your business.
How does it work?
These fully funded Graduate Apprenticeship Programmes give you the opportunity to develop current or new members of your workforce (of all ages) to honours degree level at no additional cost to your business.
There are fully funded and easily accessible places available on five different courses:

Business Management
IT Management for Business
IT Software Development
Civil Engineering
Engineering, Design and Manufacturing

Graduate Apprentices spend one day a week studying at the University and the remaining four days of the week working in their role. At the end of four years they will receive the same level of degree as a student studying full time.

Build a customer focused business
2023-06-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-07-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-08-10 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

How to protect and manage your intellectual property
2023-06-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-07-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-08-15 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

Build your own silk road to China
2023-06-21 09:30 - 13:00
In this online masterclass, Scottish businesses will gain in depth knowledge of business, digital and eCommerce, along with great practical tips on how to break into and grow sales within the market.

How to write and develop your business plan
2023-06-22 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-07-13 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-08-14 09:30 - 11:30
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

How to generate and increase sales
2023-06-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-07-21 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-08-11 14:00 - 16:00
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

How to transition to net zero
2023-07-04 12:00 - 13:00
Navigating the path to achieving net zero and implementing sustainability practices can seem like a daunting task, especially for small businesses. This webinar, led by our panelists, is designed to guide business owners on their journey to Net Zero emissions, and will offer practical insights and actionable strategies to make a meaningful impact in their work.
The session will cover:

The benefits to everyone in achieving net zero emissions
How to make sense of all the information that exists and how to get started
What support is available to businesses looking to take the first step
How small businesses can effectively integrate renewable energy sources into their operations
What practices businesses can implement to effectively measure and track their progress in reducing their carbon footprint

Keep your business safe online
2023-07-05 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.

Become a CPD-certified Green Champion
2023-07-06 10:00 - 12:30
Rising energy costs, the climate emergency and increasing consumer pressure continue to impact businesses and challenge the way they manage their environmental performance.
The good news is Business Energy Scotland’s Green Champions training course has already helped over 4,000 professionals from organisations across Scotland to prepare for this challenge.
And this is your chance to join them. This webinar will pack the entire Green Champions foundation modules into one session and provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to grow a green, profitable business.

Online Sales: Improve, develop & make more money
2023-07-06 14:00 - 16:00
What’s the best way to sell your products online? The key to improving your online business is measuring its effectiveness – you can then take steps to optimise its performance. Should you be using your own eCommerce store or Amazon, neither or both? This webinar will help you decide.
We will cover:

Factors to consider when selling online.
What eCommerce options exist, and the benefits of each
Differences in available eCommerce platforms
Benefits of automation
Key items to optimise performance

An Introduction to Business Modelling
2023-07-07 10:00 - 12:00
Most of us have started writing a business plan. Far fewer of us have ever completed one and if you have, it’s likely it was out of day extremely quickly. What you need is a tool that allows you to iterate and adapt as your plans change.
For this 60 minute Zoom session, join me as I explore the Business Model Canvas, a one-page ‘road map’ of your business. Examining the 9 key areas of a business model to examine the best practices for your business, you’ll come away with a sense of where small, medium and large changes could be made to your business model to improve the way you operate for maximum profitability and rapid growth.

Business Finance Viability
2023-07-11 09:30 - 11:30
Led by experienced advisers, this workshop takes the fear out of finances, providing practical tools and guidance to help you confidently manage your business’s budgeting and forecasting. You’ll learn how to identify the hidden costs of running your business, including the cost of hiring staff, maintaining stock levels, and other crucial expenses.
Through a series of engaging exercises, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your business’s financial viability, helping you make informed decisions about its future growth and success. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or have been in business for a couple of years, this workshop is tailored to your needs, providing you with the knowledge and skills to take your business to the next level.

Kick-start your EU sales on Amazon
2023-07-26 10:00 - 11:30
Brexit-related changes mean many businesses are selling less to the EU than ever before. In this webinar, our expert panel will help you review your options for growing or restoring EU sales through Amazon.

Kickstart your Marketing
2023-08-08 18:00 - 20:00
The workshop will cover the basic principles of marketing, including target audience identification, competitor analysis, value proposition, and the development of marketing strategies.
The workshop will also explore the importance of measuring the success of marketing strategies and how adhering to good business practice can positively influence Customer Generated Content.
Overall, this workshop is ideal for businesses – new and existing – who want to gain a solid understanding of the basics. By the end of the workshop, you should have the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and execute an effective marketing strategy for your business.

Ready, Steady, Grow: How to Expand Your Business
2023-08-16 18:00 - 20:00
Ready to accelerate your business growth but unsure where to begin?
Look no further than our in-person Ready Steady Grow workshop focused on accelerating business growth. Led by experienced business advisers, Michelle & Norrie, 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!

Continuous Improvement Activity Workshop
2023-08-24 14:00 - 17:00 | V&A Museum, 3 Greenmarket, Dundee, DD1 4QB
Improve productivity in your business to reduce production costs and become a more competitive business. You can add value through lean techniques which will lead to improved quality, cost and delivery performance, and more capacity.
This interactive event will simulate how businesses are run. It highlights some of the daily challenges that we all experience and demonstrates a different way of looking at your business. By applying the ‘Lean Thinking Principles’, you can start to think and act differently to improve your business efficiency.
This workshop will focus on three themes:

The basics of improvement based on Lean principles
The power of team working
The benefit of having timely data to make informed decisions

Through the manufacturing simulation provided, you’ll gain an understanding of lean wastes and how they impact process performance.
This workshop will give you the opportunity to step back from current operations. You’ll get a chance to learn a new way of thinking about operational processes and how to improve them as a way forward for your organisation.
Agenda

2pm to 2:30pm: arrive and meet the other delegates (tea, coffee and pastries will be available)
2:30 pm to 3pm: introductions, team challenge and introduction to Lean Thinking
3pm to 4:45pm: interactive manufacturing simulation with continuous improvement techniques applied
4:45pm to 5pm: wrap up and questions
5pm: workshop ends
