Invest in Angus

Expanding Your Market: Progressing from Direct Sales into Retail or Wholesale
2025-11-06 11:00 - 12:30 UTC
GrowBiz Enterprise Facilitator Daniel Muir will guide you through the key steps, considerations, and benefits of expanding your sales channels. Daniel has a background in supply chain management and understands the challenges small businesses face when trying to scale. He’ll share practical insights to help you figure out the best way to grow—whether that’s expanding into wholesale, retail, or both.
During the session we’ll explore together:

Retail opportunities – how to position your product for retailers, what motivates them, and how to handle margin expectations while maintaining profitable growth.

Wholesale strategies – how working with wholesalers can increase your reach, reduce logistics challenges, and simplify operations, and what you need to have in place to work with wholesalers.

Practical considerations – from packaging, barcoding, and pallets to stock management and production capacity.

By the end, you’ll see how scaling through retail or wholesale can help you expand beyond your local geography, save time and delivery costs, and drive higher volumes, sales, and revenues.
Finally, we hope you’ll walk away with the clarity and the confidence to take your next step.

What is cyber resilience and why is it important? | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-06 12:00 - 12:30
In an era of constant disruption, cyber threats and regulatory pressure, resilience is no longer optional – it’s critical.
In this webinar, Jack Marley will introduce topics such as cyber security and its relationship to resilience, and how businesses can proactively manage risk, ensure continuity and build trust.
Topics covered in this session:

Understand resilience, why it’s important and how it differs from security
Real-world examples of how organisations are using planning, automation and expertise to go from a reactive to proactive cyber posture
How to get started quickly with a scalable, cost-effective resilience framework tailored to your business

An introduction to business strategy
2025-11-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-26 13:00 - 15:00
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

Pricing strategies to unlock six-figure growth | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-07 12:00 - 12:30
Join author and entrepreneur Vic Taylor for this practical, no-fluff session on how to price your services and products with confidence.
She’ll explore 15 different pricing strategies you can apply in your own business – whether you’re refining an existing offer or bringing something new to market.
Topics covered in this session:

15 pricing strategies you can test in your small business
How to set prices that reflect the true value of your work
How to present your offers confidently and without second-guessing yourself

Future proofing your business
2025-11-11 10:00 - 11:00
A combination of game-changing trends are driving transformative change in Scotland and the rest of the world. Geopolitical tensions, emerging technologies and a global skills squeeze, for example, mean that today’s world is often uncertain and volatile.
This first in a series of free webinars, hosted by Scottish Enterprise, will explore the background and research behind these megatrends and how you can build your business resilience considering them.
Speakers:

Ewan Mearns Team Leader Strategy and Performance Scottish Enterprise
Simone Boeklaar Head of Horizon Scanning Innovate UK

Simone Boeklaar will discuss:

What is futures thinking?
How futures thinking can help businesses identify new innovation opportunities and to develop strategies for to prepare for disruptors.
Why should businesses care about futures thinking?

As Scotland’s national economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise tracks the trends that are likely to shape Scotland’s economic future.
Ewan Mearns will discuss:

An introduction to the four megatrends identified by Scottish Enterprise that are shaping Scotland’s future economy
An overview of the practical ways businesses can respond to future external trends and how Scottish Enterprise can help

How to start prioritising what matters | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-11 12:00 - 12:30
Time is a precious commodity for small businesses, yet it’s often overlooked or mismanaged.
With a unique blend of advocacy and research expertise, Tammy Whalen Blake, founder of the Yellow Mastermind, brings a fresh perspective to time management. This webinar will be informative and inspire actionable change.
Topics covered in this session:

The multi-role dilemma and its impact on businesses
How to prioritise tasks effectively and focus on high-impact activities that drive growth and profitability.
Proven strategies for balancing a number of responsibilities and being as productive as possible

Legal essentials for small business owners | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-17 12:00 - 12:30
Running a business comes with countless responsibilities, and legal compliance is one of the most important.
In this session, Patricia Wing (CEO of SuLe) breaks down the legal essentials every business owner needs to know.
From contracts and intellectual property to employment and data protection, this webinar will help founders and business owners gain clarity and confidence in managing their company’s legal foundations – all without the legal jargon.
Topics covered in this session:

How to understand your legal obligations: The fundamental legal requirements that apply to businesses of all sizes, from company formation to day-to-day operations.
How to protect your business assets: Safeguard your contracts, intellectual property and brand to prevent costly legal disputes.
How to stay compliant and confident: Practical, actionable insights to keep your business compliant with current laws and best practices, saving time, money and stress.

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2025-11-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-03 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-07 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-22 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

Business For Good
2025-11-20 10:00 - 11:30
This 90-minute interactive online session is your chance to explore how Inclusive Democratic Business Models are shaping the future of the Scottish economy — and how you can be part of it.
This session will be led by GrowBiz Enterprise Facilitator Jenny Lyall who heads up the Social Enterprise Network in Kinross. Jenny will also be joined by other GrowBiz team members across the country who all have a passion for this type of business model. Do please come along and meet the team where you will be made most welcome.
During the our time together you’ll:

Learn from experts about practical ways to put people and planet at the heart of your business.
Hear inspiring stories from Scottish social entrepreneurs who are already making it work.
Join the conversation in small facilitated breakout rooms — connect with peers, share experiences, and spark new ideas.
Discover opportunities to grow your rural business with purpose and resilience.

You’ll leave with fresh inspiration, actionable insights, and new connections that can help you build or grow a business that truly matters — to you, your community, and Scotland’s future.
Reserve your place now and be part of shaping a more purposeful business landscape in Scotland.

Selling Your Business Masterclass
2025-11-20 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 resilience management firm Inverroy Crisis Management and construction and fit-out company Pacific Building. They’ll talk about the factors they considered in choosing employee ownership and how things have worked out.
Louise Fisher from Baxendale EO will talk through all your ownership succession options before focussing on employee ownership and how to ensure the employee buyout is a smooth process.

When to hire your first operations leader | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-21 12:00 - 12:30
As a founder, you’re used to doing it all – finance, people, compliance, customer success and more.
But at some point, juggling every function yourself stops your business from growing. That’s when it’s time to bring in your first operations hire.
But should that be an operations manager, head of operations, chief of staff or chief operating officer (COO)? And how do you decide what’s right for your stage?
In this Lunch and Learn, Aušrinė Keršanskaitė, co-founder of Operations Nation, will walk you through how to spot the signs that you’re ready, what different operations roles look like and how to make sure your first hire is set up to succeed.
Topics covered in this session:

Knowing when you’re ready: Clear signs that the founder “do-it-all” model is slowing you down
Picking the right role: How to decide between an operations manager, head of operations, chief of staff or COO depending on your business’s needs
Setting yourself up for success: The onboarding, scope and expectations that make the difference between a hire that thrives and one that struggles

How to grow your small business at a faster pace | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-25 12:00 - 12:30
Want to grow your business but not sure where to start?
Join growth expert Anna Hutton-North for a practical session that will help you spot what’s holding your business back – and build a clear, achievable plan to move it forward.
Learn how high-performing teams win more work, create momentum and turn strategy into results.
Topics covered in this session:

Growth roadmaps: How to create plans you can deliver on.
Pit stop or stagnation: Ways to analyse your team’s ability to deliver growth
Supercharging growth: How to create momentum that will take your business forward.

Investment-ready: How to build a business investor's trust
2025-11-25 13:00 - 14:00
Join Adam Kudryl and Mark Freer as they share practical guidance on creating a business that earns investors’ trust and attracts buyers.
Combining their 45 years of experience in legal and investment, they’ll cover the business and legal fundamentals: strong governance, clear ownership, shareholder protections and an exit-ready mindset.
You’ll learn:

What being truly “investor-ready” means
How to boost buyer and investor confidence
The core qualities investors seek
How to prepare your business for investment and exit
Common red flags and how to steer clear
An investors view on what builds (or erodes) confidence

Reignite your passion for the high street
2025-11-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Arbroath Courthouse, 88-92 High Street, Arbroath, DD11 1HL
Be inspired by retail expert Kimberley Guthrie, as she shares powerful insights on how to rebuild footfall, make the most of the festive season, and spark collaborations that can transform your local high street into a must-visit shopping destination.
If you’re looking to boost sales, attract new customers, or simply reignite your passion for retail after a challenging period, this session is packed with fresh ideas to help you thrive.
Come along and let’s celebrate the power of local business and get ready to make this festive season your most successful yet!

Scaling with the right mindset
2025-12-03 12:00 - 12:30
Scale like a champion. Learn from Booking.com’s former chief financial officer how to build winning routines, think strategically and future-proof your growing business.
In the final webinar of our Finance Beyond Borders series, we sit down with Olivier Bisserier, former CFO of Booking.com, to explore what it takes to scale a business at Olympic speed – without burning out or losing sight of the bigger picture.
Olivier helped Booking.com expand into more than 20 countries each year. His lessons are essential for founders and finance leaders alike, especially those building their finance stack from day one.
In this webinar, he’ll talk about scaling a business at speed, how we’re looking at work-life balance wrong and why modern CFOs must be tech-savvy and think like Olympians.
Topics covered in this session:

The CFO mindset for founders: How to think like a strategic finance leader – even before you hire one
The Olympic athlete approach: Why discipline, focus and routines are key to scaling sustainably
Scenario planning: How to anticipate future challenges and build resilience into your operations
Tech-savvy leadership: Why understanding emerging technologies is crucial for growth
Global expansion tips: How to strip out friction and scale internationally with the right payments infrastructure

How to scale revenue without the guesswork | Lunch and Learn
2025-12-08 12:00 - 12:30
Learn how to move beyond inconsistent revenue and scale with clarity and confidence.
In this session, Marinda Malan explains how to set a focused growth mission, prioritise the strategies that drive results and build a simple, repeatable system to execute effectively every week.
Walk away with a clear roadmap to align your team, cut through the noise and create sustainable commercial momentum.
Topics covered in this session:

How to set a clear commercial mission that drives growth
How to cut through the noise and prioritise what works
How to build a simple, repeatable system you can execute with confidence

How To Generate and Increase Sales
2025-12-09 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

What’s changing in 2026: Business updates you need to know
2025-12-09 12:00 - 13:00
2026 is set to bring some of the most significant changes to UK business regulation in recent years. From the rollout of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax to sweeping reforms under the Employment Rights Bill, businesses of all sizes must prepare to adapt.
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion where industry experts will unpack:

The practical impact of digital tax reporting and how to stay compliant
Key updates to employee rights, including sick pay, parental leave, and whistleblower protections
Broader economic and technological trends shaping business strategy in 2026
What SMEs and larger organisations can do now to future-proof their operations

This session will give you the insights and tools to navigate the year ahead with confidence.

Delivering Profit to Drive Growth
2025-12-17 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

Mastering the mechanics of achieving goals | Lunch and Learn
2026-01-07 12:00 - 12:30
This isn’t a “new year, new you” type of training – you’re already awesome.
But in this session led by Rhea Freeman, we’ll delve into how to make your 2026 goals a reality by creating a simple step-by-step blueprint you can use to get to where you want to be.
We’ll look at how to set goals you actually care about, the anatomy of goals that make them easier to achieve, how to create the pathway to get there, and how and why you need to celebrate those micro goals along the way.
Topics covered in this session:

How to understand the key bits that make goals a blueprint rather than a wish
How to reverse engineer a goal into actionable steps
Three steps they can take to move them closer

Why every business needs a strategic plan | Lunch and Learn
2026-01-13 12:00 - 12:30
Strategic planning is essential for overcoming stagnation and achieving business success. But where do you find time amid daily tasks? And why does it matter?
This webinar, led by experienced researcher and entrepreneur Tammy Whalen Blake, will challenge your perspective on growth.
Tammy has a proven record of assisting hundreds of businesses in their transition and offers actionable strategies for effective planning and execution.
This isn’t just theory – it’s practical insight from actual business experience.
Topics covered in this session:

How strategic planning keeps your pipeline primed and creates predictable growth
How to identify your best possible balance between CEO, manager and expert activities so you can grow sustainably without burning out
How to transform from self-employed to business owner by defining your vision, taking advantage of your strengths and making data-informed decisions

Thorntons Webinar - What to Expect in 2026
2026-01-20 09:30 - 10:30
In 2025, there were significant changes to UK immigration law which impacted international citizens living and working in Scotland. Further change is expected in 2026, with the UK Government expected to make further changes to work visa routes and the path to settlement and citizenship.
Join our specialist immigration team to find out what these changes mean for individuals, families and businesses.

Selling Your Business Masterclass
2026-01-22 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 marketing and design agency Whitewall and Isle of Arran based Auchrannie Resort. They’ll talk about the factors they considered in choosing employee ownership and how things have worked out.
Andrew Harrison from Co-ownership Solutions will talk through all your ownership succession options before focussing on employee ownership and how to ensure the employee buyout is a smooth process.

Extending Your Offering to Increase Sales
2026-01-28 11:30 - 13:00
By offering complementary products or services, you give customers the chance to purchase a more complete solution from you. This not only increases sales revenue but also improves customer satisfaction and convenience. The goal is to build on what you already do well—whether you’re a service provider, producer, or retailer.
In this Learning Session, led by Enterprise Facilitator Daniel Muir, an expert in supply chain management, we’ll consider how to choose suitable products or services to add, commercial considerations, practicalities and how to get the best results.
By the end of this session you’ll leave with much clearer steps about what you can do for your business in 2026.

Grow boldly: Smarter security for the next stage of your business
2026-01-28 12:00 - 12:30
As your business grows, so do your opportunities and so do the risks.
From protecting customer data to securing your systems against new cyber threats, keeping your business safe is essential to scaling with confidence.
In this practical and forward-looking session, experts from Dell and Intel will share real-life examples and demos of smart, affordable tools that help you protect your data, devices, and teams, without slowing down innovation.
Whether you’re expanding your team, adopting AI tools, or moving more of your business online, this session will show you how to strengthen your digital foundations so you can spend more time on growing your business.
