How to create engaging content
2025-04-14 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
Producing quality content is an excellent way of helping your customers develop a meaningful relationship with your brand, services and products. In this webinar we will show you how to source and develop a variety of content for your website and social channels.
This session is ideal for businesses that already have a business website or use social media and now want to take it a step further, and develop the skills to show your audience that you are a trusted operator in your field.
We will help you:

Understand what kind of content your customers are looking for
Source, write and deliver that content
Amplify your brand and message and boost engagement online

How to generate and increase sales
2025-04-15 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

Google Analytics – Understand how your website performs
2025-04-15 14:00 - 16:00
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that helps you understand how your website is performing. It helps answer lots of questions, including:

Which marketing channels drive traffic to your site?
What pages are users looking at the most?
What impact does mobile have on your potential customers?

During this webinar, we’ll help you understand how Google Analytics is set up and give you an overview of key reports. We’ll also look at other web analytics tools to help you online.

Targeting the US and Australia with your own website - Part 1
2025-04-16 10:00 - 12:00
If you’re an eCommerce business looking to expand your online presence in Australia and the US, this masterclass is for you.
Whether you’re just starting to explore these markets, or you’re looking to optimise your current operations, these sessions will give you with a structured approach to successfully selling through your website.
The masterclass is split into two online sessions.
Part one will focus on the strategic and marketing aspects of selling in the US and Australia to effectively attract and convert customers, covering these topics:

Market Entry Strategy: Understanding the key differences between the US and Australian markets, consumer expectations, and potential barriers.
Customer Acquisition and Digital Marketing: Identifying the most efficient marketing channels to drive traffic and sales.
User Experience and Conversion Rate Optimisation: Website best practices to create a seamless, high-converting shopping experience.
Internationalisation Considerations: Localising content, currency, payment methods, and customer service to build trust with international buyers.

Part two will dive into the logistical, operational, and technical aspects of expanding into the US and Australian markets, ensuring sustainable and scalable growth. It will cover:

Fulfilment and Shipping: Exploring fulfilment models, warehousing options, and shipping solutions for international customers.
Administrative Considerations: Taxes, import duties, legal requirements, and compliance considerations when selling in the US and Australia.
Customer Retention and Lifetime Value: Strategies for building long-term customer relationships, repeat purchases, and subscription models.
Customer Service and Infrastructure: Setting up efficient processes for customer support, returns, and handling time-zone differences.
Systems and Vendor Management: Choosing the best eCommerce platforms, integrations, and technology stack to support international expansion.

Both sessions will be led by experience eCommerce consultant Al Conroy.
Al works with businesses to accelerate their online growth efficiently, sustainably and profitably.
His ecommerce career started in London where he worked for a large management consultancy. In 2009 he moved to Edinburgh’s Freeze Pro Shop, where he created and led the team that took Freeze’s revenues from <£1M to >£6M.

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2025-04-16 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

VisitScotland bitesize webinars: a guide to social media
2025-04-16 14:00 - 14:30
Learn why social media is essential for tourism businesses, how to craft engaging stories, plan and analyse content for each platform, and generate high-quality posts.
Perfect for businesses looking to boost their online presence and connect with travellers effectively.

Profitable Pricing for Sustainable Growth
2025-04-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, Ladyloan, Arbroath, DD11 1PU
Discover the key to sustainable business growth with our essential pricing workshop, created to help you set the right price for your products and services.
In this workshop, you’ll learn proven strategies to price for profit, ensuring your business thrives without compromising its value. We’ll explore the psychology behind pricing, cost structures, and market positioning to help you identify the optimal price point that drives profitability and customer appeal. Whether you’re a small business owner or a solopreneur, this workshop will provide you with the tools to confidently price your offerings, boost margins, and maximise your earning potential.
What we’ll cover:
Understanding the cost and value factors that drive profitable pricing.
Techniques to evaluate and adjust your pricing strategy.
How to communicate your pricing effectively to clients.
Setting prices that align with your business goals and customer expectations.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a clear, actionable pricing strategy that sets your business up for long-term success.

Introduction to Canva
2025-04-18 10:00 - 12:00
Canva is an all-in-one online design tool that makes it simple to create graphics, edit photos/videos and write content.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to navigate Canva with confidence, starting with a broad overview of what you can create and do with Canva including a live demonstration of the Canva Editor.
We’ll then explore how to:

Design professional printed marketing materials and edit photos with ease.
Create engaging social media content, including videos and images for posts and ads.
Write creative blog content and make stunning presentations.

We’ll finish this beginner’s guide to Canva by looking at some clever strategies for improving how you market your business with your new suite of creative marketing materials.
As a result of attending this webinar, you will gain practical knowledge of the basics of Canva and learn how to save time when marketing your business online. We’ll be focusing on the free features of Canva for this webinar but some paid ‘Canva Pro’ features will be demonstrated also.

The AI-Powered Business: How Businesses Can 10x Their Productivity Webinar
2025-04-21 10:00 - 11:30
AI is revolutionizing how businesses operate, enabling companies to scale faster, streamline operations, and optimize efficiency. This webinar will explore the best AI tools for automating key business processes—from marketing and customer service to supply chain management and data analysis—helping eCommerce businesses grow internationally without increasing overhead.
Learning Outcomes:

A base understanding of the main A.I. Platforms, and jargon associated with the technology.
Discover AI tools that can enhance productivity for often time-consuming tasks.
Learn how AI-powered solutions can optimize customer engagement, marketing, and operations.
Understand how AI can support international expansion through smarter data insights and decision-making.
Explore real-world examples of eCommerce businesses successfully leveraging AI to scale globally.

Who Should Attend?
This webinar is designed for eCommerce businesses looking to scale internationally, including:

E-commerce brands aiming to expand into new markets while improving efficiency.
D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) businesses seeking AI-driven automation to streamline operations.
B2B eCommerce companies looking to optimize international workflows.
Online retailers wanting to automate marketing, customer service, and logistics.
Manufacturers leveraging eCommerce to reach global buyers more efficiently.

If you’re using eCommerce to expand internationally and want to leverage AI to scale faster, reduce costs, and free up time for strategic growth, this session will provide practical insights and tools to accelerate your success.

Business Support – Drop In Sessions (Kirriemuir Library)
2025-04-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Kirriemuir Library, 28 Reform Street, Kirriemuir, DD8 4BS
The Business Gateway team will be at Kirriemuir Library to offer expert advice and support for all your business questions.
Drop in and speak to us, or use the book now button and a member of the team will be in touch to book an appointment.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow business, our advisers are here for you every step of the way.

How to plan and schedule your online content
2025-04-22 10:00 - 12:00
Businesses who plan their content in advance, aligning their channels with actual business objectives, customer themes and national events, and then schedule it to ensure it reaches the target market at the right time, on the right platform – hugely increase the chances of achieving impact.
In this webinar, you will learn how to:

Plan content based on your business and your customer needs
Evaluate current social media dashboards and management tools
Create a social media content calendar and schedule updates automatically
Reach more people through automating your blog and email newsletter content
Implement simple automation techniques to increase efficiency

Having great content is just the start. This webinar will help you better organise and setup your content strategy through simple planning and effective scheduling, to achieve great business results.

Targeting the US and Australia with your own website - Part 2
2025-04-23 10:00 - 12:00

Bookkeeping essentials
2025-04-23 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar is for those who are entering business for the first time or require an understanding of what is involved in financially managing a business, including basic bookkeeping, and creating a profit and loss account. You will also get an understanding of what expenses the business can claim and then how to fund your business. At the end of the session, you will receive a workbook on excel to help you manage and monitor costs and sales.
At the end of this session, you will be able to:

Implement basic bookkeeping skills across your business
Create a profit and loss account
Understand what expenses can and cannot be claimed
Use financial management to increase revenues and profits
Understand capital and revenue costs and how they are treated

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 1: On page optimisation
2025-04-23 14:00 - 16:00
Join us to look at how Google and other search engines decide the order in which they list their search results. We will show you how to maximise your chances of appearing towards the top of the search rankings, ensuring you understand what key words and phrases your potential customers are using when searching online, and how to optimise your website as a result.
We will cover:

How search engines work, and the ‘on-page’ factors used to rank your site
Understanding customer search behaviour
Keyword research tools and how to benefit from them
Optimising your website content for search engines

Effective Sales and Negotiation Strategies
2025-04-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, Ladyloan, Arbroath, DD11 1PU
This workshop is designed to help business owners understand the components of successful selling and to equip them with tools and techniques they can apply in the workplace to make a positive impact immediately.
You will gain valuable insights into how to engage customers more effectively, close sales with confidence, and negotiate strategically with suppliers and wholesalers. Packed with practical techniques, this workshop will help you build trust, create win-win scenarios, and secure better deals across all areas of your business. Whether you are negotiating prices, terms, or contracts, you will leave with the skills to strengthen relationships and achieve tangible results.
What we’ll cover:

Effective Customer Engagement
Supplier & Wholesale Negotiation
Win-Win Strategies
Practical Tools for Immediate Impact

Book your place now and master the art of negotiation to land better deals with suppliers and wholesalers.

Thorntons Employment Law Webinar - Disability Discrimination Overview
2025-04-24 09:30 - 10:30
In this session, Employment Partner Chris Phillips provides an overview of how the Equality Act protects disabled workers and impacts on their employers. He will bring us up to date with recent cases before looking forward to what we might expect under the Labour administration.
This webinar will cover:

How we define disability;
Claims under the 2010 Act;
Practical considerations and tips for employers; and
Case law developments

Who should attend?

HR Professionals
Business Owners
Managers

Marketing Mastery: Spotlighting Features and Benefits for Your Business
2025-04-24 09:30 - 11:00
During this learning session we’ll look at ways to identify the benefits of your product, service or creative business so you can use the messaging that your customers ultimately want to hear in your marketing and promotional material.
This session will be led by GrowBiz Deputy CEO Clair Smith and Learning and Development Manager Alison Finlay. Both of whom have a sales and marketing background and who will guide you through some key principles to help you with your marketing strategy.
You’ll walk away from this session feeling much clearer about what the features and benefits are of your business, who your customers might be, how to reach them and what channels to you use to talk to them.
GrowBiz provides enterprise support to businesses, social and micro-enterprises and the self-employed across rural and island Scotland. Please only book a space if you are based in rural Scotland.

GrowBiz strives to host fully inclusive events and will do all that we can to cater for your needs. If you need additional support or have concerns about taking part in this event please get in touch with the team at events@growbiz.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
This event will take place on Zoom and will not be recorded.

How to write funding applications
2025-04-24 10:00 - 12:00
When submitting applications for funding, you need to ensure that the applications are written in such a way that improves your chances of being successful.
There are numerous funders out there and each will have their unique way they wish you to apply, however, in this webinar we’ll explore some key steps you can take to improve your chances of a successful application, including:

Clarifying your need

Demonstrating your needs

Understanding your funder

How to speak their language

Getting the basics right

Overcoming the common mistakes

Answering the questions asked

Social media essentials: Instagram
2025-04-24 14:00 - 16:00
Thinking about using Instagram to communicate with existing and potential customers? Want to showcase your products or services using it? During this webinar we will cover:

Getting the setup right and benefitting from the available business tools
Best practice profiles, and some strategies to help your business stand out from the crowd
The types of audience you can reach via this platform and the factors and analytics such as cost and timing of posting images and how that can maximise impact
The various types of content you can post to Instagram, from regular posts to Stories and Reels

How to start a business: The basics
2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:00
Whatever your reasons may be for considering being your own boss, we are here to support you and help you decide if this is the right path for you.
We will cover:

Personal finance
Planning – how much do you need to earn?
Researching your market – who your customers are, understanding your competition and what the trends are within your chosen field
Business structure – what are the core business structures? How to decide which is right for you and how to register as a business
Creating your start-up action plan – an outline
Marketing
Pricing
Naming the business
Basic bookkeeping
Forecasting
Financing, banking, insurance, and VAT
Tax

Social media essentials: Facebook
2025-04-28 10:00 - 12:00
Get to grips with Facebook – the world’s most popular social networking platform.
In this webinar you will:

Learn how to get the most out of Facebook and how it could fit into your business’s digital marketing strategy
Better understand the algorithm behind Facebook, and how to create great content that achieves a bigger reach and impact
Learn from the stats and data you can get from the system and discover who your most interested customers/clients are
Understand the power of Facebook advertising, and other selling options available to you
Discover other business opportunities presented by Facebook, including how to promote and sell products and services
Be introduced to ‘Business Suite’ – a free Facebook dashboard to manage all your business activity

Business Support – Drop In Sessions (Brechin Library)
2025-04-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Brechin Library, 10 St. Ninians Square, Brechin, DD9 7AD
The Business Gateway team will be at Brechin Library to offer expert advice and support for all your business questions.
Drop in and speak to us, or use the book now button and a member of the team will be in touch to book an appointment.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow business, our advisers are here for you every step of the way.

Thorntons Immigration Webinar - Immigration Update
2025-04-29 09:30 - 10:30
Immigration law and practice are constantly changing, and 2025 is going to be no exception. Keeping on top of changes to the law, Home Office guidance and immigration processes and procedures is vital for UK employers with an international workforce.
In addition to keeping pace with immigration compliance, employers also have to stay up to date with changes to UK employment law. This is especially important for sponsor licence holders, as complying with UK employment law is a key sponsor licence duty. Failure to comply with wider legal requirements placed on UK employers can lead to the loss of a licence, with far reaching consequences for businesses and their staff.
In this webinar, Thorntons Immigration Specialists, Jacqueline Moore, Louise Crichton and Rebecca Engel-Morton will be joined by Head of Employment, Noele McClelland to discuss key topics for UK employers in 2025.
This webinar will cover:

Immigration developments in Q1 of 2025
Changes to employment law
Changes to Home Office sponsorship guidance
Digitalisation of the UK border and the impact of eVisas on Right to Work checks

Social media essentials: TikTok and Instagram Reels
2025-04-29 10:00 - 12:00
TikTok and Instagram Reels aren’t just for dance trends and lip-synching videos, they can also be a fantastic opportunity to engage with your customers and increase the reach of your business online. Learn how to create bitesize video content for more effective business communication on two of the most popular social platforms.
We will cover:

How to optimise your TikTok and Instagram accounts for the best results with video
How to discover the latest trends on each platform and leverage this to create popular videos for your business
Ideas for creating content to entertain, inspire or educate your audience (with lots of examples from a variety of relevant TikTok and Reels accounts)
How to increase engagement and reach by paying attention to your videos’ structure, duration, titles and understanding hashtags and algorithms
The best kit, apps and workflow to create bitesize vertical videos for both platforms

How to build your brand
2025-04-29 13:00 - 15:00
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

Pitch, Post, Persuade, People
2025-04-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Malmaison Dundee, 44 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee, DD1 4AY
Come join us at Malmaison Dundee on Wednesday 30 April for an exciting event where you’ll learn how to pitch your ideas effectively, post engaging content, persuade your audience, and connect with people in the business world. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event is packed with valuable insights and practical tips to help you succeed. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your business skills and network with like-minded individuals!
This isn’t just another business event—it’s your chance to gain real-world strategies from industry experts who have helped businesses scale and succeed.
Meet Your Experts & What You’ll Learn:
Gary Manini (Manini Ltd) –
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garymanini/ | https://www.facebook.com/gary.manini
✅ Master cold calling & sales techniques
✅ Generate high-quality leads
✅ Overcome the fear of selling
Robbie Irons (Robbie Irons Marketing) –
www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-irons | https://www.facebook.com/Robbieironsmarketing
✅ Create content that stops the scroll & converts
✅ Build a social media & web strategy that attracts high-value leads
Andrew Smith (KLT Networking) –
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewabn/
✅ Network with confidence & turn connections into sales
✅ Discover the follow-up strategy that drives real results
Rebecca Ling (LearnLing) –
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-ling-22b1a7157/
✅ Improve workplace communication & collaboration
✅ Understand personality types for better teamwork
Why You Need to Be There
✔️ Build confidence in sales & marketing
✔️ Learn practical, actionable strategies
✔️ Expand your network with like-minded professionals
✔️ Walk away with a game plan to grow your business

Harnessing AI in Shopify: Boost Sales & Streamline Operations Webinar
2025-04-30 10:00 - 11:00
This webinar explores how AI can enhance your Shopify store by automating tasks, personalising customer experiences, and optimizing sales strategies. Delegates will gain practical insights into AI-powered tools and apps that can help improve product recommendations, streamline customer service, and increase conversions.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, delegates will:

Understand how AI can enhance various aspects of a Shopify store.
Learn about AI-driven tools for product recommendations, chatbots, and customer segmentation.
Discover automation techniques to improve efficiency and customer engagement.
Explore Shopify’s own AI tools and what is already included within their platform.
Gain practical knowledge on integrating AI-powered apps into Shopify.
Develop strategies to leverage AI for increasing sales and optimizing store performance.

Who should attend this webinar?
This webinar is ideal for business owners and eCommerce managers who are looking to grow their Shopify store by leveraging AI technology. It is perfect for:

Shopify store owners seeking to improve efficiency, increase conversions, and boost sales through AI-driven tools.
eCommerce managers looking to optimize their store’s performance and enhance customer engagement using automation and personalisation.
Marketing teams interested in integrating AI for targeted campaigns, product recommendations, and customer segmentation.
Customer service teams wanting to explore AI-powered chatbots and other tools to enhance service delivery and satisfaction.
Tech-savvy entrepreneurs wanting to stay ahead of the curve and adopt the latest AI technologies in their eCommerce strategy.

Delivering profit to drive growth
2025-04-30 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

Business benefits of flexible working
2025-04-30 12:30 - 14:00
Work.Life. Highland in partnership with Business Gateway are delighted to welcome Flexibility Works to deliver this interactive workshop to promote the benefits of flexible working in your business.
Workshop Content:

A business case for flexible working
The current flex landscape in Scotland – supported by key data
Overview of the types of flexible working including flex in frontline roles
Case studies of flex in action in a range of sectors
Unpicking key employer challenges in relation to flex
Top tips to move the dial on flex in your organisation
Overview of the new flexible working legislation

Benefits of Attending

Helps local employers attract and retain a diverse talent pool, boosting workforce participation and driving regional economic growth.
By promoting flexible working, the workshop enhances employee work-life balance, leading to a healthier, more productive workforce for local businesses.
Employers gain up-to-date knowledge of flexible working legislation, ensuring they remain compliant and competitive in a changing market.

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 2: Off page optimisation & technical considerations
2025-04-30 14:00 - 16:00
Join us as we take a further, more detailed look at how the Google search engines indexes and ranks websites based on a number of external (off-page) and technical factors. Implementing this learning will increase your chances of customers discovering your business through Google – the world’s leading research tool.
We will cover:

How to block or control what websites are allowed to ‘index’
The importance of a fast loading mobile website
How security and usability influence Google
What “off-page” optimisation means, and tactics to generate back-links
The importance of Local SEO, and why a “Google Business Profile” is vital
