Invest in Angus

Lunch and Learn: Simple Excel techniques to help you save time
2025-09-19 12:00 - 12:30 UTC
Excel – “can’t live without it” or “can’t understand what the fuss is about”?
Excel is a fantastic tool to organise information in a clear way – think of it as a simple CRM, sales data or a way to manage your social media schedule. And it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming list that takes a lot of wrangling to find what you need.
In this webinar, Alison Pollecutt will show you how to create some simple rules to get Excel to tell you the things that matter (so you don’t need to go searching), help you tame your data and set yourself up for success.
Topics covered in this session:

How to highlight important dates, so you know exactly what’s coming up
How to hide what’s not important and reduce overwhelm
How to fill in your spreadsheet faster and more accurately

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 2: Off page optimisation & technical considerations
2025-09-22 10:00 - 12:00
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

Lunch and Learn: Simple, low-risk ways to start outsourcing today
2025-09-22 12:00 - 12:30
Great leaders focus on the road ahead, not clearing up what’s already passed.
In this session led by Abi Phillips, we’ll explore how outsourcing helps you step out of the weeds and lead from the front. From virtual assistants to accountants and specialist freelancers, you’ll learn how to identify the right tasks to delegate, choose the right people and make it cost-effective.
Create the space to focus on strategy, growth and the work only you can do – without hiring a full team.
Topics covered in this session:

How to spot the tasks holding you back from leading effectively
Simple, low-risk ways to start outsourcing today
How to treat outsourcing as a strategic investment in leadership and growth

Social media essentials: Instagram
2025-09-22 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 build a digital marketing plan
2025-09-22 18:00 - 20:00
This webinar will guide you through the steps needed to create an effective digital marketing strategy, ensuring you focus on the right tactics to meet your business objectives and goals.
We will cover:

The importance of planning your digital marketing activities
Building your plan around a simple framework
Conducting a situational analysis (and understanding customers and competitors)
Developing your brand and tone of voice
Planning your content strategy
Prioritising digital channels
Evaluating your Digital Marketing efforts

Thorntons Webinar - Employment Law
2025-09-23 09:30 - 10:30
Join Debbie and Amy to discuss the tricky issue of assessing employment status and why it’s important. The webinar will include:

The differences between self-employment, worker and employment status (employment rights, tax position and right to bring employment claims)
Why it’s important to identify the correct employment status, particularly the importance of ensuring that an individual is genuinely self-employed
The key areas to take into account when assessing employment status

This webinar will be useful for business owners, those responsible for employing staff and those either engaging or considering engaging self-employed consultants/contractors.

Why your business needs a blog
2025-09-23 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar will provide you with the knowledge and understanding you need to create a blog that promotes your business.
We will cover:

What a ‘blog’ is, how to set one up and what it takes to make them work
Other small and medium sized businesses who already blog successfully and what you can learn from them
Options for monetising a blog
How to promote your blog
How your blog can help move your website higher up search engine ranking
Understanding analytics and measuring the impact of your blog

THRIVE+ : Introduction to Sustainable Marketing Strategies
2025-09-23 10:30 - 12:00
This event is part of a series of THRIVE+ skills development events delivered by experienced industry trainers.
Key topics:
1. Introduction to ESG and Sustainability Terminology
a. Understanding carbon footprint, carbon neutral, net zero, and other essential sustainability terms.
b. The importance of sustainability for food & drink businesses and why ESG practices matter.
2. Sustainable Packaging Solutions
a. Overview of sustainable packaging options: biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable materials.
b. How to start implementing eco-friendly packaging that aligns with brand values and customer expectations.
3. Crafting Your Sustainability Message
a. How to build a simple and authentic sustainability narrative for your business.
b. Best practices for communicating your sustainability efforts clearly to customers through various marketing channels
There will be a Q&A section at the end of the session.

Cyber security made simple
2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:30
Cyber threats aren’t just a problem for big businesses – they affect organisations of all sizes, and small businesses are increasingly being targeted. That’s why it’s so important to build cyber awareness into your team from the very beginning.
Cyber Security Made Simple is a free, CPD-accredited training session designed especially for anyone starting-up or running their own business – from start-ups to scale-ups. Led by Katie O’Neill, Head of Skills Academy, Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland, this interactive session will give you and your team the confidence and practical skills to:

Spot and avoid phishing attempts
Secure devices and data
Respond effectively to cyber incidents

By attending, you’ll be taking a proactive step to protect your business from reputational and financial harm, showing investors and clients that you take cyber resilience seriously. It’s also a great way to start building a strong security culture that grows with your business.

How to start a business: The basics
2025-09-23 18:00 - 20:00
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

Delivering profit to drive growth
2025-09-24 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

Lean & Clean: Smarter Food Safety (Part 2)
2025-09-24 10:00 - 16:00 | The Stag, 140-144 Castle Street, Forfar, DD8 3HX
Don’t miss this essential workshop for food and drink manufacturers in Angus. If you’re a small producer or a growing operation, there’s something here for everyone! During these two sessions, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to streamline your processes, improve product safety, and boost efficiency, without breaking the bank.
Session 3: Beyond Clean
Explore how the 5S methodology enhances allergen and foreign body controls while improving workspace structure, safety, and overall efficiency.
Session 4: Automation Unboxed
Find out how modern automation—now more accessible than ever—can help food producers of all sizes tackle labour challenges, cut costs, and stay competitive.
New to Lean thinking? Make sure to book Part 1 on 18 September, covering process efficiency, HACCP planning, and smart factory layouts.

Lunch and Learn: Five payroll mistakes to watch out for and how to fix them
2025-09-24 12:00 - 12:30
Did you know more than 84% of UK businesses make payroll mistakes every single month? These errors aren’t just frustrating – they’re costly. From fines and wasted hours to frustrated employees, the impact adds up fast.
For small businesses still managing payroll in-house – and in many cases, even manually – the stakes are even higher. With ever-changing legislation and tight deadlines, it only takes one incorrect tax code or misclassification of a new starter to throw everything off.
The good news? These mistakes are preventable.
Join Sarah Sharpe of Payroll Ninjas and Adam Coyle from Employment Hero as they reveal how to take the pain out of payroll and avoid the costly errors holding so many SMEs back.
In this session, you’ll discover:

The five most expensive payroll mistakes small businesses are making right now
The hidden cost of these errors to your business and your team
Quick fixes to stop these mistakes in their tracks
How payroll automation can give you back time, money and peace of mind

Walk away with practical tips and tools to simplify payroll, stay compliant and run your business with confidence.

StartSMART: navigating the first steps in business
2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00
Thinking about starting your own business? Join us for an inspiring and honest panel discussion with three business owners who have navigated the highs and lows of starting-up and running a business.
In this panel webinar, we’ll explore:

What it’s really like to run a business
The everyday challenges SMEs face—from staffing to logistics
How customer expectations are shifting and how businesses are adapting
Real-world insights on scaling, planning for the future, and accessing funding
What support Scotland needs to become a more SME-friendly nation.
You’ll also hear what advice they’d give to anyone starting up today.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore self-employment or ready to take the first step, this session will give you practical insights, relatable stories, and the motivation to get started.

Made in the UK, Sold to the World Roadshow - Scotland
2025-09-25 09:00 - 15:00
Make meaningful international connections on the sixth stop on the all-sector, Made in the UK, Sold to the World Roadshow, which will be held in Edinburgh.
Scotland has a robust and dynamic Financial and Professional Business Services industry that plays a crucial role in the economy. It is also home to a thriving fintech sector, contributing significantly to the economy and providing innovative solutions in financial services. This makes Edinburgh a strategic choice to Spotlight exporting in the Financial and Professional Business Services sector.
Learn how to enhance your export potential, improve your global competitiveness, and meet the growing demand for sustainable products.
You could also benefit from:

Opportunity to meet with relevant, overseas Financial and Professional Business Services buyers* for 1-2-1 meetings

1-2-1 meetings with sector/market specialists (from UK embassies and consulates overseas)

1-2-1 meetings with sector specialist International Trade Advisers

Peer learning sessions

Workshops focusing on overseas markets and developing your international strategy

Networking opportunities

An inspiring and informative seminar programme

Thorntons Webinar - Data Protection
2025-09-25 09:30 - 10:30
The new Data Use and Access Act 2025 was given Royal Assent in June of this year and will amend both the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR. Join Loretta Maxfield and Morgan O’Neill to find out the practical implication for organisations and what they need to do and when.
Loretta and Morgan will be considering the impact on key areas of compliance including:

New Complaints Procedure
Direct Marketing
DSARs
International Data Transfers
Legitimate Interests
Automated Decision Making

Could voltage optimisation quickly cut your energy bills
2025-09-25 10:00 - 11:00
Unless your business is operating completely off grid by generating its own electricity, you’ll be powering your lights, fans, compressors, fridges, freezers and so on using electricity that’s supplied by the UK’s National Grid.
The National Grid supplies your electricity at a voltage of around 230 Volts, but did you know that not all equipment needs the 230 Volts you’re paying for? And that that many types of equipment simply waste what they don’t use.
Introducing voltage optimisation – a voltage optimisation device stops waste. By regulating the flow of electricity around your business it ensures that the energy your business pays for is utilised more effectively.
If you are interested in reducing your energy bills and carbon footprint, join this webinar to find out if voltage optimisation could help you.

How to generate and increase sales
2025-09-25 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

Lunch and Learn: Using automation and AI to save time and money
2025-09-25 12:00 - 12:30
In this Lunch and Learn, Constant Contact’s Molly Caldwell will explain how to use AI and automation to save time and money when marketing your business.
This session will emphasise the importance of automation, particularly email automation for building relationships with your customer base and driving subscribers. Molly will share her top strategies for engaging and expanding an audience, fostering customer loyalty and tailoring email experiences, all with the help of AI.
Topics covered in this session:

How to build momentum with new subscribers
How to build loyalty and nurture relationships
How to create a more personalised experience when marketing your business

Managing people, growing agritourism: Performance and Discipline
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00
Employment Law and Human Resource Management Expert, Sophie Henderson of Greenburn will take us through an overview of how to use performance management effectively with your staff to ensure best outcomes. Sophie will also provide information on what to do when things go wrong with insights into the disciplinary process.
If you have specific questions or case studies, it would be great to hear from you in advance and Sophie can answer your questions on the day.

How to deliver low-cost, high impact marketing
2025-09-25 13:00 - 15:00
When budgets are tight, it can be difficult to find the funds for marketing. This webinar will offer marketing tips and advice that you can then use across your business – without bursting the bank.
We will look at:

How marketing extends way beyond what most businesses consider it to be and how it provides opportunities for businesses to make transformational change with little or minimal extra spend
Identifying marketing priorities and using these to reshape your business
The marketing mix as a tool for reviewing how your business plans and delivers its marketing activity
How your marketing activity is delivered successfully and effectively in your business
A series of top tips including the importance of understanding your customers, the core components of a brand, the value of strong and consistent branding, the value of a clear focus and the power of creativity
The many options available with traditional advertising and promotion as a way a company communicates what it does and what it can offer customers, but also looking how this has changed in a world where marketing has moved online
The foundations of effective marketing in a digital age, looking at how your business can grasp new ways of marketing such as social media, web and digital PR

VisitScotland bitesize webinars: How to Improve Your Search Engine Rankings
2025-09-25 14:00 - 14:30
Demystify the world of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and learn how to grow your tourism or event website’s organic search traffic. We’ll cover the SEO basics, common myths and mistakes, as well as how you can adapt your content to the quickly-changing Google landscape.
Ideal for those unfamiliar with SEO or looking to expand their approach.

Making Tax Digital Explained: Businesses With Over £50k Turnover
2025-09-25 17:00 - 18:30
Whether you’re a sole trader, landlord, or small business owner, this friendly, no-nonsense session will get you up to speed.
If your combined income from self-employment and property is £50,000 or more, you’ll be required to follow the new rules from April 2026. We’ll cut through the confusion, explain what’s changing, and show you how to stay compliant without the stress.
This session will be presented by GrowBiz Finance Manager, Kirsteen Hardie.
By the end of the session, you’ll be able to:

Understand who MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment applies to and when it starts
Know exactly what you’ll need to submit to HMRC – and how often
See how cloud accounting can save time and make things easier
Get tips on choosing the right digital tools for your business
Feel confident about taking your next steps toward compliance

This session is a must to small businesses that meet this level of turnover – so please do come along to find out more.
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.

Lunch and Learn: Building your business without sacrificing your wellbeing
2025-09-26 12:00 - 12:30
You know entrepreneurship is hard. But do you know why it’s so hard, and how you can support yourself to thrive, rather than burn out?
In this webinar, Nonie White, positive psychology practitioner and founder coach, reveals the often-neglected links between wellbeing, performance and creating a sustainable business. She also lays out some evidence-based practical takeaways so you can optimise your results alongside your wellbeing.
Topics covered in this session:

The paradox of entrepreneurship – why it’s so potentially brilliant and bad for you, all at once
Why you’ve been focusing on the wrong metrics – and how you can feel better, while doing better
Auditing your own wellbeing and performance habits – then select your evidence-based practices for more sustainable success

Social media essentials: Facebook
2025-09-29 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

Lunch and Learn: How to build a multi-layered communication strategy
2025-09-29 12:00 - 12:30
If your emails are getting ignored and your DMs are collecting dust, it’s time to rethink your approach.
This short and practical session led by Leisa Pickles will show you how to build a multi-layered communication strategy that helps you reach more people, start better conversations and grow your customer base.
Topics covered in this session:

Why a single-channel approach no longer cuts it
The three key layers every outreach strategy should include
How to follow up
What to say (and when) to get a response

The BG Interview: Roan Lavery
2025-09-29 12:00 - 13:00
Join host Hugh Lightbody for a virtual Q&A with Roan Lavery, co-founder of FreeAgent, one of Scotland’s most successful tech stories. This is your chance to hear firsthand how a personal challenge evolved into a game-changing platform for small businesses—and how it grew into a scalable company now backed by NatWest.
In this conversation, we’ll explore:

The personal inspiration behind FreeAgent’s creation
Pivotal moments that signalled scale-up potential
Tough early decisions and their long-term impact
Customer-driven innovation and product pivots
Core values that shaped and sustained company culture
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in Scotland
The role of community and support networks in startup success
The unique advantages and challenges of building a tech company in Scotland

Whether you have a business idea you’d like to turn into a reality, are a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the journey from startup to scale-up, this session promises insights, inspiration, and practical advice.

Thorntons Webinar - Implications of the Proposed Changes to APR and BPR for Family Farming Businesses
2025-09-30 09:30 - 10:30
With the Government having now published their draft Bill in respect of changes to Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs from Inheritance Tax, family farming businesses should now be reviewing their existing arrangements to ensure that they maximise the reliefs that are to be available after April 2026.
This may necessitate restructuring their existing legal set up, transferring assets onto the next generation sooner than would otherwise have been the case and reviewing their Wills.
Our presenters will highlight the issues and the potential solutions.

How to build your brand
2025-09-30 10:00 - 12:00
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

THRIVE+ : Advanced Sustainable Marketing Strategies
2025-09-30 10:30 - 12:00
This event is part of a series of THRIVE+ skills development events delivered by experienced industry trainers.
Key topics:
1. Advanced ESG Principles and Practices
a. Understanding how to apply advanced ESG frameworks to elevate your brand’s sustainability efforts.
b. Case studies of businesses that have successfully implemented advanced sustainability practices and the lessons learned.
2. Effective Packaging Strategies and Supply Chain Considerations
a. In-depth discussion on how to innovate with packaging while making it both sustainable and scalable.
b. Strategies for selecting eco-friendly suppliers and reducing the carbon footprint of your supply chain.
3. Communicating Your Sustainability at Scale
a. Building an effective ESG brand story that resonates with customers and sets your business apart.
b. Best practices for communicating sustainability through digital marketing, packaging, and social media platforms to enhance engagement and trust.
There will be a Q&A section at the session.
