Introduction to Canva
2026-02-03 16:00 - 18:00 UTC
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.

A Strategic Reset for Independent Businesses
2026-02-03 18:00 - 20:00 | The Stag, 140-144 Castle Street, Forfar, DD8 3HX
Feeling things are a bit quiet right now?
Maybe it’s roadworks, bad weather, or simply that early-year slowdown when people are watching their spending. Whatever the reason, this is the perfect time to step back, evaluate, and reset your business for the year ahead.
A new year brings fresh opportunities to refocus, set new goals, and plan for the months ahead. Join us for an action-led, interactive workshop created to energise, connect, and equip you with practical strategies to grow your business.
The session is split into two parts:

Managing Disruption and Building Resilience
Reset, Refresh, and Re-launch

You’ll learn:

How to stay visible and accessible during quieter periods
Low-cost, effective ways to keep your business front of mind
How to prioritise key products, customers, and costs to protect cashflow and maintain stability

Take this time to invest in your business and start the year strong.

Legal Update: The Data Use and Access Act 2025 revisited
2026-02-04 09:30 - 10:30
Join Loretta Maxfield and Morgan O’Neill for an update on the implementation of the Data Use and Access Act 2026.
Loretta and Morgan will recap on the key changes and implications for organisations, how to prepare and adapt to the requirements and there will be Q&A for you to ask our experts questions about this legislative change.

How to create engaging content
2026-02-04 10:00 - 12:00
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

Future Skills for Dundee & Tay Cities Tech: DigiTay Roundtable
2026-02-04 10:00 - 14:00 | The Flour Mill, 34 Commercial Street, Dundee, DD1 3EJ
Help shape the digital skills Dundee and the Tay Cities’ tech economy will need next.
Dundee and the wider region’s tech sector is evolving rapidly. To sustain growth, employers must play a leading role in defining the skills, training models, and pathways needed for the future workforce.
This half-day, industry-led roundtable brings together tech employers and key stakeholders to identify priority skills gaps and co-design practical, future-ready approaches to digital skills development for the Dundee and Tay Cities region.
Secure your place and help shape the future digital skills needed to drive the Dundee and Tay Cities tech economy.

How to avoid costly mistakes with UK VAT | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-04 12:00 - 12:30
This practical webinar led by Reda Vaisvidiene breaks down the UK’s VAT system in clear, plain English.
Designed for business owners and decision-makers, it explains when you need to register, how VAT really works in practice and how to avoid the most common (and expensive) VAT mistakes.
You’ll leave with actionable steps you can apply immediately to your small business.
Topics covered in this session:

When, why and how you should be VAT-registered
How VAT affects cash flow and profit (not just compliance)
The top VAT errors that cost businesses thousands

Scaling delivery through investible solutions
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:00
Councils across the UK face a common challenge: turning ambitious climate strategies into fundable, deliverable projects at pace and scale. While priorities and plans exist, many stop short of investment-ready detail, causing delays, missed funding, and reliance on short-term grants.
This webinar will explore the importance of planning, pipeline development, and regional partnerships in unlocking public and private funding.

Bookkeeping essentials
2026-02-04 14:00 - 16:00
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

You will also receive a workbook on excel to help you manage and monitor costs and sales.

Getting Your Business Tender Ready - The Checklist
2026-02-04 14:30 - 16:00
In Scotland, public sector procurement is governed by rules set out by the Scottish Government. Therefore, there is certain information, policies, and processes which must be in place before your business can begin to bid for public sector contracts.
This webinar aims to help Scottish SMEs and social enterprises become tender ready. One of our expert trainers will talk you through a “bidding checklist” of all the key information, processes and policies that your business must have in place prior to bidding.
During this course, you will learn:

The information and policies you need to have in place for public sector procurement.
An understanding of the public sector procurement market and how to enter it.
How to create a bid/no bid strategy.
How to improve your chances of winning a public sector contract.

At the end of the webinar, there will be an interactive Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask our expert trainer any questions you may have.

Adaptation & Climate Resilience in the Tourism Sector
2026-02-05 10:00 - 11:30
This webinar will examine the Heritage Tourism Sector as a case study to explore the innovations and resources emerging from this sector, what skills, resources, and learnings can be adapted for the broader tourism and events audience.
You will hear about what free tools and resources there are to support you on this journey.

An introduction to business strategy
2026-02-05 10:00 - 12:00
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

Scaling your business in 2026: Growth strategies for success
2026-02-05 11:00 - 12:00
Join LegalVision’s free webinar, Scaling Your Business in 2026: Growth Strategies for Success, with Michaela Corley, practice leader, who will advise businesses on structuring, capital-raising and governance.
This session covers building a sustainable business model, preparing for investment and developing leadership teams to support long-term growth.
Key takeaways from this session:

How to structure your business for scale
Capital-raising options and investment readiness
Leadership and employee incentives, including share options

Preparing for 2026: What your business needs to know | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-05 12:00 - 12:30
Is your business ready for the legal and regulatory changes coming in 2026?
Making sure you have strong legal and financial foundations in place will help you capitalise on new opportunities for growth.
In this Lunch and Learn, LegalVision’s co-head of legal, Robert Nay, will walk through the key updates and actions you should take now.
Topics covered in this session:

Your 2026 commitments when it comes to data and privacy compliance
Upcoming Companies House verification requirements
Consumer law changes affecting how you sell and communicate
Whether your client and team contracts are fit for purpose in 2026

Branding & Pricing: Set Your Business Up For Growth
2026-02-05 13:00 - 18:00 | Forfar Community Campus, Kirriemuir Road, Forfar, DD8 3TG
Our Branding & Pricing workshop is great for business owners who want to build a strong foundation for their business. In this session our experts will guide you through creating a clear Branding Framework and an aligned Pricing Strategy Blueprint. By the end, you’ll have a personalised plan to define your brand’s unique value and price it for profit and growth.
In a competitive market, your brand isn’t just a logo; it’s a promise. And your pricing isn’t just a number; it’s a key part of your brand. This workshop brings these two essential elements together, ensuring they work in harmony.
You’ll work through a series of structured exercises to build a comprehensive blueprint for your business.
This workshop is highly interactive and provides a dedicated template that you’ll complete as you go, with plenty of time for group discussions, peer feedback, and one-on-one support.
What you’ll learn

Clarify Your Brand Purpose: Define your ‘why’ to communicate with confidence.
Know Your Ideal Customer: Pinpoint who you’re targeting and how to reach them.
Stand Out: Shape a unique brand identity that sets you apart.
Price with Purpose: Explore pricing models and value-based strategies.
Create Pricing Tiers: Build a structure that attracts different customer types and boosts revenue.

It’s perfect for anyone who feels uncertain about what their brand stands for or how to price their offerings effectively.

Simple automations that run your business in the background
2026-02-05 14:00 - 15:00
Modern tools can quietly take care of the small but essential jobs that keep your business moving. From reminders to invoicing, simple automations can save you time every single day so you can focus on the work that actually needs you.
Join this practical session to explore straightforward, reliable automations that handle routine tasks in the background. You’ll learn how to set up step-by-step workflows that reduce admin, improve consistency and free up valuable hours in your week. No technical knowledge required!
What we’ll cover:

How to automate everyday tasks such as reminders, follow-ups and client updates
Ways to build routine processes into automated checklists so nothing slips through the cracks
How to link your favourite apps so information flows smoothly between tools
Practical examples of low-effort automations that make a measurable difference to your day

You’ll leave with clear, easy-to-apply ideas that help you cut down repetitive work, be more organised and keep your business running smoothly in the background.
Whether you’re a sole trader, freelancer or small business owner, these time-saving approaches can help you regain focus and make your week more productive.

When to use AI as a solution for your business | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-06 12:00 - 12:30
In this webinar, Julian Musson will provide a practical framework to help small businesses identify where AI can most be of use to them – and apply it in the most efficient way. He’ll do this via a simple worksheet, which you’ll receive as a PDF after the session.
There’s also a short “reality check” on AI and some hands-on guidance around real-life AI use in a small (albeit fairly tech-savvy) business.
Overall, Julian aims to provide straightforward options for businesses without the time and budget to do deep research, so they can see benefits in the short to medium term.
Topics covered in this session:

How AI is different from traditional computer systems
Examples of how AI is being applied in programming and day to day work
Takeaway – a decision framework for when to consider AI as the solution

How to start a business: The basics
2026-02-07 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

Your Business MOT - Drop-In Sessions
2026-02-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Business Gateway Arbroath, Unit 9 Harbour Visitor Centre, Arbroath, DD11 1PS
If you’ve just launched a full-time venture or you’re growing a side hustle, our free Business MOT drop-in sessions are here to help.
Pop in for a relaxed, one-to-one chat with our expert advisers. We’ll take a look at what’s working well, spot any gaps, and guide you towards the right support to help you grow. It’s simple, practical, and tailored to you, so you can move forward with confidence.
Drop in for a free business check-up, because every start-up deserves a strong start.

Measuring Biodiversity: Farm Biodiversity Scotland Tool
2026-02-09 12:30 - 14:00
Biodiversity audits are one of the 5 requirements of the new Whole Farm Plan, and all farmers and crofters receiving Basic Payments (BPS) must complete all of the relevant plans/audits by 2028.
Join us on 9 February for the second in our 2026 series of interactive webinars on the different elements of Whole Farm Plans, this time focusing on the Biodiversity audit.
Taking part in the piloting of the Farm Biodiversity Scotland tool is one way of completing your biodiversity audit yourself. In this webinar, we will explore how mapping habitats and monitoring biodiversity can support decision making.
The Farm Biodiversity Project team from NatureScot will demonstrate how the free to use mobile app and web platform works. This tool has been designed with input from farmers and crofters to:

Create a habitat map
Carry out simple habitat assessments
Record species
Add photos

Monitoring biodiversity can help farmers and land managers plan how to protect, manage and enhance nature on their land providing benefits for nature and the business.
Join us for an insightful and interactive session!
FREE and open to farmers, crofters, growers and land managers. Booking required.

International Energy Week 2026
2026-02-10 09:00 - 2026-02-12 15:30 | QEII Centre, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE
International Energy Week 2026 is the first major global energy event following COP30, where the world’s energy leaders gather to turn climate commitments into action.
Backed by the Energy Institute and its 20,000-strong membership, International Energy Week offers a unique platform to tackle the most urgent challenges in energy: from grid resilience and supply chain risk, to financing the transition and scaling innovation.
With its trusted heritage as the UK’s flagship energy event, International Energy Week is more than just a conference – it’s a convening force, a networking hub and a strategic tool in the Energy Institute’s mission to create a better energy future.
Over three days of high-profile keynotes, panel discussions, and networking, and culminating in the prestigious International Energy Week dinner and awards ceremony, the week attracts more than 1,000 delegates from around the globe.
International Energy Week is designed for energy professionals across the spectrum – executives, policymakers, investors, engineers, academics, and early-career talent. Whether you’re driving strategy, scaling innovation or shaping policy, this is your platform to connect, collaborate and lead.
It is the essential annual fixture for those leading on corporate strategy, business development, and technological innovation, those wanting to retain a competitive edge, and anyone seeking insight into the great energy challenges facing humanity and once-in-a-generation energy transition opportunities.

Google Analytics – Understand how your website performs
2026-02-10 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Social media essentials: Instagram
2026-02-11 10:00 - 12:00
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 wellbeing can support clearer thinking | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-11 12:00 - 12:30
Have you ever set intentions, but found it difficult to stay connected to them once life becomes busy, stressful or uncertain?
In this Lunch and Learn, Dr Dimple Devadas takes you through a gentle, psychology-informed exploration of how wellbeing and awareness can support clearer thinking and better decisions.
Mental clarity is closely linked to physical wellbeing and everyday lifestyle. While many people already know the basics of healthy living, eating well, moving more and sleeping better, the challenge isn’t always knowledge. Instead, it’s how difficult it can be to stay both consistent and flexible with healthy routines when life is busy, stressful or uncertain.
This session explores how awareness and emotional understanding can make approaching physical wellbeing feel more realistic and supportive.
Topics covered in this session:

How to notice familiar patterns, where helpful and context-dependent, with curiosity and compassion
Understanding emotions as meaningful signals that can support change
Exploring how physical wellbeing and everyday lifestyle support mental clarity

Accounting for Limited Companies
2026-02-11 14:00 - 16:00
This webinar is designed to outline the key accounting and statutory reporting requirements for a limited company and explain the main differences between operating as a sole trader versus a limited company.
We’ll cover:

Advantanges and disadvantages of setting up as a limited company
Company set-up
Accounting requirements
Record keeping and employing staff
Paying directors and shareholders
Corporation Tax
VAT
Software
Management accounts
Incorporation

By the end of the webinar you should have a solid basis of deciding if a limited company is the correct structure for your business, and have an understanding of what is involved in accounting for a limited company.

How to generate and increase sales
2026-02-12 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

Is franchising right for you? What you need to know
2026-02-12 11:00 - 12:00
Franchising can be an attractive way to run a business with the backing of a proven brand, but it’s not the right fit for everyone.
Before committing, it’s essential to understand how the model works and what’s expected of you.
Join LegalVision’s free webinar, Is Franchising Right for You? What You Need to Know, with Paul Loccisano (senior associate).
Key takeaways from this session:

What makes a strong and sustainable franchise model
The support, systems and obligations franchisors should provide
Skills, commitment and location factors critical to success

How to franchise your business
2026-02-12 12:00 - 12:30
Franchising is one of the fastest ways to scale in the UK. Join our free webinar and discover how to turn your successful business into a franchise model that works.
Learn from Julie Clabby, who built The Busylizzy Club from a single location in 2011 into an award-winning UK franchise network with over 50 locations. She franchised the business in 2014 and has recruited, supported and grown franchises ever since.
What you’ll learn in 30 minutes:

What franchising actually is
Importance of a pilot
Financials
Documenting everything
Territory mapping
Bonus tips : My biggest mistakes!

How to deliver low-cost, high impact marketing
2026-02-12 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

Planning Your Bid – Time and Resources
2026-02-12 13:30 - 15:00
The biggest learning curve in tendering is understanding the time, energy, and resources that go into creating a winning bid.
The more planning you do before writing your bid, the easier you’ll find it when you begin your response. This training will walk you through the steps of how to plan and manage your bid. From capture planning to forming a bid team (this doesn’t necessarily need to be a full team; it could be one person if they have the right skills) to making key decisions.
One of SDP’s expert trainers will also show an example of a Bid Time Plan and how to complete it.
Overview of what you will learn:

What work can be done pre-tender to make the process of creating the bid less stressful
How to make objective decisions while managing a bid
How to create a bid time plan

At the end of the session, there will be an interactive Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask any burning questions you may have. As well as the chance to hear what other SME businesses in Scotland have to say.

Shaping Tourism Responsibly
2026-02-12 14:00 - 14:30
This webinar will explore how responsible tourism development can meet the demand for meaningful and authentic experiences, while benefitting local communities.
You will also discover how trade-ready Scottish tourism businesses that are creating positive impact for visitors can gain visibility on the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map.
