How to start a business: The basics
2024-11-23 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
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

Development and Design for Agritourism
2024-11-25 10:00 - 15:30 | Duffus Village Hall, Duffus, Elgin, IV30 5QD
Join Scotland’s Agritourism Monitor Farms Programme for another informative event, this time focused on development and design of space for agritourism.
Whether you’re an established agritourism business or just starting out, this event hosted by Duffus Estate will help you understand the process when repurposing or designing new space.
Our Agritourism Monitor Farmers, the Scott Family from Fearn Farm are developing a new hotel venture working collaboratively with Rosemary and Ben from The Building Workshop. Rosemary will lead the morning session which will take us through the collaborative design process with a focus on the Fearn developments. We will also hear how the development is progressing from the Scott’s.
In the afternoon, we will have an opportunity to hear from Core Community Group Members, Caroline and Ed Dunbar about the progress and developments at Duffus Estate including the new campsite opening in 2025, the existing accommodation, eco lodge and coffee hut. There will be a walk around of Duffus Estate also.
There will be a chance to share thoughts & ideas and network over lunchtime.
Tea and Coffee will be provided. There will be a cup of soup at lunchtime but please do bring a packed lunch.
Everyone is very welcome to attend.

Business Support – Drop In Sessions
2024-11-25 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.

Scotland’s Towns Conference 2024
2024-11-27 09:00 - 16:30 | Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
Set against the backdrop of Perth’s major assets investments, STC24 highlights the importance of cultural, built, and natural assets in driving economic, social, and environmental progress in Scotland’s towns and places.
Join us to discuss, learn about and connect with the resilient and thriving places showcasing at Scotland’s Towns Conference 2024: “Investing in Our Assets for Sustainable Towns of the Future.” This year’s conference, held on 27th November at Perth Concert Hall, will delve into the critical role of cultural, built, and natural assets in fostering local economic, social, and environmental transformative change.

Built assets and infrastructure: The backbone of our towns and places.

Cultural and heritage assets: Providing both economic and wider societal benefits.

Natural assets: Greenspace, water, and biodiversity that sustain our environment.

Human, social, and financial capital: Leveraging the skills and abilities of individuals, the strength of community, public and private partnerships, and the wealth accumulation potential within our towns.

Explore how these assets open up potential for new jobs, industry and enterprise, driving forward economic growth and innovation.
Learn how to leverage these diverse assets to create sustainable, vibrant towns for future generations. Connect with industry experts, share best practices, and be part of the drive for positive change across Scotland.
Join us for an inspiring yet practice-based experience featuring study visits, keynote speakers, interactive workshops, collaborative world café sessions and a solutions-based exhibition.

Delivering profit to drive growth
2024-11-27 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

Screen Ready Online 2024
2024-11-27 10:00 - 12:00
Do you want to collaborate with film and TV crews? Or maybe you’re already involved in the industry and want to expand your reach?
Join TayScreen for a free online event on Wednesday, 27th November at 10:00 AM.
Discover how your space or service can become sought-after for production and thrive by partnering with production teams. Don’t miss this chance to hear what’s happening in the Fife Tay region and Scotland and learn how to make your location or business stand out in the world of film and television.
We’re thrilled to welcome industry experts who will share insights, answer questions, and discuss opportunities:

Rhian Howells, Location Manager and CEO Crew Network
Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Director, Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science and technical adviser on multiple crime dramas
Chris Wilson, Head of Communications and Media, V&A Dundee
Jenni Steele, Film & Creative Industries Manager, Visit Scotland

What you’ll hear about:
· What’s involved in location scouting and management, what productions look for and why productions work with location and production managers.
· With the region being a magnet for crime drama, like Karen Pirie and Traces, it’s a chance to hear if the science is fact or fiction
· The experience of hosting production such as award winning TV series, Succession, by V&A Dundee – a location that’s a museum and open to the public
· An update on screen tourism as Visit Scotland continues to work with big names in production including Disney’s National Geographic CreativeWorks to target US and UK visitors

Unlock the Benefits of Inclusive Recruitment
2024-11-27 12:00 - 13:00
Discover the benefits of inclusive recruitment through Skills Development Scotland’s Inclusive Recruitment Guide and how it can help to transform your recruitment strategy.
The webinar will explain the guide and demonstrate real-life examples of inclusive hiring practices.

Finding, keeping and looking after your staff
2024-11-27 13:00 - 15:00
One of the most daunting challenges a business can face is the process of hiring employees, interviewing, payroll, pensions, contracts, remote working and more, it is a minefield for the business owner.
This webinar will allow you to have the key information in your possession to take on staff and look after your team.
We’ll cover:

Finding, keeping and looking after your staff
Attracting and recruiting the best people for your business
Your obligations as employers
How to retain staff members
Moving on
Dismissal
Restructure/Redundancy

We will also look at:

How in the current climate you can manage staff and teams in a remote environment, considering their productivity, efficiency, and the issues of home working
How you can best manage staff to ensure productivity is kept and mental health is supported
The impact of companies who may be considering restructuring and therefore redundancy for the first time and how that can be managed

Unlocking the power of crowdfunding
2024-11-27 14:00 - 16:00
This webinar will equip businesses with the knowledge and strategies to effectively leverage crowdfunding for growth and success.
We’ll cover:

Understanding your funding audience
Crowdfunding success stories
The impact of a successful campaign
The opportunity presented by patronage models
Essential elements of a winning crowdfunding campaign
Building a crowdfunding culture
Crowdfunding myths and realities
Strategies for success

By the end of this webinar, you will have a comprehensive understanding of crowdfunding and patronage/membership models, actionable strategies to launch a successful campaign and the confidence to take your organisation to new heights through crowdfunding.

From Vision to Reality: Understanding the Business Model Canvas
2024-11-27 18:00 - 20:00
In the session, you will be guided through each segment of the canvas, from identifying your key partners and resources to understanding who your customers are and the value your business will bring to them. You’ll also gain practical insights into what will cost and make money.
The Business Model Canvas is an effective tool at all stages of business development. It can be used as a pre-stage to writing a formal business plan, essential for any funding applications.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your existing business model, this webinar will provide the strategies you need for success. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your business idea into a viable, scalable venture.

How to deliver low-cost, high impact marketing
2024-11-28 10:00 - 12:00
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

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 2: Off page optimisation & technical considerations
2024-11-28 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

Empower HR: Building a Winning Team
2024-11-28 14:00 - 16:00
Join our Business Gateway HR expert, Aileen McGowan, to find out why building and retaining a top-class team is so vital to growing businesses – and how you can make it happen!
This insightful session aims to support businesses in understanding the responsibilities of being an employer and how HR can help grow your business through finding, developing and retaining your team whilst ensuring compliance with legislation.
We’ll be covering…

Finding the right people for your business

From first impressions to advertising, selection, interview, and job offer.

Creating the best possible work environment by becoming an “Employer of Choice”

Crucial to retention, we’ll be looking at the purpose and values behind your business.

Developing your people

A look at career development, training, and potential support/funding available to help you.

Retaining your team

We’ll explore why working environment is a key trigger for people leaving jobs, not just pay and benefits.

Remaining Compliant

Find out how to stay on top of the ever-changing landscape of HR rules and regulations.

Bookkeeping essentials
2024-11-29 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

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2024-11-29 13:00 - 15:00
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

Introduction to Canva
2024-11-30 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.
Before you sign up for this webinar, please make sure you have created a free Canva account that you are signed into. We will be doing three live demonstrations, giving you an opportunity to practice your new creative skills.

The Basics of Starting a Business
2024-12-03 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar will give you the information needed to build a start up action plan. The plan will enable you to consider which actions are relevant to your plan, start building a set of SMART Goals, give thought to business skills development and provide a clear path for steps to launch your business.
You will also learn about the key considerations when starting a business and what steps you will need to take from legal, financial and strategic standpoints.
By the end of the webinar, you will have the information required to start building an action plan and be confident about understanding the next steps.

Social media essentials: LinkedIn
2024-12-03 10:00 - 12:00
No longer just an online CV, LinkedIn can be an incredibly powerful – and profitable – business tool.
During this webinar, you will:

Learn how to create a LinkedIn strategy to boost your business reputation via marketing and brand promotion initiatives
Learn the difference between personal and company profiles and how to optimise them for both maximum visibility and brand awareness
Understand that content is king on LinkedIn, and we’ll show you how to plan and produce captivating content that enriches your brand

Boost your productivity with AI
2024-12-03 11:00 - 12:00
This Google Digital Garage session introduces learners to cutting-edge AI tools that are already available from Google and others, to show some of the smartest ways digital-age workers can use them to save time at work and on tasks.
In this session, you will learn:

an introduction to generative AI and how it works
how to use AI-powered tools and techniques to save you time
an overview to crafting effective prompts

This session is run using YouTube and is 45 minutes long.
The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

Behind the business: Challenges, wins & strategies for success
2024-12-03 12:30 - 13:30
In celebration of Small Business Saturday, we’ve brought together three business owners from across Scotland to reflect on their business journeys so far, and plans for the future. The panel will discuss the challenges that come with running a small business, as well as the various opportunities for growth and learning.
The session will explore:

The most rewarding parts of running a small business
The biggest challenges and how to overcome them
What support has made the biggest difference
Different options for financing growth
What changes would make a difference to Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Whether you’re looking to start-up or grow your business, this session will offer tools and inspiration to help you succeed.
Panellists include:
Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer, Business Gateway National Unit (Host)
Dr Kate Smith, PhD, Founder & CEO, ProfessorMe
Karen Robinson, Founder, Three Robins
Douglas Hardie, Director, Highland Food & Drink Trail

Intellectual Property (IP) Masterclass
2024-12-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Arbroath Football Club, Gayfield Park, Arbroath, DD11 1QJ
This masterclass will explain Intellectual Property (IP) and provide clear guidance on how to address issues related to copyright, trademarks, patents, and more that SMEs might encounter. Our expert speaker, Alan Rae, has years of experience with IP legislation, offering guidance to a number of academic and commercial organisations on raising IP awareness and managing any arising issues.
During the masterclass, you will see several relevant examples of IP issues that may affect your business. This is an interactive workshop, and we encourage participants to ask specific questions they may be facing in their own business. This is your chance to get expert feedback and help others who might be dealing with similar issues.

Marketing for your business
2024-12-03 13:00 - 16:00
Without proper marketing your business cannot have a lasting impact. This bootcamp will help you to identify, profile and gain a deeper understanding of your target audiences, how to conduct market research and build a marketing plan. It will also explain brand development and positioning – choosing your price points.
Agenda:
Marketing and market research

What is Marketing?
How to understand your audience using market research

Understanding Your Customers and Competition

Understanding your competitors
Identifying your customers and categorising them
Understanding your customers’ needs and motivations

Marketing Planning, Pricing and Branding

Pricing Considerations
Developing your brand
Developing your message
Deciding on the best marketing methods for your business
Budgeting and evaluating

Starting from scratch on social media
2024-12-03 14:00 - 15:00
Join this free event to hear from people in social media roles in the heritage sector, ask questions, and pick up practical tips.
This event, you’ll be hearing from Dr Kristin Leith FSAScot, Senior Curator of Clocktime, a new digital museum which enables a worldwide audience to discover how British clockmakers changed our world.
Kristin’s team launched the social media accounts for Clocktime in early 2024 and have been steadily growing their follower and engagement numbers ever since.
In addition to a whistlestop tour of the digital museum, Kristin will talk about:

what platforms they chose and why
how they’ve been sharing and adapting website content for social media on different platforms
what communities / target audiences they decided to cultivate as followers
how they grew their follower numbers from zero
what they chose to track and report on
key takeaways (including what worked well, and what they’d do differently going forward)

This online event will conclude with a Q&A session.

An introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for small businesses
2024-12-03 14:00 - 16:00
You’ve heard of Artificial Intelligence, but do you know how it can help you as you run your business? This practical webinar will explore how AI can help improve your business marketing to be more efficient and cost-effective, through the automatic creation of content for all your digital platforms; as well as helping you better understand your customers and business opportunities.
This webinar will cover:

What is Artificial Intelligence
Current AI tools and systems to use right now (including ChatGPT and MidJourney)
Automating digital content for blogs and social media
Using AI for business strategy and customer profiling
The pros and cons of AI for small businesses

This webinar will help you understand how you can integrate AI into your existing marketing, looking at the potential consequences (good and bad) of Artificial Intelligence, and its impact on small businesses and their customers.

Understanding Co-ops
2024-12-04 09:30 - 12:30 | The Studio Glasgow, 67 Hope Street, G2 6AE
Are you thinking of starting a business? Or looking for a different approach to your existing business or community venture? Have you considered a co-op?
If you’re looking for an inclusive, democratic approach to your business, then a co-op could be the perfect fit.
Our free event, Understanding Co-ops, is brought to you by Co-operative Development Scotland, one of Scottish Enterprise’s services, and explores how your business can thrive as a co-operative.
Why co-ops?
All kinds of businesses operate as co-ops. These include pubs, energy suppliers, taxi firms, bookstores, community gardens, wine sellers, farms, sports clubs, and much more.
Co-ops are run by their members. They can be customers, employees, residents, or suppliers. They have a say in how the co-op is run – this makes it a fairer, more collaborative, and democratic way of doing business.
Co-ops are also resilient as a business model. They are more than twice as likely to survive the early years of trading when compared to other start-up businesses.
What to expect
The workshop will be led by a co-op specialist from Co-operate Scotland LLP and will feature guests from local co-ops:

Radiophrenia
Greencity Wholesfoods

Our guests will share their experiences of starting and running a co-op.
This informative and interactive workshop will give you a more in-depth understanding of co-operatives, as well as the initial steps required to start one. You’ll discover:

The different kinds of co-ops available and learn which type might suit you best
What membership means
The strengths of co-ops versus traditional business models
Co-op values and principles
Co-op facts and figures
The different legal forms a co-op can take
Support for co-ops from Co-operative Development Scotland

How to generate and increase sales
2024-12-04 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

Space Data for Industry – Denmark
2024-12-04 13:00 - 14:00
Following the success of previous space data innovation calls, ’Applying Space Data to the Net Zero Economy’ and ‘Space Data for Industry’, we are looking to create a new call, named ‘Space Data for Industry Denmark’. We hope to launch the call in April 2025.
Our aim is to help Scottish companies bridge the gap between end-user interest and product sales. The demand-led call will offer grant funding to Scottish businesses that use innovative space data solutions within their products or services to enhance collaboration with potential customers in Denmark.
The project will be developed and delivered by Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Scottish Development International (SDI), with support from the Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID).
Our webinar will offer more details on funding and discuss proposed SDI trade missions to Denmark in February and April 2025. These missions will help build relationships and scope potential projects for the call.
Scottish companies are welcome to collaborate with Nordic partners from any sector, but SDI will focus on supporting sales of space-derived ESG reporting into the Danish financial services industry.
This webinar is your opportunity to help shape this exciting new call, the trade activity associated with it and explore how your business can benefit from partnering with companies in Denmark.

How to create engaging content
2024-12-04 14:00 - 16:00
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

Ready, Steady, Grow: How to Expand Your Business
2024-12-04 16:00 - 18:00
Ready to accelerate your business growth but unsure where to begin?
Look no further than our Ready Steady Grow workshop focused on accelerating business growth. Led by experienced business advisers, this session is designed to help you identify your growth potential and create a roadmap for success.
Through collaborative discussions with like-minded businesses, you’ll gain new insights, tools and knowledge to help support your growth plans. You’ll also walk away with a network of fellow business owners to connect with for ongoing support.
Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to new heights!

Improving Your Business Using Lean and Digital Tools
2024-12-05 09:30 - 11:00 | HALO Enterprise and Innovation Hub, Hill Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 3HY
This event will give you an overview of the support and guidance available from the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS).
This will be followed by a case study of ACS Clothing Ltd that details how it created its roadmap for success. We’ll look at various traditional Lean Tools and how these can effectively solve business problems.
Finally, we’ll discuss digital technologies, their potential limits, and provide examples of where they can help bridge gaps.
Who should attend?
Anyone who has responsibility for driving business improvement within the workplace should join our event. We invite people who are involved in the implementation of new processes and new ways of working. This includes those who have responsibility for the financial side of business improvement and expenditure.
