Invest in Angus

Digital Marketing Insights with SSEN Transmission
2025-11-25 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Michelin Innovation Parc, Baldovie Road, Dundee, DD4 8UQ
Let’s be honest…social media doesn’t wait for a governance review.
In this session, Michael Dotts, Website & Social Media Manager at SSEN Transmission, will talk about what it’s like to work at the crossroads of digital speed and utility structure. From rethinking how and where we show up online, to balancing professionalism with personality, it’s about building a smarter, more confident digital culture at SSEN Transmission.
If you work in marketing or comms or if you are interested in improving the digital presence of your business this event is for you.
The day will include networking, group discussion and free lunch!

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

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

The skills squeeze: Staying ahead in Scotland’s changing talent landscape
2025-11-25 11:00 - 12:00
Businesses in Scotland are facing a talent challenge. There’s a demand for new skills but a shrinking talent pool.
How can you overcome this? By attracting, developing, and retaining your most important resource: your people.
In this webinar, we’ll show you some of the ways you can do just that, and how Scottish Enterprise can support you.
We’ll explore how to tackle both the labour shortage and the skills gap, as these are two distinct challenges that require different strategies.
You’ll hear how inclusive recruitment can unlock hidden talent, from returners and career changers to those with caring responsibilities or long-term unemployment.
We’ll also look at how to future-proof your workforce. As sectors evolve and technology advances, upskilling becomes essential. Learn how to build pathways for learning across all career stages, and how AI can be used to enhance – not replace – human expertise.

Climate Cafe - Lets Talk About How AI Could Help
2025-11-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Creative Exchange, Stormont Street, Perth, PH1 5NW
Come and join the conversation about using AI in climate action.
We want to talk about the issues as well as the opportunities, encourage you to try, so you can see how it can be useful.
Climate Cafe GrowBiz is a small friendly gathering and the ideal safe environment to ask questions, share doubts and give it a go.
Bring a laptop or tablet if you can but a smart phone will also work. If you’ve already had some experience of using AI we would love to hear your about experience – good or bad and what you can share with us.
For those who have yet to try, we will be showing you how to start and then refine your questions to get the responses you need. You’ll be surprised!
Bring your curiosity, have a coffee and chat.
You are very welcome to drop in for part or all of the session but it would be helpful to know numbers so please do book on the link. GrowBiz provide enterprise support to businesses, enterprises and the self-employed in rural Scotland (i.e. out with cities)- please only a book a place if you are based in rural Scotland.

Cyber security for small business
2025-11-24 19:30 - 21:00
We’re delighted to welcome guest speaker Neil Campbell, founder of SME Cyber to share his jargon-busting tips to protect your business.
Join us to:

Understand the biggest cyber threats facing small businesses today, including how AI is changing the threat landscape
Receive a simple checklist of good practice security measures to have in place
Get access to free tools and resources to assess and improve your security
Have your questions answered by Neil in a live Q&A
Leave with a clear action plan and peace of mind, knowing how to make your business more secure

Storytelling and why it matters in business | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-24 12:00 - 12:30
When you’re building a business, it’s easy to focus on the tangible, like your product, your pitch or your pricing. But what truly sets you apart isn’t just what you sell – it’s the story you tell.
In this session, Anne Beth Jordan will tell you how to tailor your story to fit your client’s audience’s needs – whether you’re inspiring, selling or building your brand.
You’ll also leave with practical storytelling techniques you can apply immediately to your business communications.
Topics covered in this session:

Why we all have a story to tell – and which one will help you connect with your client’s business
Using story strategically in branding, marketing and leadership
Balancing vulnerability and professionalism – when your stories draw your clients closer to you
About the

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

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

How to start a business: The basics
2025-11-20 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

A Positive Future for Farmed Animals
2025-11-20 13:00 - 14:00
Positive welfare in farmed animals focuses on creating conditions that allow animals not only to avoid suffering but to flourish, experiencing comfort, interest, and to express their natural behaviours.
Research has identified key resources and management practices on farm that provide livestock with these opportunities, contained within Good Life Frameworks in the scientific literature.
We have been looking at a practical way to use this approach in everyday farming situations by identifying those key resources and management practices on farm that already provide farm animals the opportunities to enjoy a good quality of life, and those that would need further support/consideration. By embracing positive welfare, beef and sheep farmers can enhance animal wellbeing, strengthen public trust, and position themselves at the forefront of progressive, sustainable agriculture.
Webinar overview:

We’ll share an overview of the principles contained within the Good Life Opportunity frameworks for Beef Cattle and Sheep and discuss potential ways the approach can support and advance livestock quality of life.
We would like to invite farmers to contribute to the wider development of this approach through a self-assessment survey, to reflect on current practices, celebrate what’s working well, and identify the relevant aspects for support and improvement within the industry.

Social media marketing update: November 2025
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:00
Boost your social media skills with our free November update!
This online event is ideal for social media managers, small business owners, and marketing professionals looking to stay ahead of the latest trends.
What to expect:

Top trends and insights: Explore the latest social media trends, B2B and B2C strategies and tools that are shaping the industry right now.
Live demonstrations and best practice examples: See real-life case studies and demonstrations from leading brands, showing you what’s working now.
Expert-led sessions: Gain actionable insights from Alison Battisby, social media expert and founder of Avocado Social.

Keeping your head above water when business is tough | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-20 12:00 - 12:30
Running a business can feel like a never-ending juggling act with sales, clients, staff, emails, finance and family all competing for your attention.
The pressure builds quietly in the background until your mind feels cluttered, decisions take longer, and the simplest tasks drain your energy.
This interactive Lunch and Learn led by Dmitri Hall gives you the chance to pause, reset and recharge.
Topics covered in this session:

Why your mental load keeps piling up without you noticing and how it affects the way you lead and make decisions
Practical ways to release that build up so you can step out of firefighting mode and return to focus
A guided reset exercise you can use anytime and anywhere to instantly clear your head and restore your energy

AI-powered growth: Scale smarter, not harder
2025-11-20 11:00 - 12:00
Join us to explore how AI can unlock scalable growth and profitability for small businesses.
This event will cover AI’s potential, practical applications and how to overcome challenges in implementation.
Key takeaways from this session:

Understand how AI can optimise operations and boost profits.
Learn where to start with AI for your business goals.
Discover upcoming opportunities to leverage AI and avoid common setbacks.

Selling Your Business Masterclass
2025-11-20 10:00 - 12:00
Have you considered a succession plan for your business? Have you considered selling your business to an employee ownership trust? It’s never too early to start thinking about your options.
Employee ownership is fast becoming the preferred exit route for business owners. Attend this free online workshop to learn how employee ownership offers a tax efficient exit route that protects your company’s legacy while ensuring you get a competitive price for the business.
Aimed at business owners considering an exit from their company, this free online session will give you the opportunity to hear from resilience management firm Inverroy Crisis Management and construction and fit-out company Pacific Building. They’ll talk about the factors they considered in choosing employee ownership and how things have worked out.
Louise Fisher from Baxendale EO will talk through all your ownership succession options before focussing on employee ownership and how to ensure the employee buyout is a smooth process.

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

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

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

Agroecology-TRANSECT Virtual Roadshow
2025-11-20 09:00 - 11:00
Agroecology-TRANSECT’s ambition is to deepen our understanding of agroecological farming practices so that we can increase their uptake by European farmers.
Our unique perspective:
Over the past three years, our partnership with 18 research organisations and 11 innovation hubs across Europe has unearthed why some agroecological farming practices thrive, while others struggle to gain traction. The diversity of practices and farm types involved reflects the scale of our determination, looking at practical, real-world solutions to the complex challenges facing farming today.
The results are in:
Armed with this body of data and coupled with extensive meta-analysis of over 170 scientific papers, we now have robust results indicating strongly that adopting agroecological practices increases biodiversity and climate change mitigation, compared to conventional interventions.
Our challenge is clear. We need to create a policy landscape at regional, national and EU-wide level that supports these actions in pragmatic and practical ways that also deliver tangible benefits farmers and communities.
Our mission:
This event brings together key policy experts, researchers and innovation hub leads to co-create a shared vision of our food and farming sector that is rooted in resilience and ecological integrity.

Boosting your revenue across borders
2025-11-19 12:00 - 12:30
International expansion isn’t just about logistics – it’s about unlocking new revenue.
In this session, led by our expert speaker Nick Binza, we’ll explore how founders and operators can tap into cross-border sales opportunities by optimising their e-commerce strategy, pricing, localisation and customer experience (CX).
Whether you’re running a SaaS platform, an e-commerce brand or a service-based business, this webinar will help you understand how to convert international interest into sustainable growth. We’ll also show how Airwallex integrates with platforms like Shopify to streamline global payments and reduce friction at checkout.
Topics covered in this session:

How to tap into cross-border sales opportunities
Localisation tips for payments, pricing and checkout
How to reduce cart abandonment in global markets
How Airwallex integrates with Shopify and other platforms to support international growth

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2025-11-19 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

ASVA Annual Conference 2025
2025-11-19 09:00 - 17:00 | Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
We’re thrilled to announce that the ASVA Annual Conference 2025 will be returning to Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday 19th November!
Last year’s conference in 2024 was our biggest event yet, welcoming just under 400 delegates from across Scotland’s attractions sector. Attendees came together for an unforgettable day of learning, networking, and inspiration, making it the must-attend event for everyone in the industry.
From dynamic speakers to thought-provoking sessions, the 2024 conference was packed with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable insights. We’re already working hard to ensure the 2025 conference is even better – with an exciting programme designed to support and inspire Scotland’s world class visitor attractions.

Global Entrepreneurship Week: Business adviser Q&A
2025-11-18 13:00 - 2025-11-19 13:30
Join us for an inspiring fireside chat where business advisers Tara Askham and Faiza Ahmed will discuss their journeys to becoming successful entrepreneurs.
This interactive session will offer honest insights, practical tips and plenty of opportunities to ask your own questions.
What this session will involve:

A relaxed and insightful conversation about each adviser’s journey to entrepreneurship
Tips on navigating challenges, building confidence and staying motivated
A live Q&A session where you can ask your own business-related questions

Getting started with TikTok for business | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-18 12:00 - 12:30
Where do you begin when it comes to marketing your business on TikTok?
In this session, Rebecca Hopwood will walk you through five simple, actionable steps that you can implement on TikTok right away.
Topics covered in this session:

A clear roadmap for getting started on TikTok: How to set up and optimise your profile so your business looks professional and ready to attract the right audience
Actionable strategies for creating content: How to research, plan and batch-create content efficiently so you can stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed
Using TikTok’s tools to grow: How to use analytics and insights to refine your approach, measure success, and build momentum towards your marketing goals

Why your business needs a blog
2025-11-18 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+ : Food & Drink Packaging for SMEs
2025-11-18 10:00 - 12:00
This event is part of a series of THRIVE+ skills development events delivered by experienced industry trainers.
Key Topics:

What you consider when choosing product packaging
Information about different packaging options

This package is aimed at food and drink entrepreneurs in any product category and food industry professionals looking to expand their food packaging expertise (Technical, NPD, sales, marketing, food production).
There will be a Q&A section at the session.

Thorntons Webinar - AI Governance
2025-11-18 09:30 - 10:30
Artificial Intelligence has been the topic of 2025 in many respects. Workforces are looking to, if not already, embed AI systems or platforms into their working environment whether it be generative AI tools like Copilot or GPT or systems used to make work processes more efficient. Adopting AI systems may well bring efficiencies but risk management is a key concern, particularly when processing personal data.
Join Loretta Maxfield and Morgan O’Neill to look at recent AI developments and how these impact an organisation’s approach to risk and compliance.

Angus Carer Positive Information Session
2025-11-17 14:00 - 15:30
Join Carers Scotland for an informative session on supporting unpaid carers in the workplace. This free event will highlight the benefits of becoming Carer Positive accredited organisation.
We will be joined by Sally Wilson, Service Manager at Angus Health and Social Care Partnership.
Sally co-leads the Improvement and Development Service in AHSCP. Within her portfolio is the role of Lead for Carers, with strategic responsibility for ensuring the effective implementation of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 across the organization. Sally is passionate about raising awareness of the role of unpaid carers and the vital contribution they make to individuals, families, and communities
Unpaid carers play a vital role in our communities, and many balance their caring responsibilities with employment.
Employers can make a big difference by recognising and supporting carers in the workplace. At this session, we will:

Increase awareness of unpaid carers and the challenges they may face at work
Learn how your organisation can achieve Carer Positive accreditation – a free flexible scheme recognising employers who support staff with caring responsibilities
Highlight local and national support available to carers and employers
Connect and collaborate peer learning and networking opportunities with business owners, senior managers, and Human Resources, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professionals in Angus

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

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

You've Got An Engaged Email List – Now What?
2025-11-14 12:00 - 12:30
You’re regularly emailing your subscribers – they’re opening, clicking, maybe even replying. But they’re not buying (yet).
In this FREE 30-minute lunch and learn, email marketing expert Minal Patel and sales outreach specialist Leisa Pickles will show you how to go beyond the inbox and start turning your engaged email audience into paying customers.
You’ll learn how to follow up meaningfully through social media, networking and phone calls – and why mixing up your outreach is the key to more conversions.

Building a balanced team | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-14 12:00 - 12:30
Teams don’t always work well and a ‘balanced’ team can be more productive.
In this session, Stephen Tunnicliffe-Wilson will discuss how different team roles and personalities add value, and how diverse teams can work well together.
Topics covered in this session:

How each person brings different strengths to a team
Why we need to understand how our team members (and ourselves!) work best
Ways in which a ‘balanced’ team can be more productive

VisitScotland Business Essentials Bitesize Webinars: Enhance your Google listing
2025-11-13 14:00 - 14:30
Make sure your business stands out online.
In this bitesize session, discover how to claim, verify and optimise your Google Business Profile to reach more visitors and showcase what makes your offering unique.

Budgeting and forecasting – why it's important for SMEs
2025-11-13 12:00 - 12:30
Effective budgeting and forecasting can help your small business plan ahead, stay in control of its finances and make smarter decisions that ultimately lead to growth.
Join Alex Sutherland for this insightful webinar exploring the power of effective forecasting and budgeting.
Discover how these financial tools not only drive profitability but also bring greater clarity to your business planning. Learn how accurate forecasting can act as an early warning system, helping you identify when things are off track – so you can respond quickly and confidently.
Key takeaways from this session:

How good forecasting and budgeting benefit profitability
The clarity it brings to your planning
How it helps you spot the early warning signs when things aren’t going to plan

Thorntons Webinar - An update on the Housing (Scotland) Bill
2025-11-13 09:30 - 10:30
Housing law for private tenancies in Scotland is currently undergoing rapid change and the Housing (Scotland) Bill is anticipated to be passed by The Scottish Parliament later this year. The Bill is currently at stage 3 in The Scottish Parliament. This seminar will provide private landlords with an update on the Bill and other issues affecting private tenancies.
This seminar is suitable for private landlords who wish to gain an up-to-date understanding of the law and anticipated changes.
