Cloud essentials for business
2023-02-01 16:00 - 18:00 UTC
Business owners and managers are busy. You’re wearing many hats, and your time is always in short supply. Cloud-based digital tools help you to run a more productive business by embracing the right digital processes.
We’ll focus on exploring a range of tools on the market which will help you to enhance your customer service operation, improve your project management, organise your digital storage and much more. By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

Understand what the cloud is and what its benefits are
Understand your own ‘digital back office’
Use up-to-date knowledge on current cloud services and tools to help you with your business operations
Make informed decisions about improving your digital processes based on scalability, security, efficiency and affordability

Marketing Strategy Workshop
2023-02-01 18:00 - 20:00
This new workshop will cover the crucial next steps in what you need to know to ensure successful marketing takes place within your business.
Marketing Strategy is an advancement from our ‘Market Research Made Easy’ workshop, with the specific focus on supporting those businesses that are established and already have the basic marketing methods in place.
This workshop will look at:

Marketing Audit – current knowledge and success.
Understanding what ‘Marketing’ is.
The importance and benefits of planning.
How to develop your Marketing Strategy.
Measuring your marketing output
Top tips to improve your Marketing Strategy

By the end of this workshop, you will come away with the knowledge plus top tips for implementing your own marketing strategy plan into your business.

Google Business Profile
2023-02-02 10:00 - 12:00
Step by step demonstrations of tasks will be carried out online and live during the session via mobile screen share and desktop showing you what to do, how to do it yourself and understand why you’re doing it.
By the end of the session, you will have an understanding of:

The potential benefits of a Google Business Profile
How to update and optimise all elements about your business
How to manage your listing via Google Maps
How to set up smart ad campaigns and the difference between smart mode and expert mode

Twitter for business
2023-02-02 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar will help you develop and hone your social media strategy in order to amplify your message using Twitter. You will gain a deeper understanding of where Twitter fits into your overall plan, and how it differs from other platforms.
You will also learn about:

What makes a good Twitter profile (and the options available to you).
Twitter best practice content and what makes the perfect tweet.
Dashboards such as Hootsuite to help you manage and integrate your social media accounts and schedule content.
Advanced techniques for social listening and pro-actively finding content and customers.
The basics of Twitter paid advertising.

How to start a business: The basics
2023-02-02 18:00 - 20:00
Whatever your reasons may be for considering being your own boss, Business Gateway is here to support you and help you decide if this is the right path for you. Helping you consider your plans from exploring your potential customers to looking at the key activities and costs involved.
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

e-Commerce with Shopify
2023-02-03 09:00 - 11:00
Shopify is a powerful all-in-one e-Commerce website builder that makes setting up an online store simple and straightforward. In this webinar, we will explore Shopify’s features and pull together the building blocks for your first e-Commerce website.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

Understand the essential features that a website needs to have to sell physical and digital products online
Understand what Shopify is and how to use the features it offers to build a secure and powerful e-Commerce website
Use the Shopify page builder and work with free themes to get the design and style of your website on-brand
Understand how to manage orders and deliver great customer service
Understand how to launch your new e-Commerce website and ensure all essential building blocks are in place using a pre-launch checklist

Shopify is a paid monthly subscription costing around £25 per month

Amazon and eMarketplaces drop-in clinic
2023-02-03 10:00 - 11:30
Join experts Karen Riddick, Ali Shariat and Zamir Cajee and get advice on how to develop your eMarketplace to boost your following and sales.
The session will cover all major online marketplaces including Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Faire, Etsy, and will offer personal advice for your business.
About the experts
Karen Riddick is a business owner, writer, speaker, and Amazon guru. She is the founder of Second Nature Online, an eco-friendly soft furnishing business, which she has exponentially grown using global e-marketplaces like Amazon to reach international customers.
Ali Shariat is an expert at building brand following and leverage using the e-marketplaces, to increase sales across traditional distribution channels.
Zamir Cajee runs his own business and has built up extensive experience of major marketplaces, using this experience to assist major brands throughout the UK
Karen, Ali and Zamir founded This Way Up Education, through which they share their practices, tools, and expertise to help other brands build up their sales, reach and use of online marketplaces.

Making digital content accessible
2023-02-03 16:00 - 18:00
Everyone consumes and understands information differently, with some facing additional challenges that aren’t always considered. In this webinar, we’ll explore the challenges that people can have when accessing digital content and we’ll look at the ways you can improve your digital content to be inclusive and considerate for all.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

Understand and consider the barriers and challenges faced by others when accessing digital content.
Assess your digital content on how easy it is for others to access, consume and understand.
Review your website content with an understanding of what adjustments you should make to ensure that your content is catering to all.
Use social media functions and tools to help make your content more accessible.
Understand and use an ‘Accessibility Ready Checklist’ for any of your content to ensure you are designing and developing content for all of your audience.

An introduction to business websites & what you need to consider
2023-02-06 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar will take you through all the steps required to design, build and host a business website. You will learn about:

The need to determine website objectives
The importance of knowing who your audience is and measuring results
Setting clear calls to action and creating engaging content
Creating your brand’s visual identity online, your site’s blueprint and how you can structure your site map
What’s involved in registering your domain, maintaining your site content, and options for hosting it

This webinar will also offer guidance on when and how to outsource your website development. Covering topics such as choosing a suitable content management system, what to organise first and costing for the work.

TikTok and Instagram Reels for business
2023-02-06 14:00 - 16:00
You might view TikTok as a stream of dance trends and lip-synching videos, but it can also be a fantastic place to engage with your customers and increase the reach of your business online. Explore how to create bitesize vertical video content and how to use this new format for more effective business communication.
We will cover:

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

An Introduction to Self-Employment and Starting your own Business
2023-02-06 18:00 - 20:00
The workshop will provide you with the opportunity to network with other business owners and will also highlight useful sources of information, advice and guidance.
There will also be information on additional services from Business Gateway and details of other webinars which may be appropriate for you.
This webinar is for businesses based in Dundee, Angus and Perth.

International Marketing-Product, Positioning, Target Markets & Gap Analysis
2023-02-07 10:00 - 11:00
Moving into a new market is both exciting and terrifying. There are tremendous opportunities as well as unknown pitfalls. From a sales and marketing perspective how should you navigate these?
This workshop will cover the following areas:

Understand what brand positioning is
How to position your product or service in a new market
What to look for in different markets
What’s important about your brand
Practical GAP Analysis tools

As a result of attending this webinar you will obtain a clearer understanding of what sales and marketing should consider before entering a new market.

Pinterest for business
2023-02-07 10:00 - 12:00
A commonly used tool for those researching products and services for personal life (clothing ideas, holidays inspiration, cooking alternatives!), but how can it benefit your business? Move from being a beginner to knowing enough to gain commercial benefit from the use of Pinterest.
During this webinar we’ll help you better understand:

Who is using Pinterest and what are they looking for?
How to setup your business profile
Key features to use within Pinterest
Measuring success and engagement

Future Ready Digital - Info Session
2023-02-07 10:00 - 12:00
This short online interactive session will provide more information on the programme. You’ll get the opportunity to speak with the delivery team and raise any questions you might have prior to signing up to the five session programme.
Research highlights a strong link between digital maturity and business performance. Leading digital companies outperform across a range of financial and non-financial performance measures – this programme will support you to implement a digital project that delivers real value for your business.
This isn’t an IT programme – it’s about preparing for success in a turbulent and uncertain digital era, through a blend of online and in-person workshops and practical project delivery.
Delivered by industry expert Dr Jim Hamill and Scottish Enterprise’s Digital Team.
The programme will:
Show you the full potential of existing and emerging technologies which support business growth and competitiveness in an increasingly volatile digital world
Help you apply digital initiatives that deliver real business improvement
Provide support and share best practices, as well as practical and strategic advice
Guide you to develop and implement a Future Ready Digital Roadmap
Who’s this for?
The Future Ready Digital programme is aimed at ambitious business leaders of Scottish companies.

Video production for social media
2023-02-07 14:00 - 16:00
Video captures people’s attention online and is important for getting your message across, while engaging with your target audience.
Learn how to:

Choose what type of video to create to suit your business objectives
Plan, shoot, edit, and upload video without special kit or expertise.
Get to know the various digital platforms that can be utilised to view and share video content.
See what editing apps are available and how to add music and subtitles.

Complete Guide to Finance for Start-Ups
2023-02-07 18:00 - 20:00
This webinar aims to give an introduction to the role of finance in business.
The workshop will look at:

managing a profit and loss account
producing a cashflow statement
working capital
the different sources of finance
the different legal structures of a business

Health & Safety information and mentoring
2023-02-08 09:00 - 17:00
MVV Environment Baldovie welcomes local businesses who are looking for information and mentoring on Health & Safety.
Come along on Wednesday 8 February 2023 at 9am or 1pm.
Learn from Health & Safety experts about best practice and find out what you can put in place to keep your business, staff and customers safe and compliant.
Email sarah.cartmill@mvvuk.co.uk to register.

Cruise Business Seminar
2023-02-08 09:30 - 12:30 | Doubletree by Hilton, North Queensferry, KY11 1HP
This seminar, organised by CruiseForth, is aimed at businesses who may wish to develop opportunities arising from the cruise ships which visit the Forth and the Tay each year.
If you are a cruise friendly business, operating within 90 minutes of the ports of Leith, Newhaven, South Queensferry, Rosyth or Dundee, would like to know more about the opportunities, or believe you have something to offer, contact Peter Wilson on info@cruiseforth.com to register your attendance.
To cover costs there will be an attendance fee of £25, which will be invoiced in advance (no cancellation within 7 days of the event). For those attending, who choose to advertise or renew advertising on the CruiseForth Website and App, then £10 will be deducted from the annual fee (£80) on registration or renewal.

Scottish Community Tourism (SCOTO) Roadshow
2023-02-08 09:30 - 13:30
SCOTO is on tour to raise awareness of the scale and impact of community-led tourism across Scotland from January to March 2023.
From Shetland to Selkirk and Benbecula to Brechin, join our Roadshow and find out how the SCOTO network can support you.
SCOTO will be at Brechin City Hall on 8 February from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Register to attend.

HR 1-2-1 Surgery Sessions
2023-02-08 09:30 - 17:00
With an academic background in business law & HR management, Skye is the perfect resource to offer confidential, impartial advice for businesses of all sizes and sectors. Whether you’re looking to hire your first employee, looking to review your workplace policies or dealing with complex employee issues – no challenge is too big or too small.
Once you have booked your space online, one of our team will be in touch to discuss an appointment time with you and send you further information. These sessions can take place online via Zoom or alternatively, face to face in our Dundee Business Gateway Office.
These appointments are aimed at businesses based in Dundee, Angus, and Perth.

Website User Experience – Is your website fit for purpose
2023-02-08 10:00 - 12:00
Websites should look good and function well, and give your website visitors and customers a positive user experience.
During this webinar, we’ll look at User Experience (UX) and how you can improve it on your website, including:

Understand what User Experience is
A look at some of the key factors, including credibility, value, purpose and more
Hints, tips and tools to help you start improving elements of your website
An overview of tools to help you measure User Experience

Facebook for business
2023-02-08 14:00 - 16:00
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.

Build an effective strategy to grow your business
2023-02-08 14:00 - 16:00
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

Scale-Up Visa Route: Latest updates
2023-02-08 14:30 - 15:30
The government has recently introduced the Scale-Up visa route, which gives certain employers another visa option to help access international talent.
Join us to learn more about this new route and how it could help you access international talent.

Deposit Return Scheme Roadshow 2023
2023-02-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Malmaison Dundee, 44 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee, DD1 4AY
Circularity Scotland are inviting producers, retailers and hospitality providers to a roadshow to explain more about the Deposit Return Scheme which goes live on 16 August 2023.
Each DRS workshop will last just over 3 hours and will cover:

Producer Registration process
Return Point Operator Registration process
Operations overview: how the scheme works
Exemptions: eligibility criteria
Q&A session

The roadshow will take place on 9 February in Dundee where there are two sessions, one at 9am and the other at 2pm. Spaces are limited.

Understanding Your Customer and Building a Customer Avatar
2023-02-09 10:00 - 11:00
If businesses don’t understand their customers they can’t sell effectively to them.
This webinar will provide participants with the approach needed to truly and simply understand who their customers are and what they want.

Build a customer focused business
2023-02-09 10:00 - 12:00
Did you know that a returning customer will typically spend more than two thirds more with your business than a brand new one?
Did you know that retaining just 5% of your customer base can give an increase of over 20% in profits for your business?
Having an effective strategy in place for your business to deliver great customer service is critical for your business.
We will cover:

Why good customer service is critical for business growth
What are the essentials of delivering great customer service and how should this be delivered?
How to effectively manage different types of customers and their expectations
How, why, and when you should measure the service a business delivers
How to use the service provided to promote a business and enable growth

Digital fundamentals for tourism businesses
2023-02-09 11:00 - 12:00
An introductory session to the fundamental elements of promoting and managing a Scottish tourism business online. A joint VisitScotland and DigitalBoost event.
At the end of this webinar delegates will have learned about:

Getting their business visible online with the right content, at the right time, on the right platforms.
Assessing the quality of their online presence and knowing if they’re reaching their intended audience.
Using social media effectively
The different online booking and distribution platforms available to tourism businesses.
Cost-effective digital marketing and content distribution

How to write and develop your business plan
2023-02-09 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

Does your climate tech scale-up have PMF?
2023-02-09 14:00 - 15:00
So you think you have a great Climate Tech idea, product or services, but does it have PMF?
Product Market Fit (PMF) is reached when a product or service and its value proposition solve the problem they’re trying to address, customers are willing to pay for it with their time or money and there is a big enough market to sell to.
Join PMF experts from consultancy TRKR, insights from disruptive built environment technology solution provider Arbnco and SE’s own Innovation specialist team, to hear about PMF and how to find it.
