Lunch and Learn: How to pay yourself from your business
2025-08-08 12:00 - 12:30 UTC
Running a business is hard work – but how do you make sure you, the business owner, are getting paid too?
This webinar, led by Nathan Pretty gives practical tips to help business owners understand how to pay themselves legally and efficiently, as well as highlighting things to avoid.
Perfect for new business owners who need to start paying themselves and longer standing business owners who may feel scared to take money out of the business for themselves.
Key takeaways from this session:

Different methods of paying yourself
Understanding tax implications of paying yourself for different business structures (sole trader, partnership, limited company)
Common mistakes to avoid when paying yourself from your business

Nathan is a chartered certified accountant with over 10 years of experience in the field. He specialises in helping new businesses get their financial footing.
From bookkeeping to tax planning, Nathan has you covered. His goal is to make the financial side of your business as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on what you do best.

An introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for small businesses
2025-08-11 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Lunch and Learn: Understanding the purpose and benefits of a business plan
2025-08-11 12:00 - 12:30
Do you regularly think to yourself, “I must sit down and write a business plan?” Or have you started to write plans in the past but never seemed to have the time to finish them?
If you fall into one or more of these categories, you’re in very good company. Most businesses (other than those that are “forced” to produce a plan to apply for bank finance), don’t have the motivation, resources, time or knowledge to write a really effective plan.
This session led by Mark Painter of plana will help you understand the purpose and benefits of a business plan and help you to start writing a practical and effective plan today.
Topics covered in this session:

The benefits of a practical business plan
How to approach effective business planning
The format of the plana “4 Step Business Plan”

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 1: On page optimisation
2025-08-11 14:00 - 16:00
Join us to look at how Google and other search engines decide the order in which they list their search results. We will show you how to maximise your chances of appearing towards the top of the search rankings, ensuring you understand what key words and phrases your potential customers are using when searching online, and how to optimise your website as a result.
We will cover:

How search engines work, and the ‘on-page’ factors used to rank your site
Understanding customer search behaviour
Keyword research tools and how to benefit from them
Optimising your website content for search engines

How to build your brand
2025-08-12 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar will define what a brand is (and is not) and explain how it is more than just creating a logo. We will explore how a business can use their brand to show its identity, purpose, personality, message, and values in order to stand out from competitors, build a loyal customer base and make more sales.
This session will:

Provide you with a clear understanding of the difference between brands and branding
Help you understand what a brand is
Show you why branding is important
Look at your brand strategy, brand identity and action
Help you learn how to develop your brand’s positioning, character, and purpose to differentiate your business from its competitors
Demonstrate how to set up a brand kit and style guide to ensure consistency across websites, social media, business cards, posters etc.
Teach you how to create simple promotional graphics using a variety of tools including Canva
Highlight a variety of free tools including Google Drive, Hubspot and Mailchimp that can save time and simplify marketing tasks

Lunch and Learn: How to manage your business finances
2025-08-12 12:00 - 12:30
Join Rebecca Barker from Artful Accountancy Ltd for a relaxed, jargon-free session designed specifically for busy entrepreneurs and small business owners.
You’ll get practical, stress-free advice on how to manage your business finances, make sense of essential accounting terms, avoid common mistakes and use time-saving tools. Leave with tips you can implement right away, as well as a helpful checklist and a renewed sense of control over your money.
Key takeaways from this session:

Demystify accounting: Get simple explanations of essential bookkeeping terms, so you can feel confident and empowered when it comes to your finances
Avoid costly mistakes: Learn about the main financial mistakes that new businesses often make and how to steer clear of them
Time-saving technology and tools: Discover accounting tools like Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent and how to use them to stay organised and save time

Rebecca is the director of Artful Accountancy Ltd, where she helps creative business owners and entrepreneurs navigate their finances in a practical and stress-free way.
With a focus on simplifying complex accounting terms and using technology to save time, Rebecca empowers clients to manage their financials without feeling overwhelmed.

Introduction to Canva
2025-08-12 13:00 - 15:00
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.

How AI Can Grow Your Business Globally
2025-08-12 13:00 - 16:30 | Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, 50 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6HQ
If you’re interested in how AI tools can support your business goals, this two-part masterclass is for you.
Part one, ‘Unleash the power of Chat GPT & AI to drive international business growth’, will introduce AI tools like Chat GPT and how they can be used by businesses like yours.
Part two, ‘The AI-powered business: how businesses can 10x their productivity’, will build on this by providing insight on the best AI tools for business efficiency.
By the end of the sessions, attendees will have gained an understanding of:

The most popular AI Platforms and the language used within them
The AI tools that can enhance productivity
How AI-powered solutions can optimize multiple business operations
How AI can support international expansion through smarter data insights and decision-making
Real-world examples of eCommerce businesses successfully leveraging AI to scale globally.

If you’re using eCommerce to expand internationally and want to leverage AI to scale faster, reduce costs, and free up time for strategic growth, this masterclass will provide practical insights and tools to accelerate your success.

Bookkeeping essentials
2025-08-13 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-20 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

Lunch and Learn: Unlocking the power of AI voice bots
2025-08-13 12:00 - 12:30
Join Pamela Ajogbeje for a practical walkthrough of powerful tools designed to help small business owners simplify operations and scale with confidence.
In this Lunch and Learn, you’ll discover how the Prestige Assistant AI voice bot can handle customer calls, bookings and FAQs 24/7, acting as your always-on receptionist.
Whether you’re looking to improve customer experience, free up your time or turn feedback into income, these tools will help you work smarter, not harder.
Topics covered in this session:

How the Prestige Assistant AI voice bot can manage incoming customer calls, bookings and FAQs automatically
How to turn customer reviews into measurable business growth using the Review to Revenue Management System
How to integrate both tools into your business to save time and increase profitability

AI for Exports - Breaking Into International Markets
2025-08-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Scottish Enterprise, 99 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HD
From market research and customer insights to automated marketing and logistics optimization, AI is transforming how companies scale globally.
If you’re a business using eCommerce to scale internationally, this event is for you.
Led by Ali Shariat, this session will explore how businesses like yours can use AI-powered solutions to scale.
Ali transformed Coconut Merchant from a startup to a £7M powerhouse using Amazon to rival top brands. Capitalizing on this triumph, he secured listings in major UK retailers expanding to 15+ countries. As a co-founder of ThisWayUp, Ali infuses deep technical expertise, benefiting hundreds of brands.
Through the course of this session, Ali will help you gain an understanding of:

The main AI Platforms and the jargon they use
How AI tools can identify and analyse new market opportunities
How to leverage these tools for cost-effective marketing and customer engagement
The AI solutions for streamlining operations, logistics, and customer support across different regions
Real-world examples of businesses successfully using AI to expand internationally.

Amazon and eMarketplaces drop-in clinic
2025-08-13 14:00 - 16:30 | Scottish Enterprise, 99 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HD
Ali Shariat and Zamir Cajee will lead this drop-in session on everything you need to know about the most popular eMarketplaces.
Covering all major online marketplaces including including Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Faire, and Etsy, the session will offer general information as well as personal advice for your business.

Agritourism Development: A capital project for sustainable rural growth
2025-08-14 10:00 - 15:30 | The Commercial Hotel, 11 Main Street, Balintore, IV20 1UE
This Scotland’s Agritourism Monitor Farms Programme meeting will showcase the progress on the village hotel development by Monitor Farmers, Fiona and John Scott of Fearn Farm.
We will have a walk around the hotel development and hear about the progress to date. We will then convene in the Seaboard Hall for presentations and discussion.
Fiona and John Scott, Monitor Farmers, have been making great progress with the re-development of the hotel and will update us on their business plan, the project timeline and the challenges they have overcome along the way.
Lesley McArthur, Glen Clova Estate Partner, will join us to talk about her experience running a successful rural hotel and restaurant business and will highlight the continuing challenges but also the opportunities for the business. Glen Clova Hotel have recently undertaken a significant developed with a new events space called The Barn which continues their focus on sustainability, local impact with a warm, personal service.

Lunch and Learn: The biggest data mistakes SMEs make and how to avoid them
2025-08-14 12:00 - 12:30
Is your business data helping you grow or holding you back?
In this practical session led by Jane Jawad, you’ll find out how to clear the clutter and focus on what really matters. You’ll learn what to fix, what to build, and what to stop doing so your data starts working for you.
Topics covered in this session:

A simple data plan you can act on immediately
Confidence in using your numbers to guide decisions
Tools that suit your size – no tech team required

How to write funding applications
2025-08-14 12:00 - 14:00
When submitting applications for funding, you need to ensure that the applications are written in such a way that improves your chances of being successful.
There are numerous funders out there and each will have their unique way they wish you to apply, however, in this webinar we’ll explore some key steps you can take to improve your chances of a successful application, including:

Clarifying your need

Demonstrating your needs

Understanding your funder

How to speak their language

Getting the basics right

Overcoming the common mistakes

Answering the questions asked

Lunch and Learn: How generative AI tools work
2025-08-15 12:00 - 12:30
Not sure how to get more done with AI for your business?
In this 30-minute workshop, led by Shimron Walters, you will learn how to get the most out of AI, from better understanding your options to changing the way you prompt and using automated workflows and AI agents. By the end of this session, you will learn how to get more done with less.
Key takeaways from this session:

Learn about the generative AI tools available to you and how they can benefit your business
Learn how to get the most from these generative AI tools to maximise productivity
Learn how you can connect tools to create custom workflows

Shimron is the founder of BitesizedGenius, a social enterprise helping organisations adopt AI and build digital confidence. Shimron brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to his work.

How to plan and schedule your online content
2025-08-18 10:00 - 12:00
Businesses who plan their content in advance, aligning their channels with actual business objectives, customer themes and national events, and then schedule it to ensure it reaches the target market at the right time, on the right platform – hugely increase the chances of achieving impact.
In this webinar, you will learn how to:

Plan content based on your business and your customer needs
Evaluate current social media dashboards and management tools
Create a social media content calendar and schedule updates automatically
Reach more people through automating your blog and email newsletter content
Implement simple automation techniques to increase efficiency

Having great content is just the start. This webinar will help you better organise and setup your content strategy through simple planning and effective scheduling, to achieve great business results.

CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Showcase - Glasgow
2025-08-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, 50 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6HQ
The CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Feasibility Challenge Call provides funding for companies looking to develop cutting-edge solutions to strengthen Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain.
To date, more than £1 million has been awarded to 22 companies. This event – one of two, in Glasgow and Aberdeen – will showcase their groundbreaking work so far.
As well as discovering the latest innovations in offshore wind, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Network with industry leaders, innovators, and developers
Explore new technologies and collaborative opportunities

Presenting Companies

Frontier Robotics – Developing photorealistic 3D interactive models for subsea inspections using the latest computer vision reconstruction techniques.
Trios Renewables – Advancing state-of-the-art floating offshore wind technical and commercial models.
Reblade Limited – Supporting Phase 2 of their digital innovation tool that supports major offshore wind farm components, in collaboration with OREC.
Malin Marine Consultants Ltd – Developing optimised drag anchors to be more efficient and effective while allowing a scalable manufacturing process suitable for additive manufacturing.
Ilosta Ltd – Using physics-based AI to develop intelligent monitoring for offshore wind foundations.
Encomara Limited – Conducting a technical and commercial feasibility assessment of SQUID adoption for the OSSIAN Offshore Wind Project.
Napkin Innovation Limited – Replacing grout to cut the time and emissions associated with offshore installation.
Wind Rider Caledonia Ltd – Studying the rotatable, self-aligning wind tower to reduce costs and enhance performance.
Quoceant Ltd – Designing an innovative solution to provide direct mooring line termination and articulation into their high-strength Q-Connect M mooring quick connector.
T12 Engineering Ltd – Developing an offshore mooring system.
Blackfish Engineering Design Ltd – Enhancing floating offshore wind (FLOW) marine operations with the C-Dart quick mooring connector.
Fathom Group Limited – Validating technology adapted from fixed offshore wind to floating offshore wind, assessing performance against OpenFAST, the industry-standard simulation tool.
Airspection Limited – Testing and demonstrating drone technology in preparation for a critical customer and regulatory trial with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

This event will be most beneficial for:

Scottish engineering and manufacturing companies
Offshore wind developers and supply chain professionals
Innovators, technologists, academics, and entrepreneurs
Anyone passionate about Scotland’s clean energy future

Event Highlights

Live presentations from funded innovators
Networking sessions with key stakeholders
Insights into Scotland’s offshore wind infrastructure, market opportunities, and innovation landscape

Spaces are limited – register now to secure your place.

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 2: Off page optimisation & technical considerations
2025-08-18 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

Lunch and Learn: How to close high-ticket sales
2025-08-19 12:00 - 12:30
Are you spending your energy talking to prospects but struggling with converting your high-ticket offer?
In this webinar, Lisa Giet takes you through the importance of ethics in transactions within the high-ticket sales space and also the psychology of sales from the buyer’s perspective.
She’ll also discuss how to actually close high-ticket offers over the phone and provide excellent fulfilment and after-care.
Topics covered in this session:

The psychology of sales
How to close high-ticket offers over the phone
Ethical practices in selling

Livestock IPM with Dr Claire Whittle
2025-08-20 10:30 - 14:30 | Guardswell Farm, Inchture, PH14 9QZ
Join the Soil Association at Guardswell Farm, Perthshire, with hosts Digby and Anna Lamotte for an engaging and practical workshop exploring what a Whole Farm approach to regenerative disease and pest management really looks like in practice. This session will focus on integrating animal health and welfare planning within a regenerative farming system.
We’re delighted to welcome Dr Claire Whittle – farmer, veterinary surgeon, and leading advocate for regenerative agriculture. Claire specialises in applying principles of ecosystem health on farms and will share insights on how regenerative practices can improve livestock resilience, reduce disease pressures, and enhance overall farm sustainability.
Through interactive discussion and practical examples, you’ll gain tools and strategies for building healthier systems from the soil up. This is an unmissable opportunity for farmers, land managers, and anyone interested in the future of sustainable livestock management.
Hot lunch included.
FREE and open to farmers, crofters, growers and land managers. Booking required.

Scaling lead generation and developing a clear value proposition
2025-08-20 13:00 - 15:00
How to grow your business by scaling your lead generation with Laura Burton

How to design a scalable online lead generation system
The key assets and tools you need to do the heavy lifting for you (yes, we’ll talk AI)
What to consider before you scale your leads (There might be another way to grow)

Developing a clear value proposition with Leisa Pickles

Discover the three essential ingredients of a killer value proposition
Learn how to reflect your customer’s exact needs using their own language to build connection and trust
Explore how to communicate your value clearly on social media to attract better-fit leads and generate more interest

SMAS Best Practice Visit to Scottish Leather Group
2025-08-21 09:00 - 11:30 | Scottish Leather Group, Turner Drive, Paisley, PA3 4EP
Join Scotland’s leading manufacturers on a journey of transformation through the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) Best Practice Visit Programme.
These exclusive visits are your chance to step inside pioneering businesses, see cutting-edge technologies in action, and walk away with ideas that can reshape your own operations.
Whether you’re looking to boost productivity, modernise legacy systems, or connect with like-minded peers—this is where progress begins.
As the UK’s leading leather manufacturer, Scottish Leather Group produces the world’s lowest carbon intensity leather, supplying prestigious global brands in aviation, automotive, rail, marine, and luxury goods.
With more than 500 years of heritage and a relentless focus on sustainability, circular manufacturing, and innovation, they are redefining what’s possible in modern manufacturing.
At this visit, you’ll see how Scottish Leather Group is:

Harnessing Vision Systems and AI to enhance quality control, reduce waste, and streamline production.
Modernising legacy processes while preserving craftsmanship and heritage.
Embedding sustainability at every stage, from circular manufacturing to carbon reduction.
Driving innovation through investment in digital transformation and workforce development.
Collaborating globally while staying rooted in Scottish excellence.

This is a chance to learn directly from a manufacturer that’s setting the standard for sustainable, tech-enabled production in a traditional industry. Discover Innovation in action.

Social media essentials: TikTok and Instagram Reels
2025-08-21 10:00 - 12:00
TikTok and Instagram Reels aren’t just for dance trends and lip-synching videos, they can also be a fantastic opportunity to engage with your customers and increase the reach of your business online. Learn how to create bitesize video content for more effective business communication on two of the most popular social platforms.
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

How your customer can tell you what you could do better
2025-08-21 11:00 - 12:30
This session will be delivered by GrowBiz Chief Operating Officer, Karen Nichol who has a background in business development, planning and marketing.
Karen will show you how collecting both numbers and stories from your customers can unlock powerful insights. You’ll discover how to use that feedback to elevate your offering—boosting loyalty, satisfaction, and ultimately, sales. Whether you run a product-based or service-based business, this session is packed with practical learning you won’t want to miss.
Join this session and you’ll walk away with:

Simple ways to ask customers for meaningful feedback
Tools to collect both data and rich customer stories
Tips to identify what customers really value (and what they don’t)
Strategies to use feedback to improve your offering and increase sales
Confidence to build feedback into your everyday customer journey

Join us to explore how small shifts in how you ask—and listen—can lead to big wins. One thoughtful question could spark your next breakthrough.

How to generate and increase sales
2025-08-25 13:00 - 15:00
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

How Leaders Learn Leadership
2025-08-26 10:00 - 11:00
Join this webinar to learn how leaders learn leadership.
You’ll leave with practical, research-based insights that:

Show how your own experiences can help you understand your leadership strengths
Introduce strategies leaders use to enhance their learning
Build your understanding of the skills leaders see as essential to developing their practice

Led by Professor Carole Elliott from the University of St Andrews Business School, the session draws on the latest research and real-world examples. It explores how leaders use their unique environments to grow their leadership practice.
You’ll come away with clear, actionable strategies to help you reflect on your own approach to leadership.

Finding, keeping and looking after your staff
2025-08-26 10:00 - 12:00
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

CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Showcase - Aberdeen
2025-08-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Net Zero Technology Centre, 20 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4ZT
The CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Feasibility Challenge Call provides funding for companies looking to develop cutting-edge solutions to strengthen Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain.
To date, more than £1 million has been awarded to 22 companies. This event – one of two, in Glasgow and Aberdeen – will showcase their groundbreaking work so far.
As well as discovering the latest innovations in offshore wind, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Network with industry leaders, innovators, and developers
Explore new technologies and collaborative opportunities

Presenting Companies

Rovtech Solutions – Development of the VALOR™ Tether Management System.
Build the Reef Ltd – Building subsea protection structures to implement Artificial Reef Subsea Cable & Anchorage Protection.
Fennex Ltd – Developing AI-driven solutions to optimize offshore wind operations based on weather conditions.
SeaThor – Conducting a feasibility study for deploying CableSpring, a dynamic cable buoyancy module system.
TTI Marine Renewables Ltd – Developing their “Integrated Strain Sensor” designed to monitor the through-life health of mooring ropes deployed in Offshore Floating Wind Arrays.
GEG Holdings Ltd – Repurposing tanker jetties for use as deep-water berths supporting floating offshore wind.
Titan Energies Limited – Adapting proven oil & gas technology for offshore wind by redesigning drilling techniques and integrating them with existing wind mooring systems.
First Marine Solutions Limited – Exploring feasibility for a novel mooring integrity monitor for floating offshore wind platforms.

This event will be most beneficial for:

Scottish engineering and manufacturing companies
Offshore wind developers and supply chain professionals
Innovators, technologists, academics, and entrepreneurs
Anyone passionate about Scotland’s clean energy future

Event Highlights

Live presentations from funded innovators
Networking sessions with key stakeholders
Insights into Scotland’s offshore wind infrastructure, market opportunities, and innovation landscape

Spaces are limited – register now to secure your place.
