Invest in Angus

How to write funding applications
2026-04-21 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
Securing funding can be a game-changer — but writing a strong application takes more than just filling out forms.
This webinar will offer tools and insights to help improve your chances of a successful application, including:

Clarifying and communicating your funding need
Building a persuasive business case with clear objectives and costings
Understanding your funder’s priorities and tailoring your language
Presenting evidence that demonstrates impact and credibility
Avoiding common mistakes that lead to rejection
Structuring your application for clarity and relevance

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 1: On page optimisation
2026-04-20 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

Social media essentials: Facebook
2026-04-20 10:00 - 12:00
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

Validate Your Business Idea in 30 Minutes Using the Business Model Canvas
2026-04-20 10:00 - 11:00
Many entrepreneurs start with a product idea, but successful businesses start with a strong business model.
In this interactive masterclass, we will use the Business Model Canvas to explore the key questions every founder must answer:
* Who is your customer?
* What problem are you solving?
* How will you reach your market?
* How will your business make money?
*What will it cost to run?
Using a real-world example, we’ll demonstrate how founders can quickly test and improve their ideas before launching.
This session is ideal for early-stage entrepreneurs, startups, and anyone exploring a new business idea.

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2026-04-17 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

Reimagined SMAS Business Improvement Academy, Dundee
2026-04-16 09:00 - 12:00
Introducing the enhanced SMAS Business Improvement Academy.
Please Note: This is a 10 day programme commencing 16 April 2026 and finishing 9 July 2026.
The enhanced Business Improvement Academy (BIA) from the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) delivers a high-impact, hands-on programme to help manufacturers and process-driven businesses not only learn about Lean but embed it into their operations – and now, reimagined for greater impact, it’s accredited by the Lean Competency System (LCS), Europe’s leading business improvement framework developed by Cardiff University.
By focusing on practical application and continuous improvement, the Academy ensures you’ll develop the capability to integrate Lean tools and techniques effectively, driving sustainable productivity gains, improved performance, and stronger leadership across the organisation.
Why join?

Productivity that lasts – learn how to eliminate waste, streamline operations, and embed a culture of continuous improvement
Real business impact – deliver a live improvement project tailored to your business – with an average saving of £130,000 per project
Leadership for change – build the confidence and skills to lead improvement, influence culture, and inspire your team
Tailored support – benefit from one-to-one coaching and peer learning to unlock long-term improvement goals

What’s included:

Expert-led workshops
Peer-to-peer learning
Interactive Lean tools and techniques
Certification from globally recognised Lean Competency System (LCS)
Access to the LCS network, support, and events
Ongoing wrap-around support from Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise – dependant on your location.

The outcome?
Get the skills to develop a more productive, competitive, and forward-thinking business – led by people who know how to make change happen.

Regenerative farming hustings: The future of Scotland’s land and policy
2026-04-15 19:00 - 20:00
Join our online hustings to discuss the potential of regenerative farming with MSPs and party spokespeople from across Scotland.
What does the future hold for regenerative farming in Scotland? As the nation moves toward more sustainable land use, the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) and the Scottish Agroecology Partnership (SAP) invite you to a national online hustings.
Hosted by retired farmer and NFFN Steering Group member Ian Davies, this event brings together key political voices to debate the potential and policy future of regenerative agriculture.

Google Analytics – Understand how your website performs
2026-04-15 14:00 - 16:00
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that helps you understand how your website is performing. It helps answer lots of questions, including:

Which marketing channels drive traffic to your site?
What pages are users looking at the most?
What impact does mobile have on your potential customers?

During this webinar, we’ll help you understand how Google Analytics is set up and give you an overview of key reports. We’ll also look at other web analytics tools to help you online.

Using Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) – How to Find and Bid for Opportunities
2026-04-15 14:00 - 15:30
Public Contracts Scotland is the national public sector tender portal for Scotland. It lists contract opportunities for all public sector bodies and has a “Quick Quote” function for lower value contracts. This webinar will help you to ensure that you’re not only comfortable using the PCS website but also know how to generate business from it.
This event is suitable for Level 1 (Beginners). This workshop is the first step to tendering for new or inexperienced bidders.
During this course, you will learn:

What is Public Contracts Scotland (PCS)?
How do I set myself up on PCS?
What functions do I need to use on PCS?
What is PCS-Tender (PCS-T)?
What is a Quick Quote?
How does e-invoicing work?

Bookkeeping essentials
2026-04-15 10:00 - 12:00
At the end of this session, you will be able to:

Implement basic bookkeeping skills across your business
Create a profit and loss account
Understand what expenses can and cannot be claimed
Use financial management to increase revenues and profits
Understand capital and revenue costs and how they are treated

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

SFI26 Explained: A Practical Guide for Organic and Non-Organic Farmers
2026-04-14 19:00 - 20:00
This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the SFI26 scheme, outlining the available options and offering practical guidance on planning and preparing applications. The session is designed for both organic and non-organic farmers, helping attendees understand how the scheme can be integrated into different farming systems.
It will also highlight opportunities for capital grants and other funding streams, supporting participants to maximise the financial and environmental benefits available to their farm businesses.

Lab: Websites 101- Quick & easy ways to improve your website
2026-04-14 11:00 - 12:00
Learn quick and easy ways to improve your website in this hands-on Lab!
In this Digital Boost x NatWest Lab, you will work in small groups to:

Understand what makes a great website
Learn how to optimise your conversion rate
Build a plan of action to optimise your website

As this is an interactive session, cameras and mics are essential so that you can work together in virtual breakout groups.
This Digital Skills lab is sponsored by NatWest Group.

SBCC Carbon Tool Fundamentals - Measure, Reduce and Report your Carbon for SME's
2026-04-14 11:00 - 12:00
This Scottish Business Climate Collaboration Webinar on the free SBCC Carbon Tool designed to support small and medium enterprises in Scotland and the wider UK to measure, manage, reduce and report on your carbon. The tool is easy to use and this session will take you through it step by step so you can leave the webinar armed with all the knowledge you need to take action!
Aimed at organisations who are starting to look at their carbon reporting and want an introduction to the different types of emissions that contribute to an organisation’s carbon footprint.
Join this session to find out:

What we mean by scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
What the difference is between the three scopes
How your organisation can start thinking about reducing and reporting your own carbon emissions and how reporting works across a supply chain.

VisitScotland Travel Distribution Seminar 2026
2026-04-14 10:00 - 17:00 | SEC Glasgow, Exhibition Way, Glasgow, G3 8YW
The VisitScotland Travel Distribution Seminar 2026 provides Scottish tourism experiences with an opportunity to discover the landscape of travel distribution in a global marketplace, learn about different routes to market, online booking systems, Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and how to create bookable tourism experiences for the travel trade.
The event is aimed towards those who are new to the concept of online booking systems and OTA distribution. Therefore, it is not suitable for businesses already using (and happy with) an online booking system.
The seminar-style event format includes a series of presentations for businesses to attend, followed by an afternoon session with 1:1 appointments with travel-tech suppliers (online booking systems and OTAs) and travel trade. You will be sent your schedule of appointments nearer to the time of the workshop.
The workshop is open to businesses from across Scotland, but due to its location best suited for those based in the central belt.  Please note travel expenses and overnight accommodation are not covered by VisitScotland.
Please note there is no charge to attend the VisitScotland Travel Distribution Seminar 2026, but the event is ticketed. Only pre-approved suppliers will be allowed entry to the venue. Spaces at the event are limited. If demand exceeds supply a waitlist will be opened.

How to create engaging content
2026-04-14 10:00 - 12:00
Producing quality content is an excellent way of helping your customers develop a meaningful relationship with your brand, services and products. In this webinar we will show you how to source and develop a variety of content for your website and social channels.
This session is ideal for businesses that already have a business website or use social media and now want to take it a step further, and develop the skills to show your audience that you are a trusted operator in your field.
We will help you:

Understand what kind of content your customers are looking for
Source, write and deliver that content
Amplify your brand and message and boost engagement online

The Marketing Mindset: Why Confidence and Self-Belief Shape Your Visibility
2026-04-13 12:00 - 13:00
Marketing isn’t just about tactics, content plans, or posting consistently. For solo entrepreneurs and small business owners, marketing is a core business development skill – and one that is deeply connected to your mindset, confidence and the way you see yourself and your work.
In this session, we’ll explore the often-overlooked link between self-belief, habits, awareness and marketing success. Drawing on insights from years of working with business owners, I’ll share why the way you think about yourself and your business directly influences your positioning, messaging, visibility and how you show up in the market.
You’ll learn how to reframe common marketing challenges, move forward with small but powerful confidence shifts and begin developing a marketer’s mindset – so you can stop getting caught in the emotional rollercoaster of likes, engagement and comparison.
This session is designed to help you step into your role as the strategic voice and marketer of your own business.

Farming the Fens: Building resilient peatland systems
2026-04-09 13:00 - 14:00
Join this free webinar hosted by Fenland SOIL and Soil Association, exploring new developments in sustainable farming systems on the Fens.
Lowland peat soils support some of the most productive farming systems in the country but are also responsible for a significant proportion of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers working these soils face growing pressure to reduce emissions and restore peat, while maintaining profitable food production.
This session explores how landscape opportunity mapping can support climate‑positive decisions on lowland peat. It will share new evidence from paludiculture and raised‑water‑table trials, including what these approaches mean for yields and carbon emissions. You’ll also hear insights from flux‑tower research showing how regenerative practices are influencing carbon dynamics across commercial peatland farms. Finally, the session brings together practical experiences from growers trialling sub‑irrigation, water‑table management and regenerative approaches at scale, helping to shape a more sustainable and resilient future for farming on the Fens.

Market Engagement with Police Scotland
2026-04-08 13:30 - 15:00
Police Scotland invites suppliers to participate in a live market engagement webinar focused on the introduction of road traffic diversionary courses in Scotland.
This is intended to be a suite of courses offered to drivers who have committed minor road traffic offences, as an alternative to prosecution and in line with courses offered through NDORS (National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme).
Legislative changes are required before these courses can be introduced, and the necessary legislation is expected to be laid before Parliament in Summer 2026.
It is anticipated that:

The opportunity will involve in the region of 200,000 courses per annum
Courses will be available online and in person, across all areas of Scotland
It is Police Scotland’s intention to progress a tender for this requirement once the new legislation is in place.

During the webinar, Police Scotland will outline the opportunity in more detail and invite questions and feedback from suppliers. This input will help inform the scope of the upcoming procurement exercise.
This webinar will include:

Introductions and housekeeping from SDP
Presentation delivered by Police Scotland colleagues
Sandie Shaw – Procurement Specialist
Insp Craig Beaver – Road Policing Management Support
Live Q&A giving you the opportunity to gain a full understanding of this new opportunity and the expectations.

Going Organic: Practical Steps for Dairy Farmers
2026-04-08 13:00 - 14:00
Join this Soil Association webinar to learn about the organic conversion process and the practical realities of organic dairy farming.
Hear directly from organic advisors, an inspector from Soil Association Certification, and an experienced organic dairy farmer, and gain valuable guidance to support your transition.

How to start a business: The basics
2026-04-07 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

Working with the Public Sector - All You Need to Know
2026-04-07 10:30 - 12:00
How well do you know the public sector? This introductory module is recommended for anyone new to bidding. It provides a comprehensive overview of the public sector marketplace in Scotland and beyond and introduces the concept of tendering and procurement.
This event is suitable for Level 1 (Beginner) workshop is a first step to tendering for new or inexperienced bidders. No previous knowledge or experience is required to attend this workshop.

During this course, you will learn:

What is the public sector?
Routes into the public sector
Finding opportunities
Creating a pipeline of work
Pre-engagement activities

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

Earned Settlement: What employers need to know
2026-04-07 09:30 - 10:30
The UK Government has announced significant changes to the path to settlement for most international citizens. This will impact sponsored workers and also their sponsors, who now face an extension of sponsorship costs and compliance obligations for workers on a longer path to settlement.
Join Rebecca Engel-Morton and Catriona MacDonald to find out what we know so far and what steps sponsors and employers should take now.

CCS Construction Works & Associated Services 3 Framework
2026-04-02 14:00 - 15:30
The Crown Commercial Service Construction Works & Associated Services 3 (CWAS3) framework, is a major procurement opportunity that is estimated to deliver £80 billion of construction and infrastructure projects across the UK over eight years, with tailored lots for Scotland.
During this online webinar we will watch our expert walk you through the bidding process, using the CCS CWAS3 framework tender documents for this Construction Works & Associated Services opportunity. We will demo how to register/ login to Find a Tender Services (FTS), how to find the contract notice and express interest. We then follow the CCS buyer’s instructions verbatim, to access the tender documents and open all envelopes within Public Contracts Scotland-Tender (PCS-T). We will spend time on questions that perhaps tripped bidders up in the past. We also demo the Q&A functionality and how to upload evidence and response documents. Essentially the aim is for you as a bidder, to watch our expert going through the tendering process as a supplier, in real-time, to ensure that you know what your next step will be.
This webinar will include:

Introductions and house keeping from SDP
How to register and login to Find a Tender Services (FTS) & Public Contracts Scotland-Tender (PCS-T
How to search and find this CCS CWAS3 framework opportunity for Construction Works & Associated Services
Access the buyer attachments and instructions
Upload any supporting docs required for this CWAS3 framework opportunity

An introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for small businesses
2026-04-02 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.

Data Protection Compliance: Data Mapping and Records
2026-04-02 09:30 - 10:30
Join our data protection specialists Loretta Maxfield and Morgan O’Neill for an in-depth practical session on the requirement of Article 30 of UK GDPR requires under GDPR.
The webinar will cover topics including how to build and maintain accurate ROPAs, common challenges and solutions for data mapping and practical tips for ongoing compliance. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session with our team.

Ditching the spreadsheet: When and how to switch to cloud accounting
2026-04-01 15:00 - 16:00
Still managing your accounts in spreadsheets? It’s worth knowing that as your business grows, manual bookkeeping can quickly become time-consuming, error-prone and stressful.
Join this free Tech Hub webinar to discover when it’s time to move on from manual processes and how cloud accounting can transform the way you manage your finances.
We’ll explore practical ways to simplify your admin, stay compliant and reduce manual work – all while gaining better visibility and control over your business performance.
What you’ll learn:

Recognising the signs: How to tell when spreadsheets are holding your business back
Making the switch: What to look for in cloud accounting software and how to get started smoothly
Simplifying financial admin: Tips to manage digital records efficiently and cut down on repetitive tasks
The future of finance: Discover Sage Copilot, an AI-powered tool designed to streamline workflows and support smarter, faster decision-making

Whether you’re a sole trader, a small business owner or an accountant supporting clients, this session will help you take the next step towards a simpler, smarter way to manage your finances.

Accounting for Limited Companies
2026-04-01 14:00 - 16:00
This webinar is designed to outline the key accounting and statutory reporting requirements for a limited company and explain the main differences between operating as a sole trader versus a limited company.
We’ll cover:

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

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

Microsoft Copilot: A bitesized overview for businesses | Lunch and Learn
2026-04-01 12:00 - 12:30
Most businesses have access to Microsoft Copilot, but many still aren’t sure what it actually does or how to use it.
This beginner-friendly deep dive led by Shimron Walters will walk you through Microsoft’s automation ecosystem, AI agents and the capabilities that can transform the way you work.
Topics covered in this session:

What Microsoft Copilot is, how it works and why it’s quickly becoming the industry standard
How Copilot Studio empowers you to build custom automations and AI agents tailored to your business
Practical use cases that show how this technology can help your team save time, reduce costs and operate more efficiently

How to build a digital marketing plan
2026-04-01 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar will guide you through the steps needed to create an effective digital marketing strategy, ensuring you focus on the right tactics to meet your business objectives and goals.
We will cover:

The importance of planning your digital marketing activities
Building your plan around a simple framework
Conducting a situational analysis (and understanding customers and competitors)
Developing your brand and tone of voice
Planning your content strategy
Prioritising digital channels
Evaluating your Digital Marketing efforts

Expanding to sell into the wider UK market
2026-03-31 13:30 - 15:00
Do you want to grow your business by exploring new public sector markets?
Wider opportunities are not always as easy to find, so you need to commit time and resources into investigating them. Businesses may be surprised to learn that the procurement rules in Scotland and the rest of the UK are currently largely the same. So how can businesses based within Scotland find and win public sector contracts within the rest of the UK.
At this training one of SDP’s expert trainers will show you where to find opportunities in new public sector markets, including searching the Find-a-Tender Service portal.
Advances in technology is making it easier for businesses of all sizes to work in other locations, our trainer will give an overview of what considerations your business needs to take into account before you start to expand.
Overview of what you will learn:

How to find new opportunities in the rest of the UK.
How to set up a business development strategy.
What considerations your business need to think about when working further a field
How to adapt to new opportunities
Common mistakes businesses make and how to avoid them

At the end of the session, there will be an interactive Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask the questions you have and how to navigate expansion of your business through public sector contracts.
This event is suitable for Level 3 (Advanced) if you have a very good understanding of public sector procurement (completed Level 1 and 2 or have equivalent experience) & you have bid for a public sector contract on more than one occasion.
