Invest in Angus

Cyber security for your small business
2024-04-24 13:00 - 14:00 UTC
Around 83% of small and medium-sized businesses are not financially prepared to recover from a cyber attack – which could mean going out of business.
This event aims to introduce start-ups and new businesses to the risks they face and provide top tips on how to avoid some common threats, protect their organisation and enable them to win new business and gain stakeholder support.
Your host Jim Wright will introduce security, how it can benefit businesses and allow them to seize opportunities while minimising risk. Jim will also discuss common frameworks and fundamental principles that business leaders should know from the start of their business venture.
By the end of this webinar, attendees will:

understand security risks
understand the benefits of security
have an awareness of threat actors
have an awareness of threat vectors
have an awareness of the services that can be offered to support start-ups
understand the regulatory environment in which they work
understand the common frameworks relating to security

Jim Wright is the founder and principal consultant of Principle Defence, a Hertfordshire-based security and data protection consultancy and training provider. Jim has over 17 years of experience in security having served in the British Army before moving into the private sector.

How to build a digital marketing plan
2024-04-24 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

Writing for social media
2024-04-24 09:30 - 10:30
Engaging copy can help you say more with less when posting on your social media channels.
If you manage a social media channel for your business and you’re looking at ways to sharpen your copy, join this session on writing for social media. Learn ways to develop a written tone of voice and tips for creating copy for limited space online.
In this session you will learn:

how to define your brand across your social media channels
tips for writing for social media and responding to customer comments
tools you can use for content marketing

This session is run using YouTube and is 60 minutes long. The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary. There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

How to start a business: The basics
2024-04-23 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-06 10:00 - 12:00
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

Understanding machine learning
2024-04-23 14:30 - 15:30
This session teaches the foundations of how machine learning models learn and work, the components of designing a problem for machine learning to solve and a basic understanding of the resources and tools needed for a business to invest in machine learning. Aimed at small business leaders / owners or anyone looking to get a better understanding on the subject.
In this session, you will learn:

how different machine learning models work
the essentials for preparing data for a machine learning project
options for implementing machine learning for a business

This session is run using YouTube and is 60 minutes long.
The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

Cashflow management for your small business
2024-04-23 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-08 10:00 - 13:00
This webinar has been designed for small business owners, in order to help them with their short-term cash preservation and cashflow, as well as helping to prepare your business for the future.
You’ll learn about managing your short-term cashflow and preparing your business for the future, with effective cashflow forecasting and planning to put your business in the best position possible.
This webinar consists of three sections:
Financial assessment and review

reviewing cashflow forecasts
capital expenditure
working capital
sales forecasting
expenditure (variable and fixed) forecasting
actual versus forecast analysis

Financial management:

timely financial reporting
managing reduction in overheads
inventory (stock) management
managing debtor lists
managing creditor lists

Financial support:

alternative revenue streams
maintaining and meeting tax obligations
assessing financing options
applying for government support
bank services

Tay Cities Clean Growth - Financial and Investment Readiness
2024-04-23 10:30 - 14:30 | Perth & Kinross Council Civic Hall, 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5HP
You are invited to take part in our next Tay Cities Clean Growth in-person event focusing on financial readiness.
A candid discussion on financial and investment readiness from the perspective of the organisations who provide funding.
The aim is:

To provide an overview of the basics of funding, its main types and players (i.e. grant, debt, equity – domestic or international). To look at the basics of how to find an external funding injection into a business or project.
To explain the journey and the importance of preparation for this.
To raise awareness of questions businesses must ask themselves before embarking on funding applications.
To clarify the terminologies and potential misunderstandings around different investors. To debunk any myths or fears around the providers in the funding field.
To look at the main differences between the options and who are they suitable for. (domestic or international options).

Some businesses in Tay Cities region and across Scotland may have a strong desire for funding injection whether they are a spin-out, start-up or an established entity wishing to start a new venture, plan capital projects, R&D or just making sure that current projects reach their designed output. Navigating the funding landscape can be daunting or confusing, so we wish to bring this topic closer to you, making it more manageable and understandable in plain English.
This is an informal, frank and practical event explaining the types of funding, domestic and international investment / finance options in general with the view to creating an opportunity for practical support. The panel of speakers will provide corporate finance, equity, banking and international perspectives and allow attendees to ask questions and share opinions on these topics.

Delivering profit to drive growth
2024-04-23 10:00 - 12:00
The course covers financial analysis, strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and the role of innovation and scalability in leveraging profit for long-term success.
This course explores the relationship between a company’s profitability and its potential for growth. Participants will learn how to optimise profits and strategically reinvest them to foster sustainable growth. The course covers financial analysis, strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and the role of innovation and scalability in leveraging profit for long-term success.
The course will cover

Getting to know your financials
Controlling Growth
Improving decision making
Opportunities
Cash is king
Controlling Change
Pricing strategies for maximum profit
Measuring profit

Made in Angus, Sold to the World: Grow your business with international sales
2024-04-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Arbikie Distillery Experience, Arbikie Highland Estate, Lunan, DD10 9TR
Hosted by Angus Council, this event will help demystify the challenges and highlight the benefits of selling your products or services internationally.
From world-class capability in food and drink production to innovation in financial technology and life sciences, Scottish businesses like yours are already selling to many countries and regions around the world.
Whatever your level of exporting experience, this event will offer free advice and support to help your business expand overseas.
You will hear from exporters and representatives from the UK Department for Business and Trade, Scottish Development International, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce and Business Gateway who will discuss how you can navigate your export journey and the global opportunities that are out there.
The event will cover:
· Scottish success stories
· free tools and services available
· people who are on hand to help
This is free to attend, and spaces are limited, so request your place to attend now.

ASSC regional gathering: navigating change, embracing opportunity
2024-04-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Perth Theatre, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
The ASSC invites you to their first regional gathering of 2024, aimed at businesses and organisations involved in the self-catering sector.
The afternoon will kick off with ample networking opportunities, bringing together fellow operators, tourism professionals, and the dedicated team at ASSC. It’s a prime chance to connect with several dynamic partners and enjoy a diverse range of offerings. From sustainable products to indispensable services like insurance, banking, and booking agents, there’s something for everyone to explore.
The event includes a fantastic line-up of speakers, including Tiomóid Foley, VisitScotland Net Zero Manager, and Scott MacLean, Managing Director of Green Tourism. Additionally, ASSC CEO, Fiona Campbell, will provide updates on pertinent topics such as short-term let licensing and planning, FHL abolition, and the visitor levy.
Furthermore, there will be a panel discussion titled “Leading change: empowering the self-catering sector for responsible tourism and climate action”, featuring ASSC Chair, Clare Winskill, and Gordon Drummond of Cairngorm Lodges amongst others.
This gathering isn’t just about convening; it’s about bringing together Scotland’s self-catering community to honour and celebrate Earth Day and embrace the mission of responsible tourism.
Embark on a journey to champion sustainability, empower the industry, and pave the way for a brighter, greener future.
Mark your calendars and join this event to kick-start your journey to make a meaningful difference in Scotland’s self-catering sector.

The low-cost guide to marketing your business
2024-04-19 14:30 - 16:30
When budgets are tight, it can be difficult to find the funds for marketing. This webinar will offer marketing tips and advice that you can then use across your business – without bursting the bank!
We will look at:

How marketing extends way beyond what most businesses consider it to be and how it provides opportunities for businesses to make transformational change with little or minimal extra spend
Identifying marketing priorities and using these to reshape your business.
The marketing mix as a tool for reviewing how your business plans and delivers its marketing activity
How your marketing activity is delivered successfully and effectively in your business
A series of top tips including the importance of understanding your customers, the core components of a brand, the value of strong and consistent branding, the value of a clear focus and the power of creativity
The many options available with traditional Advertising and Promotion as a way a company communicates what it does and what it can offer customers, but also looking how this has changed in a world where marketing has moved online
The foundations of effective marketing in a digital age, looking at how your business can grasp new ways of marketing such as social media, web, and digital PR

Social media strategy
2024-04-19 14:00 - 15:00
A social media strategy can help you measure the success of your online posts.
Join this session to learn about how you can build a social media strategy into your business plan.
In this session you will learn:

how social media can help you reach new customers online
the building blocks of a simple social media strategy
tools that can help you save time when creating social posts

This session is run using YouTube and is 60 minutes long. The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary. There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

An introduction to business websites & what you need to consider
2024-04-19 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.

Webinar: Working with Inch Cape - Supply Chain Lessons and Learnings
2024-04-18 11:00 - 12:00
This webinar is being organised by NOF, on behalf of Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, and is being supported by Forth & Tay Offshore (FTO). This webinar will be free to attend, with tickets allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
This webinar will provide an update on the project before offering some experience-based advice for potential suppliers, including those transitioning from other industries such as oil & gas, small businesses seeking to grow or other companies aiming to diversify into the sector. It will also be an opportunity for suppliers to feedback on how developers could better support them.
This webinar will aim to:

Give attendees an update on Inch Cape as the project heads into full construction.
Give an insight into the procurement process and the opportunity to feedback on how developers can support following a tender round.
Provide existing offshore wind suppliers and those with ambitions to enter the sector with ideas on how to improve their offerings.

LinkedIn for business
2024-04-18 10:00 - 12:00
No longer just an online CV, LinkedIn can be an incredibly powerful – and profitable – business tool. Like any tool, you must learn how to use it, and this webinar gives you expert guidance.
You will:

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

Marketing strategy and AI
2024-04-17 16:00 - 17:00
How can you supercharge your digital marketing strategy with the help of AI in 2024?
In today’s evolving digital landscape, AI is changing the way consumers access and interact with digital tools: from providing increasingly personalised user experiences to the integration of new technology in our everyday apps.
In this one-hour short course, you’ll explore the impact of AI on digital marketing and how to leverage its potential to reach and engage with customers in new ways.
This session delves into the cutting-edge tools from Google and others, and will provide you with actionable insights to implement in your marketing strategy, with the help of AI.
In this session you will learn:

how AI is changing the marketing landscape and what are the opportunities for marketers
AI-powered marketing tools you can try
supercharging your digital marketing strategy.

The session is run using YouTube and is 60 minutes long. The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary. There will be opportunity to ask questions during the session.
This session is developed by marketing experts at Google as part of the New Fundamentals training series from Google Digital Garage.

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 1: On page optimisation
2024-04-17 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

VisitScotland Connect 2024
2024-04-17 09:00 - 2024-04-18 17:00 | P&J Live, East Burn Road, Aberdeen, AB21 9FX, United Kingdom
VisitScotland Connect 2024 will be taking place at the P&J Live Aberdeen on April 17-18, 2024.
VisitScotland Connect 2023 marked our first in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic. The new workshop style format helped 175 tourism businesses connect with over 250 tour operators and travel advisors representing 23 countries.
Our 2024 event will follow the same a business-to-business travel trade workshop structure, connecting Buyers from around the globe with Scottish tourism businesses.
Please note: VisitScotland Connect 2024 is a closed event and only pre-approved businesses will be allowed entry.

How Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help your business marketing
2024-04-16 18:00 - 20:00
You’ve heard of Artificial Intelligence, but do you know how it can help you as you run your business? This brand new practical webinar will explore how AI can help revolutionise 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 include:

What is Artificial Intelligence
Current AI tools and systems to use right now (including ChatGPT and Dall-E 2)
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.

Business Finance Viability
2024-04-16 16:00 - 18:00
Led by experienced advisers, this webinar takes the fear out of finances, providing practical tools and guidance to help you confidently manage your business’s budgeting and forecasting. You’ll learn how to identify the hidden costs of running your business, including the cost of hiring staff, maintaining stock levels, and other crucial expenses.
Through a series of engaging exercises, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your business’s financial viability, helping you make informed decisions about its future growth and success. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or have been in business for a couple of years, this webinar is tailored to your needs, providing you with the knowledge and skills to take your business to the next level.
Don’t let financial worries hold you back from realizing your business’s full potential. Sign up for the Business Finance Viability webinar today and discover how to confidently manage your business’s financial health!

TikTok and Instagram Reels for business
2024-04-15 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Kickstart your Marketing
2024-04-11 16:00 - 18:00
The workshop will cover the basic principles of marketing, including target audience identification, competitor analysis, value proposition, and the development of marketing strategies.
The workshop will also explore the importance of measuring the success of marketing strategies and how adhering to good business practice can positively influence Customer Generated Content
Overall, this workshop is ideal for businesses – new and existing – who want to gain a solid understanding of the basics. By the end of the workshop, you should have the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and execute an effective marketing strategy for your business.

How to generate and increase sales
2024-04-11 14:30 - 16:30
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

The essentials of bookkeeping and what expenses you can claim
2024-04-11 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

Producing engaging online content
2024-04-10 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. 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.
This session 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

Build an effective strategy to grow your business
2024-04-05 14:30 - 16:30
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

Introduction to the cloud
2024-04-04 15:30 - 16:30
If you’d like to have a better understanding about cloud computing, this short course will help you learn how digital technology has evolved. It will also highlight the impact and digital innovation available to businesses using the cloud.
You will learn more about how the cloud works, and what you can do with your data in the cloud. This course is designed for business owners, managers, and employees who want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in technology.
In this session you will learn:

the evolution of digital technology and its impact on businesses
what the cloud is and how it works
what you can do with your data in the cloud

This session is run using YouTube and is 60 minutes long.
The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience so there is no pre-reading necessary.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

How to write and develop your business plan
2024-04-03 18:00 - 20:00
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
