Invest in Angus

How to start a business: The basics
2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
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

Your Business MOT - Drop-In Sessions
2026-02-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Business Gateway Arbroath, Unit 9 Harbour Visitor Centre, Arbroath, DD11 1PS
If you’ve just launched a full-time venture or you’re growing a side hustle, our free Business MOT drop-in sessions are here to help.
Pop in for a relaxed, one-to-one chat with our expert advisers. We’ll take a look at what’s working well, spot any gaps, and guide you towards the right support to help you grow. It’s simple, practical, and tailored to you, so you can move forward with confidence.
Drop in for a free business check-up, because every start-up deserves a strong start.

Measuring Biodiversity: Farm Biodiversity Scotland Tool
2026-02-09 12:30 - 14:00
Biodiversity audits are one of the 5 requirements of the new Whole Farm Plan, and all farmers and crofters receiving Basic Payments (BPS) must complete all of the relevant plans/audits by 2028.
Join us on 9 February for the second in our 2026 series of interactive webinars on the different elements of Whole Farm Plans, this time focusing on the Biodiversity audit.
Taking part in the piloting of the Farm Biodiversity Scotland tool is one way of completing your biodiversity audit yourself. In this webinar, we will explore how mapping habitats and monitoring biodiversity can support decision making.
The Farm Biodiversity Project team from NatureScot will demonstrate how the free to use mobile app and web platform works. This tool has been designed with input from farmers and crofters to:

Create a habitat map
Carry out simple habitat assessments
Record species
Add photos

Monitoring biodiversity can help farmers and land managers plan how to protect, manage and enhance nature on their land providing benefits for nature and the business.
Join us for an insightful and interactive session!
FREE and open to farmers, crofters, growers and land managers. Booking required.

International Energy Week 2026
2026-02-10 09:00 - 2026-02-12 15:30 | QEII Centre, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE
International Energy Week 2026 is the first major global energy event following COP30, where the world’s energy leaders gather to turn climate commitments into action.
Backed by the Energy Institute and its 20,000-strong membership, International Energy Week offers a unique platform to tackle the most urgent challenges in energy: from grid resilience and supply chain risk, to financing the transition and scaling innovation.
With its trusted heritage as the UK’s flagship energy event, International Energy Week is more than just a conference – it’s a convening force, a networking hub and a strategic tool in the Energy Institute’s mission to create a better energy future.
Over three days of high-profile keynotes, panel discussions, and networking, and culminating in the prestigious International Energy Week dinner and awards ceremony, the week attracts more than 1,000 delegates from around the globe.
International Energy Week is designed for energy professionals across the spectrum – executives, policymakers, investors, engineers, academics, and early-career talent. Whether you’re driving strategy, scaling innovation or shaping policy, this is your platform to connect, collaborate and lead.
It is the essential annual fixture for those leading on corporate strategy, business development, and technological innovation, those wanting to retain a competitive edge, and anyone seeking insight into the great energy challenges facing humanity and once-in-a-generation energy transition opportunities.

Google Analytics – Understand how your website performs
2026-02-10 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Social media essentials: Instagram
2026-02-11 10:00 - 12:00
Thinking about using Instagram to communicate with existing and potential customers? Want to showcase your products or services using it? During this webinar we will cover:

Getting the setup right and benefitting from the available business tools
Best practice profiles, and some strategies to help your business stand out from the crowd
The types of audience you can reach via this platform and the factors and analytics such as cost and timing of posting images and how that can maximise impact
The various types of content you can post to Instagram, from regular posts to Stories and Reels

How wellbeing can support clearer thinking | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-11 12:00 - 12:30
Have you ever set intentions, but found it difficult to stay connected to them once life becomes busy, stressful or uncertain?
In this Lunch and Learn, Dr Dimple Devadas takes you through a gentle, psychology-informed exploration of how wellbeing and awareness can support clearer thinking and better decisions.
Mental clarity is closely linked to physical wellbeing and everyday lifestyle. While many people already know the basics of healthy living, eating well, moving more and sleeping better, the challenge isn’t always knowledge. Instead, it’s how difficult it can be to stay both consistent and flexible with healthy routines when life is busy, stressful or uncertain.
This session explores how awareness and emotional understanding can make approaching physical wellbeing feel more realistic and supportive.
Topics covered in this session:

How to notice familiar patterns, where helpful and context-dependent, with curiosity and compassion
Understanding emotions as meaningful signals that can support change
Exploring how physical wellbeing and everyday lifestyle support mental clarity

Accounting for Limited Companies
2026-02-11 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.

How to generate and increase sales
2026-02-12 10:00 - 12:00
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

Is franchising right for you? What you need to know
2026-02-12 11:00 - 12:00
Franchising can be an attractive way to run a business with the backing of a proven brand, but it’s not the right fit for everyone.
Before committing, it’s essential to understand how the model works and what’s expected of you.
Join LegalVision’s free webinar, Is Franchising Right for You? What You Need to Know, with Paul Loccisano (senior associate).
Key takeaways from this session:

What makes a strong and sustainable franchise model
The support, systems and obligations franchisors should provide
Skills, commitment and location factors critical to success

How to franchise your business
2026-02-12 12:00 - 12:30
Franchising is one of the fastest ways to scale in the UK. Join our free webinar and discover how to turn your successful business into a franchise model that works.
Learn from Julie Clabby, who built The Busylizzy Club from a single location in 2011 into an award-winning UK franchise network with over 50 locations. She franchised the business in 2014 and has recruited, supported and grown franchises ever since.
What you’ll learn in 30 minutes:

What franchising actually is
Importance of a pilot
Financials
Documenting everything
Territory mapping
Bonus tips : My biggest mistakes!

How to deliver low-cost, high impact marketing
2026-02-12 13:00 - 15:00
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

Planning Your Bid – Time and Resources
2026-02-12 13:30 - 15:00
The biggest learning curve in tendering is understanding the time, energy, and resources that go into creating a winning bid.
The more planning you do before writing your bid, the easier you’ll find it when you begin your response. This training will walk you through the steps of how to plan and manage your bid. From capture planning to forming a bid team (this doesn’t necessarily need to be a full team; it could be one person if they have the right skills) to making key decisions.
One of SDP’s expert trainers will also show an example of a Bid Time Plan and how to complete it.
Overview of what you will learn:

What work can be done pre-tender to make the process of creating the bid less stressful
How to make objective decisions while managing a bid
How to create a bid time plan

At the end of the session, there will be an interactive Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask any burning questions you may have. As well as the chance to hear what other SME businesses in Scotland have to say.

Shaping Tourism Responsibly
2026-02-12 14:00 - 14:30
This webinar will explore how responsible tourism development can meet the demand for meaningful and authentic experiences, while benefitting local communities.
You will also discover how trade-ready Scottish tourism businesses that are creating positive impact for visitors can gain visibility on the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map.

How to build a digital marketing plan
2026-02-16 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

How to realign your business goals before Q2 | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-16 12:00 - 12:30
Most business owners start the year with the right intentions – then life, work and procrastination get in the way.
In this session, Mark Elliott will help you reset your direction before Q2, build the right environment for your goals, choose goals that truly matter to you and create the kind of clear, realistic plan you can actually follow.
Topics covered in this session:

How to build an environment which supports your goals (especially if you are off track already)
How to set goals that genuinely matter to the business (and YOU)
How clarity in planning removes overwhelm

An introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for small businesses
2026-02-16 14:00 - 16:00
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.

How to build your brand
2026-02-17 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

Designing Out Waste - with Zero Waste Scotland
2026-02-17 10:00 - 12:00
SBCC members are invited to this ‘Designing Out Waste’ workshop, run by Zero Waste Scotland in partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School. It includes the opportunity for detailed discussions and interaction around producing practical solutions to reduce waste.
The aim is to tackle waste at the earliest project stage and prevent unnecessary waste being generated through a project’s lifetime.
The session will also include a focus on the construction sector which is one of the key value chains with the highest potential for circular growth. Discover how businesses are working in practice and find out about Zero Waste Scotland’s new resource link for Reducing Construction Lifecycle Waste. This is a dynamic series of practically focused resources in a logical way for users to find and act upon.
This is a practical, interactive training session, relevant to small and medium sized enterprises in Scotland who are interested in finding out how one sector is developing circular approaches. Relevant across sustainability, procurement and project teams, suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, sub-contractors and designers.

Key contracts every manufacturing business needs
2026-02-17 11:00 - 12:00
Manufacturing businesses operate in complex legal and commercial environments, making clear contracts essential.
Poorly drafted agreements or gaps in insurance can lead to disputes, delays and costly risk.
Join LegalVision’s free webinar, Key Contracts Every Manufacturing Business Needs (and How to Get Them Right), with Rob Nay (co-head of legal).
Key takeaways from this session:

What to include in client and supplier contracts
Key premises, equipment and employment agreements
How contracts and insurance should work together

Future-Proofing Your Business - Environmental Tipping Points
2026-02-17 11:00 - 12:00
Global trends can often disrupt markets and destroy business models. But they can also quickly open up new opportunities for adaptive countries and companies. This webinar series focuses on how businesses can anticipate future change and take action to grasp new opportunities and become more resilient in the face of business risks.
This session will focus on environmental tipping points, as well as green market opportunities to make your business more resilient and efficient.
It will discuss how to:

Develop a tailored sustainability plan aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations
Adopt climate technologies
Grasp net zero market opportunities
Adopt circular practices
Invest in nature
Adapt to climate impacts

The presenters will be Neil Freckingham and Amy Fordham of Mathew Algie and Ian Carstairs of Scottish Enterprise. Ewan Mearns of Scottish Enterprise will do the introductions.
Neil and Amy will discuss the work done at Mathew Algie, which is the UK’s first Fairtrade, organic, and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee producer and sources green coffee by working directly with farmers and cooperatives worldwide.
Ian and Ewan will talk about the support that Scottish Enterprise can offer in this area.
This session is ideal for anyone curious to understand strategic business opportunities and risks over the next decade, including:

Business owners and leaders
Those responsible for business planning and sustainable development

What you need to know about data governance, ethics and AI | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-17 12:00 - 12:30
As organisations increasingly adopt AI-driven tools and technologies, strong data governance has never been more critical.
In this webinar, John Hauxwell explains the role that governance plays in the AI age – and why it’s crucial if you’re going to use AI responsibly and effectively.
John will talk about data quality, the importance of understanding data lineage and the ethical considerations surrounding data use.
The session is designed to give you some practical insight into how governance frameworks can help you make better decisions, reduce your risks and place your trust in AI.
Topics covered in this session:

What good data looks like – a basic data quality framework
The lineage/provenance of data and why it’s important
Data products and ethical data considerations

Sustainability in tenders: A practical guide for SMEs
2026-02-17 13:00 - 14:00
In this session, we’ll break down what sustainability requirements are starting to show up more regularly in tenders and bids – especially those linked to government procurement – and how your small business can get ahead of them.
We’ll cover what’s legally required today, what’s likely to come next and what practical steps small businesses can take to build credible responses without needing in-house sustainability teams.
Topics covered in this session:

Why sustainability is increasingly embedded in procurement and tendering processes
What a compliant carbon reduction plan looks like – and what businesses often miss
Practical steps SMEs can take to meet requirements and stand out

Passing the Selection Stage – The Single Procurement Document (SPD)
2026-02-17 13:30 - 15:00
Do you know how to complete the Single Procurement Document?
The Single Procurement Document (SPD) is a set of questions, that cannot be altered, which helps buyers identify if your business is suitably qualified to carry out the contract you are bidding for.
Most buyers use the SPD for the tendering process, as it ensures that the process stays consistent. It can reduce your workload when bidding on an opportunity as your answers can be saved and reused again and again along as they remain relevant.
Previously known as European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), the SPD is a regular part of bidding for public sector contracts.
Completing the SPD can be daunting for everyone, even if you have done so in the past. It is a long electronic document that splits questions into different subsections and parts. During this training event, you will be given examples of the standard questions asked in the SPD by one of SDP’s expert trainers, who has also completed numerous Single Procurement Documents and will teach you an expert method on how to answer all questions robustly and correctly.
You will learn:

What is the Single Procurement Document (SPD)?
When will you need to complete the SPD?
Standard Questions
Mitigating any issues in your SPD
Checking your submission

At the end of the session, there will be an interactive Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask any questions your business may have about the SPD, as well as give you the chance to hear what other SME businesses in Scotland have to say.
This event is suitable for Level 2 (Intermediate) for people who know about bidding but need to develop specific knowledge and skills.

Social media essentials: Facebook
2026-02-17 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

Transform Business Festival Tayside
2026-02-18 08:00 - 15:00 | Dundee Science Centre, 14 Greenmarket, Dundee, DD1 4QB
Business Gateway’s Transform Business Festival is back! Join us for the day as we inspire, connect & transform entrepreneurs across Tayside.
The Transform Business Festival is an event which connects entrepreneurs, start-ups and businesses of all shapes and sizes over the course of a day.
This year’s event continues its tour of Tayside at Dundee Science Centre on 18th February 2026, with a mission to inspire businesses and individuals to transform their futures.
Attendees can expect:

Engaging and motivating guest speaker sessions
Bitesize Sessions and Fireside Chats to stimulate and educate
The chance to build connections through fun networking sessions
An Ecosystem Village featuring key support partners in the Tayside region
1 to 1 advisory sessions and much more!

2026 employment law changes: What your business needs to know
2026-02-18 11:00 - 12:00
Major employment law changes are coming in 2026, affecting employee rights, leave, flexible working and statutory pay. Employers need to understand what’s changing to remain compliant and avoid risk.
Join LegalVision’s webinar, 2026 Employment Law Changes: What Your Business Needs to Know, with Saeidul Haque (senior associate).
Key takeaways from this session:

New unfair dismissal and day-one employment rights
Changes to leave, sick pay and flexible working
Statutory payment increases and compliance risks

The Unpacked Series: IP & Media Law
2026-02-18 12:30 - 13:30
Curious about what life in different areas of law really looks like?
Join us for The Unpacked Series: IP & Media Law, our interactive webinar programme designed to unpack what it’s like to work in various areas of legal practice. In this session, Fiona Stewart (Head of Talent Acquisition), will be joined by IP & Media Law colleagues Baktosch Gillan (Associate), Megan Craig (Senior Solicitor), and Liam Martin (Solicitor) who will share their real-life experiences, career journeys, and practical advice on the skills you can start developing now to succeed in these areas.
Whether you’re exploring your options or have a particular legal specialism in mind, The Unpacked Series is your chance to hear authentic insights directly from our lawyers and ask questions in a relaxed, informal setting.
This webinar is for law students and graduates who want to explore different areas of practice. Anyone curious about the realities of life as a lawyer at a leading Scottish firm.

Creating an effective email marketing strategy
2026-02-19 09:30 - 11:30
Customers buy from businesses that they know, like and trust. Email marketing is powerful and affordable tool in your digital marketing toolkit to build these relationships. Most businesses send monthly newsletters to stay in touch with their audience, but your results will improve with a structured plan and the best practices that will be explored in this webinar. Whether you’re new to email marketing or you’re looking to optimise your email strategy, this webinar enable you to:

Adopt email marketing into your wider marketing strategy and gain insight into your target audience
Understand the key stages of an effective marketing strategy
Segment your audiences and to target and position your offering to them effectively
Create a value-driven and customer-focussed content for email marketing whilst measuring and testing it’s effectiveness
Identify the most suitable platforms and tools for email marketing campaigns, including different paid-for account levels
Optimise the different components of a successful email campaign
Use reporting and key metrics to make sure your campaigns are successful
Be compliant with legal requirements relating to email communications and use best practices for escaping the spam folder

Selling Your Business Masterclass
2026-02-19 10:00 - 12:00
Have you considered a succession plan for your business? Have you considered selling your business to an employee ownership trust? It’s never too early to start thinking about your options.
Employee ownership is fast becoming the preferred exit route for business owners. Attend this free online workshop to learn how employee ownership offers a tax efficient exit route that protects your company’s legacy while ensuring you get a competitive price for the business.
Aimed at business owners considering an exit from their company, this free online session will give you the opportunity to hear from strategic communication experts Aspect and Ayrshire-based bus and coach operator Shuttle Buses. They’ll talk about the factors they considered in choosing employee ownership and how things have worked out.
Innes Chalmers from Covenant will talk through all your ownership succession options before focussing on employee ownership and how to ensure the employee buyout is a smooth process.
