More than 20 free seminars and workshops take place at the event including…
Blogs and the Bottom Line from being Social
Gary Ennis, Managing Director, NSDesign Ltd
A recent survey of Small Business Social Media usage, proved Blogging to be more useful than Facebook!
In this workshop, you'll hear from NSDesign's Gary Ennis, who will reveal some insights from their recent study (conducted in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University) into the real value of Social Media platforms for Scottish SMEs. Understanding what works and why, will help other businesses not yet embracing social media make informed decisions.
The session will then focus on Blogging - one of the unsung heroes of Social Media, giving advice and practical information on setting up and running an effective business blog.
Business is Behaviour! How to maximise your staff performance.
Iain Clague, Managing Director, E&S Positive Performance Solutions Ltd.
The Seminar will cover topics on: What is Performance Management? Understanding human behaviour, Consequences and there effect on behaviour, the 5 step management process, plan for success and the 4 most common errors when providing positive reinforcement. We will show you how using the power of positive reinforcement will bring out the best in your people and provide a sustained increase in Performance.
Capitalising on the Opportunity
Shaf Rasul
Learn how to identify opportunities, evaluate the risk and capitalise on that opportunity before somebody else does. Drive critical mass through growing market share and build successful teams around yourself. Shaf Rasul will teach you how to motivate, organise and delegate.
Co-working - a new way of working
Ali McGill, Head of Stuff at Creative Space & Freelance World
Working from home can be a lonely existence. In this workshop Ali McGill from Creative Space will explain the concept of co-working and give examples of how it can transform your business.
Forecasting your sales & setting your pricing
Ali McGill, Head of Stuff at Creative Space & Freelance World
We all know that sales are important, but how should you go about forecasting what you're going to sell? And more importantly, at what prices?
Guide to improving your credit score
Satnam Basra, Head of Business Consultancy, Experian
Potential lenders, suppliers and customers can use your credit report to gauge how much of a financial risk you present! This workshop will explain how to make your business more attractive to other businesses by seeing how to improve and manage your financial health.
How To Grow Your Business or Personal Brand Using Social Media Marketing
Beverley Anderson, Business Growth Specialist
This workshop is suitable for start-ups-to advanced business owners who are trying to figure out the best way to engage in social media marketing.
What Social Media Marketing is REALLY all about in PLAIN English
Why Social Media Marketing is a KEY part of your Business-Marketing Plan
A proven 5-step Social Media Marketing STRATEGY to maximise your social media marketing ROI
Why Online REPUTATION Matters and how you can MANAGE it
How to guarantee Angel Funding for your business
Bill Morrow, founder and CEO of Angels Den
As founder of one of the UK and Asia's largest Angel Networks, Bill Morrow will be providing you with invaluable information on how you can guarantee that your pitch for private investor funding (Angel Funding) is successful.
Making music in your Buyers Ears
Calum Kilgour, Sonsie Selling
Calum Kilgour explains how buyers think, how to turn them on and how to turn them off. Sonsie Selling have coached some of the most succesful blue chip companies in the world, large and small including VMware, HP and SAP
Making the most of the media
Alasdair Northrop, Editor of Scottish Business Insider and Business7
One of Scotland's leading business journalists talks about the most effective ways for companies to get themselves into the editorial pages in print and online.
Managing IP in a new or growing business
Dr Michael J Ellis, Patent Attorney, Ellis IP Ltd
This Seminar explores the Intellectual Property-related challenges of a new business; introduces the various types of IP and their scope; provides tips on what to do and what not to do; and discusses commercialisation of IP.
Managing the safety and health of your staff is good business. The cost of getting it right may be less than you think. The cost of getting it wrong c
Robert Atkinson Occupational Health & Safety Development Manager for the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives
Understand how managing your health as well as the safety and wellbeing of your workforce is integral to building a sustainable and profitable business. What do you need to do and what help is available.
Performance Managing Employees in Small Businesses (when they may also be friends and/or relatives)!
Alison Melville; Director
Small businesses often feel like families and it can be difficult to apply performance management and discipline in such a close- knit environment and yet retain mutual respect for each other. This workshop aims to arm you with confidence and provide you with the tools to deal with any employee performance issue that may arise.
Private Medical Insurance the business case
Paul Johnson National Sales Manager, General & Medical
The seminar will revisit the benefits of Private Healthcare and examine the real business benefits enjoyed by employers who offer their staff Private Medical Insurance as part of an overall employee benefits package.
Retail King reveals his secrets!
Duncan Sutherland, founding retail director of out-of-town retailer Matalan
Duncan Sutherland, founding retail director of out-of-town retailer Matalan, has developed a highly successful career in retailing.
As well as leading the strategic roll-out of the Matalan model across the UK, Duncan has also been a key driver in the resurgence of Littlewoods and Moss Bros.
This seminar looks at how retailers need to respond to the demands of cash-starved consumers.
Secrets of Successful Start-ups
Ross Hood, Morisons Solicitors
Ross Hood from Morisons Solicitors provides an insight into the shared business secrets which put companies on the winning track.
.
Selling in a tough climate. Could your approach be holding you back?
Alan Mackie, Sales Director, Business Growth Now
In today?s environment every penny is a prisoner. Money is not just tight at the bank. Many businesses are finding themselves conceding to pressure on price or providing way more knowledge and unpaid consultancy to win business and often this business is hardly worth having. Additionally, many business owners and sales directors are frustrated hearing their sales staff say they are too busy to prospect; to find the very new clients every business needs as its life blood. This talk looks at what could be the root of the issues experienced by businesses when selling. Could their approach be causing all the problems they experience? And proposes a new approach?
Setting up a Limited Company & the new Companies Act
Companies House
The Companies House team will take you through the process of incorporating a Limited Company and the rules that you will need to abide by. You will be made aware of the newly implemented Companies Act 2006. This new Act will affect everyone who has to deal with Companies House. You will also learn how you can save valuable time and money by dealing with Companies House online.
Small and growing businesses and the Scottish Government
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth will speak about the importance of new, small and growing businesses to the Scottish economy and the Scottish Government's long-term ambitions for Scotland.
Social Media - The Good, The Bad and The Downright Mad
Colin Kelly, TV and Radio Presenter
Ready to use social media but not sure what to say? TV and Radio Presenter, Colin Kelly, explores what you can learn from other businesses who are already active on Facebook, Twitter and the rest. Hold tight for a high speed roller coaster ride, with bags of ideas and inspiration that you can apply to your own business, and some horror stories that you should avoid at all costs.
Social Media For Business
Sandy Buchanan
Why ?YOU? NEED to be using Social Media Marketing for Business, Networking & Branding
The Art of Selling
Ben Cartwright
Exploding the myth that selling is an art and only a certain type of person can be good at it. This back to basics and interactive workshop will show business owners how to get the most from the sales process, how to plan and implement a sale and most importantly, convert more prospects into paying customers. Delegates will leave with a structure that can be implemented immediately to increase the number of prospects converted. The presentation focuses on:
1. Preparation for selling (the mental game)
2. The process of selling
3. Dealing with objections
4. The ABC of closing
5. Dealing with rejection
Top Ten Takeaway Tips for Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
Gary Ennis, NS Design
Having a Social Media profile is just the start - using it correctly makes the difference between Social Media success and failure.
This practical session will provide real takeaway tips on three of the most popular social platforms: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn; showing you how they should be done! From setting up correctly, bespoke customisation, and other tips and tricks on getting the most from using them for your business benefit.
Wi-Fi enabled laptops are welcomed, but by no means mandatory, as NSDesign provides you with all the hands-on experience to take away and start doing Social Media right!
Trade Marks & Branding
Intellectual Property Office
Every business owns some form of branding and trademark, this presentation will explain how you can protect your name, logo or slogan.
Vat the basics
Colin Wilson, Business Adviser
An introduction to the basic rules to help newly VAT registered businesses get started in VAT and where to go for further help and information
Ways to make your life easier
Satnam Basra - Head of Business Consultancy, Experian
This seminar looks at ways to help you secure the finance your business needs, identify and reduce risk and find those customers who really need your products or services. Everything you need in a competitive market to drive your business forward.
We can help you start a Creative Business
David Smith Programme Manager and Sally Johnson Starter for 6 Client Manager
Starter for Six is an enterprise training programme that supports up and coming entrepreneurs from the creative industries across Scotland. At the end of the training there is an opportunity to pitch for up to ?10,000 for participants to start their business. Come and find out what makes a successful application to the programme.
What is Social Enterprise?
Naomi Johnson, Executive Director, Just Enterprise
This seminar is for budding Social Entrepreneurs and anyone interested in social enterprise
This seminar will:
Outline the social enterprise scene, UK and Scotland
Go through what social enterprise means
Outline the different legal structures that a social enterprise may adopt
Provide examples of social enterprise activity
Give a chance to ask any questions
Winning Public Sector Contracts
Alastair Merrill, Procurement and Commercial Director for the Scottish Government
The public sector in Scotland spends around ?9 billion each year buying goods, works and services. But bidding for a slice of this work can seem daunting. Alastair Merrill, Procurement and Commercial Director for the Scottish Government discusses the work that is being done to make it easier.
You're never too old to start a business
Amanda Boyle, portfolio entrepreneur, founder and CEO Bloom VC
Business is not like sport or fashion, you don't have to be young and fit to be successful. Ask Simon Cowell. Typically, successful businesses are started by people with some life experience, not school leavers or graduates. Why? They have a more positive outlook, more patience and more problem-solving skills. They also have greater motivation, more business contacts and better networking skills. But it's not the same as working for someone else, so here's what to prepare for.
You, Self Employment & HMRC
Jim Neil, Business Adviser
An overview aimed at Sole Traders & Partnerships of some key issues such as record keeping, business expenses, SA Tax return & where to get further help & guidance.
free tickets
0800 157 7950
Get your free tickets here
<
showguide
Here is the show guide online for you to view (opens in a new window)
View the showguide
show partners
bright business idea competition
Pitch your business idea to our panel of judges and win £5,000 cash and upto £30,000 in support services and products.
click for more details
live features
- Bright business idea competition
- 1-2-1 Kiosks
- Funding Clinic
- Facilitated Networking Area
- Social Enterprise Hub
- Small Business Clinic
- Social Media Workshops
- click for more details
podcasts from last year
seminars & workshops
Shaf Rasul, one of Scotland's best known entrepreneurs and former Dragon and start-up expert Doug Richard will headline the seminar line up for this year.
click for more details
