Business Start-up School – Webinar – Dorset Growth Hub

Due to COVID-19 and the rules about social distancing we are taking this brand new programme online and will be delivering this by webinar on Zoom.

We understand that this is a challenging time to be starting and running a business, this workshop aims to improve your knowledge and understanding of how to drive your business forward however we won’t be covering any specific Covid-19 related business support schemes.

Thinking of starting a business?
Then register for a FREE place on this Business Start-up School – Webinar.

Can I attend?
• I have a Dorset postcode
• I am thinking of starting a business and I have a genuine business idea
• I have not yet started trading and have not registered my business yet
If you do not meet the above criteria and register for a place, you will be contacted by a member of the Enterprise Team to discuss your suitability for the course.

Why should I attend?
When you’re starting in business it’s important that you get the basics right. This comprehensive, fully funded, two-day workshop will provide information and guidance to help deal with the key issues that are going to be fundamental to setting up and succeeding in business. They are delivered by experienced start-up specialists – real business people who will give you the opportunity to ask questions and invite discussion. The workshops are provided for people planning on starting a business and those who have no previous experience of running a business.

The two day workshop will be delivered in four key online sessions of one and a half hours with a plenary session at the end of each day to wrap everything up. Sessions will be supported with downloadable and printable resources which you will then complete in supported individual development sessions. Our Specialists will be available throughout the days to deal with questions and queries.
Lunch and coffee-breaks have been programmed to coincide with the individual development sessions.

Event Agenda

Day 1 – Tuesday 12th May 
Part 1 – Researching Your Business
10.00 – 11.30 – Online content delivery with two Specialists
11.30 – 13.00 – Supported individual development
Part 2 – Planning Your Business
13.00 – 14.30 – Online content delivery with two Specialists
14.30 – 15.30 – Supported individual development
Day 1 Plenary
15.30 – 16.00 – Final online session with Q&A
Day 2 – Wednesday 13th May 
Part 3 – Setting Up Your Business
10.00 – 11.30 – Online content delivery with two Specialists
11.30 – 13.00 – Supported individual development
Part 4 – Marketing Your Business
13.00 – 14.30 – Online content delivery with two Specialists
14.30 – 15.30 – Supported individual development
Day 2 Plenary
15.30 – 16.00 – Final online session with Q&A

What will I learn?
Part 1 – Researching Your Business
• How to take a step back, before spending any money or time, and really focus on the viability of your business idea
• Identifying your potential customers, researching your market and analysing your competition
Part 2 – Planning Your Business
• Understand the necessity of writing a business plan and what to include
• Evaluate the business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
• Looking at how much money you will realistically need to start your business
• Examine various sources of funding and finance for your business
• Suppliers, pricing and insurance
Part 3 – Setting Up Your Business
• Legal status
• Develop an understanding of business finance
Part 4 – Marketing Your Business
• Building your brand
• Website basics
• Marketing
• Social media basics
• Launch planning

How to Access this Webinar: You will receive the joining instructions via e-mail the day before webinar.

After completing registration you will receive registration forms via email, please can you complete these electronically.

Please make sure that you are able to join the webinar before you apply to join. If your place is confirmed and you are not able to join we reserve the right to exclude you from further bookings where places are in short supply.

For any further information or special requirements for course attendance, please contact Dorset Growth Hub:

Tel – 03454 586 480 E-mail – info@dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk.

This workshop is completely free and funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It’s delivered by Dorset Growth Hub and WSX Enterprise. It is only open to Dorset, UK registered SMEs.