Business Success Programme – Webinar – Dorset Growth Hub

We understand that this is an especially challenging time to be running and trying to grow a new business.

If you have started your business in the past year or have had to change your business plans due to COVID-19, this programme will be beneficial to you.

This programme aims to drive your business forward and give it the best chance of success, whilst also providing a space for you to meet other new business owners. You have a chance to extend your network and learn from your peers and you might find comfort in how they are experiencing the same teething issues!!

Although we won’t be covering any Covid-specific support schemes, we will be covering business planning, developing your brand, growing and managing your business – even if all of this has had to change in the past few months!

The two-day programme will be delivered over 2 Tuesdays, (13th & 20th October) and each day will be split into four key online sessions. The four sessions are 1.5 hours long and with a plenary session at the end of each day to wrap everything up.

You will be provided with downloadable and printable resources to support each session and time to complete these during supported individual development sessions.

Our team 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 13th October

Part 1 – Plan my business

10.00 – 11.30 – Online content delivery with two Business Growth Consultants

11.30 – 13.00 – Supported individual development

Part 2 – Develop my brand

13.00 – 14.30 – Online content delivery with two Business Growth Consultants

14.30 – 15.30 – Supported individual development

Day 1 Plenary

15.30 – 16.00 – Final online session with Q&A

Day 2 – Tuesday 20th October

Part 1 – Grow my business

10.00 – 11.30 – Online content delivery with two Business Growth Consultants

11.30 – 13.00 – Supported individual development

Part 2 – Manage my business

13.00 – 14.30 – Online content delivery with two Business Growth Consultants

14.30 – 15.30 – Supported individual development

Day 2 Plenary

15.30 – 16.00 – Final online session with Q&A

We appreciate that you are busy running your business so we have split the programme over two non-consecutive days so you aren’t taking too much time out of your business in one week. Before booking, please make sure you can attend both days of the course.

Can I attend?

The workshop is aimed at new businesses trading for less than 12 months and those having to adapt their business plans due to Covid-19 however any business that feels they would benefit can attend.

To register for the workshop you must be:

A registered business (Limited Company or sole trader) in Dorset.

Have a company number and registration date OR the letter from HMRC confirming your sole trader status (and start date if this is within the last 12 months).

There is one place available for each proposed business.

Why should I attend?

Businesses that want to grow successfully, to attract funding or target new markets will only succeed when a robust business plan is in place. Businesses that have a clear strategy and direction for the business succeed and grow more effectively compared to those that don’t.

This programme is a perfect opportunity to take time out of your business to explore and understand your brand values and business purpose and work out how to identify and understand your target market sector so you can communicate your unique story clearly to your ideal customer base.

There are so many choices for you to consider when marketing your business, and it can feel like a minefield. Often businesses can spread their marketing budget, time and energy too thinly across too many activities without considering what they’ll gain from them.

You will have realised that running a business requires you to keep all the plates spinning, establishing effective management practices are crucial.

What will I learn?

Through this programme, you will look at how to format a business plan by answering five key questions.

You will understand more about how to incorporate your brand values into your marketing material and ensure brand consistency across all your marketing activities. You’ll gain more clarity around how to differentiate your product or service.

We will help you understand your particular ‘customer journey’ and how you can create loyal returning customers and brand ambassadors who will recommend you. You will gain clarity on how to select specific key initiatives to grow your business and how to plan your marketing activities throughout the year. You will also consider how to provide outstanding customer service and delight your customers, so you can maximize customer referrals and reviews.

We will help you learn the rhythm of your business and how to best start moving with it. You will do some self-evaluation exercises, mapping what you really enjoy about your business through to the parts that feel less inclined to engage with. This programme will help you with prioritisation, effective short, medium and long term planning and how to avoid becoming a fire-fighter in your business.

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

How to Access this Webinar:

After registering here on Eventbrite, you will receive our DGH programme registration forms via Docusign, our e-signing facility. You must complete these ahead of the event. You will receive then Zoom link 2 hours prior to start time.

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 businesses that have a Dorset postcode. Please also note that some sectors are not eligible for financial support on this programme due to Central Government Legislation. These sectors include: fishery & aquaculture, primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, coal, steel and shipbuilding sectors, synthetic fibres, generalised school-age education, banking and insurance companies. (please see here for full eligibility guidelines). If you require more information or are unsure if you are eligible for the support we offer, you can call us on 01202 607533 and a member of the Dorset Growth Hub Team will be happy to help.