Linkedin is by far the most professional led social media platform available. Launched in 2002 as the world’s global networking tool, the platform has just seen its latest upgrade now facilitating relationships with over 500 million people globally.

This in-depth ‘how-to’ workshop will show you the fundamental techniques you need to know about to create a successful and targeted Linkedin presence, for you, your team and your company, whether you are looking to build your network or utilize for recruitment or lead generation – this course will show you how!

As one of the very first social agencies in the UK – there’s no one better placed to give you the rundown of step-by-step guide of Linkedin, and how it can benefit your business.

If so, the following workshop could be for you – learning from specialists in their field. There will be plenty of time for questions.

1.15 - Registration and networking

1.30 - Welcome

1.45 -Introductions and objectives for the session

2.00 - Linkedin – maximising your strategy and objectives

2.15 - Analysis – personal versus commercial Linked - discussion

2.25 - How to create an effective Linkedin strategy, personally & commercially

3.00 - Refreshment break

3.15 - Developing your profiles - activity

3.30 - Utilising facilities and tools to maximize your activity

3.50 - Developing a valuable action plan - activity

4.00 - Q &A and feedback

430 - Feedback and Close

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-media-linkedin-for-business-incl-recruitment-warwick-registration-35909748023 or contact businessready@uwsp.co.uk or 024 7632 3121

Eligibility:

These workshops are delivered as part of the Business Ready programme to support tech based and knowledge intensive small businesses based in the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP area.

If you can pass the eligibility criteria detailed on the Business Ready website then you are welcome to book a place on the workshops.

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, forming part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business support programme

Venue: Warwick Innovation Centre, Warwick Technology Park, Gallows Hill, Warwick. CV34 6UW

When: 14th September 2017 – 1.15 – 4.30pm

Whichever sector your business operates in, it is a highly competitive marketplace in this digital era. It’s therefore vital that your company is highly visible.

Topics

• What is PR?
• What’s your story?
• Crafting Content
• Be a Thought Leader
• Getting Your Story Out There
• Measuring Success

The workshop will use examples of press releases, blog posts, case studies and white papers as templates for creating great content. Delegates will also carry out a key word analysis exercise and spend time researching story opportunities.

If so, the following workshop could be for you and there will be plenty of time for questions.

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/using-pr-for-maximum-effect-rural-innovation-centre-stoneleigh-park-registration-35910450123 or contact businessready@uwsp.co.uk or 024 7632 3121

9.15 - Registration and networking

9.30 - Welcome and overview

9.45 - Introductions and objectives for the session

10.00 - What is PR?

10.15 - What is your story?

10.25 - Crafting Content

11.00 - Refreshment break

11.15 - Be a Thought Leader

11.30 - Getting Your Story Out There

11.50 - Measuring Success

12.10 - Q &A and feedback

12.30 - Feedback and Close

Booking: or contact businessready@uwsp.co.uk or 024 7632 3121

Eligibility:

These workshops are delivered as part of the Business Ready programme to support tech based and knowledge intensive small businesses based in the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP area.

If you can pass the eligibility criteria detailed on the Business Ready website then you are welcome to book a place on the workshops.

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, forming part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business support programme

Venue: Rural Innovation Centre, Unit 169, Avenue H, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth. CV8 2LG

When: 27th September 2017 Time: 9.15am – 12.30pm

Business success depends very much on how we influence others and negotiate to achieve the best possible outcome. For any business to be sustainable, negotiating and influencing skills are a must. In this session, you will learn how to negotiate and influence to help achieve what your business requires to be successful. The course will be very practical; giving you the opportunity to explore and develop your skills in this vital area.

If so, the following workshop could be for you, learning from specialists in their field. There will be plenty of time for questions.

9.15 - Registration and networking

9.30 - Welcome

9.45 - Introductions and objectives for the session

10.00 - How to create a plan to negotiate successfully

10.25 - How to use a check-list of 21 top tips to negotiate

11.00 - Refreshment break

11.15 - How to be assertive to put over your case with confidence

11.50 - How to use the science of persuasion to influence others successfully

12.10 - Q &A and feedback

12.30 - Feedback and Close

If so, the following workshop could be for you – learning from specialists in their field. There will be plenty of time for questions.

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/essential-influencing-negotiating-for-business-nuneaton-registration-35933839080or contact businessready@uwsp.co.uk or 024 7632 3121

Eligibility:

These workshops are delivered as part of the Business Ready programme to support tech based and knowledge intensive small businesses based in the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP area.

If you can pass the eligibility criteria detailed on the Business Ready website then you are welcome to book a place on the workshops.

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, forming part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business support programme

Venue: Eliot Park Innovation Centre, 4 Barling Way, Nuneaton,

Warwickshire CV10 7RH

When: Tuesday 10th October 2017 – 9.15am – 12.30pm

Crowdfunding is changing the way small businesses are funded. This session will provide business owners with an introduction to the world of crowdfunding, its different types and the platforms people use. It will also provide business owners with our core steps to creating a successful crowdfunding application.

If so, the following workshop could be for you, learning from specialists in their field. There will be plenty of time for questions.

1.15 - Registration and networking

1.30 - Welcome

1.45 - Introductions and objectives for the session

2.00 - An introduction to crowdfunding and its different types

2.25 - An understanding of the different platforms, their benefits and opportunities

3.00 - Refreshment break

3.15 - Learn how to create a crowdfunding application

3.50 - Tips and tricks to creating a successful crowdfunding campaign

4.10 - Q &A and feedback

4.30 - Feedback and Close

If so, the following workshop could be for you – learning from specialists in their field. There will be plenty of time for questions.

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-create-the-perfect-crowdfunding-application-nuneaton-registration-35934347601 or contact businessready@uwsp.co.uk or 024 7632 3121

Eligibility:

These workshops are delivered as part of the Business Ready programme to support tech based and knowledge intensive small businesses based in the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP area.

If you can pass the eligibility criteria detailed on the Business Ready website then you are welcome to book a place on the workshops.

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, forming part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business support programme

Venue: Eliot Park Innovation Centre, 4 Barling Way, Nuneaton,

Warwickshire CV10 7RH

When: Tuesday 10th October 2017 – 1.15 – 4.30pm

Venue: Enterprise Centre, Wellesbourne Enterprise Park, Wellesbourne Campus, Wellesbourne. CV35 9EF

When: 18th October 2017 Time: 9.00am – 12.30pm

The ability to communicate effectively is a powerful tool. This workshop allows participants the opportunity to discover the impact that they have on others, learn how they can flex this to influence the outcome of the interaction. Communication is, at the very least a two-way process: participants will learn how to build trust and understanding in order to communicate with the most appropriate impact.

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

Understand the power that their presence and impact can have

Recognise the ‘footprint’ that they create

Prioritise the importance of understanding perspectives, building trust and listening

Grasp the basics of Transactional Analysis and how to apply it

Use the Personal Drivers model to start to understand how we build relationships

If so, the following workshop could be for you. There will be plenty of time for questions.

Booking: or contact businessready@uwsp.co.uk or 024 7632 3121

9.00 - Registration and networking

9.30 - Welcome and Introductions

9.45 - Presence and Impact: The Golden Rules

10.00 - The Communication Spectrum

10.15 - The Communication Equation

10.25 - The Essential Listening Ratio

11.00 - Refreshment break

11.15 - The Personal Drivers Model

11.30 - Transactional Analysis

11.50 - Creating a plan for communication success

12.10 - Q &A and feedback

12.30 - Feedback and Close

If so, the following workshop could be for you – learning from specialists in their field. There will be plenty of time for questions.

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/communication-skills-for-personal-impact-wellesbourne-registration-35934734759 or contact businessready@uwsp.co.uk or 024 7632 3121

Eligibility:

These workshops are delivered as part of the Business Ready programme to support tech based and knowledge intensive small businesses based in the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP area.

If you can pass the eligibility criteria detailed on the Business Ready website then you are welcome to book a place on the workshops.

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, forming part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business support programme

This key workshop provides powerful learning on how investors and funders think and make decisions. The workshop is for entrepreneurs, prospective entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and early stage businesses who are considering raising external finance to fuel their development and growth. It will allow you to sit on the other side of the fence and become an investor and see a business proposition from their view. Even if you are not actively seeking investment right now this workshop will provide you with key lessons to take away that can be used to analyse your business and develop a stronger and more compelling business case.

Topics covered are:

• Understand key factors in a business proposition
• Understand how investors think
• Assess real investment propositions
• Consider the risks and rewards and make investment decisions
• Learn what actually happened

This workshop could be a key one for you - learn from and question specialists in their field.

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thinking-like-an-investor-rural-innovation-centre-stoneleigh-park-registration-35958717492 or contact businessready@uwsp.co.uk or 024 7632 3121

9.15 - Registration and networking

9.30 - Welcome and overview of business support in C&W

9.40 - Agenda and background of speakers

9.45 - Who is here and why?

10.00 - Setting the scene

10.25 - Investment game “Be a VC”

11.00 - Refreshment break

11.15 - Investment game “Be a VC”

12.10 - Learn what actually happened

12.20 - Round up, final Q&A, summary of learning, next steps, feedback forms

12.30 - Close

This practical workshop is managed by the Access to Finance specialists at University of Warwick Science Park, in partnership with other local business support providers. The Business Ready programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, forming part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme.

Eligibility:

These workshops are delivered as part of the Business Ready programme to support tech based and knowledge intensive small businesses based in the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP area.

If you can pass the eligibility criteria detailed on the Business Ready website then you are welcome to book a place on the workshops.

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, forming part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business support programme

Is your business seeking new market opportunities?

EBRI’s Master Class Course provides exclusive content for entrepreneurs and business leaders covering the technical and commercial fundamentals of bioenergy. Companies looking to develop new products and services can benefit from attending this event, as can those who are simply looking for a better understanding of the bioenergy market.

Earlier this year, EBRI kicked-off its new series of the Course which has been highly acclaimed by the local business community: 90% of attendees have rated it ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’. To hear more feedback watch our new short video.

Our new team of world-leading engineers and scientists has designed a tailor-made course to introduce the practical skills, concepts and strategies your business needs to achieve success in the bioenergy sector. By 2020 this sector is expected to generate £12 billion of new market opportunities in the UK supply chain.

Topics covered

· Technologies & Feedstock

· Supply Chains

· Business Models

· Policy & Incentives

Register now – places are limited

EBRI will be running the two-day course at the following location:

Coventry: 6-7 September 2017
Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub, CV1 2WT

Birmingham: 15-16 November 2017
European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI), Aston University, B4 7ET

Please email bioenergy@aston.ac.uk to reserve your place now

Who should attend

SME business leaders and entrepreneurs in the West Midlands seeking:
· New opportunities in the bio-economy marketplace including biomass, biorefining, bioenergy, biofuels and biobased products and services.

· Expert advice and guidance to help develop bioenergy solutions that are right for their organisation.

There will be no charge for eligible* companies to attend this event.

*SME businesses located within the following West Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas: Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire, the Marches, and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Further information
Call 0121 204 3383 or email: bioenergy@aston.ac.uk

Rail Live takes place on 21^st – 22^nd June 2017 at Quinton Rail Technology Centre, Long Marston, near Stratford-upon-Avon and is one of the largest outdoor rail exhibitions in Europe, offering companies a unique opportunity to showcase products and services in a real rail setting.

Register to attend here http://mailchi.mp/railalliance/qoa6iuo1dp-2984801 and visit us on the Midlands Engine Rail stand BZ3.

Join leading businesses and support organisations over breakfast and enjoy the excellent views and facilities afforded by Nuneaton Golf Course.

Out keynote speaker from Nuneaton's MIRA Technology Park will be talking about Japanese engineering consultancy HORIBA-MIRA's exciting future plans, including the further expansion of MIRA Technology Park and its plans for a new skills centre.

We're also bringing together the local business support supply chain, covering everything from business start-up, business growth, grants and loans, support for innovation and green initiatives.

This is a free event.

For more information and to register for the event, please click HERE

Matt Ewer helps businesses owners increase their profits and improve their lifestyles. In this workshop, Matt will be focusing on your geographically closest network: the other businesses in your local area.

Are you wondering how you can work with other local businesses and achieve better results for all?

Matt will be looking at:

• How to identify and build strategic alliances – your own hand-picked sales and support team
• The best ways to network – meeting talented people and building relationships with them
• How to leverage the expertise of key contacts – you are as strong as the alliances you build

Come along to Arnold House and get the benefit of Matt’s experience in working with businesses of all sizes. There will be plenty of ideas to get you thinking, expand your vision and useful tips you can start implementing right away.

Rugby DRIVE is all about bringing businesses closer so that everyone benefits.

With the help of this workshop, you can start to build the foundations of stronger local alliances.

For more information on tickets, click HERE

{code}AOKE is an open mic night for technical people.

Imagine a Karaoke Night, but instead of singing, technical people take to the mic to share ideas, code, or ask for help. Then imagine this happening in a speakeasy full of other like-minded technical folk. This is {code}AOKE.

Fun and informal, like Karaoke, you can sign up on the night if you would like to talk, or have been inspired by one of the other speaks. But you are equally welcome if you would like to sit quietly at the back and listen.

For more information on this free event please visit the Eventbrite page HERE

EVENT: FSB Expert in Business Awards 2017

Entries for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Experts in Business Awards 2017 for firms based in Coventry, Warwickshire & Solihull are now open! This is an opportunity for you to shout about your successes. The awards are open to businesses of all stages - from new start-ups to established firms. Entering the awards couldn't be easier - download a simple application form which asks for information about your business - a subject you will know like the back of your hand!

Winning an FSB Expert in Business Award says a huge amount about you and your business. It's a great way to showcase your achievements and celebrate the work you do. The accolade allows your business to stand out from the crowd and makes your marketing budget stretch a whole lot further, here's how:

-        Enhancing your reputation

-        Motivating your staff

-        Provides you with the recognition your business deserves

-        Raises your business and personal profile

-        Winning new business and growing profitability

-        Strengthening relationships with customers and clients

-        Builds awareness and trust across your marketplace

-        Defines quality and performance standards

-        Helps differentiate you from your competitors

The deadline for the awards is 21st June 2017 and the best three applicants will be invited to the prestigious awards ceremony on Friday 14th July 2017 at 12pm at Warwick University.

Terms and Conditions

The competition is open to all businesses based in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull.

For the purpose of these awards a small business is a sole trader or a private partnership/limited company with less than 250 employees.

The candidate entrepreneur must be a current equity shareholder in the company and either have been involved in its start-up or be able to show that their personal involvement since acquiring an equity share has contributed to demonstrable growth and evolution in the business.

There are no limitations in regard to the age of the business.

The comments made on your application form should be accurate to the best of your knowledge.

The Judges' panel will be made up of 3 representatives from the FSB Regional Committee.

The Judges' decision is final

Entrants must be available for consultation with the judges should the need arise

By entering the awards you agree to partake in publicity for the awards

Supporting marketing material is welcome

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce latest quarterly economic survey resulted in over 400 Coventry and Warwickshire SME's contributing invaluable local data. The British Chambers of Commerce survey is the flagship economic survey for the UK and receives over 8500 respondents each quarter - working with Warwickshire County Council the Chamber have analysed and formatted the results for the C & W region.

 
They will be holding a briefing at Mallory Court, Leamington Spa on 25th April - please see agenda below and link to the booking site if you or your colleagues would like to attend the discussion.

Join the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber for breakfast to hear how our region is shaping up during this time of great movement - Brexit, WMCA, Midlands Engine, HS2 - all key drivers in our region.

Topics covered will be:

Skills and recruitment, investment plans for capital expenditure and training, Coventry & Warwickshire productivity levels, business growth areas, access to finance and grants.

This is a must attend briefing for those involved with driving their businesses forward and looking to make informed intelligence based growth decisions.

Agenda

8.00am - 8.30am - Networking with breakfast served in the Atrium

8:30am - 9:30am - Presentations from:

Louise Bennett CEO - Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber -  Having your say and why QES is important to the region.

David Ayton Hill - Head Of Economy & Skills Warwickshire County Council - How is the economy shaping up over the next 3-6 months.

Sean Farnell -  Board Member of CWLEP and Partner at Burgis & Bullock - What are the sectors in our region saying about business growth and the economy.

Barrie Kilfeather - Regional Director Santander - Financing business growth via Trade finance, grants and access to finance

9.30am - 10.00am - Questions to the panel & feedback from attendees on their view of the regional outlook.

Finance Directors, CEO's, Accountants, Financial Service Providers, Business Owners and Managers will be particularly welcome as we value your input and comments on our findings.