Business Support Week
Recover, Restart & Grow!
Eastern Somerset Business Support Week 15th – 19th March!
The Eastern Somerset Councils of Mendip and South Somerset are working collaboratively to launch a week full of business support activity to help your business grow through the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are delighted that the Recover, Restart and Grow programme is now live, and will kick off on Monday 15th March! Aimed at our local businesses the week is open to everyone who is seeking to get insights, intelligence and a mix of support, ideas and connections to help grow their business.
During the week, there will be a variety of business support sessions with expert guest speakers from organisations such as Skill Up, Federation of Small Businesses, Department for International Trade, Enterprise Nation, Tech Nation, University of Exeter and Visit Somerset as well as facilitated sessions from Officers within the Councils’ Economic Development Teams.
Although the majority of webinars are open to all sectors, we have organised for a series of workshops to take place to support the retail sector within the two districts. The Councils are inviting all retail businesses to be involved in a focus group to develop an action plan that supports our town centre spaces, businesses and communities. The plan will go further than recovery and outline a route map for an ambitious future.
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Monday 15 March 2021
10.30-11.30 – Talking Tourism
The Eastern Somerset Councils of Mendip and South Somerset have partnered to arrange a week of business support activity starting on the 15th March 2021.
We are excited to announce that 'Talking Tourism' will kick start the week and will be open to all tourism businesses across Eastern Somerset. The past year has been incredibly difficult for businesses but we hope that with an increase in 'staycations' we can make this season as positive as possible.
With this in mind, this event aims to provide you with a platform to promote your business to the local tourism sector.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-tourism-tickets-144218979851?aff=erelexpmlt
13.00-16.00 – Selling Online
The world of ecommerce and selling online has come a very long way in the past few years, and there's more competition than ever.
Our straightforward, no fuss workshop, will guide you through setting up a successful online shop, establishing your online selling strategy, online customer service, payment options and the rules for online and distance selling.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mendip-amp-south-somerset-district-councils-32696392763
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Tuesday 16 March 2021
10.30-11.30 – Rocket your business to success with skills, apprenticeships and training
This workshop is part of a broader package to help the recovery of Town Centres and High Streets, it will provide an overview of all the government funded schemes that can help you to:
- Increase capacity and productivity
- Develop a loyal and talented workforce
- Bring in new staff with new ideas, skills and experience, or develop existing staff to help take your business forward or fill an existing skills gap
- Get to know and work with young people prior to recruiting
- Make a contribution towards tackling youth unemployment
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-support-week-skills-training-tickets-143694789985
1300-16.00 – Digital Marketing Strategies for Retail Businesses
Is it time for you to take a more planned approach to your digital marketing? This workshop will help you to develop your own digital marketing strategy.
Learn how to build a digital marketing plan to reach your customers, raise awareness, interest and a create desire to purchase your products.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mendip-amp-south-somerset-district-councils-32696392763
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Wednesday 17 March 2021
10.00-12.00 - Help shape the future of your Market Towns
We are engaging with retail businesses to help shape a Recovery Action Plan for Town Centres and High Streets across Eastern Somerset.
Mendip and South Somerset District Councils would like to invite you to participate in a focus group that will help shape the future of our Town Centres and High Streets.
Register here:
13.00-14.00 – Department for International Trade – Exporting from the UK – Top tips and advice
Learn how the Department for International Trade can support your business with exporting and growth throughout 2021
Register here:
15.00-16.00 – University of Exeter - What does the Circular Economy mean to your business?
This session is designed for businesses to come together and share ideas about the circular economy with an element of revitalising high street shopping activities including packaging and case studies.
Professor Stefano in Sustainability and Circular Economy – University of Exeter Business School (UK). Visiting Researcher – Innovation and Organization of Agribusiness - Management Studies Group – Wageningen University (NL)
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/circular-economy-mean-to-your-business-tickets-144397598103
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Thursday 18 March 2021
10.00-13.00 - Social Media for Online Retail Businesses
As a retailer, you’re most likely aware how important social media is. An active social media presence will enhance brand awareness, trust and reputation. These elements help to increase your sales and enable you to develop a community of online advocates for your business. But how exactly do you become successful on social media? How do you create a sustainable social media strategy? How can you be sure customers will engage and interact with your business?
In this workshop, we take a look at the following:
- How to get customers to connect with your business on social media
- A list of tools to help you start collecting insights about your customer base
- Tips to help you create your first social media strategy
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mendip-amp-south-somerset-district-councils-32696392763
14.00-15.00 Introduction to Enterprise Nation and the Amazon Small Business Accelerator
Enterprise Nation is a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisers that exist to shortcut your route to trusted business support.
Whether you're starting or growing a business, Enterprise Nation have the resources, expertise, and connections to help you get it right.
Access support at a selection of events held up and down the UK, or online via a dynamic platform that gets you to answers and advisers fast.This event will provide an introduction on what support Enterprise Nation can offer your business.
15.00-16.00 Tech Nation – We are TechNation. We fuel growth.
Matt Exley, Tech Nation's regional entrepreneur engagement manager, will highlight the key finding's from this year's Tech Nation Report (launched on 16 March) and considers how national trends in the tech sector can help drive Somerset businesses forwards to greater growth.
The session will cover:
- What is Tech Nation and how can it help your scaling tech business?
- The Tech Nation Report - it's impact nationally and internationally
- Key findings from the Tech Nation Report 2021
- Using national data to give your business insight and inspiration
- Working with Tech Nation to build collaborations across the UK
If you have any questions prior to the event please do reach out to the team on events@technation.io
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-tech-trends-to-drive-your-business-forward-tickets-144455854349
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Friday 19 March 2021
10.30-11.30 - South Somerset and Mendip - Keeping on top of your finances
The last year has taken a toll on the finances of most small businesses. Tax has been deferred and loan repayments are on the horizon. This event will give you some down to earth tips on how to keep on top of where you stand financially and to be prepared for those financial milestones ahead.
Alison Miles, Senior Lecturer in the Business School at the University of the West of England and a small business owner and FSB member herself will explain how to keep track of your cash flow and accounts when you are definitely not an accountant.
Register here: https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/south-somerset-and-mendip-keeping-on-top-of-your-finances.html
13.00-14.00 - Pump prime profit. Visit Somerset and partners explore quick wins to bring liquidity into your business
Register here: