Launchpad Southend

Cyber Security for your business
2025-02-05 10:30 - 12:00 UTC | Zoom
This course is specifically designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to assess and enhance your organisation’s security posture across various critical areas.
Whether you are new to cybersecurity or seeking to deepen your expertise, this course will provide you with the essential skills to safeguard your business.
Our integrated range of cyber security services are designed to help businesses assess:
· Security Awareness
· First Step Web
· Web App Vulnerability
· Remote Vulnerability
· Internal Vulnerability

Marketing hacks for sole traders: Quick tips for big impact
2025-02-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Are you struggling to find time for marketing as a sole trader? Do you find the mere thought of marketing yourself overwhelming? If you are this webinar is here to help!

Event Details
In just one hour, you’ll learn how to define your goals and your audience, create standout message, and use simple, low-cost strategies to grow your business without draining your time. Perfect for anyone juggling all aspects of their business, this session will leave you inspired and ready to take action. As a sole trader, your time and resources are limited. That’s why this webinar focuses on:

Quick, actionable marketing tips you can implement immediately
Affordable strategies that deliver real results without hefty investments
Practical advice tailored to busy sole traders who need to see an impact fast

What you’ll learn:

How to define your target audience and craft a compelling message that resonates
Time-saving social media strategies to boost your visibility with minimal effort
Tips for repurposing your expertise into content that attracts and engages customers
Simple tools and automation techniques to streamline your marketing tasks

This webinar is perfect for you if:

You’re a sole trader with limited time and resources for marketing
You feel unsure where to start when it comes to promoting your business
You want affordable, practical marketing solutions that deliver quick results
You’re ready to grow your customer base and stand out in your industry

By the end of this session, you’ll feel empowered to market yourself effectively, save time, and attract the customers you need to grow. You’ll leave with a clear structure to market yourself effectively, even on a tight budget or schedule.
Host

James Anderson- Development Manager Thames Valley, Federation of Small Businesses

Speakers

Annique Tate – Marketing Consultant, Tate Digital Consulting
Annique has been a marketer for more than twenty years and has helped SMEs of different sizes integrate marketing into their businesses and delivered strategies driving growth. Annique knows firsthand the roadblocks they face and how to effectively navigate them, delivering sustainable business growth and setting them up for success. As a sole trader, she knows the challenges you face, spinning many plates and carving out time for those tasks you find baffling. Unless you know something about marketing it can seem daunting, where do you start? She’s here to help you take control.

Event contact
For help and support regarding this event, please telephone our dedicated events helpline 01253 746265

Import Procedures & Documentation Training
2025-02-06 09:30 - 12:30 | Zoom
International markets offer huge Import opportunities for UK businesses.
Finding and developing new markets for products is a hugely valuable avenue for expansion and makes international trade an excellent means of growth.
Selling internationally is very complex but – as with most things – easy with help and appropriate training.
This virtual half day course covers all the basic key areas around importing. The course will explain the requirements for documentation, plus an overview of country of origin and incoterms.
In partnership with Essex County Council, we are offering all Essex Chambers Members Match Funding for two places on our Trade Expert courses. This will include our selected British Chambers of Commerce Accredited Training and extends to the individual courses that form part of our Academy Training, saving you 50% on course costs. Contact us to apply.

Date: Thursday 6 February 9.30am to 12.30pm
Virtual: Zoom Platform
Cost to attend: Members £250.00 + VAT and Non-Members £330.00 + VAT
Please note: This event will not be recorded and any material will only be circulated to those that attend.

Can’t make this date? Contact us to register your interest for the next course date

The British Chambers of Commerce has a range of nationally accredited international trade courses that give essential skills which are invaluable to small and large businesses alike.
At the end of these courses there will be a short assessment paper to complete which results in a BCC Certificate with a Pass or Merit achievement worth 1 credit. Achieve 6 credits to receive the BCC Foundation Award in International Trade.

Improving your LinkedIn Skills Workshop
2025-02-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Do you know how to get the most out of LinkedIn for your business?
LinkedIn is becoming one of the main ways for businesses to market themselves in the professional world. However, many of us don’t have the budget to hire dedicated staff or third party agencies to run our business accounts and practical knowledge and skills are vital when we have limited time and resources.
Join us for an informative and practical workshop which will provide an overview of how to best utilise LinkedIn for your organisation and tailor your strategy to meet your business goals.
To make this workshop as bespoke as possible we will ask you a few short questions when you register in order for us to understand the needs of the group, but we will cover the following areas:
• The importance of marketing on social media for business
• Setting up a LinkedIn business page
• Growing your personal and business LinkedIn networks
• Supporting your staff on LinkedIn and vice versa
• How to create compelling and engaging posts
• Practical examples of what works and what doesn’t
• How to schedule posts in advance and tips for smarter working
• A chance to share your own experiences and learn from others.
Our social media workshops are popular, and places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Who Should Attend
This training is for staff who have the responsibility of social media as part of their role and have a good working knowledge of LinkedIn, but do not necessarily have a working knowledge of how to make the platform work best for their business. This course will assist in gaining that understanding and how to tailor it to established business goals.
What’s Included

The workshop lasts for 2 hours but further time is available at the end for any outstanding questions or queries.
After the workshop, we will send you a pack containing all the advice, tips and links discussed during the session.
You will also be able to pass on follow-up questions to our trainers, SRX Consultancy, who will offer practical support (via email or a quick call) to ensure you are able to put everything you learned into action.

About the Trainers
SRX Consultancy is a boutique PR, social media and communications agency specialising in areas including charity and small business. SRX’s bespoke and tailored training sessions have been running for 10 years – attended by staff from hundreds of charities, organisations, and small businesses, always receiving positive feedback. This workshop will be delivered by Simon Rothstein and Lauren Soar.
Feedback from previous workshops
“I found the workshop really beneficial and both trainers answered all the questions asked throughout thoroughly with examples.“

Lloyds Bank Academy Growth Series: Digital For Growth - The Power Behind Aligning your Brand, Image and Social Media
2025-02-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Ready to take your small business to the next level?
In this very special webinar series in partnership with Lloyds Bank Academy, please join digital marketing expert Kate Williams, founder of KW Marketing, in this engaging webinar. In this session, Kate will break down the essentials of aligning your brand, image, and social media to create a strong, consistent online presence that truly resonates with your audience. Kate has helped countless small business owners boost their growth, retention, and revenue through the power of digital marketing, and she’s here to share her insights with you.
What you’ll learn: – Why digital marketing is essential for small business success – How to align your brand, image, and social media for maximum impact – The key to creating a digital presence that builds trust and attracts customers – Effective, actionable tips for small business owners to use digital marketing strategically – Insights into how digital marketing can be your key driver for growth Kate will also be available to answer your questions and offer insights tailored to your specific business needs.
MENTORING: You will have the opportunity to receive 2 hours of free expert small business mentoring to discuss your small business challenges, whatever they are, confidentially with our expert mentors.
Small Business Britain are excited to be partnering with the Lloyds Bank Academy on this comprehensive programme of webinars focused on offering support & expertise to small businesses during these difficult times.
These workshops range from financial management, branding for business growth, productivity hacks & stress management. The Lloyds Bank Academy is a free learning resource helping to upskil businesses on a variety of topics. From using social media to attract customers to staying safe from fraud, these lessons can help improve your business – & they’re completely free!

25 Must Haves for Your Website in 2025
2025-02-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Join us for this essential webinar, suitable for all small businesses seeking to take their website to the next level

Event Details
Have you already got a website, but you’re not content with its performance or conversion rate? And maybe you’re ready to make some improvements to your website to get the most out of it?
Alternatively, are you interested in the latest trends/features that you could incorporate into your website? If you can relate to these questions, this talk is for you.
What to Expect
Will Roberts, Founder & Managing Director of WebBox, has worked on digital projects with companies of all shapes and sizes for over 15 years. He will share ’25 Things That Your Website Must Have in 2025′ and leave you with tangible takeaways to help you improve your website’s conversion rate.
This content is always popular among small businesses looking to take their websites to the next level, so don’t miss this opportunity to get ahead of the curve and increase the conversion rate of your website!
Speaker Details
WebBox specialise in delivering bespoke websites and performance marketing campaigns for sports, health, and leisure organisations to help them get digitally fit! By putting users first they create unforgettable website experiences and campaigns that will give a competitive edge.

Founded in 2008, Webbox emerged, fueled by founder and Managing Director Will’s passion for coding. Taking the chance to create a new business while studying at Glamorgan University during the financial crisis may have seemed mad to some — but he hasn’t looked back since.
His focus is on ensuring that outstanding customer service is always at the heart of everything, alongside the longer term strategy of the business being delivered.

With a quick-thinking entrepreneurial mindset, Will works with clients, getting to know them and their needs, while also keeping up to date with industry developments.
Got a burning question for our speaker? Feel free to share it with us ahead of the event, and let’s make the discussion even more exciting!
Event contact
For general enquiries regarding the event, please email CSDeventsupport@fsb.org.uk

First 30 Days of Selling on TikTok Shop
2025-02-12 11:00 - 13:00 | online workshop
Book your place on our TikTok Shop Workshop on 12 February at 11 am, where we will be sharing FMCG trends and, joined by TikTok Shop experts, we will run hands-on sessions in breakouts designed to familiarise you with what selling on TikTok Shop means in the first 30 days.
PLEASE NOTE: This webinar is designed for small business founders and owners who sell goods and products, rather than service providers, to help them learn how to open a shop and grow revenue through shoppable content on TikTok Shop in several simple steps.
Join our community, reach new customers, start selling more!
Looking forward to seeing you live on February 12th!

Improve your content strategy with AI
2025-02-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Giorgia Guazzarotti and Monica Daswani feature in this Tech Hub Q&A webinar.
Giorgia will cover content strategy, helping you align your business goals and engage your audience with the right platforms and content. She will explore AI tools for creating content and demonstrate how a content calendar can help you stay organised and consistent.
Monica will explore current marketing strategy challenges and successes and demonstrate how AI can support them. She will provide a framework for AI integration and highlight the ethics of using AI in marketing.
Key takeaways from this session:

Learn how AI can help support your marketing strategy
Discover AI tools for creating content
Explore a framework for integrating AI into your marketing

How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)

About Tech Hub
Backed by top technology firms, Tech Hub is a new-generation, one-stop-shop solution that allows businesses to access industry-leading digital tools, training, support, and know-how to succeed, all in one place. Take me to the hub

Supercharge Your Sales with AI
2025-02-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Discover how to work smarter, not harder, by unlocking the power of AI in your sales process. Imagine crafting personalized emails in seconds, predicting customer needs with ease, and automating your follow-ups — all with the help of AI. This isn’t about replacing salespeople; it’s about giving you the tools to become more effective, efficient, and impactful.
Join us to learn practical AI strategies you can implement right now to supercharge your sales funnel, maximize productivity, and close more deals. Whether you’re a sales pro or a business owner, this course will change the way you think about sales forever.
Sales Geek is a global sales trainer. We provide expert training in Sales and business growth across the UK, USA, and India, as well as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. We work with SMEs and large corporate clients, including Royal Mail, IAG Cargo, Panasonic, Simply Health, Pleo and Verastar.
Join our webinar to learn how AI can maximise your business growth.

Discover the Power of Apprenticeships for Your Business
2025-02-14 08:00 - 12:00 | Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
Join Southend-on-Sea City Council, SEATS and The Greater Essex Careers Hub during National Apprenticeship Week (10 to 16 February 2025) to explore how apprenticeships can transform your workforce.
Our free event is designed for business owners and HR decision-makers, providing actionable insights into:
✅ Upskilling your current team with training from entry-level to Master’s degree
✅ Unlocking funding opportunities to cover training costs
✅ Boosting staff retention and engagement
✅ Strengthening your succession planning strategy
Whether you’re looking to introduce apprenticeships or maximise their impact, this is your opportunity to gain expert advice, hear real success stories, and debunk common myths.
Don’t miss out – future-proof your business today!
📅 Save the Date – Friday 14th February 2025 0800 to1200
Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavillion, Station Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 7RA
Stay ahead of the competition.

Discover the Power of Apprenticeships for Your Business
2025-02-14 08:00 - 12:00 | Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
Join Southend-on-Sea City Council, SEATS and The Greater Essex Careers Hub during National Apprenticeship Week (10 to 16 February 2025) to explore how apprenticeships can transform your workforce.
Our free event is designed for business owners and HR decision-makers, providing actionable insights into:
✅ Upskilling your current team with training from entry-level to Master’s degree
✅ Unlocking funding opportunities to cover training costs
✅ Boosting staff retention and engagement
✅ Strengthening your succession planning strategy
Whether you’re looking to introduce apprenticeships or maximise their impact, this is your opportunity to gain expert advice, hear real success stories, and debunk common myths.
Don’t miss out – future-proof your business today!
📅 Save the Date – Friday 14th February 2025 0800 to1200
For more information:- mailto:economicd@southend.gov.uk or admin@seatshub.org

Marketing Tools, Tactics, and Transformation: Empowering you to Scale!
2025-02-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Online
This talk will empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with actionable insights into leveraging modern marketing technologies and tactics. Attendees will learn how to optimise their marketing efforts using SEO, PPC, CRMs, AI technologies, and lead generation strategies to improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and drive business growth.

Topics covered include:

Why technology is critical for SME success in today’s competitive landscape.
Tools to streamline SEO efforts (Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs).
Local SEO strategies to dominate nearby markets.
AI-powered SEO tools for keyword research and content optimisation.
How PPC campaigns work on platforms like Google Ads and social media.
Advanced targeting and retargeting techniques.
AI tools for PPC optimisation.
Proven techniques for capturing and nurturing leads (landing pages, CTAs, lead magnets).
Using AI chatbots for instant engagement and lead qualification.
Automation tools for lead scoring and nurturing (e.g., HubSpot, ActiveCampaign).
Affordable CRM solutions tailored for SMEs.
Leveraging AI-powered CRMs to predict customer behavior and automate workflows.
Overview of AI’s role in modern marketing.
Content creation with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Jasper).
Crafting a content strategy that resonates with your audience.
Tools for content creation and management (e.g., Canva, Buffer, Grammarly).
AI-enhanced tools for content planning and SEO optimisation.
Creating a customised marketing strategy that incorporates discussed tools.
Tips for prioritising efforts based on limited budgets and resources.
Practical steps for integrating AI and automation into existing workflows.
Open Q&A to address specific challenges faced by SMEs.

The session is part 1 of 2 sessions. The follow-up session dives deeper into advanced marketing strategies, focusing on how SMEs can leverage AI and data-driven tools to refine their tactics, improve efficiency, and scale operations and is on the 3rd March. We suggest you attend both sessions to receive maximum value.
The sessions are targeted towards businesses with more than 10 employee’s and individuals in management level roles for either the organisation or the sales and marketing functions.

More about Anna: Anna is a highly experienced communications specialist providing strategic digital marketing that works!
“With over 10 years’ worth of experience in the marketing industry, I’ve had the pleasure of working in various roles, including magazine editor, content marketer, outreach manager and managing director. What’s more, I’m lucky to have worked in both agency and in-house positions, which has given me a great understanding of how both sides work.“
Anna is the founder of Quibble. Quibble provides a wide range of digital marketing services to businesses of all sizes both in the UK and abroad.

Launchpad Catapult programme
2025-02-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Learn. Share. Grow. at Launchpad
Launchpad Catapult
Catapult your business growth with Launchpad’s peer support programme
Feeling isolated as an entrepreneur?
Imagine having your own board of directors – a network of like-minded business owners helping you shape a thriving future. The Launchpad Catapult Peer Programme brings entrepreneurs together to build momentum, drive results, and make an impact for 2025 and beyond.
Why join Catapult?

Learn from Your Peers
Tap into the knowledge and experience of other local business leaders

Share and Discuss
Gain insights by sharing and discussing ideas in a trusted environment

Grow Your Business
Tackle your challenges and seize new opportunities with group support

Join structured, face-to-face, fortnightly 2-hour sessions led by Jacqui Stimpson, our Business Growth Manager, who has structured the programme based on the success of the National Peer Networks programme which has supported over 1,000 businesses. Each session is followed by an optional hour of networking and a complimentary lunch to help you build deeper connections

Limited Offer: Free to the first groups on a first-come, first-served basis. Normally this programme would be valued at £1500 per participant.
Launch session: Wednesday 19th February, from 10am – 11am.
Cohort 1: Wednesday 26th February, from 10am until 12pm (plus one hour lunch and networking), then every fortnight.
Cohort 2: Thursday 27th February, from 10am until 12pm (plus one hour lunch and networking), then every fortnight.

Sign up today!

SEO fundamentals for SMBs - Quick tips and cheap tricks to boost your SEO!
2025-02-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
This 90-minute interactive session is designed specifically for SMEs looking to improve their website’s search engine performance without breaking the bank. Packed with actionable advice and practical tools, this session will empower businesses to audit, optimise, and enhance their SEO to rank higher for their target keywords.

Topics covered include:

How to assess your website’s current SEO performance.
Understand your site’s ability to rank for your target keywords.
Optimising metadata, H1 tags, and alt text for improved visibility.
Addressing critical technical factors like site speed and mobile responsiveness.
Identify common SEO issues and how to resolve them effectively.
Simple techniques to implement changes that deliver immediate results.
Free tools and trial options to gather data and insights about your website.
How to use these tools to guide your SEO strategy and track progress.
Live examples from the businesses in the session to demonstrate SEO fixes.
Tailored advice and actionable recommendations for participants.

Special Offer:
Each attendee will receive a free mini SEO audit, including a personalised list of actions to improve their website’s performance. This will provide a solid foundation for implementing the strategies discussed and preparing for the next session.
By the end of this session, attendees will have a clear understanding of how to audit and optimise their website, practical tips for immediate improvements, and access to free tools to support your SEO efforts. It will equip businesses with cost-effective solutions to boost their online visibility and drive business growth.

The session is part 1 of 2 sessions. The second session covering how EEAT principles can transform your SEO strategy, boost your search rankings, and drive meaningful traffic to your website is on the 5th march. We suggest you attend both sessions to receive maximum value.
The sessions are targeted towards businesses with more than 10 employee’s and individuals in management level roles for either the organisation or the sales and marketing functions.

More about Anna: Anna is a highly experienced communications specialist providing strategic digital marketing that works!
“With over 10 years’ worth of experience in the marketing industry, I’ve had the pleasure of working in various roles, including magazine editor, content marketer, outreach manager and managing director. What’s more, I’m lucky to have worked in both agency and in-house positions, which has given me a great understanding of how both sides work.“
Anna is the founder of Quibble. Quibble provides a wide range of digital marketing services to businesses of all sizes both in the UK and abroad.

Health, Safety and CPR Workshop
2025-02-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway, Boundary Road, Colchester, CO4 3ZQ, United Kingdom
Health, Safety, and Life-Saving Skills – Boost Productivity and Save Lives
Join us and David Hewitt, owner of our Members East Saxon Training, for an engaging and practical workshop that combines critical health and safety insights with essential life-saving skills.
Split into two sessions, this in person workshop will explore:
Part 1: Health and Safety: Hindrance or Help?
Discover how meeting your legal obligations (and avoiding penalties like up to 2 years in prison and unlimited fines) can actually drive productivity, attract top talent, and make your business stand out from the competition.
Part 2: How to Save a Life – CPR Demonstration
Learn life-saving CPR techniques in a step-by-step demonstration. Each year over 30,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, with less than one in ten surviving – giving CPR and using a defibrillator can more than double someone’s chance of survival. There will be time afterwards for everyone to give it a try before you go.
Equip yourself with knowledge to protect your team, enhance workplace productivity, and potentially save a life. Don’t miss this informative and important workshop!
£25.00 + VAT Members and Non-Members £45.00 + VAT
Agenda:
10.00am – Registration & Refreshments
10.10am – Part 1: Health & Safety: Hindrance or Help?
10.55am – Break
11.10am – Part2: How to Save a Life – CPR Demonstration
12.00pm – Workshop Ends
David Hewitt is the owner of East Saxon Training. David been responsible for health and safety in the construction and healthcare industries for the last 30 years, his training courses have been awarded over 300 five-star reviews.

AI for beginners: Build a smarter business
2025-02-19 13:00 - 13:45 | Webinar
Is your business ready to embrace the power of AI?
Whether you’re curious about where to start or wondering if free tools are enough, this session will provide practical insights to help you integrate AI into your daily operations.
Discover how small businesses can embed AI tools into their workflows, streamline processes and unlock new levels of creativity and productivity – all while addressing key concerns like data security and ethical use.
In this webinar, Tom Hewitson, chief AI officer at General Purpose, debunks common myths, uncovers the truth about AI security and shares actionable strategies to seamlessly adopt AI in your business workflow.
This event is for Harrow residents with registered businesses or anyone with a business registered in Harrow.
Topics covered in this session:

Discover practical steps to get started with AI in your workflow
Learn when it’s worth investing in AI tools versus using free versions
Find the best tools to boost creativity and productivity in your business

If you have any questions, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
How to join the online webinar
When you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an automatic email, including the Zoom link to access the event. The event will begin at the time and date stated in the registration information. If you don’t receive the link within two hours of signing up via Eventbrite, please let us know by emailing events@enterprisenation.com. (Note: It may be in your junk folder.)
About Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is the UK’s most active small business network, helping thousands of people turn their good idea into a great business. Join today to get everything you need to start and grow your small business, in one place.

Health, wellbeing and personal development for small businesses
2025-02-19 16:30 - 17:45 | Online
Join us for short presentations with insights centered around wellbeing as individuals and in business with a chance to introduce your business.

Welcome to our national health, wellbeing and personal development for small businesses event, happening on the third Wednesday of the month.
When you’re busy running your own small business, it’s important to take the time to look after your mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Join us for insightful presentations from wellbeing experts who will share practical tips and advice. You’ll also have the chance to connect and network with fellow small business owners.
The theme for this month’s event is: The Art and Science of Heart-Brain Coherence – simple and powerful techniques for wellbeing and high performance
Join us for an interactive session where you will learn how to be the best version of yourself any time, any place. You will take away two simple techniques that you can use in your personal and professional lives, and which will help you to navigate the challenges and complexities of running your own business in an uncertain world.
Meet your speaker:

Gavin Andrews is Managing Director for HeartMath in the UK and Ireland. Gavin discovered the powerful benefits of HeartMath, coherence and heart-based living 17 years ago during a difficult period in his life. Since then, he has found joy, meaning and purpose in sharing the science and practice of coherence and biofeedback with others.

In addition to sharing coherence practise through HeartMath, Gavin also founded WeAddHeart, an international meditation movement empowering people to connect with their own hearts and the hearts of others; to live more fully from the heart and to add more heart and coherence to the world.
Gavin is passionate about finding practical ways to help people discover calm, clarity and coherence in our increasingly chaotic and stressful world. Recently he co-launched Syntropy, a digital arts start-up which employs the power of abstract and psychedelic art videos, combined with chillout soundscapes, to help people practise coherence breathwork, relaxation and meditation.
Meet your host:

Anna M Stapleton is a passionate Mental & Emotional Resilience Coach, is dedicated to elevating health, wellbeing and personal growth within the small businesses’ community.Drawing on her professional background, Anna guides entrepreneurs and small business owners to cultivate resilience, embrace accountability, and unlock their full potential for themselves and their staff.

Her coaching and mentoring approach empowers clients to overcome everyday challenges, align their actions with core values, and build a regret-free future.
As a champion for personal growth and development, Anna offers powerful insights through her coaching and mentoring sessions, workshops, and speaking engagements. Her mission is to foster a community of emotionally intelligent, mentally strong individuals who thrive in both their professional and personal lives.
You will get a chance to:

Hear from a variety of speakers during the ‘In Conversation With’ discussions
Connect and engage with fellow business owners during the sessions
Explore how we can further support the wellbeing agenda within our communities

Event contact
For general enquiries regarding the event, please telephone our dedicated events helpline 01253 336028 or email csdeventsupport@fsb.org.uk

Introduction to public sector tendering with BIZphit
2025-02-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Preparing tenders can help you to win big contracts but it can be time-consuming, cost money and tie up valuable resources. Understanding the best way to find opportunities can often appear daunting, we can demystify the process and help you find your way to a suitable tender for your business.
The workshop will cover the following:
· Finding opportunities to supply to the public sector
· Managing existing and new contract demands
· What is the Standard Supplier Questionnaire?
· How to obtain tender documents
· Are you ready to supply, how tender fit is your business?
· New public sector procurement regulations for 2025
The knowledge you will gain is a better understanding of the public sector procurement process and how to obtain the Standard Questionnaire and tender documents suitable for your business.

The Doctor Can See You Now - Get IP ready for your funding applications!
2025-02-26 09:00 - 17:00 | Online
Get IP ready for your funding applications!
We can help to identify your valuable IP and provide advice on how to manage it effectively.
Dr Craig’s online IP Health Check.
Book your free 1:1 consultation on 26th February.
Email to book an appointment: anne.douglas@lawrie-ip.com

Lunch and Learn: How to own the smartphone with social and email marketing
2025-02-26 12:00 - 12:30 | Webinar
We’re living in a smartphone world and your marketing efforts need to keep pace. You have an amazing opportunity to reach customers regularly on a device they carry with them at all times.
In this webinar, Stephanie Alfonso of Constant Contact explains how to use your smartphone to boost your social and email marketing. It’s all about enhancing the customer experience by using social and email in concert to drive engagement and sales.
Topics covered in this session:

How each channel – social and email – works to move people closer to your business
How to harness the strengths of each channel
How to create a great experience that impacts your bottom line

Stephanie brings a decade of experience as a speaker, trainer and marketing coach. Passionate about empowering business owners for growth and success, she specialises in simplifying complex topics, such as AI for content creation, SMS marketing, social media and brand building.
Stephanie’s dynamic energy and unique talent for making intricate concepts easily understandable have made her a sought-after speaker, known for her dedication to understanding SMBs’ needs and expertise in digital marketing.
If you have any questions you’d like Stephanie to answer during the webinar, please send them to events@enterprisenation.com.
This webinar is part of a series for business.connected. Check out the other events

Spring into Sales: Preparing for Mother’s Day, Easter, and Seasonal Events
2025-02-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Join Small Business Britain, BT Digital Skills, and marketing expert Charelle Griffith for a practical webinar designed to help you boost your sales and make the most of seasonal events. With Mother’s Day, Easter, and other spring events around the corner, this session will provide actionable insights to refine your marketing strategy, attract customers, and maximise sales.

You’ll Learn: –

How to plan and optimise your seasonal marketing campaigns

Ways to target new and previous customers

Tips for maximising sales during peak shopping period

Meet the Expert: Charelle Griffith is a business growth consultant, Chartered Marketer and award-winning content marketer.
Through her business, CharelleGriffith.com, Charelle provides marketing and business growth consulting, mentoring and training to help micro business owners improve their marketing, strategically grow their business and ultimately build a thriving business they love.

About BT Digital Skills: BT Digital Skills is partnering with Small Business Britain to deliver digital skills to small businesses across the UK.

Taming your imposter: supporting female leaders in developing greater self-acceptance
2025-03-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
The University of Essex presents a group coaching course where participants will work with a coach to face their imposter, gain self-awareness around their identity, develop greater self-acceptance, and take positive actions for long-lasting change.
Do you doubt your skills and competence? Maybe you have an intense fear of failure? Are you low on self-confidence? Do you set yourself impossibly high standards beyond reach? Or perhaps you credit your success to external factors, such as luck? Has this impacted your leadership and how you interact with your team?
Everyone experiences impostor syndrome slightly differently, but if you have answered ‘yes’ to one or more of those questions, then come and explore how you can start to take some positive steps to free yourself from your imposter and develop a plan of action to live the life you deserve.
This course will take place in a group, online live for 3-hours from 9am to 12pm (UK time) on 3 March 2025.
The fee for this course is £210.

Beyond the Basics: Scaling SME Marketing with Advanced Tactics and AI
2025-03-03 15:00 - 16:30 | Online
This follow-up session dives deeper into advanced marketing strategies, focusing on how SMBs can leverage AI and data-driven tools to refine their tactics, improve efficiency, and scale operations. It will provide attendees with actionable insights into optimising campaign performance, creating hyper-personalised customer experiences, and staying ahead of emerging trends in marketing technology.

Topics covered include:

Recap: Key Takeaways from the First Session
Advanced SEO and content optimisation
AI-driven content strategies for better ranking and engagement.
Predictive SEO: Leveraging data to anticipate trends and adjust content.
Voice search and its impact on SME marketing strategies.
Advanced audience targeting and segmentation techniques.
A/B testing for ad copy, visuals, and CTAs.
Collecting and analysing customer data to tailor marketing efforts.
AI-powered tools for creating personalised recommendations and offers.
Case studies on successful SMB personalisation strategies.
The importance of a seamless customer journey across platforms.
Integrating social media, email, and e-commerce for better results.
How AI can predict customer behavior and optimise decision-making.
Workflow automation tools to save time and reduce manual efforts.
Using predictive analytics to forecast trends and allocate resources effectively.
Identifying the right KPIs for SMB marketing campaigns.
Advanced tools for tracking performance (e.g., Google Analytics 4, SEMrush, AWR).
Preparing for the future: Keeping marketing strategies agile.

The session is part 2 of 2 sessions.
The sessions are targeted towards businesses with more than 10 employee’s and individuals in management level roles for either the organisation or the sales and marketing functions.

More about Anna: Anna is a highly experienced communications specialist providing strategic digital marketing that works!
“With over 10 years’ worth of experience in the marketing industry, I’ve had the pleasure of working in various roles, including magazine editor, content marketer, outreach manager and managing director. What’s more, I’m lucky to have worked in both agency and in-house positions, which has given me a great understanding of how both sides work.“
Anna is the founder of Quibble. Quibble provides a wide range of digital marketing services to businesses of all sizes both in the UK and abroad.

The Doctor Can See You Now - Lab To Launch
2025-03-05 09:00 - 17:00 | Online
Lab to Launch
Dr Samantha can help you manage your valuable IP – from innovative lab ideas to successful market launch.
Dr Samantha’s online IP Bioscience Clinic.
Book your free 1:1 consultation on 5th March.
Email to book an appointment: anne.douglas@lawrie-ip.com

EEAT your way to the top of Google - An SEO strategy that works!
2025-03-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
This dynamic session is designed to help SMBs unlock the power of EEAT—Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—one of Google’s key ranking factors. Learn how adopting EEAT principles can transform your SEO strategy, boost your search rankings, and drive meaningful traffic to your website.

Topics covered include:

What is EEAT, and why is it critical for your website’s search visibility?
How Google uses EEAT to evaluate and rank websites in search results.
The core components of EEAT and how to optimise for each: content quality, credibility, and transparency.
Steps SMBs can take to align their website and content strategy with EEAT guidelines.
Why EEAT isn’t just an SEO tool—it’s also key to building trust with visitors.
How a focus on EEAT can convert organic traffic into leads and sales.
Practical examples of businesses leveraging EEAT to outperform competitors.
Lessons learned and actionable insights from these success stories.
Strategies to use EEAT as part of a broader digital marketing effort
Tips for staying ahead of the competition by maintaining high-quality, authoritative content.

By the end of this session, attendees will have a clear roadmap for implementing EEAT in their SEO strategy, along with practical tips to improve their website’s performance.

The session is part 2 of 2 sessions.
The sessions are targeted towards businesses with more than 10 employee’s and individuals in management level roles for either the organisation or the sales and marketing functions.

More about Anna: Anna is a highly experienced communications specialist providing strategic digital marketing that works!
“With over 10 years’ worth of experience in the marketing industry, I’ve had the pleasure of working in various roles, including magazine editor, content marketer, outreach manager and managing director. What’s more, I’m lucky to have worked in both agency and in-house positions, which has given me a great understanding of how both sides work.“
Anna is the founder of Quibble. Quibble provides a wide range of digital marketing services to businesses of all sizes both in the UK and abroad.

Using video and AI for marketing
2025-03-05 10:30 - 13:00 | Langdon Hills Golf Country Club & Hotel, Lower Dunton Road, Horndon on the Hill, RM14 3TY, United Kingdom
The video and AI marketing workshop provides an exploration of the benefits of using video for marketing, starting with the definition of a brand and the nuances of personal branding. Participants learn practical steps for creating video, illustrated by a case study. The workshop also covers key aspects of the role of video in SEO to boost online presence and the importance of leveraging social media platforms for business growth. Finally, the workshop presents the latest AI tools which business leaders can implement to help grow their business and streamline operations.
This workshop equips attendees with essential knowledge and skills to effectively establish and promote their brand in the competitive digital marketplace.
The workshop will take place at Langdon Hills Golf and Country Club, Lower Dunton Rd, Bulphan, Upminster, Essex RM14 3TY
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This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

How CRM adoption can increase sales!
2025-03-07 11:30 - 13:00 | Online
This 90-minute session is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) unlock the full potential of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to drive sales growth. We’ll dive into the key strategies and actionable steps required to implement a successful CRM strategy.
In a small event with a maximum of 12 participants, Anna will help you discover the power of your CRM!

Topics covered include:

Why CRM adoption is crucial for increasing sales.
How CRM provides insights into customer behavior and optimises sales processes.
Best practices for onboarding teams and ensuring user adoption.
How to integrate CRM systems with existing tools like accounting software, marketing platforms, and customer support systems.
Streamlining data flow across departments to improve decision-making and collaboration.
Proven methods to encourage team buy-in and consistent usage.
Overcoming common challenges SMEs face when adopting a CRM system.
Measuring the ROI of your CRM system.

The session is part 2 of 2 sessions.
By the end of this session, attendees will have a clear understanding of how to implement a CRM strategy that aligns with your business goals, ensures team engagement, and drives measurable sales results.
The sessions are targeted towards businesses with more than 10 employee’s and individuals in management level roles for either the organisation or the sales and marketing functions.

More about Anna: Anna is a highly experienced communications specialist providing strategic digital marketing that works!
“With over 10 years’ worth of experience in the marketing industry, I’ve had the pleasure of working in various roles, including magazine editor, content marketer, outreach manager and managing director. What’s more, I’m lucky to have worked in both agency and in-house positions, which has given me a great understanding of how both sides work.“
Anna is the founder of Quibble. Quibble provides a wide range of digital marketing services to businesses of all sizes both in the UK and abroad.

Navigating the Business Landscape: from Start Up to SME
2025-03-11 10:00 - 2025-03-12 13:00 | Online
Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help businesses at every stage of their journey, from start-up to small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, this webinar will equip you with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to thrive in today’s competitive market.

Event details:
Date: Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th March 2025
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Online (ZOOM)
For: Businesses based in Essex

No matter where you are on your business journey, this workshop will support you in navigating your:
Competitive Landscape: Understand how to identify your unique selling points (USPs) and differentiate yourself from competitors.
Business Model Options: Explore innovative ways to optimize your revenue streams and enhance profitability.
Marketing Effectiveness: Pinpoint the most effective channels for reaching your target audience and maximizing marketing ROI.
Scaling for Success: Learn how to create the right conditions to launch new products, services, and expand your business.
Unlock the tools to navigate your business challenges and scale with confidence!

About the host:
Ross Moran, Business Advisory Manager
Over two decades focusing on new venture creation and business transformation, Ross has worked in multiple finance, management, and technology roles within small and large organisations. Implementing new business models and developing a deep understanding of how technology process improvements intersect with business lifecycles and ecosystems has given Ross a unique perspective on most aspects of business including market research, new product development, raising finance, sales, marketing, and business transformation.

This workshop is provided courtesy of Backing Essex Business. Fully-funded by Essex County Council and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group. Backing Essex Business (Formerly Back to Business Essex) is here to support business growth across the county, promoting economic growth and creating jobs, by providing free business support, access to finance and training. This workshop is available to businesses within Essex, excluding Southend and Thurrock.
For more information visit https: www.backingessexbusiness.co.uk

Supercharge Your Sales Process with AI
2025-03-12 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Welcome to Supercharge Your Sales with AI!
Discover how to work smarter, not harder, by unlocking the power of AI in your sales process. Imagine crafting personalized emails in seconds, predicting customer needs with ease, and automating your follow-ups — all with the help of AI. This isn’t about replacing salespeople; it’s about giving you the tools to become more effective, efficient, and impactful.
Join us to learn practical AI strategies you can implement right now to supercharge your sales funnel, maximize productivity, and close more deals. Whether you’re a sales pro or a business owner, this course will change the way you think about sales forever.
Sales Geek is a global sales trainer. We provide expert training in Sales and business growth across the UK, USA, and India, as well as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. We work with SMEs and large corporate clients, including Royal Mail, IAG Cargo, Panasonic, Simply Health, Pleo and Verastar.
Join our webinar to learn how AI can maximise your business growth.

A Guide to Meta Business Suite for Facebook & Instagram Workshop
2025-03-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
When navigating the Meta Business Suite, it can become overwhelming when trying to find your way around the platform, especially when it comes to placing ads and sponsoring posts or boosts.
Not many of us have the budget to hire dedicated staff or third-party agencies to run our account so practical knowledge and skills are vital when we have limited time and resources.
Join us for an informative and practical workshop which will provide an interactive overview of how to best utilise the Meta Business Suite platform and its advanced features to truly deliver for your organisation.
To make this workshop as bespoke as possible we will ask you a few short questions when you register in order for us to understand the needs of the group, but we will cover the following areas:
• Introduction to the interface
• How Facebook adverts can work for ANY budget
• Different types of ads and outcomes
• Boosts v Ads campaigns
• From basic to advanced targeting
• Creating high quality promotional materials
• Linking Facebook ads with your website
• Ad rejections and how to handle them
• Trolls, bots and spam messages and the best way to deal with them
• Insights, scheduling and reporting.
Our social media workshops are popular, and places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Who Should Attend
This training is for staff who have the responsibility of social media as part of their role and have a good working knowledge of Facebook and/or Instagram, but do not necessarily have a working knowledge of how to make the platform work best for their business. This course will assist in gaining that understanding and how to tailor it to established business goals.
What’s Included

The workshop lasts for 2 hours but attendees can stay on for a further 30 minutes for additional discussions and advice.
After the workshop, we will send you a pack containing all the advice, tips and links discussed during the session.
You will also be able to pass on follow-up questions to our trainers, SRX Consultancy, who will offer practical support (via email or a quick call) to ensure you are able to put everything you learned into action.

About the Trainers
SRX Consultancy is a boutique PR, social media and communications agency specialising in areas including charity and small business.
SRX’s bespoke and tailored training sessions have been running for 10 years – attended by staff from hundreds of charities, organisations, and small businesses, always receiving positive feedback.
This workshop will be delivered by Simon Rothstein and Lauren Soar.
