The Scrum Down Networking event
2025-02-12 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | Westcliff Rugby Club, Cherry Orchard Way, Rochford, Essex, SS4 1YG
Join us for The Scrum Down, a quarterly networking event designed for local businesses to connect, collaborate, and grow together. Inspired by the core values of rugby—teamwork, integrity, passion, and perseverance—this event is all about building a stronger business community.
Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or professional, this is your chance to expand your network, share ideas, and discover new opportunities in a relaxed, welcoming environment. You don’t need to be there at the start—drop in anytime between 6 PM and 9 PM to make the most of this event.
Why Attend?

Network with local professionals who share your passion for growth and community.
Discover opportunities and potential collaborations to help your business thrive.
Be part of a business community inspired by the teamwork and camaraderie of rugby.
Enjoy a casual evening—the bar will be open, and there’s easy parking available on-site.

Tickets are limited, so book your free spot today and be part of a growing community where businesses thrive together!
Join our Facebook Group
Be sure to join our Scrum Down Facebook group, where the networking continues!
Share your business, connect with other attendees, and stay updated on future events. Together, we’re building a community that supports and grows with each other—on and off the field.

Southend Business Partnership Briefing
2025-02-13 07:30 - 10:30 | Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
The morning will have on offer a free light breakfast, networking opportunities and a round of updates from local providers.
The theme will be around wellbeing in the workplace.
DWP will inform businesses of their employer support package. Learn how you can use Job Centre Plus to meet recruitment needs at no cost and the services they offer to employers, for example managing vacancies, sifting for the correct candidates, and matching to roles.
Southend-on-Sea City Council Health Improvement Practitioner will inform businesses of their free workplace health offer.
Other keynote speakers to be confirmed.

7.30am – Registration will begin.
7.30am to 8.30am Networking, light breakfast, and marketplace.
8.30am – The business briefing keynote speakers will start.
10.00am Continue networking and visiting the marketplace.
10.30am Close

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.

Getting started with LinkedIn ads
2025-02-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Learn how to take the first steps in LinkedIn advertising and make them count.
In this webinar, Celia Rizothanasi, queen bee of LinkedIn and Marketing AI, will show you how to start growing your business reach with confidence.
Key takeaways from this session:

Why LinkedIn is a good investment for small budgets
How to set your campaign goals
How to select the right ad types
How to assess the effectiveness of your campaign

Celia is a chartered marketer and fellow CIM on a mission to enable small businesses to accelerate their marketing results with AI. She specialises in LinkedIn and marketing AI training and consulting.
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.)

Rochford and Southend Networking Breakfast in Collaboration with The Launchpad 202502
2025-02-19 08:00 - 10:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Essex Business Partnerships and Launchpad are working in collaboration to launch this new networking breakfast in the Rochford/Southend area for those businesses who like to network. Networking is a great marketing tool and if undertaken properly can build long lasting relationships for businesses to work together and grow, if you have never tried it before come along to see first hand how beneficial it can be.
Essex Business Partnerships is an organisation that works countywide in Essex. It brings all types of businesses together with the aim of working together as a community, to enable our member businesses to grow and develop through communication, connection, and collaboration. Our vision is to be a dynamic, innovative, and transparent organisation providing valuable tools and information to enable businesses to thrive whatever stage of their development. We will be holding business networking events at different venues and areas in Essex as well as Business Show, virtual events, workshops, and educational events that will help businesses succeed and grow. We are a friendly community, with sole traders to the large corporate businesses, everyone is welcome with no lock outs.
Launchpad is where you will find innovative, entrepreneurial businesses and start ups in and around Southend-On-Sea. It provides purpose built workspace from offices, workshops to meeting and conference spaces. They are passionate about creating a sustainable and healthy environment for business. The building is designed for the highest level of sustainability to support Council’s climate change agenda, achieving an ‘Outstanding’ grade of BREEAM environmental standard.
They offer business support and expert guidance connecting one to the right people, reviewing business strategy or directing one towards available investment opportunities.
For more information contact info@essexbusinesspartnerships.org.uk or call Sally Sykes on 07940 459703.
When registering your place please be aware:
1. Cancellation Policy – If you cancel your booking 48hrs, or more, prior to the event, then you can claim a refund of your ticket cost less any fees that may be assigned to your booking.
2. At the time of booking – Please confirm that as an attendee you would like/would not like your contact details shared with attendees following the event.
Please note; the attendee lists shared following our events are for the use of attendees only & cannot be shared with anyone else. As with any organisation we have a legal responsibility to protect the information (in particular people’s personal information) entrusted to us by our members.
3. Photography – Please note that photographs will be taken at events and used on our website and social media platforms. Please confirm that as an attendee you would like/would not like, yourself shown in these pictures
4. Dietary Requirements – At the time of booking please confirm any dietary requirements.

Rochford and Southend Networking Breakfast in Collaboration with The Launchpad 202502
2025-02-19 08:00 - 10:00 | Launchpad Southend, Launchpad Airport Business Park, Rochford, SS4 1YH
Our next Southend/Rochford’s Business Breakfast Networking event will be on Wednesday 19th February 2025, in collaboration with the Launchpad, Airport Business Park, Cherry Orchard Way, Rochford, SS4 1YH Essex.

If you fancy meeting like-minded businesspeople, grow your connections that could lead to collaborations and growth for your business then come along to the Breakfast networking from 8.00-10.00am

Come and meet fellow Essex business owners from all sectors of industry and network in a friendly environment. With the added benefit of a sausage or bacon roll with bottomless coffee or tea.

Members and non-members are welcome, we are neither a lock out, all businesses are welcome or a group where referrals are required, just bring your business cards.
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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.

Penguin Random House Networking Tour
2025-02-27 11:00 - 13:45 | Penguin Random House UK, Colchester Road, Frating Colchester, CO7 7DW, United Kingdom
Exclusive Members Only Networking Event & Site Tour at Penguin Random House Distribution
Are you looking to expand your professional network and gain insider access to one of the world’s leading publishing houses? Join us for an exclusive event at Penguin Random House Distribution in Colchester!
Penguin Random House Distribution (PRHD), one of the largest and most prestigious book distributors in the UK, is opening its doors for Essex Chambers Members for an exclusive networking and site tour event. This exciting gathering will take place at PRHD’s state-of-the-art facilities in Colchester and is set to offer Members a rare glimpse into the world of publishing logistics and distribution.
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore PRHD’s cutting-edge operations, learning about how millions of books are processed, packed, and shipped annually to booksellers and readers around the globe. The event promises to deliver valuable insights into the efficiency and innovation that drive the publishing industry, while fostering meaningful connections among professionals from diverse industries.
Join us for:

Guided Tour of PRHD Facilities: Explore behind the scenes at one of the UK’s leading distribution centres, with an in-depth look at the logistics behind global publishing.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals from across Essex and beyond, share ideas, and build new relationships.
Hear from PRHD Experts: Gain insider knowledge about the challenges and opportunities in modern book distribution.

This event is perfect for professionals interested in the publishing sector, supply chain operations, or simply curious about what it takes to keep the world’s books moving

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

Welcome to the UK’s 2025 International Women’s Day event
2025-03-07 10:00 - 14:00 | South Essex College, Luker Road, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS1 1ND
We are proud to announce our 7th Annual International Women’s Day event, taking place on Friday, 7th March 2025, at South Essex College in Southend: Luker Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1ND.
This event is an opportunity to come together to celebrate the achievements of women, inspire each other, and build connections within our community. It will feature:

🌟 Special Guest Speakers: Inspiring talks from people who are making a difference in their fields.
🌟 Networking Opportunities: Connect with local organisations from South Essex and learn about the services they offer.
🌟 Entertainment: Enjoy performances and activities designed to celebrate the spirit of the day.
🌟 Light Lunch: A delicious lunch will be provided during the event.

⏰ The event will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and registration starts at 9:30 AM. Please arrive on time to enjoy refreshments and sign in, as late arrivals will not be allowed to enter to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Although this event is free to attend, it is important to register in advance and commit to joining us. Organising this celebration involves costs for catering and other arrangements, and we want to ensure resources are not wasted due to no-shows.
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress, highlight ongoing challenges, and celebrate women’s contributions to society. Let’s make this 7th celebration one to remember.

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide crèche services this year. We kindly ask that you make alternative childcare arrangements if needed. Thank you for your understanding.

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.

International Women's Day Celebration at Metrobank, Southend
2025-03-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Metro Bank, G19-G21 Victoria Business Centre, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2NG
Welcome to the International Women’s Day Celebration at Metrobank, Southend!
Winning Women and Metrobank welcome you to a morning of celebration and fun, appreciating and celebrating ourselves and women worldwide.
Saturday 8 March, 10am til 12 noon!
Feel free to wear national costume, bring food from your country, whatever fits! Performers welcome! Do bring your children too.
Free event but please bring some cash as we will offer an opportunity to win prizes in aid of the Mumba Children’s Project who support the growth and education of women, girls and all underprivileged, mainly but not exclusively in Zambia.
Contact Ashlea Cole, Metrobank Business Manager with any queries 07815506784.
Metro Bank are committed to being a part of the local community. Bringing together local businesses and non profits. To accelerate the sense of community with Southend.
Come and join us!
Women have come such a long way but this years’ theme is #Accelerate Action, to help women worldwide gain equality much more rapidly.

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

Women in Business Bi-monthly National Networking
2025-03-12 10:00 - 11:15 | Online
Event details
This is a regular opportunity to bring together Women led businesses to network together, advise each other and build up contacts across the whole of the UK.
These female focused events are a great option for those new to networking and looking for a friendly place to start, but also great for those with more networking experience who would like to grow their contacts within a community of inspiring business women.
This bi-monthly online networking session will open with a warm welcome and a breakout room, feature a 15 to 20 minute discussion by Women in Business, before we go into two more breakout rooms where you can network with one another in a friendly and supportive environment.
Host

Judith Rafferty, Copywriter & Content Strategist, Fruition Copywriting.
She describes herself as “your next copywriter and secret business building weapon, crafting clear, plucky, heart-centred words that shine during uncertain times – or at any time”!
After 25+ years in-house, on the agency side, and as a freelancer in hospitality, events and travel trade sales, she returned to her original childhood calling – words. She has helped hundreds of small (and global) businesses generate £££s millions of sales, awareness, engagement and visibility.

Guest speaker

Amanda Daniels-Allen Business Mentor & International Speaker, Koogar : Marketing & Alignment
Koogar goes beyond just marketing, recognising there’s much more to it. Focusing on you, what you want to achieve, how you fit into your business, how your business fits into the world, because it is all connected.

These virtual networking meetings are part of the FSB’s ongoing campaign which aims to encourage inclusive, supportive workplaces and offer advice for the country’s army of female entrepreneurs.
This free #FSBConnectOnline networking is open to all businesses – both FSB members and non-members are welcome to attend, so please feel free to share with your networks.
Please note that captions will automatically be enabled for this virtual networking event.
The next event: Women in Business Bi-monthly National Networking will be held on Wednesday 14 May 2025.
Event contact
For further details regarding this event, or if you’re interested in learning about how FSB benefits can assist you and your business, or if you’re already an FSB member and wish to participate as a guest speaker at a local networking event, please contact Natalie.Simm@fsb.org.uk
For general enquiries regarding the event, please telephone FSB Customer Services on 01253 336028 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm), or email csdeventsupport@fsb.org.uk

March Virtual Networking
2025-03-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with industry experts, share your insights, and grow your network at our upcoming virtual networking session.
These popular, friendly morning events provide an informal yet impactful way to gain deeper insights into the Essex business landscape while forming valuable new relationships. With interactive breakout rooms, you’ll have the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new contacts in a relaxed and engaging environment.
Remember, your network is your net worth. Take this opportunity to build meaningful connections and discover opportunities to help your business thrive. We can’t wait to see you there!
