The Department for International Trade (DIT) is hosting a series of interactive sessions aimed at businesses that want to grow their business and consider selling internationally – if this is you, then please come along to this workshop.

On Thursday 4 May this workshop will be  hosted by John Harrison who specialises in international strategy and marketing, and works as a consultant to provide assistance to organisations seeking to exploit international trade opportunities. John will bring his vast experience and know-how to encourage you to think about why you should take the first steps in selling overseas.

What to expect:

• Learn about why exporting can be beneficial and how it could boost your profile, credibility and bottom line
• Hear success stories from local business leaders and learn why they would never look back
• meet your local DIT team and get sight of the journey your business could embark on with the aim to join an organised visit to an overseas market six months from now
• Share thoughts and have group discussions with companies that are in similar sectors to yours, making valuable contacts and even gaining potential collaboration opportunities

The UK is home to cutting edge innovators, a place that nurtures talent and creates exceptional products and services.

Venue: NMC Venue, 49 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich B70 6PY

Free to attend

You can register to attend here

Thinking of starting or just started a new business?

On Thursday 4th May we are holding business start-up seminar. The event will provide tailored help and support to individuals who want to set up and run their own successful new business.

The event will cover a variety of topics including:

Is it right for you?
Business planning
Legal status and legalities
Taxation
Next steps

Aimed at individuals thinking of, or just starting a potential business, the seminar offers a structured approach to identifying opportunities, planning for success and ensuring a better chance of survival.

Venue :Sandwell Business Solutions Centre, Sandwell College, 1 Spon Lane
West Bromwich, B70 6AW

There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required.

If you would like to attend, click here to book your place

The Department for International Trade (DIT) are hosting a series of interactive sessions aimed at businesses that want to grow their business and consider selling internationally – if this is you, then please come along to this workshop, which is specifically designed for those working in the creative, retail, food and drink sectors.

On Thursday 4 May this workshop will be hosted by Angela Maxwell OBE whose contribution to commerce and enterprise support has seen her develop a stellar reputation together with a wealth of business and export experience. Angela will bring her energy and enthusiasm to encourage you to think about why you should take the first steps in selling overseas.

What to expect:

• Learn about why exporting can be beneficial and how it could boost your profile, credibility and bottom line
• Hear success stories from local business leaders and learn why they would never look back
• Meet your local DIT team and get sight of the journey your business could embark on with the aim to join an organised visit to an overseas market six months from now
• Share thoughts and have group discussions with companies that are in similar sectors to yours, making valuable contacts and even gaining potential collaboration opportunities

The UK is home to cutting edge innovators, a place that nurtures talent and creates exceptional products and services.

Venue: The North Gallery, Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA

Free to attend for Chamber Members & Non Members

If you would like to attend, click here to register your place

Booking your day at the region’s brightest and best b2b event is a must as we feature a host of fantastic speakers, seminars, masterclasses, workshops and networking opportunities.

The trade show features around 90 companies of every size and kind from across the region and beyond.

Book your free tickets online and bring your friends, colleagues and business associates along for a great day and the best way to build your businesses with everything under one roof. Parking is immediately adjacent to the event and if you'd like to attend any seminars and masterclasses you can attend as many as you wish for FREE.

The event will feature networking, marketing and business development at it’s core and is FREE to attend. With lots of free sessions taking place at the Expo North West you can’t afford to miss out.

Venue: Wolverhampton Racecourse, Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton,WV6 0PE

FREE to attend

You can register to attend here

On Thursday 11 May we would like to invite you to a procurement e-sourcing event at Sandwell Business Solutions Centre .

The event will cover how you can:

• Promote your company and become an accredited supplier
• Be alerted to new tender opportunities
• Save time by not wading through paperwork; juggling spreadsheets and relying on the post
• Have direct support from Sandwell Council’s e-sourcing team
• Hear more of what Think Sandwell’s Business Growth Team can offer and what funding is available
• Hear more of what support is out there to help with recruiting locally and apprenticeships

And if you would you also like more support with bid writing,  at the event you will hear from a ‘bid-writing specialist’ demonstrating an over view to how you can become a ‘winner’ in bid writing!

This event is open to all local businesses and SMEs that may be interested in learning more about the council's tendering process using Intend.

9:00        Registration and Networking
9:30        Introduction to Think Sandwell Business Growth Team
9:45        Area Employment Team
10:00     Q&A
10:10     Sandwell Council’s E-Sourcing Team
10:20     Klick Business Solutions
10:50     Q&A
11:00     Close

You will then have the opportunity to register on Intend

To register please email think_sandwell@sandwell.gov.uk

Sandwell Business Solutions Centre
Sandwell College
1 Spon Lane
West Bromwich
B70 6AW

On Thursday 11 May, the Chamber are hosting a workshop  for exporters and importers. This programme is for anyone involved in the despatch or purchase of goods internationally and who needs to be able to select the most suitable Incoterms® rule to use for their international despatches. Content includes: - How can your business work efficiently and safely within the commercial terms (‘Incoterms ® 2010 ’) defined by the International Chamber of Commerce?

This half day workshop is also for anyone working in international trade – from industry newcomers to experienced importers or exporters. It gives you: - A clear understanding of how Incoterms map out the tasks, costs and risks involved in the delivery of goods from sellers to buyers - A practical guide to correctly applying Incoterms rules to your global sales and purchasing activities - The chance to work on your own firm’s needs, in groups or individually.

Members of Black Country Chamber of Commerce can attend the workshops at a reduced rate.

As a Chamber member you could receive 50% discount on your mandatory certification of export documentation. All delegates receive detailed course notes and copies of the presentation slides. Delegates are welcome to seek further advice & information from the trainers after the workshops are completed.

Cost: £150 + VAT for Chamber members and £200 + VAT non-members

You can register to attend here

Aimed at: SME Business owners or the person responsible for your export sales or finance.

AIM for the Black Country is a service being offered to Small & Medium sized Enterprises (SME’s) to enhance your growth and competitiveness. Through a partnership arrangement between the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Black Country Growth Hub, Local Authorities, Black Country Consortium and the University of Wolverhampton you will be able to access a coordinated approach to a range of business support, advice and workshops. You can enter the programme through any of the aforementioned partners who will then manage the process from start to finish.

Workshop content:
Developing new or difficult overseas markets
The risks, costs and cash flow pressures associated with international payment terms
Managing the risks associated with exchange rate movements when pricing contracts in foreign currencies
The workshop will help exporting companies understand how to establish an effective policy when dealing with overseas buyers and assess the alternative methods of payment as a means of securing overseas debts and negotiating favourable credit terms to promote the growth of sales
The workshop will also highlight the key mechanisms for managing currency exposures and reduce the risk of exchange losses

This workshop is funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and there is no cost to eligible SME’s taking part in this programme. There is a small amount of paperwork required to assess eligibility and evidence actions and outcomes.

Venue: Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill Dudley, The Waterfront, Level St, Brierley Hill DY5 1UR

Free to attend

To express your interest please give us a call to discuss 0121 569 2121

To find out more about the programme click here to read the latest story

On Thursday 18 May Aston Business School are hosting a intellectual property strategy and business innovation event.

If you are an innovative company in order to succeed you must make decisions with intellectual property in mind. You need an intellectual property strategy that is in line with your business strategy. You must know what intellectual property you have and what intellectual property of others you might be at risk of infringing.

You can use intellectual property information to help you find worldwide competitors, potential partners, collaborators and gaps in the markets. You can use your intellectual property to reduce your tax bill and attract lenders.

Speaker: Claire Howell

Claire Howell teaches company law and intellectual property law at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and is keen to promote excellence in the teaching of intellectual property.

Claire acted as consultant to the European Patent Office in the ‘Roadmap Project’ on teaching intellectual property in the Slovenian universities. On behalf of ECAP111 AUNIP, Claire drafted the intellectual property policy template to be used by the universities in the ten countries in the association of S.

Venue: Aston Business School,Susan Cadbury Lecture Theatre, MBA Lounge, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET

Free to attend

If you would like to attend click here to register

On Thursday 18 May, Headz Up Business are hosting a digital expo.

The expo provides an environment for attendees to understand the key considerations of digital, sales, marketing & technology and to meet suppliers delivering various solutions to business support and growth. It is an  opportunity for business owner's, marketing professionals who want to ensure they have the information to succeed across all digital marketing disciplines and who want to understand what the future may hold. The digital expo attracts business owners from all industries, sectors and backgrounds from the region, marketeers, professionals who want to hone in their digital skills and interested in learning the latest information, advice and finding suppliers to achieve their current and future business IT solutions. The day provides important networking opportunities for business across the region.

Event For:

Business owners, SME's, Sales & Marketing Managers, Social Media Manager, Digital Marketing Executive's, Social Media Executive, Marketing Executive, Social Advertising Executive, Head of Digital Marketing and Start Up Entrepreneurs.

What to expect:

• Book your seat at this years theatre, Q & A panel session and take the opportunity to meet industry leaders in digital, sales, marketing and social media.
• Through the panel discussion, find out answers to burning questions you may have about anything to do with digital sales and online marketing. From social strategy, to content optimisation, platforms and social advertising.
• A full day dedicated to helping, supporting you to discover new and innovative ways to market your business online.
• Being in business also means being up to date with technology in your business. Come and meet, connect with suppliers in our expert exhibitor area who can let you know the latest solutions with digital, social media & technology today. 

Marketing Your Business at the Expo: We have a number of opportunities for businesses to market, promote themselves at the event. If you are interested in exhibiting please email us in the first instance: enquiries@headzupbusiness.co.uk

Time table schedule 

10.00am - 10.30am: Registration and badges

10.30am -11.30am: The Q & A with our panel of experts, will take place in the theatre area, maximum seated tickets available for this session is 250 delegates. If you would like to ensure you have a place at this session, please book ticket above. The ticket will also provide you access to the Expo after the Q & A Session.

11.30am - 2.30pm: The exhibitor area will open from 11.30am till 3.00pm were you can meet business professionals that can help, support and grow your business. Meet IT, digital,marketing and sales professionals. Opportunity to network with attendees and to catch up with the panel of experts in the first session.

Free to attend

You can register to attend here

On Thursday 25 May Business by Process are holding a seminar aimed at SME business owners, start-ups and team leaders.

This topical seminar will encourage you to develop a process mindset. This systematic approach demonstrates how to take charge of your processes, adopt some of the processes used by top performers and design your own processes to put you on the winning path.

Through a combination of jargon free concepts, industry proven tools and concepts from the latest business theories, this free seminar will introduce you to:

• An understanding of personal and business processes
• The Business by Process methodology
• Turning habits and routines into processes
• How to overcome barriers to process adoption
• The benefits of processes to you and your company

A complimentary light breakfast and refreshments will be provided at the start of the event.

Venue :Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton, WV10 9RT

There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required.

If you would like to attend click here to book your place.

What keeps you awake at night?

On Thursday 25 May come along to our Get Connected networking event, where we have a fantastic guest speaker who will cover your questions on Employment Law. We will also be offering you the opportunity to share best practise and find out how other local business people have addressed the issues that keep you awake.

• Staffing and recruitment
• Finances & funding
• Productivity & efficiency
• How can I grow my business?
• Marketing etc...

7.45am - 8.15am Registration, breakfast & networking
8.15am - 8.30am Jackie Richards - Employment Law
8.30am - 8.45am Q&A with Jackie Richards
8.45am - 9.30am ‘What keeps you awake at night?’ - sharing best practices
9.30am Close

For more information call 0121 667 5359 or book on here 

Venue: Sandwell Business Solutions Centre, Sandwell College Central Campus, Spon Lane, West Bromwich, B70 6A

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The exhibition will take place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The 2000 sq. meter premises will provide a fantastic space for the Midlands supply chain, from automotive to aerospace, rail, defence and medical to showcase their business capabilities.

Venue: Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Coventry, CV6 6GE

Cost: FREE for Made in the Midlands members, there are a very limited number of tickets available for service sector companies at a cost of £75

You can register to attend here

Aimed at: SME Business owners who have successfully completed their first year and ready to consider growth.

AIM for the Black Country is a service being offered to Small & Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to enhance your growth and competitiveness. Through a partnership arrangement between the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Black Country Growth Hub, Local Authorities, Black Country Consortium and the University of Wolverhampton you will be able to access a coordinated approach to a range of business support, advice and workshops. You can enter the programme through any of the aforementioned partners who will then manage the process from start to finish.

Workshop content:
Business plans
Finance including cash flow, breaking even, keeping records
Marketing including branding, social media, finding new customers
Legalities of running a business including IP etc
HR and people matters

This workshop is funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and there is no cost to eligible SMEs taking part in this programme. There is a small amount of paperwork required to assess eligibility and evidence actions and outcomes.

Venue: National Metalforming Centre, 49 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich B70 6PY

Free to attend

To express your interest please give us a call to discuss 0121 569 2121

To find out more about the programme click here to read the latest story

123insight offer a unique award-winning MRP/ERP system for any type or size of manufacturing.

On Thursday 25 May, Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre invite you to attend a free evaluation workshop which tells you everything you need to know about the software and the unique way that 123insight do business.

The event is designed to help you understand whether the award-winning software is a good fit for your business.  Whether you are new to MRP and want to understand more about it, or if you are looking to replace an existing system, the 123insight Evaluation Workshop will give you all the information you need in an informal environment.

Free to attend

You can register to attend here