GetSet for Growth West Midlands have teamed up with OMG Ltd to deliver this practical insight into how to make LinkedIn work better for businesses.
With over 20 million users in the UK alone, LinkedIn is one of the biggest players in social media, and is indisputably the leading platform for business networking. Are you getting everything that you could be out of this channel? This interactive workshop will teach you not only how to optimise your personal profile through nine, simple one-off actions, but it will also show you with three regular actions to turn your profile into a mean, lean, lead-generation machine. You’ll leave equipped with the knowledge and tools to get to work, as well as a weekly plan of action that will take you no more than twenty minutes per week.
Venue: Visualisation Centre, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Find out how to grow your business at the SPARK/Santander Breakthrough Event
We're pleased to invite you to our Breakthrough event for an afternoon dedicated to helping you on your business journey.
This Breakthrough event aims to give you the inspiration, practical insights and professional support you need to start or develop your own business, as well as see it survive and thrive.
Our topic for the evening is employing staff – the dos and the don’ts and some ideas on how to support your Business when it comes to attracting talent.
What’s involved?
You’ll have the chance to hear from a couple of guest speakers - Peninsula, the Employment Law specialists and also from the Santander Internship programme. Some of the areas we will cover are:
Recent changes in Employment Law e.g. shared parental leave and overtime in holiday pay
What Brexit really means for employers
Increasing employee productivity and engagement
Managing internet and social media use during and after office hours
Dealing with an under-performing worker
Recruiting & retaining the best staff
Reducing absenteeism in the workplace
Auto-Enrolment & Pension Reform
Interns as a way to bring in expertise
They’ll share their experience and learning on the employment theme and be able to answer any questions you have.
You’ll also get to network with like-minded local businesses, so you can discuss the key issues impacting the area, share ideas and find ways to support each other.
We’ll open our doors at 3:00 pm for a prompt start and will conclude the evening at 4.30pm.
How do I RSVP?
Please RSVP confirming your attendance including your name and business name to Sandra Simpson sandra.simpson@wlv.ac.uk
We look forward to welcoming you to the event.
Venue: SPARK Business Incubation Centre, Creative Industries Centre, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton, WV10 9TG
The mammoth ScaleUp 2016 expo is set to bring together the experiences of Britain’s top entrepreneurs – those that have already successfully done battle with classic growing pains – to help younger, but equally ambitious businesses, get to the next level. Keynote speakers include:
James Eder (former Birmingham University student) founder of Studentbeans.com and app Causr
JasonStockwood, CEO of Simply Business, ‘The Sunday Times Best Company to Work For’ Jason believes technology and data are heralding a new era of insight into human productivity
Michael Bruce, co-founder, Purplebricks.com (protech -seen a 445% increase in revenue)
Hundreds of founders are expected to attend the day-long November 3 event, organised by small business support group Enterprise Nation and in collaboration with Sherry Coutu’s ScaleUp Institute and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales (ICAEW), which is to be held in Birmingham’s Aston University Business School.
The independent Scale-Up Report on UK Economic Growth 2014, identified five key barriers that businesses must conquer if they are going to achieve their growth ambitions. These are:
* Finding employees to hire who have the skills they need
* Building their leadership capability
* Accessing customers in other markets / home market
* Accessing the right combination of finance
* Navigating infrastructure
ScaleUp 2016 will hear from entrepreneurs like Tim Robinson, the man who drove the exponential growth of delivery solution Doddle, Jimmy Cregan, the charismatic force behind Jimmy’s Iced Coffee and Irene Graham, the driving force behind ScaleUp Institute’s board on the vision of the eco-system Britain needs to develop in order to achieve and retain higher level firms.
There will also be a chance to hear from Enterprise Nation founder Emma Jones, MBE, the Government’s SME Crown Representative.
Emma Jones said: “While start-up rates remain high, scale-up rates in Britain are still lagging behind those of other countries. This is not down to a lack of ambition, this is about opening up access to the skills and advice businesses desperately need to clear the common hurdles on the journey towards growth.
“Understanding what the issues are and that there is a solution is a critical step in helping businesses to expand profitability, and in turn creating employment and economic growth in Britain.”
Irene Graham, CEO of the ScaleUp Institute said: “Never has there been a better time for us all to work together on supporting our high growth businesses to attain greater scale. It demands our financiers, advisors, corporates, educators, cities and policy makers to all work together to lean in and support these businesses in their growth journeys”
“It is great to work with Enterprise Nation and the ICAEW on this event to highlight the practical support that can be provided.”
Stephen Ibbotson, ICAEW’s business director, said: “Britain has some of the world’s most innovative and enterprising young companies but there comes a point in the life of every business where the challenges to growth can seem daunting.
“It is in everyone’s interests to help entrepreneurs on their way. There is no problem they face today which cannot be overcome, whether it’s raising money, developing new products, expanding into overseas markets, taking on new staff or seizing opportunities as they fly by. This conference will help provoke, inspire and guide entrepreneurs to have the courage of their convictions and grab the chance to grow while they still can.”
Mark Hart, Professor of Small Business & Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School and Deputy Director of the national Enterprise Research Centre (ERC), said: “We are delighted to host the Scale Up 2016 at Aston University. Local economies thrive when ambitious, innovative and competitive companies are given the right environment to succeed. By putting specific support and education in place to enhance leadership and entrepreneurial skills, we can create that environment, and increase the number of high-growth firms which we know from our research at the ERC have a major impact on growth and jobs across the country.”
Venue: Aston University Business School, Birmingham,Aston University Business School Birmingham B4 7ET
A Series of Mentoring Workshops designed to support and help grow your business.
Monday 3rd October - Thursday 3rd November - Tuesday 6th December
The purpose of this series or mentoring workshops is to help your business, whatever its size and specialism, to grow and become more profitable. Businesses need firm foundations to succeed. Only companies with a stand-out marketing message, a solid sales process and robust office procedures will make the grade. These workshops will build on your passion for your product or service by ensuring business essentials are not only in place, but are working effectively for you – leading to better profits and a smoother-running operation.
The three mentoring workshops will develop your skills constructively through the series which take you on a strategic journey.
Mentoring Workshop Two - Thursday 3rd November – The Sales Strategy
How to make contact with your prospects, set appointments, your touch points and closing the deal.
The series will be delivered by Doug Daubrey, the founder and Managing Director of Executive Training and Consultancy Limited. Since starting his business in management consulting eight years ago, Doug has helped more than 70 different companies across a variety of sectors in the UK and Europe. His tailored consultancy packages range from short-term project work to full 3-year company growth programmes, depending on the needs of each client.
Venue: Black Country Chamber Of Commerce, Creative Industries Centre, Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton, WV10 9TG
All three sessions are £30 + VAT members or £60+VAT for non-members
Using collaborative working for a more efficient, innovative and creative business
What is Collaborative Working?
What is CISCO Spark?
Spark is a simple, secure and complete communication and collaboration platform for messaging, meetings and calls. This session is being led by Nowcomm, who have been using Spark to realise benefits in time, cost savings and convenience.
Using collaboration tools like Spark can bring your teams closer together, make functioning smarter, and making their work and projects more productive and more profitable. It can be used to help enable innovation to happen within your organisation
Spark is a simple, secure and complete communication and collaboration platform for messaging, meetings and calls.
We hope you can join us at 10am on Thursday 3rd November 2016. This interactive session has great speakers , live demos and will show you how Spark can really make a difference to your organisation.
The morning will kick-start with pasteries and coffee, and close with a tasty buffet lunch. We look forward to seeing you and your colleagues.
Agenda:
09:45 Registration
10:00 – 11:15 What is Spark
– What problem are we trying to solve?
– Product
– Programmable
– Platform
11:15 – 11:30 Break
11:30 – 13:00 Demo & Hands on
User Experience
– Introduction – High level features functions
– Integrations / Innovations
– Bridging the Gap (Physical and Virtual)
– “Art of the Possible”
Co-Founder and Technical Director, Nowcomm
James is responsible for the technical development of Nowcomm’s product and services portfolio and provides technical leadership on client projects. He has over 20 years’ experience in networking and systems integration including 5 years with Cisco. James co-founded Nowcomm in 2006.
Luke Nelson
Collaboration Solutions Specialist, Cisco
Luke joined Cisco in 2007 and altogether has 20 years’ experience in the IT industry, across many verticals including; finance, retail, manufacturing, government and technology. Luke’s role at Cisco gives him responsibility for incubation and routes to market for Cisco’s Next Generation Collaboration technologies across EMEAR.
This work forms part of The Innovation Engine Project, which aims “to create new markets for SMEs in Greater Birmingham & Solihull by finding challenges that need innovative solutions”.
Jeff is a successful business consultant specialising in leadership, people management, team building, peak performance, recruitment and retention issues. Formerly UK Managing Director of a leading international recruitment consultancy and Business Manager to Sir Clive Woodward, he holds a number of corporate advisory and executive coaching appointments and is also a successful business author.
He has written widely on leadership, careers, business success, peak performance, recruitment and entrepreneurship. Jeff has spoken at Henley Business School, Ashridge Management College, Cardiff Business School and the Danish Centre for Leadership. Listed in the ‘100 Best Business Speakers in Britain’, Jeff Grout is in considerable demand as a motivational business speaker, conference chairman and interviewer.
Please note that places are limited for this event and will be allocated on a first come first served basis with the exception of Climate-Kic Accelerator companies who will get first peference as it is a Climate-Kic Programme.
Are you looking to explore drone technology for commercial use? The Business Solutions Centres, partnered with Rheinmetall Unmanned Systems Training Academy (RUSTA) are delivering a CAA approved Remote Pilot Certification SUAS (RPCS) course via our Visualisation Centres leading to Permission for Aerial Work (PFAW) thus providing commercial drone pilots with the skills and qualifications needed to operate safely and legally within UK airspace.
The RPCS course is designed to teach you everything that you need to know to become a commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilot. The theory phase of the course will last for two and a half days and will cover a range of subjects that will enable you to gain the legal, as well as the practical, knowledge to be a safe drone pilot. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Day 1 - Introduction, Air Law, Principles of Flight, Meteorology, CAPS and Lithium Polymer Batteries
Day 2 - Emergency Procedures, Operations Manual, and Introduction to Human Factors
Day 3 - Theory Examination (half day)
Post Day 3 - Operations Manual Evaluation and Approval, and Flight Assessment
There are limited spaces for this course so book now to secure your place
Venue: Visualisation Centre, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Are you looking to explore drone technology for commercial use? The Business Solutions Centres, partnered with Rheinmetall Unmanned Systems Training Academy (RUSTA) are delivering a CAA approved Remote Pilot Certification SUAS (RPCS) course via our Visualisation Centres leading to Permission for Aerial Work (PFAW) thus providing commercial drone pilots with the skills and qualifications needed to operate safely and legally within UK airspace.
The RPCS course is designed to teach you everything that you need to know to become a commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilot. The theory phase of the course will last for two and a half days and will cover a range of subjects that will enable you to gain the legal, as well as the practical, knowledge to be a safe drone pilot. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Day 1 - Introduction, Air Law, Principles of Flight, Meteorology, CAPS and Lithium Polymer Batteries
Day 2 - Emergency Procedures, Operations Manual, and Introduction to Human Factors
Day 3 - Theory Examination (half day)
Post Day 3 - Operations Manual Evaluation and Approval, and Flight Assessment
There are limited spaces for this course so book now to secure your place
Venue: Visualisation Centre, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
. . . events designed by manufacturers for manufacturers
For Manufacturers Only
Operations – the cornerstone of manufacturing best practise
Gareth Jones Operations Director of In-Comm Training & Business Services based in Aldridge can give advice whether you are an owner managed company looking to develop your workforce/ organisation up to a multi-national company from a specifically Manufacturing sector, our team of highly competent specialists are here to help.
Manufacturing Links in the Black Country is a group which is designed to specifically meet the needs of member Small to Medium manufacturing companies. The events are held at SME manufacturer sites or at the venues of providers who support the sector. The format and agenda is decided by a steering group of manufacturers.
R&D Tax Claims Limited are proud to be sponsors of Black Country Chamber Manufacturing Links breakfasts.
The R&D Tax Claims consultancy was set up by Mark Evans FCA. Since 2009 they have submitted tax claims for over 200 companies achieving tax savings of over £22m with a 100% success rate. They follow a “No Win, No Fee” and promise that no fee will be charged until the client receives their tax saving. On average the annual tax savings per client exceed £35,000.
Venue: The Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4SQ
£10 + VAT per event per member or £20 + VAT per non member
Post referendum Britain is looking with renewed interest at non EU export markets and this event supported by Department for International Trade, Barclays Bank and Innovation Birmingham enables you to learn about live opportunities in twenty of the world’s most dynamic and exciting markets…
Representatives from the following markets will be present for you to have 20 minute 1:1 meetings to discuss opportunities for your business, market entry, cultural differences and much more.
Book 20 minute 1:1 discussions with market experts from:
China
India
USA
Indonesia
Thailand
Singapore
Malaysia
Myanmar
Cambodia
Colombia
Vietnam
Philippines
South Korea
Mexico
Chile
Pakistan
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Turkey
Egypt
The Gulf (Saudi, Kuwait, UAE & Quatar)
There are also chances to meet with DIT, Barclays and Innovision
This is your chance to learn about markets you hadn’t considered before, apply for live export opportunities and most importantly, to grow your business and sales by becoming a successful exporting company.
Our monthly early evening networking event. This event is a chance to introduce yourself to other Chamber members, to hear from local businesses and build up your contacts.
Venue: TBC
Chamber PassPort Free - £10 + VAT per Chamber member & £20 + VAT for non members
Are you looking to explore drone technology for commercial use? The Business Solutions Centres, partnered with Rheinmetall Unmanned Systems Training Academy (RUSTA) are delivering a CAA approved Remote Pilot Certification SUAS (RPCS) course via our Visualisation Centres leading to Permission for Aerial Work (PFAW) thus providing commercial drone pilots with the skills and qualifications needed to operate safely and legally within UK airspace.
The RPCS course is designed to teach you everything that you need to know to become a commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilot. The theory phase of the course will last for two and a half days and will cover a range of subjects that will enable you to gain the legal, as well as the practical, knowledge to be a safe drone pilot. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Day 1 - Introduction, Air Law, Principles of Flight, Meteorology, CAPS and Lithium Polymer Batteries
Day 2 - Emergency Procedures, Operations Manual, and Introduction to Human Factors
Day 3 - Theory Examination (half day)
Post Day 3 - Operations Manual Evaluation and Approval, and Flight Assessment
There are limited spaces for this course so book now to secure your place
Venue: Visualisation Centre, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
BCRS Business Loans and Trade & Export Finance Limited are delighted to invite you to our next breakfast seminar on Wednesday 9th November 2016, which will discuss the vast exporting opportunities available for SMEs.
Taking place at the Business Solutions Centre at Wolverhampton Science Park, Mark Runiewicz and Wesley Lovett will be on hand to explain how businesses can overcome the financial barriers to exporting.
We are pleased to announce Heather Crocker from the Department for International Trade as the guest speaker for this event. Heather will be explaining the vital service the Department provides in supporting businesses looking to export goods or services.
Attending this event provides the perfect opportunity to network with fellow business professionals in a convenient location in Wolverhampton.
A light breakfast will be available for all guests upon arrival.
Venue: Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Are you confident that you are following the correct import/export procedures?
Do you have new members of staff that you need to bring quickly up to speed with processes?
Are you finding that supplying or receiving incorrect information is costing you time and money?
Are you giving your customers and suppliers the right impression about your exporting professionalism?
If you can relate to any of the above or simply want to streamline your exporting and importing procedures then please take time to review our workshops.
This practical programme is designed to cover all of the necessary requirements that exporters need to follow to ensure that goods are shipped cost-effectively and meet all of the necessary legal requirements.
Content Includes
An in-depth study of commodity codes and Incoterms 2010, exporter’s commercial and official documents.
Getting the goods into UK Ports with Customs clearance procedures and proof of export documentation.
Payment documentation (Insurance and bills of exchange).
The day is designed to give candidates the understanding they need for preparing and processing export documents in the shortest possible time whilst ensuring the requirements of HMRC are met. The emphasis is not just about on how to complete documents and what to do with them, and also features information on why specific documents are required.
Profile of our Trainer
Steve Townsley has been working in international trade for forty years. He works throughout the UK and Europe delivering International Trade programmes at many Chambers of Commerce. He has developed and delivered a number of successful formal qualifications and he believes that all training should be practical, relevant, up-to-date and cost effective. It should also be enjoyable! Please note, post-seminar advice and support is always given.
Please note that these are the only dates planned for 2016, but if you do require a bespoke course at your premises you can contact us for more information, with costs depending on the number of delegates in attendance (minimum of 5).
Venue: TBC
£200 +VAT per Chamber member; £250 +VAT for non-members
Arti spent more than fifteen years working as a Television Presenter, Reporter and Producer for some of the UK’s largest organisations including BBC, ITV1, ITN News Channel and Carlton. An expert in media and communication skills, she has shared her insight, experience and expertise with hundreds of clients around the world achieving amazing results – quickly. Arti is Co-founder of the Fleet Street Group and has set up a number of successful businesses.
Every year Arti is invited to present a number of live events from award ceremonies, annual dinners, business seminars and conferences to doing charity fundraisers and entertainment shows.
Arti is a practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and NLP Coach (INLPTA trained). She holds a Life Coaching certificate from the Coaching Academy and a BA (Hons) in Social Policy from the University of Sussex.
Please note that places are limited for this event and will be allocated on a first come first served basis with the exception of Climate-Kic Accelerator companies who will get first peference as it is a Climate-Kic Programme.
The Business Planning workshop offers participants the opportunity to gain an insight in to all the processes involved to create a Business Plan for a commercial | social enterprise - as well as identifies the work that can be completed to support the individuals to create start-up commercial | social enterprises in the future.
Venue: Birmingham City University, 4 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD
FLOURISH is an annual one day conference for women in business & those aspiring to start. We come together to inspire each other to our greater purpose in life and build businesses that support the life we want to live. We share inspiration that illuminates each others path and support each other along the way. We build ourselves and our businesses by having speakers who share their knowledge and expertise that supports us in becoming the women we are meant to be to produce the results we want to see. We network, connect, collaborate and inspire each other to reach new heights both in life and business so we can live the lives we are truly meant for.
This conference has been put together with your year 2017 success in mind. It is meant to pump you up to reach your new levels, to inspire, motivate and equip you to your greatness and best year yet, both in life and in business! To get more watch videos on our facebook page or follow us!
Our Speakers
Liz trained and qualified as a chartered accountant working at Grant Thornton and KPMG before becoming a partner at Baker Tilly. She spent many years advising on buying and selling businesses and as a woman knows first hand what it is like to achieve in a man’s world. It hasn’t all been plain sailing; she has faced setbacks and picked herself back up. She now runs her own company supporting business leaders through coaching and also runs fun, interactive workshops on networking.
At the conference, Liz will be sharing with you what she believes are the important steps to growing your business successfully.
Charlotte Scriven is a Personal Stylist based in the West Midlands, who works closely with clients finding the right colours and style to suit their budget and lifestyle. After working in the events industry for 18 years, travelling all over the UK, she decided to re-train as a stylist with House of Colour in 2015, after experiencing the positive impact of wearing the right colours herself, 10 years earlier.
Charlotte applies her industry experience and fashion knowledge by helping women dress stylishly, shop intelligently and refine their personal image. She offers colour, style and make-up classes either on a one-to-one basis or small groups in a relaxed and friendly environment. Also offers wardrobe de-cluttering and shopping trips.
At the conference, Charlotte will be sharing with you how you can get your personal style right so you can show up confidently in your business and attract the right customers.
Jules Mitchell is the proud founder of Happy Mums Club and The Big Happiness Experiment CiC. She is a passionate speaker on 'Living Life Awake', a Professional Giggleologist & All Round Good Egg! She has been featured on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, BBC Midlands Today and in The Daily Telegraph. She writes articles on stress, emotional resilience and happiness for Psychologies, Top Sante and Woman, ran her own column in the Birmingham Mail, and been a resident expert on BBC radio speaking all over the country on BBC radio. Jules is on a mission to share her simple ‘brain hacks’ that are designed to neutralise 21st century stress and bring out peoples happy. She says “Our bodies were never designed to retain the high levels of toxins that we now accept as normal and it’s high time we started to create a happier and morecompassionate lifestyle” She is leading a quiet revolution (OK not that quiet) of consciously connected mums who are accessing radical happiness from the inside out whilst nurturing the emotional intelligence of their children. Jules says “I have a mission in life to Make A Difference, if you could sum me up in a few words it would be : “a positive force for change”! Whether I am inspiring children in schools with The Big Happiness Experiment, enabling young people in colleges and universities to embrace a positive mindset, empowering mums with emotional resilience and conscious parenting skills, energising conferences and events with my ‘Four Minute Miracles’, training workplaces on Mindset Mastery & Emotional Resilience or writing articles for national magazines or local papers, my message never waivers! You will find me sharing simple strategic practices that will move you from reacting to the stress in your life to creating your own peace, happiness and well-being on a daily basis.
At this conference, Jules will be sharing with you some practical ways to instantly get the best out of yourself to achieve the goals you want without stress.
Inspiring Life Journeys: from a STEM background to a career in tech
Join us on Saturday 12 November for the second edition of the Women in Technology Conference. Co-hosted by the University’s Women In Science and Engineering (WISE), Out in Stem (oSTEM) and Computer Science Societies (CSS), this day-long conference will be a celebration of women working in, or aspiring to, one of the world’s fastest growing industries.
Everyone is welcome – tech enthusiasts, programmers and non-programmers, coders and non-coders, from any gender and from all backgrounds and interests. We will be welcoming speakers from a wide range of disciplines to deliver inspirational Keynote talks.
This year conference will place great emphasis on interactive workshops delivered by our sponsors and partners and as such there will be numerous networking opportunities throughout the day.
Celebrating women in the technology industry is the main goal of the day and we look forward to welcoming the wide breath of expertise of real life role models, such as Dawn Bonfield, Chief Executive of the Women's Engineering Society, Camilla Ween, from WTS London Chapter, Nicola Wilkin and Jon Watkins, from the University of Birmingham and Maplesoft, respectively, among many others.
The 2nd edition of the WIT Conference is brought to you by Rolls-Royce in partnership with PwC and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, with additional sponsorship from Goldman Sachs, Accenture, Morgan Stanley, FDM and other companies to be announced soon.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided thanks to the support of our sponsors who will also be in attendance and look forward to getting to know you!
Venue: Debating Hall, Guild of Students, University of Birmingham
Join us for Cereal Networking for an informal catch up and networking session with other Campus members and tenants.
You can meet your neighbours, have some brekkie, find out about other great events for your business and be back at your desk for 9.00am. Pop in to iCentrum ground floor and join us for a hot drink, toast, crumpets and, of course, cereal.
Have you recently started your own business and are looking for some tips on how to maximise your entrepreneurial potential?
Perhaps you are a student or academic who wants to learn more about entrepreneurship. Whatever your position this free one day Entrepreneurship workshop, organised by the University of Wolverhampton, will give you the information you need to succeed.
Working in partnership with businesses, universities and not-for-profit organisations from across Europe, the University of Wolverhampton, on behalf of the Vet4StartUp partnership has developed a highly focused one day workshop that aims to give new entrepreneurs the skills needed to set-up and run a successful business.
The workshop will:
Provide you with the top 10 tips to setting up and running a profitable UK-based company
Give you the opportunity to develop a business plan and pitch it to business experts
Allow you to network with likeminded individuals and make valuable business contacts
Show you how to develop and maximise the value of business contacts
Introduce you to the partnerships’ online business start-up e-learning portal
Venue: University of Wolverhampton Science Park, The Technology Centre, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, WV10 9RU
SWEDA are hosting a unique finance event where there will be a range of organisations involved in the provision of finance for new and established businesses, and Social Enterprises.The event will be opened by a representative from Black Country LEP.
The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) aims to create the conditions for enterprise to flourish resulting in greater economic prosperity across the Black Country area. There will also be opportunities to talk to business advisers about your business needs at the event.
Venue: WS10, Holyhead Rd, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 7PA
The Digital Business Academy is a free initiative from Tech City UK and UCL, created to help the nation gain FREE digital business skills.DBA offers a range of specialist digital business courses- ranging from building brands to running online campaigns, developing digital products to raising finance- providing an easy way to gain the business skills you need for a digital world
So whether you dream of being your own boss or want to get hired by a digital business, we’ve joined forces with leading names in the industry to give you the opportunities you need.
As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, on Wednesday 16th November Innovation Birmingham Campus is teaming up with DBA to bring a unique, half-day taster workshop, giving you an insight into the skills and understanding needed to start, run or join a digital business.
This workshop is open to anyone aged 16 or over, from any educational or business background and of all levels of digital abilities.
Business start-up ‘Size up your Idea’ – Dom Murphy, MD, Geek Talent discover of how to get started and gain key skills in the world of digital business.
Develop and Manage a Digital Product – Calum McGowan, Robert Trickey of Auto Trader UK. Discover how digital products – things like website, mobile applications, and video games – are imagined, designed, and built.
Marketing, social media and brand awareness – Amy Jackson, Co-founder, Unwritten Creative. Discover the secrets to building successful strategic marketing plans that reach new customers, retain clients and amplify your business.
Mastering finance – Mark Gardner, Mentoring Manager, Transmit Start-ups. A short breakdown of the basics of financial planning, cash flow forecasts and preparing your business for investment.
Overview The Enterprise at Warwick Conference 2016, in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship week, will be hosted by Warwick Business School and sponsored by UBS. This exciting event will be split into two with the afternoon focussing on pre-experienced students and budding early stage entrepreneurs. The evening will see local entrepreneurs, postgraduate student entrepreneurs, angel investors, corporate companies and academics come together to network and knowledge share with each other.
Theme: Creating an innovation culture
'Building a workforce of entrepreneurs'
Understand how strong entrepreneurial mindsets within a team can influence the success and innovation of any business, large or small! Consider the impact of integrating enterprise into the higher education curriculum and what that means for talent pipelines for companies.
'The impact of innovation'
Explore how Universities collaborative research is supporting the Midlands local growth agenda and local businesses. Gain best practice tips for small companies from founders of successful companies whose innovations have had real impact!
Venue: Warwick Busines School, Gibbet Hill Road, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL
Scenario Planning has become the most popular strategy tool in the last decade. It is neither a forecasting nor a predicting tool but is used to improve managers’ ability to anticipate uncertainty and in that context to enhance organisational learning. It helps to develop a shared understanding and to scope mental models of perceived uncertainty between managers working in the same organisation.
This session will provide an insight into Dr Stathis Tapinos' Scenario Planning method which links scenario development to the sustainability of competitive advantage in order to support long term strategy making. His method is a multi-stage process; a structured method of disciplined imagination to create plausible images of future scenarios.
Stathis explores how organisations understand the current source of competitive advantage and its limitations; identify factors of uncertainty for the future; using them to create a range of scenarios and narratives; assessing the impact of each scenario on the organisation; and developing robust strategies which will protect the sustainability of competitive advantage.
Venue: Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET
Access to Business are hosting a free Enterprise Event.
This is an opportunity for any existing businesses or anyone who wishes to explore self employment to attend our event to talk to exhibitors which include Banks, Solicitors, Accountants who can give information.
The event starts at 10.00 am where there will be guest speakers, a chance to speak to our Business advisors and a fantastic networking opportunity.
As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, meet the city’s top young tech entrepreneurs at the home of their start-up ventures; Innovation Birmingham Campus.
Hear from six new tech businesses at different stages of their development and funding plans will each deliver five minute presentations, giving an insight into the challenges and rewards of getting a new tech business off the ground in Birmingham… and how local professional advisors could be instructed to provide advice going forward.
The presentations will be introduced by Cliff Dennett, Head of Business Development at Innovation Birmingham Campus. Cliff will also give a snap-shot about the Campus, including the sites future developments and plans to support burgeoning entrepreneurs with its projects Serendip, e4f and the sites latest development – Universities Centre. Come along and network, identify and introduce yourself to the companies that may shape Birmingham’s future.
Tickets includes drinks and canapés. We anticipate a high demand for what will be an engaging, informative and interactive evening, so please book early, as places are limited.
6:30pm Welcome by Cliff Dennett. Head of Business Development, Innovation Birmingham
6:50pm Manjeet Sidhu, Scoutt – A charity SAAS solution that turns donor data management into child’s play
6:55pm Mo, BrightLET – an award-winning cloud based property lettings and management platform for landlords and tenants who prefer to directly manage the lifecycle of a tenancy
7:00pm Keruchalu, Sinnergy – Quoodi is a mobile loyalty rewards platform that helps businesses and communities thrive by turning every customer transaction into a relationship. With Quoodi, customers can earn points at their local bakery or florist and ‘spend’ those points at their local cafe thus giving them an
7:05pm Ben Buckley, Kaido – A connected health platform
7:10pm Ken Flood, The Profile Business – Enabling enterprises achieve faster, beter, more informed, levels of assurance about people, customers & documents
7:15pm Joel Blake, Feelyx – Predictive Analytics platform that gives you the intelligent insight that you need, to identify who your most profitable customers will be in the future!7.20pm: Cliff Dennett chairs the Q&A session
7:20pm Don Dhaliwal, Conigital – Mobility as a Service incorporating driverless vehicle’s
7:25pm Cliff Dennett chairs the Q&A session
7:35pm Formal proceedings conclude and further drinks, canapés and networking
8:15pm Event closes. This event has proven to be very popular so far. To avoid disappointment, please book early as places are limited.
Opportunity Knocks is a collaborative event that brings together the best entrepreneurial talent, leading business experts and the wider eco-system. After successful events across the UK over the past two years, Opportunity Knocks is now set to tour the UK and Birmingham is its next stop!
The day will highlight key success stories of companies who have grown their business and know the challenges SMEs face providing insights on how to succeed.
Keynote Speakers: David Maclean, CEO, Packt Publishing
Packt Publishing was founded in 2004 in Birmingham, UK, Packt’s mission is to help the world put software to work in new ways, through the delivery of effective learning and information services to IT professionals.
Working towards that vision, we have published nearly 4000 books and videos so far, providing IT professionals with the actionable knowledge they need to get the job done –whether that’s specific learning on an emerging technology or optimizing key skills in more established tools.
As part of our mission, we have also awarded over $1,000,000 through our Open Source Project Royalty scheme, helping numerous projects become household names along the way.
Keynote Speakers: Andy Street, Former MD John Lewis Partnership
Former MD John Lewis Partnership, Andy is now West Midlands Mayor candidate.
Andy has spent his career at the John Lewis Partnership, joining after graduating from Oxford with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics in 1985. Andy became Managing Director of the John Lewis Division in 2007 and has led the business through times of significant change in both the economy and the retail industry at large.
During this time, John Lewis’s gross sales increased in excess of 50% to over £4bn. It has opened 18 new shops, and the johnlewis.com business has seen annual sales of over £1bn making the department store one of the UK’s most respected and successful retailers.
After initial roles in department stores, head office and manufacturing units, Andy became Managing Director of John Lewis Milton Keynes in 1993, followed by the same role at Bluewater in 1998. In 2000 he became Supply Chain Director, followed by his appointment to the Partnership Board as Director of Personnel in 2002. In 2014, Andy was named the ‘Most Admired Leader’ of the year by business magazine, Management Today.
In June 2015 he was awarded a CBE for services to the economy, in his roles as managing director of John Lewis and as Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.”
About the Event
Delegates will hear from inspirational speakers, see a live pitching competition, hear from a panel of experts and have the opportunity to attend a range of case study led educational seminars including Crowd funding, Pitching, and Growth Finance for early stage businesses.
This event will be of valuable experience to entrepreneurs, as they get the chance to learn from a wide range of experts and build a network that can help fuel their high-potential growth for years to come.
It will also be a great chance for individuals to meet entrepreneurs and potentially create mentoring links with those who catch their eye. Entrepreneurs from a wide range of exciting businesses in many different industries can learn from those who have been successful in growing businesses – there is bound to be an opportunity to get involved with these start-up and high growth businesses.
In addition to learning from our keynote speakers, delegates will have the opportunity to quiz a panel, influencers from the Scotland Business Eco System on all things business including finance, leadership and building teams.
As part of the programme, we also have an interactive pitching competition for 5 of Scotland’s best entrepreneurs, with a chance to win ‘money can’t buy prizes’ donated by out corporate partners. The audience will become the judge for the day and decide their winner by text voting.
You will see the eco system in action in the exhibition and networking area over the breaks and lunch – you will have the opportunity to learn about the support available for start up and growing businesses as well as help entrepreneurs validate their products and services!
Our awards are an ideal platform to showcase your company and celebrate your success as we want to recognise and profile companies who truly represent and contribute to the local economy. The Chamber Awards are sure to be a huge success and by taking place in the evening everyone has the chance to enjoy themselves and celebrate the achievements of Black Country Businesses.
The black tie evening will start at 7pm with pre-dinner drinks in the Chaser Bar area and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. Guests will be seated at 7.30pm with a welcome to the event by Adrian Wright, President of Black Country Chamber of Commerce. After a special guest speaker the Awards dinner will be served at 8.30pm. Whether you are thinking about entering the awards or do business with the finalists and are waiting excitedly for the results, or whether you want to mix with the key businesses of the Black Country this is the one black tie dinner this year not to miss being seen at. Find out why the finalists were short listed and help yourself to be one of the winning companies next year. A great opportunity to make new contacts and enjoy the celebration of Business Being Good for the Black Country
Venue: Wolverhampton Racecourse, Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton, WV6 0PE
GetSet for Growth West Midlands have teamed up with OMG Ltd to deliver this practical insight into how to make LinkedIn work better for businesses.
With over 20 million users in the UK alone, LinkedIn is one of the biggest players in social media, and is indisputably the leading platform for business networking. Are you getting everything that you could be out of this channel? This interactive workshop will teach you not only how to optimise your personal profile through nine, simple one-off actions, but it will also show you with three regular actions to turn your profile into a mean, lean, lead-generation machine. You’ll leave equipped with the knowledge and tools to get to work, as well as a weekly plan of action that will take you no more than twenty minutes per week.
Venue: Sandwell Business Solutions Centre - CAP Centre, Windmill Ln, Smethwick, West Midlands B66 3LX
Sunny Claire, Business Adviser at Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) will be on campus on 21st November to answer any relevant questions that you have about growing your business internationally.
Enterprise Europe Network is the world’s largest business support network, free and simple to use with local contacts and insight across the UK, Europe and wider afield. They can assist with a number of business growth initiatives.
Enterprise Europe Network can help your business to innovate, grow and succeed in the European marketplace.
Advisory support
Access to FREE information on a diverse range of business related EU topics including:
Legislation support and advice
Product conformity and standards
Routes to market
Access to Finance
Business Opportunities and Partner Search
Access potential business partners through our dedicated Partnership Opportunities Database (POD)
Opportunity for West Midlands businesses to feature in quarterly bulletins promoting their business offer
Local and International Events
Local & international events organised by the Network to provide an unique opportunity to meet new clients and business partners including specific B2B and Meet The Buyer opportunities
*Please note that this event is only open to Serendip members and Innovation Birmingham Campus tenants, for more information on how to become a Serendip member please visit Serendip for more information on how to apply.
The purpose of the event is for local businesses to network with fellow contractors on the Black Country Framework Contract for Minor Works and to meet new supply chain businesses from the Black Country. There will also be an opportunity to meet engineers from the participating authorities, including Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), to discuss the procurement procedures and the potential work available through the Framework agreement.
The event will also provide the opportunity to:
Network and speak directly with a variety of different civil engineering contractors
Hear more of how Sandwell businesses can be supported in their potential growth
Understand the support with labour employment and apprenticeships
Learn more of Sandwell Council’s Procurement registration on the Intend Portal
Understand how to be successful with future tenders with the opportunity to speak with bid writers and tendering professionals
Sectors that can benefit:
Builders Merchants
Sand & cement suppliers
Haulage
Road surfacing
Coated materials
Traffic signs
Traffic management
Street furniture & steelworks
Street lighting & electrical works
Road markings
Concrete products
Plant hire
Labour gang agencies
Landscaping & tree planting
The event commences at 8.30am with registration and breakfast, followed by a 9.15am presentation and the opportunity to network from 10.00am till 12.00pm.
Venue: Brasshouse Community Centre, Brasshouse Ln, Smethwick B66 1BA
The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) at Ansty Park, alongside Coventry City Council and technology communications agency React Communications, today announced the launch of Nucleus Expo West Midlands – a new science, technology and engineering themed event comprising thought-provoking presentations, participative networking opportunities and exhibitor showcases.
Set to take place on Tuesday 22nd November during Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nucleus Expo West Midlands will highlight the region’s talent for leadership when it comes to engineering and manufacturing excellence, whilst showcasing how it is attracting companies in a variety of other innovative fields. Participation at all levels from start-ups and university spin-outs to multinationals is encouraged.
Clive Hickman, CEO of the MTC, said: “Our role is to inspire great British manufacturing on the global stage, developing innovative processes and technologies in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions. That’s why we are perfectly positioned to host the first ever Nucleus Expo for our region and look forward to welcoming all to MTC.”
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, added: “I‘m really looking forward to seeing Coventry host another major event. The Nucleus Expo West Midlands will showcase both our city and the region as a whole to a host of people from across all areas of the tech world.
“It’s a great opportunity to highlight the number of companies that are moving in to the area due to all of the benefits of running a business in the region, including our existing skills base and all of the fantastic upcoming talent we have.”
Layla Stacy, Managing Director of event organiser React Communications commented: “We know that bringing together like-minded people from across the industrial and academic spectrums helps to fuel innovation and economic advances. We fully expect that Nucleus Expo West Midlands 2016 will play a big part in creating vital connections and cementing the region’s networks for future success.”
Sponsorship opportunities and exhibition spaces are available for some of the Midlands’ most innovative companies. Quite unusually, exhibitor space is free but will be allocated via an application process. Interested companies should email info@nucleusexpo.co.uk and explain in up to 500 words why their product or service should be showcased.
To find out more about Nucleus Expo Midlands 2016 as an attendee, sponsor or exhibitor, please visit www.wmnucleus.co.uk or call 02380 016199.
Venue: The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Coventry,CV7 9JU
Head of Early Investment Fund of Midven, Giovanni Finocchio, is coming to Innovation Birmingham Campus to hold a workshop providing all the information you need to know about venture capital for your business.
Midven is a venture captial firm based in Birmingham working with entrepreneurs to build strong and successful companies.
During the workshop Giovanni wil be covering:
What early stage venture capital or angel investors look for when investing
How to prepare and approach an investor to ensure the best deal for your business.
An opportunity to ask a vc questions regarding the process and top tips
This will be followed by a constructive round table discussion to assess what stage in the process your companies are at, as well as more in depth advice regarding specific growth strategies and when is best to approach Midven.
This event is open to Aston University studens, BSEEN partner university students and E4f members.
* * * PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED! NEW DATE TO FOLLOW SHORTLY. * * *
Think Sandwell is working in collaboration with Sandwell College to bring you the latest Get Connected in Sandwell event on Tuesday 22 November. Sponsored by NatWest, this evening networking event at the college is dedicated to the manufacturing and engineering sectors.
There will be two guest speakers during the evening.
Philip Calcutt from A&M EDM Ltd will talk about the role of research and development (R&D) in business and why it's important to SMEs, plus the challenges and opportunities it may present. He will also talk about tax credits for R&D.
Fab Lab manager Anne Scrimshaw will show you how you could utilise the local Fab Lab and its fantastic facilities. The ‘digital fabrication laboratory’ based at Sandwell College has a wide range of machines and tools (including 3D printers and precision laser cutters) available for use by businesses, creative professionals and schools.
Get Connected also presents plenty of opportunity for networking and the chance to take a tour of the Fab Lab.
If you would like to attend please register your interest here.
We look forward to seeing you.
ps. If you're from a Sandwell manufacturing or engineering firm, share your #madeinsandwell stories with Think Sandwell! Here's how.
We are delighted to announce an exciting forthcoming event offering you the opportunity to meet fellow contractors on the Black Country Framework Contract for Minor Works as well as new supply chain businesses from the Black Country.
This will be a chance to hear more about the expectations of the Framework Contract and what potential opportunities may be on offer.
The event will also provide the opportunity to: -
Network and speak directly with a variety of different civil engineering contractors
Hear more of how Sandwell businesses can be supported in their potential growth
Understand the support with labour employment and apprenticeships
Learn more of Sandwell Council’s Procurement registration on the Intend Portal
Understand how to be successful with future tenders – opportunity to speak with bid writers and tendering professionals
The supply chain we feel will benefit from this event will be from the following sectors -
Builders Merchants
Sand & cement suppliers
Haulage
Road surfacing
Coated materials
Traffic signs
Traffic management
Street furniture & steelworks
Street lighting & electrical works
Road markings
Concrete products
Plant hire
Labour gang agencies
Landscaping & tree planting
Time: 8:30 am registration/breakfast, 9:15am presentation, 10:00 – 12:00 Networking and close.
123insight offer a unique award-winning MRP/ERP system for any type or size of manufacturing
Attend our Free 2.5 hour Evaluation Workshop which tells you everything you need to know about the software and the unique way we do business.
The 123insight Evaluation Workshop takes just 2½ hours and is designed to help you understand whether our 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.
Venue: Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV10 9RU
We are offering Small to Medium size businesses (SME’s) the opportunity to participate in one-to-one reviews with a business solutions advisor to discuss the support and funding available to help your business develop and grow. With each sessions lasting approximately 45 mins each.
Venue: The Black Country Growth Hub, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV10 9RU
Thinking of starting or just started a new business? The Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre is pleased to invite you to a FREE 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
There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required
Venue: Visualisation Centre, Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, Glashier Drive, Wolverhampton, WV10 9RT
These FREE sessions are run free of charge for Chamber members, and are delivered exclusively by Chamber members to help you to tap into the vast amount of knowledge and insight that Chamber members can share.
Samantha Haydon - Shukers Limited
The value of Customer Service from the showroom floor.
Samantha Haydon is responsible for all Shukers training including sales, customer service and induction. She will use this workshop to explore Customer service training amd how it should be used to unlock your potential and that of your team. Customer experience and excellent customer service is at the heart of what Shukers aim to deliver and has become imperative to maintaining high levels of performance in their business. Regular customer service training enhances behaviours and promotes thoughtful assessment of how individuals can become effective and feel valued in their roles.This introduction taster to Customer Service training demonstrates how Shukers encourage self-awareness and improved interpersonal skills in a fun, non-judgemental way. Shukers Group has four busy vehicle dealerships in Telford, Ludlow & Shrewbury representing brands including Land Rover, Subaru, Isuzu and SsangYong.
Venue: Black Country Chamber Of Commerce, Creative Industries Centre, Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton, WV10 9TG
FREE of charge for chamber members £20 + VAT for non members
Philip Hammond MP will deliver the first Autumn Statement of the newly formed Conservative government on 23rd November 2016. In relation to this, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce are holding a live event in association with Wolverhampton Grammar School. Experts will provide on the spot analysis and comment on the announcements.
Delegates from a range of business sectors will watch the Chancellor's Autumn Review Live and will hear immediate reaction from a range of companies, offering you the chance to watch the budget away from your busy offices and discuss with your peers. In addition, a working buffet lunch will be provided during the event.
Join Aston Business School for a short insightful and topical presentation from a special guest speaker. Stay to network with like-minded professionals as we serve a a selection of drinks and canapes.
Our guest speaker on the 23rd November is Lauren Bansal, general manager at ORB, Birmingham’s fastest growing branding agency. She manages ORB’s operations and looks after their team of creatives, strategists and brand managers.
Lauren was one of the finalists in the Marketing and Communications category of BYPY Young Professional of the Year 2016.
Lauren will be sharing her insights into the importance and benefits of branding and how companies can leverage their brands to grow their businesses.
David Smith – Economics Editor, Sunday Times has over 25 years’ experience of being their chief economist and will bring a vast amount of insight when he presents on the global and domestic economy post Brexit, discusses the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and takes a look forward to 2017.
This event is open to all Innovation Birmingham Campus tenants and members.
Our monthly breakfast networking event. This event is a chance to introduce yourself to other Chamber members, to hear from local businesses and build up your contacts.
Venue: TBC
Chamber PassPort Free - £10 + VAT per Chamber member & £20 + VAT for non members
Find out how to boost your design and manufacturing productivity at this Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) Breakfast Seminar.
Innovative and competitive product development relies on having cutting edge CAD designs tools; take advantage of our Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) and New Product Development workshop, that will help you meet these key business requirements and help you to drive your business forward.
8.30am - Breakfast Networking
9.00am - CAD, CAE - finite element analysis (FEA) Simulation and New Product Development
9.45am - Questions and Funding Options
10 am - Close
Venue: Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
A Smarter Future for Sustainable Energy in Buildings
This year we have 6 highly influential and inspiring speakers that have scanned the future in their field and tell us how smart technology can help designers, manufacturers, builders and users of buildings to save energy.
Alastair Parvin founder of the Wikihouse project will tell us how his open source housing concept can allow the people to design and ‘print’ their own houses and how this innovative, off-site approach can positively impact on the supply of low cost homes in UK and globally.
Jimmy Aldridge IPPR will explain the newly announced changes to government policy and regulation (November 2016 planned policy announcement). It will be interesting to compare the UK government’s view on possible changes to with that of our exciting speakers.
Bill Dunster of ZEDfactory champion of zero-carbon building designs will explain how sustainable development is both affordable and achievable within current market constraints.
Jeremy Williams who’s influential blog has been scanning the domestic and global energy horizons for many years will give us an insight into the one of the big drivers which will transform the global energy usage landscape; battery storage.
Katie Critchlow of Powervault looking at the energy storage scene – will be able to inform on battery technology and explain the predicted cost reductions over the next 5 years.
Jonathan Berry of Western Power Distribution will explain how the grid infrastructure is changing to a SMART grid to accommodate the renewable energy revolution and the opportunities this will bring to business and society.
Energy Saving Convention
A Smarter Future for Sustainable Energy in Buildings
Climate KIC and the University of Wolverhampton are delighted to bring you this year’s Energy Saving Convention held at the iconic venue of ICentrum in the heart of the West Midlands. For this second Energy Saving Convention, we are delighted to welcome Climate KIC as our partners.
This year we have arranged for some inspiring speakers to look towards the future and consider how smart technology can help designers, manufacturers and users of buildings to deploy sustainable energy solutions to deliver low carbon, low cost and highly desirable buildings.
Programme
8.30 Registration, exhibition, networking and refreshments.
9.20 Opening address and welcome by University of Wolverhampton (Paul Hampton BECCI Director and Head of Built Environment, Faculty of Science & Engineering) and Tom Mitchell UK & Ireland Director Climate KIC
9.40 Moderator to introduce format for the event (Richard Davies MBE – Entrepreneur)
9.50 Horizon Scanning – Understanding the big drivers that will impact housing and buildings (Jeremy Williams – Make Wealth History)
10.20 What will homes and offices of the future look like? (Bill Dunster – ZED Factory)
Refreshments
11.05 Future direction of policy and regulation (Jimmy Aldridge – IPPR)
11.35 How will the Grid deal with renewable energy (Jonathan Berry – Western Power Distribution)
12.05 Update from the Wikihouse Heroes to review progress
12.15 Lunch, exhibition and networking opportunity
13.30 Smart Design and Manufacturing (Alastair Parvin – Architecture00 – Wikihouse Built Environment ClimateKIC accelerator)
14.00 Smart Energy Usage; energy storage in domestic and commercial buildings (Katie Critchlow – Powervault)
14.30 Plenary Q&A
15.00 Close of convention – refreshments will be available
Black Country Chamber of Commerce will be hosting our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 24th November 2016, following our Armed Forces Covenant Breakfast.
This event is open to both members and non-members of the Chamber, but please be aware that only Chamber members will be able to vote.
Venue: Walsall College Business Hub, Littleton Street West, Walsall, WS2 8ES
Thinking of starting or just started a new business? The Wyre Forest Business Solutions Centre is pleased to invite you to a FREE 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.
There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required.
Venue: Wyre Forest Business Solutions Centre, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, Worcestershire,DY11 7WF
C.L.M Construction Supplies Ltd are proud to be sponsors of Black Country Chamber Constructing Excellence breakfasts. CLM is a specialist supplier to the UK and Eire Construction Plant Hire Industry with an extensive range of tools, equipment, plant and specialist kit across approximately 1,800 core product lines.
.............Black Country Chamber of Commerce aim to engage more with the construction companies and suppliers within the local area to determine how we can be best positioned to provide assistance and growth to the sector..................
The breakfasts will explore opportunities and discuss a wide range of topics as well as examining future trends and potential within the Black Country and West Midlands area for those involved with the construction supply chain.
Venue: TBC
£10 + VAT per Chamber member & £20 + VAT for non members
Social Media Marketing is now at the top of the list in daily acitvities with generating leads, converting customers, building a brand reputation and getting the edge with competition! With over 80% companies reporting an increase in traffic to websites just through social activities alone!
Whatever the size of your business, there is no doubt about it, companies are increasingly harnessing the power of social media to grow sales. If you are responsible for marketing your business, then this event is for you! Last year's event sold out, and back by popular demand.
The one day conference is packed with no.1 social media consultants sharing how you can further increase sales, better convert leads and gain new customers fromthe main social media platforms! An event giving you the head up and covering all the hot topics emerging in the digital media today!
Event For:
Business owners, Heads of Marketing, Marketing Managers, Executives, Communications, Consultants, SME's, Sales Managers, Brand Managers, PR, Social Media Managers. Start-Up Entrepreneurs. Anyone who is interested in learning the skills & techniques from some of the leading social media experts in the UK!
What to Expect:
Digital Content
How to put together an effective social media marketing strategy.
Practical advice & techniques with content for b2b marketing.
The importance of brand awareness with social media content.
Social Media
How to create a social content strategy, marketing to your target audience.
Great Planning and structuring tips with your social media content.
Learn best practice for social media content.
Result driven information generating & measuring ROI with your content.
Linkedin: How to create a perfect profile on LinkedIn so people can find you and focus on the use of Company Pages.
Twitter: Integration and methods of focus on lead generation.
Top Tips for generating traffic.
Digital Marketing Trends
Identifying and monitroing trends.
The Next big thing for Digital Marketing.
Technology recommendations.
Venue: Hotel Novotel Wolverhampton - Union Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3JN
It’s been about 100 days since the referendum but what impact has it had on business and the economy so far?
Join Walking Among Giants for a fun fuelled, information packed and activity driven workshop designed to help you focus and make sense of the business landscape that is unfolding for post-Brexit.
Learn how to better predict and interpret the economic climate outside of your business
Identify opportunities and threats in business planning
Learn how to future proof your business by analysing its strengths and weaknesses
Get to grips with your appetite for risk and consider the implications for stabilisation, sustainability and growth
Learn how to implement and manage an effective programme of change
Leave at the end of the day with a bespoke action plan for implementation over the following 90 days.
There are varying viewpoints about the impact of the Brexit vote so far:
Positive Trends:
Consumer confidence shows resilience - Retail sales have maintained their growth (Office for National Statistics - ONS) so too have sales and sentiment in services, manufacturing and construction. (Market/CIPS Survey)
Expected 2016 GDP Growth forecasts issued by OEDC have been revised upwards from 1.7% to 1.8%
Cost of borrowing has been cut from 0.5% to 0.25%
Weakened sterling has stabilised and boosted exports (Bloomberg)
Tourism in the UK is increasing (ForwardKeys)
The rate of unemployment remains stable (ONS)
Australia, India, Mexico, Singapore, China and South Korea have all welcomed talks about post-Brexit trade (Teresa May)
Negative Indicators:
Inflation is on the increase (ONS)
Small businesses are pessimistic about the future (FSB) – investment, including job creation, has fallen (BoE)
Financial services industry could be damaged in the medium to longer term (Morgan Stanley)
Import costs have increased (ONS)
Materials brought in from abroad and fuel prices are on the increase (ONS)
The U.K. pension fund deficit is increasing due to falling bond yields (FT)
Britain’s trade deficit has widened (FT)
Any firm deals with the EU (trade, movement of labour & participation in the single market) could be years away (Reuters)
Timetable for the Day:
Session 1 - Recognising new opportunities and threats post Brexit
Session 2 - Identifying and managing internal resources and capabilities
Lunch Break - 1:00pm to 2:00pm*
Session 3 - Developing plans for stabilisation, sustainability and growth
Session 4 - Pulling it all together and dealing with the “What Next?”
*Please note lunch will not be provided as part of the workshop but catering facilities are available on the Science Park site.
Venue: Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Think outside the box and consider new perspectives
We live in an age of increasing turbulence, uncertainty and continuous change. To face these challenges, societies, economies and organisations around the world increasingly require people capable of finding and exploring new opportunities to generate value. This presentation introduces the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and discusses ways to develop it.
Dr Bruno Oliveira shares his research insight into what inspires entrepreneurial action and how nascent entrepreneurs can be more purposeful in their pursuit of this inspiration. He will also explore the role of emotions (e.g. passion) in promoting or constraining entrepreneurial action.
Bruno currently has two streams of research. The first emerges directly from his PhD and focuses on better understanding the use of strategy tools such as SWOT analysis, Porter Five Forces or Scenario Planning. Recently, however, his research is increasingly focusing on entrepreneurship. He is currently studying the practice of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education programs.
Bruno is very passionate about creating the best teaching and learning experiences to students and executives. He is continuously improving his teaching methods and truly believes that learning can be more effective if it is fun and based on action-based activities. He teaches at an international level and works closely with executives and organisations to promote learning and management development.
Venue: Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET
The Funding and Investment workshop offers participants the opportunity to gain an insight in to all the processes involved to identify and raise funding and investment for a start-up commercial | social enterprise - as well as identifies the work that can be completed to support the individuals to create start-up commercial | social enterprises in the future.
Venue: Birmingham City University Curzon Building, 4 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD
