As we enter the seventh month of Covid restrictions it’s clear that the uncertainty is here to stay for the medium to long term. Together with Brexit and global issues such as climate change and the rise in digital technology, there is a lot for businesses to be thinking about right now alongside day-to-day operation and growth, it can be overwhelming! If ever you need a sounding board to talk it all through with and help prioritise your business needs, our team are here to help. We partner with organisations across the region and between us all can cover the majority of support topics too. We would love to hear from more of you about the support that you need at this moment so please do tell us your thoughts bgp_team@chester.ac.uk.

Below are two new offerings that we would like to highlight this week, available to businesses registered on the C&W Business Growth Programme. These are aimed at supporting both with Covid recovery and ongoing financial resilience, and digital transformation. More information about these is provided further down.

• Digital Marketing support from University of Chester’s Business School students
• Free finance consultation from our Delivery Partner, Chris Sharkey (cashflow forecasting, pricing, funding, understanding accounts etc.)

Bryony Robertson

Business Development Manager

Workshop: Leadership & Management in a Changing World
Date: Tuesday 6th October, 09:30-11:30
Delivered by: Chris Sharkey
On this workshop you will learn how to build the resilience of your team, optimise productivity and improve employee satisfaction. The workshop is aimed at business owners, directors and senior leaders with a team of 2-50.

Workshop: Website & SEO
Date: Wednesday 7th October, 09:30-12:30
Delivered by: Displace Digital
This workshop is aimed at helping businesses develop an effective approach to search engine optimisation, (SEO), Google in particular. Providing an overview of the importance of SEO as a key element of online success and sharing tried and tested methodology to help lay the foundations of an effective SEO strategy.

Workshop: Food Photography for Beginners
Date: You MUST attend all three sessions, Friday 9th, Friday 16th and Friday 23rd October, 09:30 – 11:30
Delivered by: Love Your Lens
On this workshop, you will learn the practical skills to set up and style a table-top food (or product) shot, ideal for use on social media and websites. You will learn how to use the settings and options on a smartphone and a camera to take professional looking images.

Workshop: How to Build a Strong Brand and Add Value
Date: You MUST attend both sessions, Tuesday 13th and 20th October, 9:30-11:00
Delivered by: Clearly, Simply, Truly Marketing Management
The four most valuable brands in the world are worth some 6 billion dollars. Not many businesses will get close to those dizzy heights. We can however use the same brand principles to strengthen and increase the value of our own brands.

Workshop: Pricing for Profit
Date: Thursday 15th October, 09:30-11:00
Delivered by: Chris Sharkey
Many business owners know that their pricing structure requires a review or update, but are fearful about the impact of increasing their prices. The workshop aims to relieve that fear and help you justify price changes and communicate them effectively to customers. The workshop is aimed at businesses at all stages of development, whether starting-up or adapting and improving an existing offering.

Workshop: Understanding & Creating Financial Accounts
Date: Thursday 22nd October, 09:30-12:30
Delivered by: Chris Sharkey
The workshop initially examines attendees’ understanding of financial accounts and builds on these skills, giving business leaders the confidence to oversee or manage financial performance. Understanding your accounts is crucial to increasing your business’ resilience to change, which is important now more than ever with Covid-19 and Brexit heavily impacting our economy and society. The workshop is aimed at owners and directors of businesses within the early years of growth, without an in-house finance team. It will cover some of the basics and go more into depth where attendees need it.

Workshop: Sourcing and Preserving Funding in an Economic Downturn
Date: Thursday 29th October, 09:30-11:30
Delivered by: Chris Sharkey
You will be shown you how to get your business investment ready, including how to best present to investors or lenders, whether this is something you are considering now or in the future. The workshop is aimed at owners and directors of trading businesses at all stages of growth.

Accelerate is part funded by the European Social Fund, for businesses across Cheshire to reskill and upskill their current workforce.

If your business has less than 50 employees, training is 100% funded (40% funded if you have more)! Business owners, Directors and Sole Traders are also eligible.

Below are some of the upcoming training courses that you could get involved with:

• Certificate in Leadership & Management Level 3 ILM – October 1^st
• Certificate in Leadership & Management Level 5 ILM – November 2^nd
• Website Design & Search Engine Optimisation – November 4^th, January 13^th and March 10^th
• CIM Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing – date TBC
• IDM Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing – date TBC
• CIM Foundation Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing Level 3 – date TBC
• CIM Marketing Principles – date TBC
• CIM Digital Fundamentals – date TBC
• Customer Service and Relationship Management in a Virtual World – date TBC
• Creating a Resilient Sales Plan in a Digital World: Closing the Sale – date TBC

(other upcoming courses include a Mini MBA, Directors Development Programme, Advanced Management Programme, Level 7 Certificate Strategic Management and Leadership, Level 5 Certificate Leadership and Management)

For business leaders facing challenges at the moment due to Covid-19, or simply wanting to supercharge their business, Accelerate has launched a Next Generation Business Strategy course. This is aimed at supporting small businesses to adapt to change, understand threats, review their business model and develop strategy to scale and thrive. It will help in mapping out potential futures using scenario planning, risks and opportunities of these and consider how they fit within the business’ strategic direction. To include the following:

• Group workshops spread over 3 weeks
• Independent work
• 1:1 support with a business coach
• A business/rebound strategy review

If you’re interested in any of the above training or want to discuss your bespoke training needs contact the Accelerate team acceleratecandw@chester.ac.uk or visit the website https://candwgrowthhub.co.uk/accelerate/. Most unaccredited courses can be tailored to meet learner needs and time commitments.

We are delighted to bring you recent case studies from businesses who have benefitted from business growth support from the Cheshire and Warrington Business Growth Programme……

Samantha was keen to become more confident and proactive in promoting her business to increase her customer base, particularly through Covid-19. Samantha signed up to the Cheshire and Warrington Business Growth Programme, joining the University of Chester’s  Business Bootcamp `Grow, Survive and Thrive’ which was all completed virtually. Samantha said that she was able to meet her goals without the need for one to one contact because the online support was so in depth . Samantha is now part of the Programme’s newly established Facebook Group and says that the experience has been hugely positive. Samantha registered with the Programme in May 2020, completing her objectives a month later and is still engaged with peers met during the process….Read more

Interested in accessing support from one of the UK’s leading Business Schools whilst providing valuable real world work experience to a skilled University of Chester student? If you lead a local business or start-up and have ambitious plans to grow and offer future employment opportunities, you could be eligible* to receive digital marketing support via a student project. Projects could include:

• Helping you decide on the right social media platform(s) for your business and getting your profile(s) off the ground
• Running a social media campaign
• Writing blog posts or other digital content

Contact bgp_team@chester.ac.uk if you are interested in working with a Business School student.

*Priority will be given to businesses potentially providing future employment opportunities to students and with clearly defined projects with strong benefit to the student. Your details will be shared with students in order for them to make direct contact and discuss requirements. Projects cannot be guaranteed as there is a limited number of students so express your interest as soon as possible. Project plans will be developed in the Autumn/Winter 2020 term, with implementation to start in January 2021 for a minimum of 3 weeks. This forms an assessed part of a degree module and is therefore unpaid, however if you would like to offer payment/compensation it can be discussed directly with the student.

BGP benefciary and University of Chester NoWFOOD client Italian Balance has received prestigious national recognition from the ‘Great Taste Awards 2020’ . Two of their meals have each received a star rating:

FLORENCE: Spelt and legumes traditional Tuscan soup

MARISOL: Black Venere risotto with calamari, prawns and zucchini

Congratulations.

Sunday 11 Oct 10.30am-12pm 

An independently organised TED event bringing people together from all across Nantwich and the surrounding areas to learn how climate change is impacting our local area and what we can do about it.

Featuring as guest speakers are BGP beneficiary Tim Boote of Protein Rebel discussing specifically how food choices impact climate change. Also in attendance is Simon Burgess, BGP project partner at Reaseheath College along with a vast panel of other distinguished guests.

Register here.

Wednesday 14th October

TEDx UoChester is hosting its own Countdown event with distinguished speakers from the University and Chester Zoo alongside some content from the global launch. This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the climate crisis and finding solutions.

Register here.

Expertise includes: Managing relationships with banks/funders, How to present your case to potential funders, Prioritising expenditure, Preserving cash and cashflow forecasting. 

Meetings available: Mon-Wed 10am-12pm. Please contact bgp_team@chester.ac.uk to arrange a meeting (phone call or Zoom, as preferred).

The focus of this discretionary grant is to protect jobs within those sectors and businesses most impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic.

The C&W Covid Recovery Grant supports businesses (SMEs) across Cheshire & Warrington affected by Covid 19.  The 100% grant of a maximum £5,000 is to help businesses develop new business models, develop new products and target new markets or customers.

Find out more.

Have you studied with us? Are you a graduate? Do you have children studying at the University? If you have a connection to the University outside of the Business Growth Programme, please let us know, it could make a great story. Please email: businessgrowth@chester.ac.uk.