The changing face of retail and Brexit are among the subjects being explored by East Dunbartonshire Business Week 2019.
The Council and Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire are working with a range of partners to support people considering setting up their own business, as well as existing local firms.
East Dunbartonshire Business Week takes place between 13-17 May and offers a host of events on different topics, including:
- Business Week Launch Lunch - Prepare your business for Brexit (Mon 13 May)
Carl Gardiner - Trade Services, Scottish Development International - will discuss the implications of Brexit and support available for businesses. This will be followed by a Q&A session and an opportunity to discuss your specific situation with an experienced adviser.
- The challenges facing retail - how to weather the storm (Tue 14 May)
Run in partnership with The Royal Bank of Scotland, this session will be delivered by retail sector experts David Kaye and Andrew Fraser from Harper Macleod. They will share the best ways to mitigate the current risks facing town centre businesses and how to turn those risks into opportunities to grow.
- Meet our partners (Fri 17 May)
Drop in to meet a selection of partner organisations, including representatives from the Council (Trading Standards, Licensing and Environmental Health), Scottish Investment Bank, DSL Business Finance, Business Loans Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce, Zero Waste Scotland and The Prince’s Trust Scotland.
- Regain your work/life balance
- LinkedIn for business
- Selling with confidence
- Social media on a shoestring
- Self-employment as a career option
- Crafting workshops for business ideas
- Marketing - back to basics
- Introduction to tendering
- Steps to becoming a local authority supplier
- Customer service excellence
- How to set up a social enterprise in ten easy steps.
A variety of venues will be used in Milngavie, Torrance, Lennoxtown, Bearsden, Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch - including Kilmardinny House and Kirkintilloch Town Hall.
All sessions are free - visit http://businessworks.scot/business-week-2019 to book and for more information. Programme also available to download here.
Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, said, "I am looking forward to the 2019 East Dunbartonshire Business Week - which builds on the success of the inaugural series of events held last year.
"We have organised a comprehensive range of opportunities - including guest speakers, training workshops, networking opportunities and information sessions - in association with partner agencies.
"All of the events are aimed at supporting new and existing businesses in the area – covering subjects relevant to the local economy. I hope as many people and businesses take the chance to find out more.”
The week will culminate with the presentation of the East Dunbartonshire Business Awards on the evening of Friday 17 May in Kirkintilloch Town Hall.
The Council is organising the week with Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire and partners from the Economic Development Partnership.
The Partnership was set up to deliver a more co-ordinated approach to business support services and implement the East Dunbartonshire Economic Development Strategy – which aims to help businesses grow, creating more jobs and wealth in local communities.
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