Are you a local business owner interested in getting the most out of your business ? Could you use help creating a business plan , finding new customers , or understanding more about the region ?

Did you know that The Hills Shire Council offers workshops and programs to help your business grow and thrive ?

Mayor of The Hills Shire , Dr Peter Gangemi , said Council was committed to supporting local businesses with educational workshops , targeted demographic information and individual support .

“ Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy ,” Mayor Gangemi said .

“ Small businesses do so much for our region , including the provision of local jobs , offering the services we need close to home , and making The Hills a vibrant place to live and work .

“ We understand how important it is for businesses to succeed , which is why we ’ re offering support at every stage of the journey ,” he said .

Business help desk and concierge program

This free , individualised program empowers you with the resources you need to make sound business decisions . By booking an individual meeting , you can discuss your business needs , gain insight into free market intelligence , learn about grants , licences , permits and government regulations and connect with networking groups . Demographic resource centre Council ’ s demographic resource centre offers access to a wealth of data

and information to give you a better understanding of the characteristics of the region including local trends , population forecasts and insights into the workforce . Knowing more about your community can help you connect with your target audience , customise your marketing strategy and keep up with local trends . Business education series Get ready , set , and grow your business in 2024 with a curated series of workshops , webinars and interactive learning experiences . Most of the sessions are free and the series runs throughout the year covering essential business knowledge including :

- Book An Expert Digital Advisor ( 18 April , 16 May , various time slots , $ 45 + GST ): book a one-to-one session with an expert business advisor to work on all matters digital and marketing .

- Finding Your Customers : DIY Low-Cost Market Research ( 4 June , 6pm to 8pm ): learn about conducting research before launching a new product , service or business .

- How To Scale Your Business with Outsourcing ( 3 September , 6pm to 8pm ): navigate potential pitfalls and how to trust someone with your work that is not in your business .

- Success Through People ( 14 October , 6pm to 8pm ): learn about how to create a high-performance culture , understand your HR obligations , plus gain practical tips and information .

In addition , Council has also released its annual Business Performance Sentiment Index ( PSI ) survey . The survey is open to

Hills Shire businesses and measures the region ’ s business performance , conditions , and sentiment .

Results from the PSI will inform future training programs and workshops that will help businesses to grow and adapt to the economic conditions .

“ I am calling on Hills businesses to participate in the 2024 PSI survey , which will give key insights to the business community and allow Council to better target its economic development program ,” Mayor

Gangemi said .

“ Results from the 2023 PSI showed that businesses participating in programs were more likely to forecast growth in the upcoming year .

“ I encourage you to explore the many opportunities on offer and tailormake a program of support to suit your needs in 2024 .”

To book an individual help desk appointment , participate in the annual PSI or for details about the business education series , visit : www . thehills . nsw . gov . au and search “ Business ”.