The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 12: Summer 2019 | Page 10

INVEST IN BATH LOCAL BUSINESSES BENEFITTING FROM FREE ADVICE Our free programme of business support continues into the summer, where local SMEs can tap into up to 12 hours of free business advice and guidance to help them achieve their ambitions! Our experienced business consultants, Cool Ventures, are on hand to provide one-to-one specialist advice on a range of topics. Session topics could include feedback on new business ideas, business plans and sales strategies, and offer advice on finance, employment issues, resource efficiency, social media and more. There are also interactive group workshops, providing networking opportunities with like-minded attendees. Workshops including starting in business, business planning, marketing, social media and finance basics. Here’s a flavour of just some of the workshops we have available over the course of the summer... STARTING IN BUSINESS: Wednesday 5 June 18:00 A workshop designed for people who have recently started a business, or are thinking of doing so. Attendees will learn how to set up a business, comply with legislation and find customers. BUSINESS ESSENTIALS FOR NEW BUSINESSES Wednesday 3 July 09:30 More intensive than ‘starting in business’, this workshop explores key topics covering business planning, understanding customers, marketing, finance, tax and action planning. CREATING CONTENT FOR DIGITAL MARKETING Thursday 6 June 09:00 This workshop is for businesses looking to grow, raise awareness or enhance their digital presence, through creating compelling content online. WIN MORE CUSTOMERS Thursday 4 July 10:00 This session will help attendees identify potential customers, understand their buying behaviour as well as develop a tailored marketing campaign. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE Wednesday 19 June 09:30 Targeted at customer-focussed businesses, this workshop will help attendees build a rapport with customers, improve their skills at dealing with complaints and ensure customers have a lasting positive impression of their business. For any residents wishing to set up a new business, the service also offers a start-up programme to help answer all the key questions facing new entrepreneurs and get their business off to a sound start. The service is free for people in Bath & North East Somerset thanks to funding from Bath & North East Somerset Council and the EU’s European Regional Development Fund. The project is set to end in December 2019 so do not hesitate to take advantage of the support available. Contact Cool Ventures on tel: [phone] or email: [email protected] to register for the programme. 10 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019