A range of events tailored to local business needs, so whether you are starting a new business, a budding entrepreneur or a local business owner, there is something for you!
Forest Enterprise Week is a focused series of events, seminars, workshops and activities taking place across the area to highlight, encourage and support enterprise across the Forest of Dean. Places are strictly limited due to venue capacity, so please book your free place(s) in advance by emailing leanne.jeffreys@glosfirst.co.uk
Developed by local business support professionals in partnership with local businesses, the five days of activity filled learning opportunities will all take place in the Forest of Dean at some of the best venues for business events that the area has to offer.
Events Schedule
Monday 14th November – Start Your Own Business
Forest Hills Golf Club
9.30-12.30
Have you always wanted to work for yourself or maybe you are even already trying out a new business idea? Or perhaps you have recently found yourself unemployed. If so then this event is for you. If you are looking for business start-up advice, guidance and information then book on to Start Your Own Business.
Considering Starting Your Own Business- Andrew Callard (WSI Leading e-Solutions) & Miranda Jenkins (Skills to Go)
Come along to find out about the Forest’s very own free business start up courses which commence in November 2011.
Thanks to the Citizens Advice Bureau, there will even be some advice available if you are concerned about moving off benefits as you start earning money from your business.
This free half day session is open to all local people interested in finding our more about becoming self employed. Email leanne.jeffreys@glosfirst.co.uk to book your place today.
Tuesday 15th November – Expand Your Business
Vantage Point, Mitcheldean
9.30-12.45
If you are already running a small business and looking at the next stage of growth or development and would like know how to move forward, then come along to these free workshops. Run in association with Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce these workshops will demonstrate the steps to growth and will also give you access to growth specialists who will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice.
Choose up to TWO WORKSHOPS from those available:
Becoming an employer- Katherine Macbeth (Heather Resource Management Ltd)
This workshop is for you if your business has got to the point where you need more hands to either fulfil the orders or services you provide now or your business plan/projections suggests that you will get to this point in the future.
Planning for Growth- Nick Marsh (Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce)
Take this opportunity to clarify your thinking, increase your effectiveness and ultimately improve your profitability.
Starting to Export- Lucy Carr & Hilary Green (UKTI)
This interactive workshop will open your eyes to your company’s international potential, take a look at the opportunities and the pitfalls facing you and show you how UKTI can help you do it better.
This free half day session is open to all local business owners interested in finding our more about how to develop and grow their business. Simply email leanne.jeffreys@glosfirst.co.uk to book your place on your chosen workshops today.
Wednesday 16th November – Lead Your Business
Bells Hotel, Coleford
18.00-20.00
Lead Your Business- Rob Noble (The Leadership Trust)
Business owners often find they undertake many different roles within the business but being the leader of the business is often key to business success. The Lead Your Business session will help you to distinguish between working ‘in’ the business and working ‘on’ the business.
This free evening session, which is being run in partnership with The Leadership Trust is open to all local business owners interested in developing their leadership skills for personal and business improvement. Email leanne.jeffreys@glosfirst.co.uk to book your place today.
Thursday 17th November - Women in Business
Speech House
9.30-12.30
Women in Business- Sally Phillips (FWBN)
This open networking session is being run in partnership with the Forest Business Women’s Network and is perfect for both women considering self employment and those already running successful local businesses.
This free morning session, is open to all budding local female entrepreneurs and existing business owners interested in developing their local profile and network, simply email leanne.jeffreys@glosfirst.co.uk to book your place today.
Friday 18th November – Grow Business Breakfast followed by Marketing Master Classes and Networking in the Business Marketplace
Vantage Point
7.30-12.30
Come to our regular Grow Business Breakfast slot which is sponsored by Vantage Point, with keynote inspirational speaker and the chance to meet other local business owners.
Following the business breakfast we are delighted to offer a series of free Marketing Master Classes designed to boost three specific key areas of modern day marketing. These master classes are ideal for business owners who are keen to keep up to date with marketing trends and learn handy hints and tips and ways to apply them in small business.
Keynote Business Breakfast Speaker- Adam Starkey (Green Gourmet)
Forest Means Business are delighted to have secured the Chief Executive of top Gloucestershire business, Green Gourmet, as its Grow Business Breakfast key-note speaker.
Choose up to TWO MASTER CLASSES between:
Social Media for Business- Mark Terry-Lush (Renegade Media)
How can your business profit from social media marketing? Do you know how social tools impact your search engine rankings or how you can increase sales and awareness with Facebook or Twitter?
Low- cost Marketing Solutions- Andrew Callard (WSI Leading e-Solutions)
This masterclass begins with some basics of classical marketing, but moves quickly to how this has been fundamentally changed for the better for smaller businesses.
PR- Get Your Business Name Known- Maggie Mortimer (Mortimer PR)
During this interactive master class, local PR consultant, Maggie Mortimer, will be answering your questions on what kind of PR is right for your business.
This high profile event will also feature a BUSINESS MARKETPLACE where small local businesses can showcase and exhibit their services to the delegates in attendance. Exhibitions are an important part of effective local marketing and if you would like to take a stand on the day, please email Leanne Jeffreys. Limited space is available to exhibit so if you would like to reserve a table for only £30, please let Leanne know as soon as possible.
A large group of local business people are already involved in making this huge event happen, so we expect demand to be high, to book your place for you and your colleagues, please call leanne.jeffreys@glosfirst.co.uk
ForestBusinessEnterpriseWeek
A series of events tailored to local business needs, so whether you are starting a new business, a budding entrepreneur or a local business owner, there is something for you!