New series of workshops set to help South Cambridgeshire businesses become more successful

The latest series of fully-funded business workshops and webinars from South Cambridgeshire District Council's Business Support Service is launching in early February and places are available to book now.

The half-day workshops and webinars have been designed to help those running or thinking of starting a business in South Cambridgeshire. They cover a range of subjects focusing on the specific needs of local businesses, including: business planning, gaining new customers, as well as doing business online and via social media.

The workshop and webinar programme begins with ‘Business Planning - An Introduction' on Thursday 5 February and will conclude on Wednesday 22 April. All workshops and webinars are fully-funded by South Cambridgeshire District Council.

This season's webinar and workshop topics and locations have been devised based on a recent survey of businesses in South Cambridgeshire; so there should be relevant dates and subjects to suit a range of different types of business.

All workshop attendees are also eligible to receive free business support from experienced business advisers via phone, email or Skype. The follow up advice is available at no extra cost and will help attendees implement what they have gained from the workshop into developing their business.

The webinars and workshops are being delivered by Exemplas - a leading business employment, skills and support solutions provider - on behalf of South Cambridgeshire District Council.

This is the fourth series of workshops delivered as part of the South Cambridgeshire Business Support Service, continuing the Council's commitment to support local businesses, with a total of £26,000 being invested to provide business support, workshops and the follow on advice service this year.

The previous workshop programmes were extremely successful and supported a range of local businesses and start-ups. Attendees described the workshops as "a valuable opportunity for any potential businesses" and a "fantastic opportunity to learn", with "really good quality venues and speakers".

Cllr Nick Wright, South Cambridgeshire District Council's cabinet member responsible for economic development, said: "The last series of workshops we ran were an overwhelming success and helped fill a vital gap for many local firms who are looking to set up, develop their business and grow. We know how important it is for us to support businesses so our economy can prosper and more jobs can be created for our residents."

Malcolm Williamson, Commercial and Enterprise Director at Exemplas, said: "We are delighted to continue working with South Cambridgeshire District Council on its business support service. This gives Exemplas the opportunity to build upon the success of the workshop programme delivered over the past year and to introduce some new topics that, from research, we know that local businesses need. A key and unique element of the workshop programme is the business support provided by our experienced advisers to those who have attended a workshop."

A workshop place can be reserved by telephone:0844 346 0755(Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm) or by emailingsouthcambsbusinesssupport@exemplas.com

Details of all the business workshops being held can be found by visitingwww.exemplas.com/southcambs

-ENDS-

Notes for Editors:

South Cambridgeshire Business Support Service Webinar and Workshop Programme

A total of 6 half-day workshops and 2 webinars are being held between February - April 2015

The workshops cover 8 titles:

• Business Planning: An Introduction - Thursday 5^thFebruary 2015 (Webinar)

• Staying ahead of the competition - Monday 23^rdFebruary 2015

• The right web and social media presence for your business - Thursday 5^thMarch 2015

• Control your finances and be ‘investment-ready' - Tuesday 10^thMarch 2015

• Find new customers and keep them coming back - Wednesday 18^thMarch 2015

• Social media success strategy - Tuesday 24^thMarch 2015

• Business Planning: Growing and maintaining a profitable business - Thursday 16^thApril 2015

• Improving profit - Wednesday 22^ndApril 2015

All workshops and webinars are available those based in a South Cambridgeshire district postcode. Places can be booked by calling0844 346 0755(Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm), at which point payment will be taken by either credit or debit card. 

Cancellation Policy:Although our workshops are free-of-charge, if you need to cancel for any reason, please let us know at least 5 working days before the workshop or you may be chanrged a non-attendance fee of £20+VAT. This is to stop empty places on the workshop.

Full terms and conditions are available on request.

Exemplas

• Exemplas helps organisations to change, grow and prosper by delivering advice, support, information and training solutions to employers and individuals. Exemplas offers advice and support in Enterprise and Innovation; Leadership and Management; Diversity and Social Responsibility and Skills.

• The Exemplas Group also has an extensive record of successful public sector contract management. We work in partnership with our public sector clients to maximise the impact of funding and deliver robust accountable value for money at strategic and tactical levels.

For general media enquiries, please contact:

Ruth Oakey - Marketing Manager - Exemplas

Tel: 01707 398166, Email: RuthO@exemplas.com