BEC

Amplify Care Workshop: Transforming Your Business Using Digital Tools
2024-11-27 12:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Discover how digital technologies can enhance the way you run your care business. From collaboration tools to AI, you don't want to miss it!

Special guests Matthew Skinner and James Sinclair of Care City join us as special hosts for this insightful Amplify workshop, especially for businesses in the care sector.

Discover how digital technologies can enhance the way you run your care business. From collaboration tools to AI, learn how these technologies can improve efficiency and free up time to focus on delivering care.

Key Takeaways:

Learn about digital tools for care businesses
Explore case studies and best practices
Overcome barriers to adopting technology

Be sure to secure your spot and join us at the BEC conference room for an engaging session.

Amplify Information Breakfast
2024-11-20 09:30 - 11:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Ready to take your business to the next level? Join us for an engaging breakfast event to learn how the Amplify programme can help you!

Join Us for Our Amplify Information Breakfast!
Discover the Amplify Programme: Empowering Your Business for Growth and Sustainability
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Join us for an engaging breakfast event to learn how the Amplify programme can provide you with the practical tools and support your business needs to grow, thrive, and succeed. Previous participants have found Amplify invaluable for their growth, expansion into new markets, and for building strong networks with other business owners. Now, it’s your turn!

Why Amplify?
The Amplify programme offers real, hands-on support that is tailored to your business needs. Our core values focus on:

Establishing solid foundations for sustainable growth
Promoting sustainability to reduce your carbon footprint and lower costs
Enhancing digital presence to connect with your target audience
Supporting flexible work opportunities to retain staff and build a better work-life balance

Who Can Join?
For Amplify we welcome three key business categories:

Care businesses: Spanning the adult social care sector
Food businesses: Producers, street food vendors, cafés, restaurants, and event caterers
Generic businesses: Across diverse industries

Practical Support for Real Growth
Amplify provides practical, real-world support to help your business thrive, whether you need assistance with:

Improving your website
Building your online presence
Expanding into new market areas
Strengthening your business infrastructure
Innovation through using AI tools

Proven Results
Previous cohorts have found Amplify invaluable for achieving business growth, expanding their networks, and unlocking new opportunities. Our personalised approach ensures each business receives tailored support through:

Dynamic workshops
Specialised training
One-on-one coaching to meet your specific goals.

Come and find out how the Amplify programme can provide the practical tools and strategies you need to elevate your business!
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain hands-on support to transform your business with Amplify.

Amplify Workshop - Innovating in Care: The Possibilities
2024-11-13 12:00 - 14:00 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
The challenges across the care sector represent opportunities for innovation to help grow your offer, build skills and expertise.

Special guest facilitator, Matthew Skinner the CEO of Care city will deliver an insightful session on the Amplify programme specifically for the care sector.

Matthew has a strong background in public health, local government and consultancy with extensive experience leading innovative organisational change in the public sector and funding.
This workshop will focus on the challenges across the care sector and how they represent opportunities for innovation to help grow your offer, build skills and expertise in your organisation and offer enhanced care to your clients.

Why attend? Understand how innovation could help you address some of your current challenges.

Outcomes from this workshop will include:

Understand your challenges and your barriers to innovation
Understand some innovative models of Care and innovative tech being used locally and nationally
Equip you with the confidence to explore and experiment with innovative approaches to your challenges independently
Provide you with advice regarding funding for innovation and local links/relationships to support this

Don't miss your chance to benefit from this special workshop presented by Matthew Skinner at the BEC conference room.

How To Start A Business For Beginners
2024-10-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-07-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-06-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-05-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-03-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-02-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Essex
How To Start A Business For Beginners is a two-hour session for budding entrepreneurs and those thinking of becoming self-employed.

How to Grow Your Business
2024-10-17 10:00 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Discover the key elements to best support the growth of your business in this online session.

Increased operational costs, lower customer spending, it can seem like running a small business can be a challenge in these uncertain economic times. Yet challenging times can be a good prompt to review your finances, cut out unnecessary expenditure and help your business onto a firmer financial footing. A sensible review of how your business operations, a tight control of costs, and investing in your biggest asset (staff) can mean your business is well placed to emerge and be able to grow.

This workshop will:

Examine the foundations for growth.
Look at where inflammatory costs are causing pressure on your business.
How to check the financial health of your business
Provide tips on managing costs in your business.
Identify finance options including managing debt.
How to focus on customers as part of your growth strategy
Examine supply chain and business logistics, better for less.
Supporting your biggest asset to grow the business.

This workshop will be delivered ONLINE via Zoom.
Trainer: Andre Arundell

*Disclaimer: By attending this in person event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken during and may be used across digital marketing platforms and channels.

Building Business Resilience
2024-09-19 10:00 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Discover how to build business resilience with this in person session at the BEC.

Pandemic’s over right? The world has opened, but the last few years have left businesses working reactively rather than proactively, the old phrase is ever present ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’. Business resilience is the ability a business must quickly adapt to disruptions while maintaining continuous business operations and safeguarding people, assets, and overall brand equity. Business resilience goes a step beyond disaster recovery by offering post-disaster strategies to avoid costly downtime, shore up vulnerabilities and maintain business operations in the face of additional, unexpected breaches.
An often-overlooked challenge of business resilience planning is the human element, whereby individuals in a chaotic situation must be prepared and educated on how to respond accordingly.

This workshop will

Explore the different areas of resilience a small business needs.
We will explore the business model resilience map.
How to support staff to build resilience
Lastly, a peak at personal resilience and how to manage difficult situations and business traumas.

This workshop will be delivered Face to Face
Trainer: Andre Arundell

*Disclaimer: By attending this in person event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken during and may be used across digital marketing platforms and channels.

Finance for Small Business
2024-07-23 10:00 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Learn how to manage finances effectively for your small business at our in-person event.

You may be thinking that finance is only important for startups! Wrong as a business grows finance and how it is managed becomes ever more important. This workshop is for directors, business owners and managers, who are required to use, interpret, or produce financial information but have had little or no formal training within the field of finance.

This workshop will:
Examine the responsibilities and accountabilities for Directors and business owners.
Examine governance and finance principles.
Explore how a financial strategy works for a small business.
Look at examples of key financial documents such as, the Profit and Loss Statement and the balance sheet.
Examine the cash flow statement and what it is showing you.
Cash Flow Statement
Identify financial risks and how to manage them.

This workshop will be delivered Face to Face
*Disclaimer: By attending this in person event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken during and may be used across digital marketing platforms and channels.

Public Sector Contracts – Fit to Supply
2024-07-01 10:00 - 12:30 | Essex
Get ready to learn how to win those public sector contracts and make your business shine at this key workshop!

One of the reasons that SMEs don’t win a tender is that they don’t answer the questions in the specification. That along with not pricing their good or service right. It’s important when responding to public sector contracts that you address all the questions being asked in the specification. The contracting authority is asking them for a reason. These will help them understand whether your business has the capabilities and capacity to deliver the contract.
This workshop will look at the process of applying for public sector contracts, what you need to have in place and what the buyer will often want you to demonstrate in your public sector contract response that they:

Understand what they’re asking for.
The legal requirements
Have the economic and financial abilities and resources to fulfil the contract.
Hold evidence of a track record in delivering similar goods or services to similar standards
Have a qualified and professional team to deliver the contract.
Can deliver social value as part of the contract.
Where to find public sector contracts

This workshop will be delivered online
Trainer: Karen West-Whylie.

Getting Started with Digital Marketing
2024-06-20 10:00 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Learn the basics of digital marketing and kickstart your online presence at this online event, "Getting Started with Digital Marketing."

In this day, and age, a world without the internet is unimaginable. With over 4.5 billion active users across the globe, the web has become the main hub for sharing and disseminating information - whether it’s updates about family, news in science and politics, or entertainment passed between friends. Digital marketing is essential for small businesses but getting started can feel overwhelming.

This workshop will provide an opportunity to embrace the world of digital marketing, providing explanations of the major components:

The Workshop will

Provide an overview of what is digital marketing.
Why you need digital marketing.
Examine the benefits of digital marketing.
The different types of digital marketing
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Content marketing – how to get started.
Social Media marketing - identifying the best channels for your business.
Look at the benefits of outsourcing vs. in-house roles.

This workshop will be delivered face to face.
Trainer: Andre Arundell
*Disclaimer: By attending this in person event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken during and may be used across digital marketing platforms and channels.

Discovering Construction Opportunities in Barking & Dagenham
2024-06-11 09:30 - 11:30 | Three Sixty Workrooms, Three Sixty Workrooms, 36-48 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8NW, United Kingdom
Come join us at Three Sixty Workrooms to explore exciting construction opportunities for this growing sector in Barking & Dagenham!

Unlock Exciting Opportunities in the Construction Industry in Barking and Dagenham!

Are you looking to tap into the thriving construction industry in Barking and Dagenham? Join us here at the BEC for an exclusive event to learn how you can be a part of the many opportunities available here in our community. !

The construction industry is booming nationwide, driven by a high demand for new homes and this trend is particularly strong in Barking and Dagenham, with prime land developments ready for transformation. Barking and Dagenham council is leading the way with ambitious plans to build 50,000 high-quality new homes, potentially creating 20,000 new jobs by 2037. Their commitment ensures that these developments benefit our local residents and support local businesses. To this end, all major developers are required to allocate 25% of their total expenditure on goods and services to businesses based within the borough.

Join us to discover how you can get involved in shaping a brighter future for Barking and Dagenham!

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, June 11th
Time: 9:30 AM - 11.30 AM
Location: Three Sixty Workrooms, 36-48 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex IG11 8NW

This event is designed to bring developers working in the area, including Be First, and the council to share the latest details on upcoming opportunities. Whether you’re a small business, an established entity, or an emerging entrepreneur, this is an event you don’t want to miss. There could be a perfect opportunity waiting for you.

Secure your spot now and take the first step toward discovering new business opportunities in construction! We look forward to seeing you there.

Disclaimer: By registering and attending this in person event, you acknowledge that images and videos may be posted on our digital channels.

Navigating Success: Leadership Essentials for Small Business
2024-05-16 10:00 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Join us for a power-packed in-person event where we'll explore effective leadership strategies tailored for small businesses.

When you own a small business, you're the CEO, the cleaner, the HR department, and everyone in between. It's hard to think of yourself as being a leader because you started by just managing yourself. However, as your business grows, simply managing the day-to-day of your business isn't going to set you up for growth and success. You need to look at your business through a different lens if you want to achieve the vision that made you go into business in the first place. The qualities that make a successful entrepreneur are not always those of an effective leader.

This workshop will:

Examine why a clear vision for your business is essential, and how you ensure the whole team deliver.
Identify essential skills for small business leaders to ‘lead’.
Identify how to create a culture that’s right for your business.
Look at leadership styles and identify yours
Look at when you need to ask for outside help.
Look at crisis management in small businesses.
How can a small business support professional development (apprenticeships, leadership training, Personal development plans)

This workshop will now be delivered ONLINE.
Trainer: Karen West-Whylie

*Disclaimer: By attending this event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken during and may be used across digital marketing platforms and channels.

Official Launch Event: Building Bridges Programme
2024-04-25 09:30 - 12:00 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Don't miss the Launch Event for the Building Bridges Programme - a business support programme for social sector business in the borough.

You're Invited: Launch Event of the Building Bridges Programme!
We are thrilled to extend an invitation to you for the launch event of the Building Bridges Programme, an exciting initiative spearheaded by the Barking Enterprise Centre (BEC).

Our launch event marks the beginning of an endeavour aimed at empowering social sector businesses and fostering growth within the vibrant community of Barking and Dagenham. The Building Bridges Programme is founded on a mission to provide essential business support to social sector businesses, enabling them to not only start but also thrive and grow within our community. Our goals are centered around fostering collaboration, capacity building, and sustainable growth within the social sector.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey towards empowerment and growth. Your presence and support are invaluable as we work together to create positive change within our community.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Time: 9.30am
Location: BEC, 50 Cambridge Road.

Please emaile tanvir.bharaj@barkingenterprisecentre.co.uk to confirm you registration at this event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

*Disclaimer: By attending this in person event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken during and may be used across marketing platforms and channels.

Developing Your Brand Story
2024-04-23 10:00 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Learn how to craft a compelling brand story that captivates your audience and sets your business apart, join us on April 23, 2024.

Successful businesses all do one thing well: tell powerful, compelling stories. Stories are engaging and they help us form connections between ourselves and the storytellers. This creates an opportunity for businesses that want to build strong relationships with their audience.

The art of brand storytelling promotes the effective communication of your brand story, which is a summary of your business’ history, mission, purpose, and values.

This interactive workshop will:

Examine why brand story telling matters.
Identify and discuss the elements of a powerful brand story.
Discuss the elements of a powerful brand story.
Look at brand archetypes and how they influence.
Look at the seven steps to your own brand story.

This workshop will be delivered Face to Face
Trainer: Andre Arundell

*Disclaimer: By attending this in person event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken during and may be used across digital marketing platforms and channels.

Be Part of the Film Industry Growth in Barking and Dagenham
2024-03-26 17:00 - 19:00 | Three Sixty Workrooms, Three Sixty Workrooms, 36-48 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8NW, United Kingdom
Join us to learn how you can be a part of the booming film industry in Barking and Dagenham!

Film and media are not just sectors; they are thriving ecosystems right here in our community. With the Wharf Studios in Barking and the Eastbrook Film Studios on the rise, the landscape for growth and collaboration has never been more promising.

Are you eager to explore the many contracting opportunities within the film industry? If so, be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, 26th March from 5pm to 7pm for an exclusive gathering at Three Sixty Workrooms, located at 36 – 48 Cambridge Road, Barking Essex IG11 8NW.

This event is not just about networking; it's about shaping the future and growth of these exciting sectors. Are you ready to discover first-hand what lies ahead? Are you keen to learn how your enterprise can be an integral part of the story?

Join us as we delve into the exciting possibilities that await small businesses like yours. Whether you're an established entity or an emerging entrepreneur, there may just be a perfect role for you.

Public Sector Contracts – Fit to Supply
2024-03-21 10:00 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Get ready to learn how to win those public sector contracts and make your business shine at this key workshop!

One of the reasons that SMEs don’t win a tender is that they don’t answer the questions in the specification. That along with not pricing their good or service right. It’s important when responding to public sector contracts that you address all the questions being asked in the specification. The contracting authority is asking them for a reason. These will help them understand whether your business has the capabilities and capacity to deliver the contract.
This workshop will look at the process of applying for public sector contracts, what you need to have in place and what the buyer will often want you to demonstrate in your public sector contract response that they:

· Understand what they’re asking for.
· The legal requirements
· Have the economic and financial abilities and resources to fulfil the contract.
· Hold evidence of a track record in delivering similar goods or services to similar standards
· Have a qualified and professional team to deliver the contract.
· Can deliver social value as part of the contract.
· Where to find public sector contracts

This workshop will be delivered face to face.
Trainer: Karen West-Whylie.

Inspiring Inclusion - Women’s Month Speed Networking Event
2024-03-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Three Sixty Workrooms, Three Sixty Workrooms, 36-48 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8NW, United Kingdom
Come and network with us & join the public pledge to do one thing to inspire inclusion for women & girls in Barking & Dagenham in 2024!

Join us in celebrating Women's Month and International Women's Day with this year's theme, "Inspire Inclusion." This theme resonates deeply with the ongoing efforts across our borough of Barking & Dagenham to support women and girls, ensuring they have equal opportunities.
Did you know that in our borough, women leaders outnumber men in the social sector? Our partners in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham have a female Chief Executive, with more women than men in the cabinet of elected members. This representation is crucial as it provides visual role models for women and girls, showcasing diverse perspectives and leadership styles.
Research suggests that women often excel in leadership roles due to their ability to bring fresh perspectives, promote diversity of opinion, and prioritise work-life balance. Furthermore, women are more likely to seek assistance and support when needed, contributing to a more collaborative and inclusive environment.
With Barking and Dagenham boasting the youngest population in the country, it is our responsibility to inspire all young people to reach their full potential, seize opportunities, and prioritise their well-being, especially in these challenging times when mental health is a growing concern.
Don't miss this speed networking event on Wednesday, March 20th, from 5 pm to 7 pm, where you can connect with like-minded individuals. During the event, we will collectively pledge to take action to inspire inclusion for women and girls in Barking and Dagenham in 2024. Men are also encouraged to attend and contribute to this important conversation.
Together, let's inspire inclusion and create a more equitable future for all in our community.

Developing Your Market Entry Strategy (Finding new markets)
2024-02-27 10:00 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
Learn how to expand your business into new markets and create a successful market entry strategy in this online event!

Expanding your brand/business into new markets allows you to potentially reach new customers, expand your business and grow your revenue. However, the process can be complex and filled with complications. A market entry strategy maximises your chances of success when moving into a new market.

This workshop will look at some of the reasons to consider before moving into a new market, the differences in the domestic and international market opportunities, and how you develop a market entry strategy effectively, and a plan to expand the visibility and distribution of a product or service.

This workshop will:

· Examine why you should consider moving to new markets.
· Look at market research and how to identify competitors!
· Explain domestic markets vs International.
· Identify the risks involved in moving to new markets.
· Identify the different types of market entry strategy.

This workshop will be delivered online.
Trainer: Andre Arundell
