Getting Started with Digital Marketing
2024-06-20 10:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | 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.

How To Start A Business For Beginners
2024-06-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-07-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-24 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Care Workshop: Transforming Your Business Using Digital Tools
2024-11-27 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-04 12:00 - 14:00 | 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 Care Workshop: Responding well to bids and tenders
2024-12-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
The aim of this session is to help care organisations develop practical experience about how to respond to bids and tenders.

Join special guest facilitator Matt Skinner and Emily Brooks from Care City for this practical and important workshop. The aim of this session is to help care organisations develop practical experience about how to respond to bids and tenders well in the public sector.

Workshop Aim: This will be a practical working session for care businesses to understand how to respond to bids and tenders in the public sector.

Workshop takeaways:

Understand how bids and tenders work in the public sector
Understand what can help you respond well to a tender, what tools might be out there to help
Understand what a good response should include
Think about what social value means and how to address this in your response

Be sure to secure your spot for this important Amplify workshop. Kindly note 1 ticket admits 1 person.

New Year's Networking Lunch - Barking & Dagenham
2025-01-16 12:00 - 14:00 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
We're diving into 2025 by bringing the local business community together for an exciting afternoon filled with opportunities, connections.

Barking and Dagenham: Where Opportunities Are Booming!
Join Us for Our New Year's Networking Lunch!

Dive into 2025 by attending this exciting networking event! We're bringing the local business community together for an exciting afternoon filled with opportunities, connections, and insights. Here's why you can't afford to miss it:

Discover the Latest Grant Funding & Programmes: Gain exclusive insights into financial support and initiatives designed to help your business thrive.

Mentorship & Training Opportunities: Equip yourself and your team with the tools to excel in 2025 and beyond.

Connect with Like-Minded Professionals: Expand your network, exchange ideas, and spark collaborations in Barking and Dagenham's dynamic business ecosystem.

Bring your festive spirit and leave with inspiration, knowledge, and new connections!

This is your moment to embrace the booming opportunities in Barking and Dagenham. Let’s grow together.

Reserve your spot today!’

A Beginners Guide to Starting a Business #Launching Your Dream
2025-01-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Essex
This interactive online workshop is designed specifically for UK-based startups and pre-start businesses looking to harness the power of AI

A Beginners Guide to Starting a Business #LaunchingYourDream
2025-03-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Essex
This interactive online workshop is designed specifically for UK-based startups and pre-start businesses looking to harness the power of AI

Are you thinking of starting your own business or in the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey? Are you curious about how AI tools can give you a competitive edge? This interactive online workshop is designed specifically for UK-based startups and pre-start businesses looking to harness the power of AI to thrive in today’s fast-paced market.

Who Is This Workshop For?

Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to launch a new business in the UK.
Early-stage business owners looking to streamline operations and scale efficiently.
Anyone curious about how AI can enhance business processes, decision-making, and customer experience.

What You’ll Learn:
Startup Essentials: Key steps to successfully starting a business in the UK, including legal, financial, and operational requirements.
AI for Startups: Discover practical AI tools for market research, customer engagement, automation, and more.
Financial Planning: Learn how to create an effective business plan and explore funding opportunities using AI-powered tools.
Scaling with AI: Uncover strategies to integrate AI into your operations to scale your business efficiently and sustainably.
Real-World Applications: See live demonstrations of AI tools in action and learn how to implement them in your business.

Why Join This Workshop?
Save Time and Money: Learn how to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency with AI.
Make Smarter Decisions: Use AI-powered analytics to understand your market, customers, and competitors better.
Be Prepared: Gain actionable insights on starting and running a business in the UK, from taxes and VAT to legal structures.
Access Expert Guidance: Benefit from insights tailored to the challenges and opportunities facing UK startups.

Details:

Duration: 2 Hours
Format: Online (Zoom)

Take the first step toward building a successful and future-ready business. Secure your spot now!

Power Forward: Women Transforming Business
2025-04-03 09:30 - 12:30 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
This inspiring women's business event features influential speakers & empowering conversations designed to help women thrive in business!

In celebration of Women's Empowerment Month (yes, we know we're late!), and we planned it this way to ensure our entire community can participate after Ramadan.
You don’t want to miss this inspiring women's business conference featuring influential speakers and empowering conversations designed to help women thrive in business.
Keynote Speaker:Hear from Gilly Tobin, Director at Altair, as she shares her journey as a woman in construction and her path to success.
Our Esteemed Guests:

Cllr Ashraf - Deputy Leader of the Council
Cllr Sade Bright - Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Enterprise

Interactive Workshops - Participants can choose between two engaging sessions on the day:

Mental Health Literacy Workshop
Telling Your Brand Story

Be sure to secure your spot and gain valuable insights, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and discover new opportunities for growth.
Register now and power forward with us!

Empowering Women in the Care Sector: Innovate, Sustain, and Transform
2025-04-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Barking Enterprise Centre, Barking Enterprise Centre, 50 Cambridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8FG, United Kingdom
This event brings together visionary individuals who are revolutionising the care sector through technology, sustainability, and innovation.

Join us for an inspiring event celebrating Women’s Empowerment Month. This gathering brings together visionary individuals who are revolutionising the care sector through technology, sustainability, and innovation. We warmly welcome participants of all genders to engage in this enriching experience.

Don't miss it!
Keynote Address by Natalia Nicholson: An accomplished entrepreneur and digital marketing specialist, Natalia will explore the integration of technology in the care sector, highlighting how digital tools can enhance care delivery and operational efficiency.
Demonstration by Carly and Katie Rochester: Co-founders of the ME Passport app, Carly and Katie will showcase their innovative platform designed to revolutionise recruitment in the health and social care sectors by streamlining compliance processes and empowering professionals to manage their employment data effectively.
Presentation by Julie Cleijne: Founder and CEO of Sustainable Kitchen Consultants, Julie will delve into the critical relationship between people, profit, and the planet, offering insights into implementing sustainable practices within the care industry.

Who Should Attend: Care sector professionals, Healthcare administrators, Sustainability advocates, Technology enthusiasts, Individuals of all genders interested in empowerment and innovation in care.

Why Attend:

Gain valuable insights into technological advancements in care
Learn about sustainable practices that benefit people, profit, and the planet
Discover innovative solutions to streamline recruitment and compliance
Network with like-minded professionals and thought leaders

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative discussion on empowering individuals in the care sector. We look forward to welcoming you to an afternoon of inspiration and innovation.

Community Leaders Lunch at Heath Park
2025-06-26 11:30 - 2025-07-20 14:30 | Heath Park Community Centre, Rusholme Avenue, Dagenham, England, RM10 7PR, United Kingdom
Community Leaders in Barking and Dagenham are invited to join us for a lunch and networking event hosted at Heath Park Community Centre.

The BEC together with Heath Park Consortium welcomes all Community Leaders to join us for a FREE Community Leaders networking event. Come meet with us and enjoy a lunch on us.

We are welcoming leaders from faith or community organisation who would like to come and meet with us to discuss all things community.

Don't miss your opportunity to experience the space upgrades at the Heath Park Community Centre and to connect with other organisation leaders in the borough.

Registration is essential for catering purposes.

We hope to see you there!

Why Your Business Growth Matters
2025-11-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Ripple Centre, Ripple Road, Barking, England, IG11 7PB, United Kingdom
Business growth connects ambition with meaningful impact, join us to turn enterprise success into lasting social benefit & shared prospects!

Business growth is the engine of change in Barking and Dagenham. It’s how local businesses, social enterprises and SMEs turn potential into progress, create jobs, and build stronger communities.
This event explores how your growth is essential for fuelling meaningful social impact through collaboration and drives real economic impact.
Let’s create impact through collaboration.
In Barking & Dagenham, every step of growth has the power to:

Open up new opportunities for local people, businesses and organisations
Build the skills and confidence our borough needs for the future
Strengthen the fabric of our communities by investing back into our economy, people and place
Growth bridges strong enterprises and thriving communities, unlocking potential, creating opportunities, and sharing success for all.
Growth most importantly is made up of everyone’s contribution, creating a true community of givers where your success also strengthens the whole community.

What We’ll Explore Together

Keynote insights - Smart tips to grow your business
Workshops - Digital Marketing, When to Hire, Financial Essentials
Networking- connect with local businesses & partners
Impact -Turn growth into community value

Who Should Join?

Voluntary/Social enterprises, SMEs & Entrepreneurs
Local organisations supporting growth

Your growth is more than business it’s the bridge to stronger communities. Growth is made of everyone’s contribution, creating a community of givers.

Heath Park Galantine's Disco with DJ Hills
2026-02-13 19:30 - 23:00 | Heath Park Community Centre, Rusholme Avenue, Dagenham, England, RM10 7PR, United Kingdom
Get ready to dance the night away at the Galantine's Disco - it's going to be a blast!

Get ready to celebrate friendship and community at our Galentine's Disco! Join us the night before Valentine's Day for an evening dedicated to friendship, fun, and dancing.

Disco with DJ HillsLine Dancing with Hillary from Hills n Toes (please bring low-heeled or flat shoes).Dress to impress!

Hit the dance floor with DJ Hills, and try your hand at line dancing.
Friday 13th February at Heath Park 7.30pm – 11:00pm.
Tickets are just £5 AT THE DOOR, and you're welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks.

Whether you're coming with friends, family, or looking to make new connections in the community, this is a night to celebrate the people who matter most. Round up your crew and let's make it a night to remember!
