Events Programme: January - March 2021

JANUARY 2021 TO MARCH 2021

EVENTS PROGRAMME SHARE KNOWLEDGE MAKE NEW CONNECTIONS BE INSPIRED

WELCOME Welcome to our latest events programme, covering our events up until March 2021, with an additional events programme coming April 2021.

Filled with a variety of online events, we’ve designed our programme to deliver events that inspire you, connect you to your peers, or support you to prepare and deliver your future plans.

All you need to do is make some time for yourself and come along to meet like-minded people and hear from those who have done it all before.

Taking a couple of hours out of your business to work on it with your peers is a great way to spark new ideas, discover innovative business solutions and make useful new connections, so what are you waiting for?

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A GUIDE TO OUR EVENTS Events come in all shapes and sizes, but all have the same goal of bringing together the most aspirational North East business owners to create opportunity, share knowledge and make new connections.

While this is our events programme as it currently stands, watch out for more announcements as guidelines may change and opportunities may arise to bring more to the programme.

MEMBER EVENTS

ECOMMERCE GROUP

Member events offer regular opportunities to hear from inspirational entrepreneurs sharing the highs and lows of their business journey.

As part of our mentoring programme, we have a group of eCommerce retailers who meet regularly to share ideas, news and challenges in the world of online retail.

MEET THE ENTREPRENEUR EVENTS

ROUND TABLES

Delivered in an interview style, our online Meet the Entrepreneur events allow you to hear more from both emerging and established entrepreneurs, to learn about the individual, the industry they operate within and their challenges and achievements.

Our chaired round table discussions are a great way to come together with fellow entrepreneurs to learn more about a subject and share your knowledge and expertise.

EXCHANGE EVENTS Our exchange events offer thoughtprovoking talks and interactive workshops to help business leaders build practical plans that enable them to overcome the barriers to growth.

SOCIAL EVENTS Informal gatherings, social events bring like-minded people together online in a relaxed way, for coffee and catch-up or evening drinks.

MENTORING SESSIONS Opportunities to speak to people who’ve done it all before, our mentoring sessions let you chat confidentially about your business with some of the region’s most successful entrepreneurs.

WEBINARS Bitesize online workshops, our hour-long webinars are delivered by industry experts and cover subjects directly related to business growth.

NORTH EAST ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS Our annual awards celebrate the achievements of the region’s most talented and successful entrepreneurs.

Attendance at our events is exclusively for Entrepreneurs’ Forum members and events are limited by capacity. We are following Government guidelines and our in-person events are subject to change depending on the latest guidance.

To book for any of the following events, and to keep up to date, please visit entrepreneursforum.net/events

PANEL DISCUSSIONS Inviting subject experts and entrepreneurs to share their views, our panel discussions offer focused conversations based on emerging opportunities within our region.

ENTREPRENEURIAL CONFERENCES The most prestigious business events in the North East, our annual conferences bring top-class speakers from some of the most successful, innovative and entrepreneurial organisations in the world.

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EVENTS AT A GLANCE There’s something to inspire and enlighten everyone in our event programme which has some of the most experienced and fastest growing business owners in the UK joining us to share their stories and expertise.

Meeting with likeminded people, our events offer you an enjoyable way to invest in yourself and continue to learn from experienced business leaders.

ONBOARDING DURING A PANDEMIC

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

2021: THE YEAR OF THE ENTREPRENEUR

HITTING RESET: BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR THE NEW ERA

Online Event Thursday 21st January 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

COFFEE AND CATCH-UP

Exchange Event Thursday 4th February 11am - 1pm Delivered via

Social Event Friday 22nd January 11am - 12noon Delivered via

ECOMMERCE GROUP

EMPLOYEE FINANCIAL WELLBEING

MANAGING STAFF IN 2021

Webinar Wednesday 27th January 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

ONBOARDING DURING A PANDEMIC Webinar Thursday 28th January 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

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Wednesday 10th February 9.30am - 11am Delivered via

Panel Discussion Thursday 11th February 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

HITTING RESET

COFFEE AND CATCH-UP Social Event Friday 12th February 11am - 12noon Delivered via

INVESTING AND THE BUSINESS OF ANGELS Round Table Thursday 25th February 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

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INNOVATION AND EVOLUTION

MARCH INNOVATION AND EVOLUTION

MENTORING SESSION

Webinar Thursday 4th March 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

Friday 12th March 1pm - 4pm Delivered via

COFFEE AND CATCH-UP Social Event Friday 5th March 11am - 12noon Delivered via

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN A VIRTUAL WORLD Round Table Tuesday 9th March 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: WHAT? WHY? HOW?

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: RENT OR BUY? Round Table Wednesday 31st March 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

Webinar Tuesday 23rd March 2pm - 3pm Delivered via

COFFEE AND CATCH-UP Social Event Friday 26th March 11am - 12noon Delivered via

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JANUARY 2021: THE YEAR OF THE ENTREPRENEUR Online Event Thursday 21st January 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for all members) As we enter the new year with renewed optimism, drive and determination to succeed, we started to think what would it take to make 2021 the year of the entrepreneur?

In this online event, Forum chairman James Robson MBE and CEO Jonathan Lamb will share how our members, the North East’s most ambitious entrepreneurs, can work together to lead the bounce back charge.

With a projected 4.8% growth in the economy for 2021, there will undoubtedly be opportunities for those with the hunger and desire to taken them. We will still face significant challenges so come together to learn how we can all support each other to rebuild our regional economy in 2021 and beyond.

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Hear from our new board members, including Brian Palmer (Tharsus) and Aman Chahal (Tapered Plus), who’ll share their ambitions for our region

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Discover who’ll feature on our 2021 Talking Future podcast series from fellow Board member Yvonne Bell and learn her key innovation takeaways from the 2020 episodes

By joining us on Thursday 21st January, you’ll: •

Have the opportunity to share your predictions for the year ahead and why you think 2021 will be the year of the entrepreneur

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Learn about our plans to digitise Forum membership with our tech partner Qrious

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Be part of the official launch of our spring 2021 events calendar, which will see speakers from across the globe sharing their expertise with us.

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EMPLOYEE FINANCIAL WELLBEING Webinar Wednesday 27th January 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for all members) With financial wellbeing now fundamental to any successful employee wellbeing programme (and a must for modern employers), we’ve asked Chris Black and Douglas Montgomerie (Brewin Dolphin) to share their practical hints and tips on how you can support your employees’ financial wellbeing both now and in the future.

COFFEE AND CATCH-UP

Whether your employees are preparing for retirement, or saving for a major purchase, in this one-hour webinar, Chris and Douglas will share how you can help your employees feel empowered and confident about planning for their future, from creating realistic goals to helping them take better control of their finances.

Social Event Friday 22nd January 11am - 12noon Delivered via FREE (for entrepreneur members) Grab a coffee, your microphone, and maybe a biscuit or two, then join our member Zoom group, we can’t wait to see you.

ONBOARDING DURING A PANDEMIC Webinar Thursday 28th January 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for all members)

Hiring and orienting new employees has always been central to business success, but it is especially important during times of uncertainty. How should you welcome, train and engage new employees in a world of social distancing, reduced time in the workplace and changing working circumstances?

In our one-hour webinar, Nicky Jolley (HR2day) will show you how to effectively onboard and manage new hires during a pandemic, sharing checklists and other valuable resources which will help you deliver an onboarding process which will make your new starters feel welcomed, ready to learn and eager to grow.

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FEBRUARY MANAGING STAFF IN 2021 Panel Discussion Thursday 11th February 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for all members)

HITTING RESET: BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR THE NEW ERA with Kelly Millar and Josia Nakash of The CEO Collective

Exchange Event Thursday 4th February 11am - 1pm

How can we plan ahead with so much uncertainty about the future?

That’s the question Kelly Millar and Josia Nakash (The CEO Collective) will address in their interactive workshop ‘Hitting Reset’. In this two-hour session, Kelly and Josia will show you how to: build a mechanism for decision-making in uncertain conditions; switch to a measurable, organic, sustainable growth model; and tap into collective wisdom, enabling new ideas to emerge and helping you prepare for a new era of business.

Delivered via FREE (for all members)

ECOMMERCE GROUP Wednesday 10th February 9.30am - 11am Delivered via FREE (for those who run online stores) Our eCommerce group of gives those operating online stores the chance to come together and enjoy topical discussions, share ideas, news and challenges from the world of online retail.

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With rules and regulations constantly changing for employers and employees alike, we’ve invited Jayne Hart (HR Dept Newcastle), Dr David Cliff (Gedanken) plus other experts in the field to share their experience and advice on how to manage staff in 2021.

In this one-hour discussion we’ll explore how the pandemic has changed the world of work. We’ll focus on what employers need to take into consideration when employing new staff, expectations on flexible working and home/life balance as well as safety precautions in the workplace, furlough, lay off clauses and more.

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COFFEE AND CATCH-UP Social Event Friday 12th February 11am - 12noon Delivered via FREE (for entrepreneur members) Grab a coffee, your microphone, and maybe a biscuit or two, then join our member Zoom group, we can’t wait to see you.

INVESTING AND THE BUSINESS OF ANGELS Round Table Thursday 25th February 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for all members) Investing money, time and knowledge into established but growing, early stage and start-up businesses, angel investors are critical to the growth of new industries and the lifeblood of any entrepreneurial community. But if you’re thinking of becoming a Business Angel, what should you expect? What are the risks and possible rewards? What motivates Angels and what’s it like to work with the entrepreneurs in the investments?

In a discussion led by James Robson MBE (Exwold Technology and Entrepreneurs’ Forum), Jonathan Gold (WH Ireland and Rivers Capital Partners), we’ll explore the role of angel investors in the business ecosystem. In particular, we’ll focus on: who business angels are, how to make start-up and early stage investments, what investment processes you should follow, and how to work collaboratively with other investors, fund managers and entrepreneurs.

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MARCH COFFEE AND CATCH-UP Social Event Friday 5th March 11am - 12noon Delivered via FREE (for entrepreneur members) Grab a coffee, your microphone, and maybe a biscuit or two, then join our member Zoom group, we can’t wait to see you.

INNOVATION AND EVOLUTION Webinar Thursday 4th March 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for all members) For those wanting to succeed, understanding what innovation means and the role it plays in business sustainability is vital.

At its core, innovation is about discovering new value for customers and drawing upon that insight to inform the evolution of your products and services (thereby increasing your competitive advantage and ensuring your company’s future).

In this ‘Innovation and Evolution’ one-hour webinar, Joanne Warren (lumo) will share the options available to innovative businesses looking to fund their futures while Kieron Goldsborough (Narrative) will explore the role of data in marketing and how data has changed the relationship between marketers and their customers.

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN A VIRTUAL WORLD Round Table Tuesday 9th March 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for entrepreneur members) Business development as we know it has changed. With conferences, trade shows and networking events now taking place online, many have had to revise their business development strategies in order to continue building their pipeline and turn new contacts into clients.

Hosted by Jessica Williams, Managing Director of Just Williams, our upcoming ‘Business Development in a Virtual World’ round table offers an open environment for you to discuss virtual business development with other entrepreneur members of the Forum.

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MENTORING SESSION Friday 12th March 1pm - 4pm Delivered via FREE (for entrepreneur members) Whatever stage of business you are at, speaking to people who have done it before can help; but finding the right person isn’t always easy. Our mentoring surgeries aim to help. Confidential one-to-one sessions, they give you a rare chance to talk through business challenges with other experienced entrepreneurs.

COFFEE AND CATCH-UP Social Event Friday 26th March 11am - 12noon Delivered via FREE (for entrepreneur members) Grab a coffee, your microphone, and maybe a biscuit or two, then join our member Zoom group, we can’t wait to see you.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: RENT OR BUY? Round Table Wednesday 31st March 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for all members)

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: WHAT? WHY? HOW? Webinar Tuesday 23rd March 2pm - 3pm Delivered via FREE (for all members)

In this one-hour webinar, David Dixon from DigitalCity will share the what, why and how of effective digital transformation helping you to evolve and grow your business.

Targeted specifically at Tees Valley based businesses, this webinar will show the options available to businesses in the area and how Teesside University’s DigitalCity programme can assist with digital transformation projects.

The last year has been extraordinary for the commercial property market.

A sector which was initially hit hard by the pandemic, the commercial property market is now beginning to show green shoots of recovery with businesses across the region starting to invest in commercial property.

Whether you rent your workspace, have previously invested in property, or are planning remote working for the long-term, our upcoming round table on commercial property offers an open environment for you to discuss the topic in greater detail with entrepreneur members of the Forum.

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SAVE THE DATE Our next events programme will be here soon, covering Forum events from April to July. Below are just some of the events you’ll see in the next programme - so save the date!

Book your ticket to any of the events below via our website www.entrepreneursforum.net

ALASTAIR WAITE Member Event Thursday 29th April 4pm - 6pm FREE (for all members) CEO of Altec Engineering, former Director at Onyx Group, our 2015 Mentor of the Year, and one of the region’s leading entrepreneurs - Alastair Waite - joins us to share his experiences as an entrepreneur and his future plans for Altec.

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UNLOCKING PERFORMANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS, TEAMS AND ORGANISATIONS with Julia Smith and Rob Baker

Exchange Event Wednesday 19th May 9am - 12noon FREE (for all members) Founded on the latest research from behavioural science, in this exchange event, Julia and Rob will show you how to enable your team to shape their goals and ways of working, creating success at an individual, team and organisational level.

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DON’T MISS NEW EPISODES OF

TALKING FUTURE

Created by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, and hosted by Yvonne Bell, our Talking Future podcast focuses on the lives and work of North East entrepreneurs, their views of the future and how they are innovating as they plan ahead.

Catch-up on our interviews with: Dan Martin of Elmtronics, Dean Benson of Visualsoft, Karen Winterhalter of Onyx Health, Joanna Feeley of Trend Bible, Laura Weaving of Duo Global Consulting, Stephen Irish of Hyperdrive Innovation, Isabella West of Hirestreet, Natasha Boulding of Plastech Innovation and Pete Lillie of Presca Sportswear.

Search for ‘Talking Future’ on Spotify, Youtube, and Google and Apple Podcasts. Episodes are released every 3 weeks, and if you like what you hear, help us spread the word by subscribing and sharing!

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PROUD TO BE PARTNERED BY:

0191 500 7780 info@entrepreneursforum.net entrepreneursforum.net

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WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER:

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