📅 Tue, 20 May 2025
⏰ 10:00 – 11:00
💻 Online

With rising National Insurance rates and changes to the National Living Wage, businesses face fresh challenges in rewarding staff while keeping them engaged.

This free webinar explores creative, cost-effective alternatives to pay rises, led by experts from BRM Solicitors.

✨ Topics include:
⏳ Flexible working
💪 Health and wellness perks
💸 Tax-efficient benefits
📚 Development opportunities
🌟 Building a positive workplace culture

🤝 East Midlands Chamber: SME Virtual Networking Event

The East Midlands Chamber invites SME business owners and professionals to network and build business relationships in a relaxed, organised virtual setting.

💡 Highlights:
🗣️ Member Presentation – 15-min talk on a business service or approach
💬 Breakout Networking – 3 sessions to connect with others

🗓️ Agenda:
🕤 09:30 – Welcome
🗣️ 09:35 – Member Presentation
🤝 09:50 – Breakout Networking x 3
👋 10:55 – Close

Harborough District Council is inviting comments on the Proposed Submission Harborough District Local Plan 2020–2041 and supporting documents. The consultation runs from 9am on Monday 10 March to 9am on Tuesday 6 May 2025.

Anyone wishing to make representations must do so within this period. 

🖥️ Comments can be made via the council’s dedicated online consultation page, where the following documents are available:
📄 Proposed Submission Draft Harborough District Local Plan 2020–2041
🗺️ Policies Map
🌱 Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
📘 SA Non-Technical Summary
🦉 Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)

Stay Informed – Understand the Impact on UK Trade

Organised by the Department for Business & Trade, this webinar will help UK businesses navigate the ongoing changes to US tariff policies and their wider impact.

Whether you're a manufacturer, eCommerce seller, or importer/exporter, this session offers clear guidance on the evolving trade landscape.

This webinar will cover:
📦 What’s happening with US tariffs

📄The impact on UK businesses – including exporters and importers
📜 How ‘Rules of Origin’ could influence future tariffs and trade routes

🎤 Speaker:
David Hooper, International Trade Consultant, Independent Freight Solutions Ltd

Enterprise Nation, in partnership with Constant Contact, is offering small businesses a chance to win a comprehensive growth package through the Small Business, Big Break competition. 

Prizes include:

📺 Channel 4 TV advertising, including full production costs

💷 A £2,000 grant to support business growth

📣 A tailored marketing support package to boost brand visibility

Ten winners will receive the marketing package, and from these, three will be selected to have their TV adverts created and aired on Channel 4.

🗓️ Deadline to apply: 15 May 2025

Harborough Innovation Centre
🗓️ Wednesday 5 June 2025
📍 Hallaton Room | 🕤 9:30am – 4:00pm

Join Sarah Allen, ISO and Data Privacy Coach, for a friendly, informal session covering:
🔐 ISO standards
📄 GDPR and data privacy
📑 Tender prep and audits
⚙️ Improving internal systems

💬 Get Involved:
📅 Book a free 30-min one-to-one
🚪 Or Drop in between 12:30pm – 1:30pm – no booking needed!

The free Fuel Your Business Growth Online Training Series by the Department of Business and Trade offers the following workshops:

✨ Converting Followers into Customers
Turn online followers into loyal customers.
Date: 23 April

🤖 With ChatGPT and Smart Technology
Streamline your processes using AI tools.
Date: 24 April

💡 Believing in the Power of Your Brand
Harness your brand identity to connect with your audience.
Date: 25 April

🚀 Kick-Start Your Own Venture Learn how to launch and grow your business.
Date: 30 April

📣 Take part in the Brand Builder Social Media Marketing Monthly Competitions
Run by Adobe Express and Enterprise Nation

These free monthly challenges are a great way to have fun, learn by doing and practise creating content for your business — with the added bonus of a chance to win a prize.

Each month has a new theme to get you thinking creatively and building your brand on social media. It’s simple, practical and a good excuse to try something new.

Why not give it a go?

🌱 Carbon Literacy Training for Leicester and Leicestershire SMEs
📅 Date: Friday 23 May 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
💸 Cost: Fully funded

A one-day, in-person course for SMEs—open to all staff levels. Learn how to cut carbon, save costs, and boost your business’s green credentials.

✅ Why attend?
🍃 Carbon Literacy certification
🍃 Practical tools to reduce emissions (5 to 15 percent savings)
🍃 Understand climate risks and opportunities
🍃 Create your own Climate Action Plan
🍃 Work towards Carbon Literate Organisation status

Fully funded by the UK Government and Innovate UK
Delivered by Greener Future Leicestershire

Boost your sustainability know-how with these free online sessions led by experts in the field. 

1️⃣ See Beyond Carbon Jargon
Understand what you actually need to meet mandatory criteria.

2️⃣ Masterclass in Sustainability Communication
Learn how to confidently share your sustainability story.

3️⃣ How to Write a Sustainability Action Plan
Create a plan that’s clear, compliant and ready to deliver real impact.

Perfect for businesses ready to take meaningful climate action.