Build, innovate and prosper

09:30 Breakfast and registration

Breakfast and refreshments provided.

10:00 Opening Remarks

Vikas Kumar, Associate Dean, Research Innovation and Enterprise, Birmingham City University

10:10 Conversation café 

We will be kickstarting the day with an engaging networking exercise. You will be given a set of business-focused questions and encouraged to discuss the answers with your peers. This is your opportunity to share and hear from other business leaders about their journey. 

10:30 Keynote address: Building the right team to scale

During our opening session, you will hear from Shaun Sookoo about his entrepreneurial journey. Shaun has overseen a diverse portfolio of companies spanning from food manufacturing to distribution, care, property, and non-profit sectors. His ventures employ over 180 individuals and generate a collective turnover of nearly £24 million.

Shaun will delve into the details of his experience, focusing not only on his successes but also on the challenges he has faced. Specifically, he will discuss the importance of nurturing your workforce, assembling a capable team to facilitate growth, and contributing to the community.

Shaun Sookoo, Founder, Viomar Holdings  

11:00 Identifying and overcoming barriers to growth

Every business wants to grow, but figuring out the best way is far from easy. Thankfully, the solutions and support you need, may not be far away. Whether it’s advice on raising finance, processes, or support on entering new markets.  

Our panel of local business leaders will give you advice on the wide range of business support services available to you and your business in the West Midlands region.

Key takeaways will include:  

• Introductions to business support services in the West Midlands
• Advice about accessing finance in the area
• How purpose and strong values can be a catalyst for growth

Chaired by Ian Harrison, Head of Export Development (Midlands), the Department for Business and Trade

Henrietta Brealey, CEO, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce  

Monder Ram, Professor of Small Business and Director, CREME Aston Business School  

Damini Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder, The OM Group, Help to Grow: Management Course Alumnus

11:40 mid-morning break

12:00 Social media masterclass

In this interactive social media masterclass, best-selling marketing author and entrepreneur Yekemi Otaru, will share a variety of tools and case studies to help you refresh and boost your approach to marketing your business, products, and services.

Learn how to identify your ideal customers and where they hang out, understand what makes them tick and how to then choose the right strategies and metrics for success.

Yekemi will also share:

• Her three-step framework which considers employee advocacy for social media campaigns
• How to choose the best social platforms for reaching your ideal customers (hint: you don’t have to be everywhere!)
• The art of crafting social content strategies: techniques, tools and time savers

Finally, Yekemi will provide an exclusive preview of her book, ‘100 Social Media Ideas’, packed with actionable tips, creative strategies, and proven methods to boost your social media presence!

Yekemi Otaru, CEO, YO Ventures

13:20 keynote address: build yourself and your business

In this unique keynote, the Co-Founder of Black Business Magazine will share her remarkable journey of establishing her personal brand and the positive impact it had on her business. Join us to learn about the innovative steps you can take to elevate your visibility, expand your network, and enhance your business’s credibility and consumer trust. Explore the essence of your brand’s identity and learn how to authentically present yourself to seize lucrative opportunities, attract investment, and develop exit strategies when necessary.  

Justice Williams, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief, Black Business Magazine

13:50 Closing remarks

Vikas Kumar, Associate Dean, Research Innovation and Enterprise, Birmingham City University

14:00 Lunch, networking and exhibitions