Yorkshire & Humber Regional event: Leeds
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Yorkshire & Humber Regional event: Leeds
Highlighted speakers:
Chris Gale SME sales enablement coach, Xceeda Group
Harry Rix Founder, Accountabl and CDO, J.R.Rix & Sons Ltd
Professor Udy Archibong Pro Vice-Chancellor – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Bradford University
This event has now ended
Ready to forge new business connections? Want to revolutionise your business in 2024? This year, we will be introducing something new and exciting at our regional events: business support surgeries. This is your chance to speak to our experts 1-2-1 and gain a fresh perspective on how you can elevate your business. Do not miss this opportunity to access targeted support focused on the needs of your business.
Our surgery partners will include SME experts from the Department for Business and Trade, British Business Bank, Innovate UK, NatWest, and local Growth Hubs. You will have an opportunity to book a 10-minute slot during the day to talk to these representatives.
This event will also feature an exciting masterclass, led by sales expert Chris Gale. Prepare to take your business to the next level as Chris unveils the secrets to a successful sales strategy. This will be followed by a panel discussion on upskilling and retaining your staff, thought-provoking keynote speeches, and plenty of opportunities to network with your fellow alumni in the Yorkshire & Humber region.
Agenda
08:30 Breakfast and registration
Breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
09:00 Opening remarks from the conference chair
Katey Curtis, Senior Practitioner, Huddersfield Business School
09:10 Conversation café
We will be kickstarting the day with a highly 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.
09:30 Keynote address
Harry Rix, CEO and Founder of Accountabl, CDO at J.R.Rix & Sons
Harry is the sixth generation of the Hull-based firm J.R.Rix & Sons. The group operates 13 independent brands with activities ranging from fuel distribution to property, caravan manufacturing, software development and more recently a service helping businesses transition to Net Zero.
The role Harry plays is to bring an entrepreneurial approach to new business start-ups, and digital transformation to the existing group businesses and to ensure that Rix is focused on fulfilling its vision to ‘build stable businesses for future generations’.
During his keynote, Harry will discuss the following topics:
- how to maintain an entrepreneurial mindset when working in a family business.
- the challenges of scaling fast.
- the decision-making process behind resource allocation when it comes to diversifying the business.
- case studies on businesses he has helped grow and develop.
10:00 Sales masterclass: A Playbook for Success
During this interactive session, you will be led through a step-by-step process of how to create a robust sales pipeline, and provided with insights into the key behaviours that improve sales and increase profit. You will gain access to relevant and up-to-date sales models alongside practical tools and practices you can implement to improve success rates in all sales-related activities.
Key takeaways will include:
- tips and tricks to improve your sales pipeline.
- how to differentiate your company from the competition.
- a workbook of tried and tested models, tools, and concepts.
- effective sales reporting and analysis.
Chris Gale, SME Sales Enablement Coach, Xceeda Group
11:20 Coffee break and networking opportunities
11:50 Employee engagement, retention and productivity panel
It has become increasingly difficult to motivate and retain staff. How can you ensure you’re keeping employees engaged without sacrificing productivity?
During this panel discussion, expert practitioners and local business leaders will share tried and tested management tools and techniques that nurture talent development and a feeling of purpose and motivation for employees.
Key takeaways will include:
- digital leadership, management and productivity measuring tools.
- setting clear goals, providing constructive feedback and development opportunities for your team.
- cost-effective upskilling techniques.
- alternative ways of working.
- case studies and success stories.
Lebene Soga, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management Practice, Leeds Business School, Leeds Beckett University
Brad Walker, Founder of Adaptive Accountancy and Help to Grow: Management alumnus from Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University.
Katie Mallison, Founder of Scriba PR, Global Marketing Director at UNTHA
12:35 keynote presentation
Udy Archibong, Pro Vice-Chancellor – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Bradford University
Pro Vice-Chancellor of Bradford University, Udy Archibong will shed light on the importance of running an inclusive enterprise and the positive impact a dedication to EDI has on purpose, recruitment and retention, innovation and organisational culture. Find out how you can cultivate diversity in thought and experience within your team and how to utilise it for growth.
13:05 Closing remarks from the conference chair
Katey Curtis, Senior Practitioner, Huddersfield Business School
13:15 Lunch, networking and exhibitions
15:00 Doors close
Resources
Chris Gale, SME Sales Enablement Coach, Xceeda Group
Chris’s presentation from the masterclass
Lebene Soga, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management Practice, Leeds Business School, Leeds Beckett University
- An open access article on the challenges of Flexible Working
- An upcoming book on Job Crafting. How managers can help employees make their jobs more meaningful
- Closing the service gap. A book that captures lessons from Haier’s management philosophy called Rendanheyi. Looks at how to make the customer an integral part of your business
Brad Walker, Founder of Adaptive Accountancy and Help to Grow: Management alumnus from Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University.
Brad has provided a list of recommended readings:
- Cali Wressler & Jody Thompson – Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It: The Results – Only Revolution
- Jim Collins – Good to Great
- Daniel Priestley – Entrepreneur Revolution
- James Clear – Atomic Habits
Katie Mallison, Founder of Scriba PR, Global Marketing Director at UNTHA
- https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/
- Understanding people’s strengths and working with each other to maximise those
- We used this when ensuring colleague wellbeing remained front and centre
Udy Archibong, Pro Vice-Chancellor – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Bradford University
- https://ied.eu/project-updates/projects/ese/inclusive-enterprise/
- https://www.gendereconomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/GATE_Diversity_Inclusion_SMEs2019.pdf
- Distefano, J. J., & Maznevski, M. L. (2000). Creating value with diverse teams in global management. Organizational Dynamics, 29(1), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0090-2616(00)00012-7
Enquiries
If you have any questions, please get in touch by email at HTGM.Events@smallbusinesscharter.org or contact the Small Business Charter by phone on 020 7634 9584.
Capacity is limited so please register your place as soon as possible.
About our Speakers
Chris Gale SME sales enablement coach, Xceeda Group
Professor Udy Archibong Pro Vice-Chancellor – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Bradford University
Harry Rix Founder, Accountabl and CDO, J.R.Rix & Sons Ltd
Katey Curtis Senior Practitioner, Huddersfield Business School
Katie Mallison Founder, Scriba PR and Global Marketing Director, UNTHA
Professor Lebene Richmond Soga Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management Practice, Leeds Business School
About our business support surgeries
British Business Bank
The British Business Bank offers free financial tools and advice. While they do not lend or invest directly, they are experts in small business finance and work with more than 200 partners such as banks and venture capital funds, to help businesses like yours.
Be prepared to:
- Understand more about the finance options available to you and your business
- Find finance providers, business support and information available in your region
Cat Smith Senior Network Manager, British Business Bank
You will be speaking to Cat Smith, who represents the British Business Bank across the Yorkshire and Humber region. Cat works closely with funding delivery partners, business development agencies and other organisations across the small business finance ecosystem to improve access to financial support.
Department for business and trade
The Department for Business and Trade helps UK SMEs identify and win new sales opportunities in overseas markets. They do this by providing advice, market intelligence and custom-made support to maximise your potential growth whilst minimising risk when selling products or services overseas.
To make the most of this opportunity, we ask that you prepare your “pitch” by developing your export plan using the structure in the following link as a guide – https://www.great.gov.uk/advice/create-an-export-plan/how-to-create-an-export-plan/
Michelle Cooper International Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
You will be speaking to Michelle Cooper, who is an international trade advisor at the Department for Business and Trade. Michelle works with business owners, management and sales teams to help develop an export action plan.
Innovate UK
Innovate UK is a UK-based innovation agency that aims to drive business innovation and productivity. They provide facilities and a framework of funding, finance and one-to-one support from over 400 innovation specialists and scaleup directors embedded in every UK region and nation.
Please come ready to discuss your products and services, as well as your growth ambitions.
Be prepared to:
- Sharpen your commercial strategies
- Realise your maximum value from your IP
- Raise game-changing investments
Natwest
The NatWest Accelerator supports and empowers UK entrepreneurs to scale their businesses to the next level.
This free accelerator programme offers:
- One-to-one coaching with experienced Acceleration Managers
- A programme of thought leadership and events
- Access to a network of like-minded peers, supported by our Ecosystem Managers
- Focused support with access to experts from across your specialism
- Modern co-working spaces in one of our nationwide hubs.
Rachel Dixon Regional Eco-system Manager, NatWest
Beckie Clarkson Local Enterprise Manager, NatWest
You will be speaking to Rachel and Beckie. Both of them are heavily involved in supporting entrepreneurial activity and aiding business growth across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
If you’d like to hear more about Natwest’s accelerator programme or enterprise financial health checks, be sure to book your slot and speak to their representative.
Whether you bank with Natwest or not, they can support your business’s growth plans.
Business and skills support West Yorkshire
What support is available?
Business owners can connect with a local Growth Manager to discuss where their business is now and what they would like to achieve in the future. The Growth Managers find tailored solutions and identify suitable local or national support and funding available from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and our partners on your behalf.
With this support, you will be able to:
- Plan for the future with new products, processes or services
- Make your investment go further with grant support to purchase new equipment, plant, and machinery, including bespoke support for the creative and digital sectors.
- Expand your workforce by recruiting an apprentice or find suitable candidates through our talent matching service.
- Increase your market share by trading overseas.
- Adopt a greener business model.
- Understand the full range of finance options currently available.
- Help you to identify business growth opportunities.
- Connect with local businesses.
Parminder Singh SME Growth Manager, Business and Skills Support West Yorkshire
Nicola Whatmuff SME Growth Manager, Business and Skills Support West Yorkshire
You will be speaking to Parminder and Nicola. Both of them are heavily involved in supporting business activity in Leeds and helping them grow.
