Benjamin Franklin famously said "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail". A comprehensive business plan and effective execution of the plan are two factors which can greatly increase your chances of succeeding in your new business venture. This is an interactive presentation. Students will be provided with a workbook in which to develop a business plan and prepare to put it into action. Statement of Attendance provided for this course.

Video conferencing tools like Zoom have become extremely popular. This hands-on workshop will teach you how to use Zoom as a meeting participant and host and make the most of its features to facilitate effective and engaging meetings. Learn how to schedule, start, join and run Zoom meetings and explore features including break-out rooms, whiteboards, screen-sharing, recording, live streaming and more. We will also discuss the difference between Zoom meetings and Webinars.

The rise of social media has significantly changed the marketing environment. During this interactive workshop you will learn how to define your digital marketing strategy, develop a structured plan to put into action and measure its ongoing effectiveness. Includes discussion of tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Pinterest but please note that this is not a computer course. Statement of Attendance issued.

Learn how to harness the power of Meta Ads - the advertising platform behind Facebook and Instagram - to grow your business. In this demonstration-style class, you’ll discover how to create and manage effective paid campaigns across Facebook and Instagram. Whether your goal is brand awareness, lead generation, or sales conversions, you’ll gain the practical skills to design, launch, and optimise ads that deliver results. Explore how to use Meta Ads Manager to target audiences, set budgets, and craft high-performing creatives that convert. You’ll also learn how to analyse your ad performance using Meta's built-in insights to make data-driven marketing decisions.

Feel like you’re spinning your wheels with social media? This interactive masterclass is designed for business owners and anyone who posts occasionally but struggles with consistency, ideas, or understanding results. In this session you’ll cut through the noise and build a clear strategy to choose the right platforms and define your content pillars, then apply a simple, systemised approach to plan and create a month of content, schedule it smartly, and measure what matters. Leave with a workbook, a content calendar, and the confidence to use social media as a powerful tool for business growth - not just another task. Whether you’re running a side hustle or building an empire, this session turns social media from overwhelming and chaotic to simple and strategic.

Get found on Google and attract more customers with this hands-on masterclass. Learn how to set up, claim, and optimise your Google Business Profile for maximum visibility across Google Search and Maps. Discover how this powerful (and free) marketing tool can enhance your online presence, build trust with customers, and drive real results for your business. Perfect for small business owners, side hustlers, and freelancers, this practical session will guide you step-by-step through creating a polished, professional profile that supports your broader marketing strategy. Bring your laptop and by the end of the workshop, your profile will be ready to work hard for you.

FUNDAMENTALS AND FIRST STEPS This is where the journey begins. Discover what AI actually is — in plain language, no technicalities. Using case business as the live example, see how AI can be built into daily operations for under $300 a month. Put that knowledge to work immediately, using AI to handle the writing and admin tasks that currently consume hours of your week. Every participant leaves having completed a real AI task on their own business.

MARKETING, CONTENT & BRAND VOICE A full three hours dedicated to the area where most business owners see the fastest results from AI. Participants define their brand voice, then produce social media posts, email campaigns, blog outlines and SEO content in a fraction of the usual time. Every participant leaves with a ready-to-use marketing content starter pack produced entirely in the room.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND SALES This session focuses on the two functions that most directly drive revenue. The first half covers using AI to respond to clients faster and deliver a consistently professional experience. The second half covers sales — researching prospects, writing outreach, drafting proposals and building follow-up sequences. Some examples run throughout both modules.

An introduction for new users. Learn how personal computers operate and be introduced to hardware and the basic concepts of word processing, Internet and Email. No prior computer experience required. Keyboard skills an advantage. Uses Windows 10, Office 2016