Micro & SME businesses with niches and skill specialisms are small but mighty.

Their focus creates the super-power of agility, which makes collaboration – or ‘partnership’ and ‘white-labelling’ as it’s sometimes ambiguously known – much easier. But too often, partnership fails before the real value is derived.

In this webinar Tom Foster from Gravitywell explores 5 reasons partnerships can fall down and offers some practical tips for how agencies collectively might improve their own collaborative relationships.

This talk is also an invitation to the wider BCI community to join Gravitywell as we work towards a new “Partner Network” programme.

Key takeaways:

This talk is pitched at any micro or SME specialist businesses that works in with an entrepreneurial focus or directly with startups or scaleups. The content is equally valuable to any business with an idea for a new product, service or innovation who is exploring collaboration as a way of moving their idea forward.

> Register here!

About Tom

Tom is Gravitywell’s Head of Commercial. Drawing on a practical background in UX design, design research and early-stage startups, Tom works with founders and founding teams to conceive, scope and implement technology solutions that help founders achieve their goals.Gravitywell is Bristol’s Venture Studio; we pull together the skills, experience, resources and funding needed to produce businesses with solid technology foundations.

These Wake Up Call sessions are exclusively for BCI members – register your free place below!

If you’re not yet a member of Bristol Creative Industries and would like to take advantage of this member-only event, you can sign up here. You can also read about the membership perks here.

More about our ‘Wake Up Call’ webinar series

These sessions take place every other Friday morning from 8.30-9am, for the BCI community to share their pearls of wisdom with one another. The half hour webinars will involve a 15 minute presentation followed by a 10 minute facilitated Q&A, with introductions from the BCI team.

Our community is full of such amazing talent so we’re giving members the stage to talk about things that excite them so they can inspire their peers. The sessions will be a mix of expert tips and tricks and case studies – the perfect opportunity to learn something new before the week is out.

Our usual online format is an interactive ‘meeting’ but for this series we’re running webinars so that it’s easy to listen in while prepping for the day ahead or while having your breakfast! Cameras and mics will be off but you can ask your questions through the chat box or submit them beforehand.

Please get in touch with Sian if you’re interested in speaking at a future session.

Both employers and employees benefit when there is a feeling of trust at work. So, how do you build trust in your organisation?

We’re delighted to welcome back employee engagement and culture specialist Richard Roberts who will share his experiences of helping to create high trust cultures. Former HR Director at Virgin Mobile and Pure Planet, he’ll show you why trust underpins successful and productive organisations with higher levels of employee engagement and better retention.

Why build trust?

Research has found that trusting employees are 260% more motivated to work, have 41% lower rates of absenteeism, and are 50% less likely to look for another job. (Source: MITSloan, 2023)

Building trust creates the purpose and belonging that employees increasingly want. Higher levels of trust bring a number of benefits – more energy, more collaboration, more happiness and greater productivity as a result.

This talk will look at the importance of building trust and what you can to foster and encourage it.

What you’ll learn:

Who is it for?

You might be working in an HR generalist role, or perhaps a senior manager who wants to build trust in order to retain your people. Anyone interested in how organisational culture is changing and where the future of work is going will get useful takeaways from this event.

This talk will be held at Design West on the harbourside. Join us from 12.30pm for tea/coffee and networking, with the talk beginning at 1pm.

About Richard 

Richard is an employee engagement and culture specialist and is passionate about building highly motivated and productive teams in both start-ups and larger organisations.

Formerly HR Director and Head of Employee Engagement at Virgin Mobile, he was most recently People Director at sustainable energy provider Pure Planet and developed many effective engagement tactics to make remote and hybrid working work. He also runs employee engagement consultancy, enRich.

He presents at UK and international conferences on the topics of employee engagement, culture and employer branding, drawing on his experiences at Virgin Mobile, Pure Planet and other organisations.

Tickets 

Tickets are priced at £15+VAT for BCI members and £30+VAT for non-members. Book your place below!

Future Leap’s Wildlife Photography Gallery
Would you like to exhibit your photograph in this gallery? 18 finalists will show their photograph in our four-week gallery and the winner will receive £100 voucher at Niche Frames. Submissions open 1st November and close 1st December. You can submit your photograph here from 1st November.

The UK has a beautiful, diverse natural ecosystem that often goes unnoticed. With the Climate and Ecological Emergency playing an ever increasing part of our lives, it is time to draw attention to our most precious wildlife and natural habitats. With more attention and education on the beauty and fragility of UK’s biodiversity, we can better protect and support our island’s natural habitats.

On 25th January we will hold our Wildlife Photography Gallery Opening Night, a ticketed gallery view evening including inspiring talks, relaxed networking and a bar. Tickets to the Opening Night include a free beer on entry kindly donated by Lost and Grounded.

The final exhibiting pieces will be judged by Niche Frames, where one winner will be chosen and announced on the Opening Night to receive a £100 voucher at Niche Frames.

This will be followed by a free walk-in month-long exhibition at Future Leap Hub, every day 9am-5pm (except Sundays).

More information to be announced!

ENROLLING NOW! STEP UP LEAD – 2024

Funded Training for your aspiring managers and leaders:

Virtual and central Bristol training available
Level 3 ILM Certificate in Leadership and Management
6 Months course
Induction & Assessment
Problem Solving and Decision Making
Planning and Delegation
Managing Conflict
Stress Management
Managing Teams
Delivering Instruction
Performance Management
Motivating and Leading a Team
Leadership Essentials
Tutorial Guidance throughout the programme

COST: FULLY FUNDED (ELIGIBILITY CHECK REQUIRED)

Double your Profits in 2024 with Andy Cristin

Find out how Andy grew his profit from zero to £1m in less than 5 years, and how you can implement the same tactics in your business.

~~~

Are you working too many hours, for too little profit?

Most small businesses are in the same boat. Without access to expert financial advice, they have no coherent financial plan.

This workshop is based on Andy’s experiences both as a virtual finance director and as a business owner. By the end of the session, you will walk away with some practical advice to improve your pricing, cash flow and growth strategy.

~~~

Tickets are free for this one-hour workshop via Zoom

Tuesday 28th November 2023, 10.30am – 11.30am

Book your free tickets below

~~~

About Andy

“In 2017 my co-founders and I exited our 50-person service business for a 7-figure sum. Four years earlier it had made a loss of £14,000. After the sale I spent some time considering the reasons for our success and developed a method to help small business owners improve the profitability of their businesses. The PAIN method focuses on improvements in four key areas which can help you double your profits.”

In an era where sustainability takes centre stage, this morning is tailored for SME decision makers with a keen interest in championing sustainability as a core value.

We understand that a sustainable business isn’t solely about the product or service you offer; it’s about what your company stands for. It’s about the message you convey to the world on how a purpose-led business should operate, even if your primary offering isn’t inherently sustainable.

Today, we delve into the powerful realm of digital marketing and SEO, dissecting how these tools can amplify your message and enhance your impact. By the end of this event, you will understand what sustainability means to your business and be equipped with the strategies to present and amplify that message effectively.

As you enjoy this sustainably-sourced breakfast, prepare for insightful discussions, and strong networking opportunities, envision how your organisation can become a force for good through the lens of digital marketing.

Agenda

8am – 8:30am Networking and Breakfast

8:30am – 8:35am Welcome and Housekeeping

8:35am – 8:45am – Katherine Piper, Head of Sustainability, Future Leap – What is sustainability to your business?

8:45am – 8:55am – Grant Robertson, Founder, Shake and Speare – How to present your sustainability messaging

8:55am – 9:05am – Ashley Kumar, UK Digital Marketing – How to utilise SEO to amplify your sustainability messaging

9:05am – 9:15am – Iris Hable, Marketing and Communications Manager, Future Leap – A case study

9:15am – 9:45am – Q&A

9:45am – 9:50am – Close

9:50am – 10:30am – Optional Extra Networking

 

This event is in collaboration with:

UK Digital Marketing are a Multi award-winning SEO agency that deliveries tangible and transparent results to all businesses, from start-ups to household company names.

Please note this space is not wheelchair accessible.

The Plugged Series is more than just an event—it’s a melting pot of ideas and innovation for Bristol’s curious and creative professionals. Each gathering is an opportunity to network, gain knowledge, and be inspired in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Their mantra is simple: come to listen and learn, not to sell.

At Plugged, they’re dedicated to bringing together the brightest minds in various industries, from tech to design, to explore cutting-edge topics and foster a community of forward-thinking individuals.

This Event: AI and Its Impact in Business

The next meet-up t The aSquare Club, Bristol, zooms in on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative role in business.

Featured Topics and Speakers:

“How is AI Relevant to My Business” by James Routley, Rocket Makers
Dive into how AI is reshaping business landscapes and operations.

“AI Automation in Business” by Andrew Bryce, Sixty Seconds
Explore the efficiencies and innovations AI automation can bring to your business.
The Night’s Agenda:

5:30 pm – Doors Open: Begin the evening with networking over drinks in a warm, welcoming setting.

6:00 pm – Kickoff: Introduction followed by insightful talks and interactive Q&A sessions.

6:45 pm – Continued Networking: Engage in meaningful discussions and connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed environment.

7:30 pm – Close: Conclude the evening enriched with new contacts, ideas, and perspectives on AI in business.

Join us at the Plugged Series for an enriching night filled with learning, networking, and inspiration, all centered around the intriguing world of AI. Tickets are £6.

South West Creative Meetup and a behind-the-scenes tour of Dareshack’s unique studio, concept store, bar and cafe.

BCI Members can get a invitee pass and drinks token using the code ‘bristolgroup’!

More information available on Tabb below.

Following the popularity of this event in September, we are delighted to be able to schedule a repeat of the workshop in January next year!

According to the World Economic Forum, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are at the top of the skills list that employers believe will grow in prominence over the next five years.  But how often do we leave a workshop feeling frustrated that we haven’t achieved the intended outcome, deflated by the lack of energy or participation in the room, or annoyed that it’s been derailed by competing agendas or personalities?

Packed with handy tools, techniques and tips, this half-day interactive session will help participants design and facilitate more productive, memorable and inclusive workshop experiences, delivering high value and impact for their teams and clients.

Course structure

Who is it for?

Anyone wanting to run brilliant workshops, whether they’re new to it or looking to hone their skills with some useful tips and techniques.

About Mette

With a career spanning 20+ years in the creative and tech industries, Mette has designed and facilitated hundreds of workshops for the likes of British Airways, Mars, McLaren Automotive, Barratt Developments and too many agencies to mention. She also runs workshop design and facilitation training programmes as part of her consultancy offering, driving positive change for companies, teams and individuals.

Tickets

Tickets are priced at £125 +VAT for BCI members and £185 +VAT for non-members. Book your place below!

This workshop will be held at ForrestBrown, 10 Templeback, Bristol, BS1 6FL.

All are invited for a celebratory evening at The Square Club in Bristol as they take a moment to pause and celebrate all that 2023 has been and to also toast to what’s to come in 2024.

Six Degrees are hosting a free event at The Square Club on Tuesday 14th November from 6pm until 8pm and we‘d love you to be there, just simply reserve a spot and add the date to your diary and get ready to have some fun!

Expect laughter, an informal atmosphere and authentic connections in abundance. Six Degrees pride themselves on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for women to mingle and have fun and will be offering a complimentary welcome drink, thanks to their drinks Partner New London Light and Salcombe Gin. Let’s raise a glass together and celebrate all we have achieved and accomplished in our lives this past year!

Fill up your cup with us this November whilst also getting to know more about Six Degrees and the wonderful community they are building in our glorious city!