This event is part of FSB’s popular nationwide programme of Business Bootcamps. These events are designed to equip business owners with knowledge and skills to succeed. And give a chance to connect with other business owners.
This Bootcamp, on 23 May at CAST Theatre Doncaster, focuses on ‘Future Readiness’. In a world of such fast paced changes this Bootcamp will give you visions and predictions for the future. More importantly you learn practical steps you can begin to take now to help you and your business succeed – from technology, customer demands, climate change to future skills and talent.
The Venue
CAST is an modern state-of-the-art venue with a remarkable central location. Since opening in 2013, CAST has welcomed 1000s of guests for a magnitude of events. Our event will take place across three rooms including Cast’s Second Space - a versatile, stylish and accessible ‘black box’ theatre. This space boasts state of the art projection and a cinema style screen and we are delighted to be hosting our bootcamp here.
What to expect
Aswell as a programme of fanastic speakers, this event will also incorporates an exhibition with opportunities to for FSB members, non-members and business support providers to showcase their products and service offerings.
On offer is:
- A free-to-attend bootcamp. This is your chance to hear from inspirational speakers to help you develop and grow your business and support you with ‘future readiness’.
- A free-to-attend exhibition. If you are interested in having a stand, please visit here.
- Networking opportunities throughout the day.
- Complimentary lunch and refreshments during breaks.
This event is designed to benefit entrepreneurs, the self-employed and small businesses from across Yorkshire and the North East of England.
Registration for this event will begin at 8:45am, we kindly ask for you to arrive and take your seat by 9.15am. We expect to close at 4pm. The agenda will be announced as it is confirmed.
Event Host
Event Host
Our host for the day will be Sharon Jandu. Sharon is an experienced, insightful and entrepreneurial leader who runs her own small business. Sharon was appointed to the FSB Board on 7 March 2023, having been a proud and active member of FSB since 2018 previously having served as an FSB volunteer area lead for West Yorkshire and as a member of the Procedures Committee.
Speakers and Sessions
Challenges and Opportunities for SMES: Evidence from Research
David is the Professor of Small Business Development and Organisation Studies at the University of Bradford. He will provide an overview of the latest research on the future business challenges and opportunities for business and SMES in the region and more widely. He will draw on his own research with SMES as well as findings from YPERN (The Yorkshire Policy Engagement Research Network) and more widely.
AI Unleashed: Powering SME Leadership with Generative Intelligence
Geoffrey provides an invaluable edge to businesses seeking to harness the transformative power of generative AI. His consultancy, AI Futures, accelerates AI adoption through custom-designed in-house masterclasses, workshops, and one-on-one executive sessions. This tailored approach equips businesses with the critical insights and actionable strategies required to integrate AI seamlessly into their operations, ensuring rapid, effective implementation.
Responding to Change
Jess Grocutt manages NatWest’s Entrepreneur Accelerator in Manchester, a funded programme that empowers UK entrepreneurs to scale their business to the next level. Jess has supported 100’s of entrepreneurs from across a number of industries, working with them to grow and scale their businesses. During this session we will: Look at some of the key changes and trends that have occurred over the past few months within your business and society on the whole, examine the process of change and the key elements to consider for you and your business and Identify the key opportunities and threats to you and your business.
Speaker - Karen Duncan, PonyPonyPony
The Future of Social Media Marketing
Karen is a Social Media Marketing and Creativity Trainer with a faff-free approach. Express workshops, challenges, short courses and consultation all available. She'll be talking about the future of social media. What, if anything, should we worry about? Where should we spend our time? How can we prepare for potential changes? Most crucially of all, how should we use social media as a tool and avoid it being a time sync?
Speakers - Simon Bedford, International Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade and Vera Grantham, UK Export Academy Adviser, Department for Business and Trade
Selling Internationally - How to Grow your Business in a Global Market?
Simon has enjoyed a career in exporting and international business. He provides tailored advice and support to exporters. In addition, he has regularly developed and presented interactive export training workshops. Vera has many years of international trade experience working across industry sectors. Research shows that small and medium-sized businesses that export achieve higher turnover growth, innovate more and create more jobs. This masterclass will teach you how the UK Export Academy can help give you the know-how to sell to customers around the world by learning from experts in international trade. We’ll also explore the current trends in global trade and which future markets you need to be watching!
Small Business Panel
Emma Smailes, FSB’s Regional Manager for the North of England will lead us through a journey of ideas, growth, challenge and ambition as some of Doncaster’s small businesses join us on stage. Emma our insightful panel host will steer the conversation sharing with you how small businesses are not just getting ready for the future, but how they are rewriting its chapters. So buckle up as we further shine the spotlight on small businesses – our architects of tomorrow!
Our full speaker line up will be announced soon, watch this space!
Getting here and car parking
CAST is located approximately 10-15 minute walk from the Railway station or if you are travelling by car, the closest car parking is Chamber Road Car Park (DN1 2DB) and the Civic Quarter Car Park (DN1 3JH). For more information, please visit here.
For those that opt in for this event, we will share your business contact details with Department for Business and Trade. They may contact you with information from this event as well as product information and other information relevant to you. Department for Business and Trade will process your data in accordance with their Privacy Notice. You can withdraw your consent at any time.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Interested in our Bootcamp series? See below other events we are hosting here.
Event Contact
Please contact Hayley Gallimore for any further information.
