Two new leadership programmes to help small business leaders grow their companies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic have been launched. These programmes can help businesses survive and thrive beyond COVID.

The Small Business Leadership Programme will equip business leaders with the confidence and leadership skills to plan for the future of their business, and ensure that they are in a great position to recover from the impact of the coronavirus.

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The Peer Networks Programme will focus on helping business owners improve their problem-solving skills, through a series of guided exercises. Members of the programme will learn skills in areas such as leadership and management, sales and marketing to help them tackle these challenges head-on while growing their business.

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The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) has published Workplace Actions Cards to provide the latest instructions to anyone responsible for businesses or organisations to help them report and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks.

The cards have been developed to cover a range of businesses and organisations, such as cafés, hairdressers or places of worship, to provide specific advice on the issues each type of organisation may face now lockdown restrictions have been eased.

The cards are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on-hand. They provide the owners and managers of organisations a single point of access to the right information to ensure local Health Protection Teams can be notified quickly when necessary by all sectors.

The cards complement and support existing local or sector specific guidance and are not intended to replace the expertise of local public health professionals.

► Download Workplace Action Cards

From September, SMEs will have access to grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 to help them recover from the impact of COVID-19.  

The funding, managed by London Growth Hub, is to help businesses access professional, legal, financial or other advice and /or new technology and other equipment to help get back on track and address immediate needs in response to the impact of COVID-19.

More details on the criteria and process for applications will be available next month. The scheme is due to launch in early September.

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How to start a food business

Wednesday, 19 August: 10am to 1pm   

This workshop will help you ensure that you are legally compliant to run a food business and to operate best practice in your home or retail unit.

Find more information about the workshop and register via Eventbrite, below.

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Introduction to ShopAppy

Wednesday, 19 August: 6.30pm to 7:30pm

ShopAppy.com is a "Shop & Support Local" website supported and backed by VISA, making it easier than ever for people to browse, book and buy from their local businesses at their convenience.

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Crowdfunder Live + Learn: Introduction to Crowdfunding

Monday, 24 August: 2pm to 3pm

With the announcement about the Mayor of London Pay it Forward and the Back to Business fund, businesses can learn more about crowdfunding and how to set up a new project.

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Pitch to perfection – pitch with investors

Thursday, 3 September: 10am to 1.30pm

Find out what you need to know to pitch to investors with confidence and how to realign your pitch with changing market needs in the midst of COVID-19.

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Public relations for small businesses

Thursday, 10 September: 10am to 1.30pm

Wondering where to start when it comes to getting your business in the media? Discover cost-effective strategies to get people talking about your brand.

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