The FINANCIAL — As part of its ongoing commitment to provide practical support to small businesses and help them through these uncertain times, Barclays on February 16 launches its ‘Let’s Talk’ seminar programme, focusing on setting-up, surviving and thriving in this climate.
Let’s Talk, which is scheduled to run more than 500 events throughout the UK in 2009, beginning this week, are free of charge and open to all individuals thinking about starting a business and existing small business owners.
The seminars focus on the key areas that make a difference to businesses and reflect the key challenges they face today. The seminar programme is as follows:
Let’s Talk Business Ideas run in conjunction with the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) for people thinking about setting up – looks at how viable the idea is and whether they have the right skills to make it happen.
Let's Talk Starting in Business run in conjunction with the NFEA for people who are about to set up – focus on how to write a good business plan, sourcing finance, managing cash flow, legal requirements, taxation and VAT and marketing. Due to the success of these last year they will run in 15 new areas across the UK.
Let's Talk Bright Marketing – how to attract and keep your best customers, identify and satisfy your customers’ needs more profitably and see yourself as your customer sees you.
Let's Talk More Profit – increasing your profit is always important but how do businesses go about it.
John Davis, marketing director for Barclays Local Business said: "Barclays ‘Let’s Talk’ seminar and workshop series is part of a comprehensive effort designed to support small businesses in 2009. Educating small business owners is at the heart of Barclays Local Business and is even more important during these economic times. In the past three years we provided training to more than 40,000 business owners, giving them the essential skills to run a successful and profitable business; the training and seminars also give businesses a great networking opportunity to potentially create more business.”
George Derbyshire, NFEA Chief Executive said: "More than ever, new and prospective small business owners are looking for advice and support to help them. We are delighted to be contributing towards Barclays award winning enterprise support programme by delivering a national series of training events under the “Let's Talk” banner. It’s a powerful message of commitment to new businesses from both the Bank and NFEA members across the country."
