The sessions below were presented during the first lockdown of 2020 as a way to help support our members, and other local businesses, during those very difficult times.
We believe the information is as relevant now as is was then, and we hope you find it useful.
If you would like to know more about business support from the Chamber, get in touch using the contact details on the site or via our Facebook page.
Session 1
- Mental Health – What effects on your mental well-being is the current restrictions having on you. Effects on self, business, finances and family
How are you coping with lock down, loss of business, family pressures and not being able to pay your mortgage?
The first session will deal with the mental strain and isolation you may be feeling but also looking at various issues and coping mechanisms to get you moving forward. Dealing with elements of how to be aware and deal with pressure. The mental well being of you, your family and your work.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 2
- Stress Management – Techniques to help keep calm and focussed. Positive change and environment
How do you handle your stress? Do you have a healthy or unhealthy approach to dealing with it? This session will be focussed on techniques to relax and meditate to reach calm. We’ll look at what causes your stress and what effects it’s having on you personally and in business. We’ll look at your working environment and overall mindset. This will be interactive as your questions and ideas to create the perfect output to this dilemma.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 3
- Time Management – How to get the most out of your day and get into good self-discipline
As it reads in the title, you need time managing; don’t deny it, as it’s what prevents you from being most effective. Whether balancing time with work and family, or just the influence of working from home, even the most senior Chief Executives fall down with time management. The tools will enable you to feel and be effective, so you can make a huge difference with your life time approach to work.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 4
- Goal Setting – Setting specific goals to help you feel in control and happy with progress
If you really need to feel that you are winning not losing, then goal setting is a major instant switch in your attitude and motivation to progress and get fulfilment out of your business. You’ll find the most effective and profitable people in business all have goals to work towards. We’ll utilise methods to set personal/business goals which will speed you ahead.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 5
- Relationships/conflict resolution – Techniques to enable better personal/working relationships
Do you ever find yourself struggling with others inability to agree or take blame for conflict? Relationships are the key to society; however, we rarely master our own frustrations with others or prevent conflict from tearing personal and business relationships apart. The helpful tools which will be imparted in this session will not only help you to deal with difficult people but will also win you respect personally and champion your business.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 6
- Positive/negative language – How to tell if you are making a positive or negative effect on the people around you
You might think, what a load of nonsense, my language is fine, I rarely swear in public. However, this isn’t about using bad words, this how to stop using bad language which prevents people from believing in you and worst of all, you believing in yourself. We will discuss language and how to become most effective in meetings and with everyone you go on to meet.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 7
- Business Plan Structuring – Working through new plans to either diversify or strengthen your business
Yes it’s a dry topic and how many of us, have really committed to business planning. However, if you ever think about financing growth in your business or getting to a point where you can sell your business to someone else, the business plan will be essential. We’ll look in general at what is needed and what you can do without. If you think about it, now is the perfect time to plan your business.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 8
- Financial Relief – How to be objective around your finances and keep afloat
This session will be split into two 15 minute blocks. Firstly, focussed on what you need to keep you afloat, where to go for financial support, loans or other ways to get you out of hot water. The second section to the session will be expert advice from a financial professional, with suggestions and answering your questions.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 9
- Becoming Accountable for your actions – Making sure your structure and planning are working for you.
Have you ever needed a kick to get you to make a decision, and what if that decision has led to a poor choice? Rarely, in business we see accountability as a requirement, however, it is the difference between success and failure. If your teacher, parent or partner said to you, ‘what on earth are you doing?’ I think you would stop and think what have I done? This session is all about making you responsible and fearless towards your objectives, good luck!
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 10
- Better Sales – Looking at how to make the most out of what you do and how you do it
Well we can all justify that we are the expert in our business/businesses, however does it lead to client retention, referrals, better relationships or ultimately that belief that we can really sell well. This session is structured in techniques obviously around selling but particularly about selling ourselves. The negative head space and how to come out winning.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 11
- Customer care – The secrets to keeping your customers coming back for more
If we are honest with ourselves as we should be, how many really good clients have slipped through our net? Whether it was inexperience, bad timing or just lack of connection ultimately, it has been the reason why we haven’t been more successful or profitable. Let’s look at ways for you to turn the tables on future success and keep those clients coming back for more.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.
Session 12
- Body Language – Reading your own and others body language
This last session, is about self-awareness. How are you being read and reading others without saying a word? This session will be interactive, but will give lots of do’s and don’ts around body language and what you may have been doing wrong so far.
Have a notebook and pen to hand, as ideas and support will be flowing. Any topics covered will be also available after the session to discuss and debate in the BHCC Facebook group.