Our final event of the year will be informal and festive. Drop in between 2-4pm for hot chocolate, mince pies and some relaxed networking.
The final Food for Thought event of 2022 will be at our Waterloo Park venue and take place in the main café rather than the upstairs community room.
We will keep this one informal so it’s a chance to network while enjoying a hot chocolate, mince pie or any other hot drink or homemade cake available.
At 3pm our CEO Lucy Parish will give a short update so be there then if you’d like to hear it.
The focus for this event Cloud and Cyber Security, with an emphasis on essentials for SMEs and the increasing risks of corporate data theft. With the rapid rise in AI tools, bots, and automation — and the new vulnerabilities these can introduce — it’s more important than ever for businesses to understand the basics of IT security and how to protect themselves.
Cyber Security Essentials – Key threats for SMEs, the importance of Cyber Essentials certification, and simple steps to protect data.
Cloud Security & Corporate Theft – Understanding common vulnerabilities in cloud setups and how insider threats or poor controls can lead to breaches.
AI & Emerging Threats – A look at how AI is being used by attackers (e.g. phishing, botnets, automated attacks), and how businesses can respond.
Live Risk Assessment – An interactive section where attendees assess their own organisation’s risk using a simple tool/checklist.
Building a Culture of Awareness – Practical ways businesses can improve staff awareness and prepare a basic response plan.
Q&A and Signposting – Support available locally and links to further guidance.
The session would be around 2.5 hours, ideally running in September, and we’re asking delivery partners to offer this at low or no cost as part of their support for local businesses.
This event is to be facilitated by Netmatters.
Netmatters are a well-established Norfolk-based tech firm that prides itself on transparent, ethical partnerships and hands-on delivery. With a fully in-house team and dedicated account management, they offer clients a consistent, accountable service underpinned by robust processes and clear communication.
The next annual Innovate East Conference is on 2-3rd March 2021. The conference will look at how funding, finance and collaboration can help businesses to innovate and grow.
This year, the event is moving online and there will be two days of talks and seminars. Day one will see InnovateUK take the lead. There will be talks from the Innovate UK ‘family’, including the Knowledge Transfer Network and Catapult Centres. Sessions include tips around applying for and securing funding and encouraging diversity and inclusion in your organisation.
Day two sees the University of Essex, University of Kent and University of East Anglia (UEA) take the lead with a focus on how to work with Universities (accessing talent, funding and support).
In the morning (9:30-10:45) there will be a focus on working with Universities and ‘plugging into the power of knowledge’. This session will highlight how businesses can engage with Universities to access talent, funding and support. Businesses who have successfully worked with universities, including Outfield, will discuss their story.
At 1:30 productivity takes the lead. This session, led by the University of Essex and UEA will discuss how to boost productivity through collaboration and innovation. UEA’s Productivity East will feature, looking at what they will offer over the coming months.
Finally, UEA will lead a session (3:30) focussing on how to work with us to access funding, grow your knowledge and inspire your workforce. The session will feature two businesses, Ehabitation and Geoacoustics, who have successfully worked with us.
Spaces are filling up fast! For more information and to register visit the event page.
Starting a new business or looking for ongoing business support? Join us online to discover the wealth of resources held at BIPC Norfolk!
About this Event
Starting a new business or looking for ongoing business support?
Join us online to discover what the Business & IP Centre Norfolk can offer to help your business start, grow and thrive.
The Business & IP Centre Norfolk is a fantastic place to start for all things business!
As well as holding a full reference and lending service for individuals and organisations, BIPC Norfolk has a wide range of facilities to help you and your business prosper, many of which have moved online since the start of the pandemic.
We provide access to many free online resources from market research to databases.
We also offer a packed yearly programme of free Spotlight business workshops to choose from, as well as our recently launched Reset.Restart programme to help reposition business at this challenging time.
As part of the national Business & Intellectual Property Network, linked to the British Library, we offer free appointments with staff who are trained IP advisors.
The session will last for up to an hour and takes place online with BIPC Coordinator, Julie Cleminson. There will be time for questions throughout the event.
Booking is essential, and we will get in contact nearer the time of the event itself with access details for this online event (Zoom)
Mastering the perfect pitch: Learn how to sell your idea, product, business – or yourself at this free online event.
About this Event
Whether you’re interviewing for your dream job, selling ideas to investors or pitching to a client for new business, this workshop will help transform the way you present to get exactly what you want!
Led by business and sales expert Steve Favell, we’ll explore the 4 steps to impress your way to success, giving you the skills to stand out from the crowd, beat your competitors and make an impact.
Agenda
10:00 Zoom Registration and Introductions
10:05 Workshop Introduction, Objectives and Outcomes
10:15 Dispelling the ‘luck’ myth
10:35 Understanding Fear
10:55 Preparation
11:15 The Use of Social Media
11:35 First impressions and Attitude
12:00 Summary, Q&A & Finish
About your Trainer – Steve Favell
Over a 27-year period, at the same time as being in high demand as an accomplished musician, Steve Favell developed what became one of the County’s most successful music retail companies. As deregulation came in, Steve went on to build and train the first national sales teams for two of the largest players in the utilities market.
As the world was waking up to the internet, Steve took on the task of transforming a commercial education provider to become a national success, developing some of the first online sales provision. Ever keen to develop his skills, he joined Huntingdonshire Regional College to grow its commercial income by more than £1.5 million in the first year whilst establishing himself as an expert in sales and marketing.
Today as a prevalent Business Consultant and Sales Trainer, Steve can boast an enviable client list. With a focus on a new world with more people remote working, and using the latest online technology, he is always keen to offer advice and guidance and to share knowledge.
Steve says “I’m extremely proud to be working in partnership with the New Anglia Growth Hub to provide much-needed support for businesses in my local area.”
Get your new business off to a flying start with this day of expert advice and inspiring conversations from the Business & IP Centre Network
Following the success of our national Start-up Day in November, six of the Business & IP Centres in UK libraries have teamed up to bring you another great day of lively and informative presentations for new business founders.
We’re delighted to be joined by Mintel, PRECIOUS and Santander. Mintel is a world expert in what consumers want and why. PRECIOUS is a digital platform, network and resource for women of colour, launched by Foluke Akinlose MBE. Santander offers everyday banking for your business.
Our programme of sessions is:
10:00 – 10.45: How Covid-19 has changed consumers’ behaviour and attitudes with Mintel
10.50 – 11.25: What’s your business personality? How understanding your personality can help you communicate better. With Tim Cooke (MENTA)
11.30 – 12.25: Using online tools to start and grow your business with Ruth Roan (Building Business Consultancy)
12.30 – 1.05: PRECIOUS Conversations with Arit Eminue (DiVA), Grace Francis (DramEd) and Lisa Newton (Boogles Ltd)
1.10 – 1.50: Starting up on a shoestring with Santander
2.00 – 2.40: Pitching your business with Peter Hill (Business & IP Centre Birmingham Entrepreneur In Residence)
2.45 – 3.30: Start-up Stars with Tracey Purcell (Beautiful Ethical), Silvia Pingitore (The Shortlisted Magazine) and Omar Bahadur (Faraday Drinks), moderated by micro-business specialist Tina Boden
3.30 – 4.00: The Swap Shop – let’s get back to business with Rachel Hayward (Ask the Chameleon)
Your host for the event is radio presenter and Media and Engagement Executive for the Women’s Organisation Cynthia Ajayi.
You only need to register once to get access to the full day of events. You can then choose which sessions you attend.
For further information about any of our events, please contact us at bipcnorfolk@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 01603 774708.
This hands-on workshop is designed specifically for small business owners who want to harness the power of AI to streamline operations, improve customer service, and unlock new efficiencies. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to build your first automation, this session will guide you through practical applications of AI using real business data.
What You’ll Learn – From Concept to Practice
A quick recap of how large language models (LLMs) work, prompt logic, and the structure of Custom GPTs.
Live demonstration: building an advanced Custom GPT using uploaded documents and tailored instructions.
Understand how Custom GPTs simulate agent-like behaviour without added complexity.
Interactive GPT Building
Hands-on session: create or refine your own Custom GPT tailored to a real business task (e.g. customer support, HR, onboarding).
Receive live feedback and one-on-one troubleshooting to improve structure, tone, and retrieval logic.
AI Automations
Explore the automation platform Make.com and learn how to integrate AI into workflows using real data (emails, forms, documents).
Demo examples: trigger GPT actions from business emails or Google Sheets, extract and summarise documents, and log or email outputs.
Define automation use cases to develop further in Session 3.
Introducing Tools (MCP)
Learn about Model Context Protocols (MCPs) and how LLMs can now interact with external tools and services.
Demo: ask a natural language question → AI queries a live database or Google Sheet → structured output.
Begin mapping potential use cases for your business.
Outcome
By the end of this session, you’ll have built your first real-world GPT or automation flow and gained the skills to design AI processes that interact with your business data and documents in real time.
Who Should Attend
Small business owners
Entrepreneurs
Freelancers
Anyone curious about applying AI to real-world business tasks
What to Bring
A laptop
Sample documents or business scenarios you’d like to work on
Enthusiasm to explore and experiment!
Spaces are limited – reserve your spot today!
Meet the Trainer Giancarlo Erra is a seasoned tech-creative entrepreneur and business consultant with over 25 years of experience across multiple industries. As a professional touring musician, his unique background bridges the worlds of technology and creativity, giving him a distinctive edge in using innovative solutions to drive business growth and streamline operations. As a former developer and technical director, Giancarlo has led projects ranging from full?stack development and system administration to AI-driven applications, providing tailored consultancy to SMEs and startups. His extensive experience includes founding Promethean Box Ltd, an umbrella company including AI-driven startups like Tweetify It, a tool for generating personalised social media content, and Copyforge, which helps automate blog and article creation. As the founder of YourVault.AI, he is currently developing private AI solutions to help small and micro-businesses deploy AI models securely on their own data. A public speaker and mentor, he regularly organises AI Summits and hackathons, helping businesses and individuals easily adopt AI tools and focusing on practical applications that deliver real value
Registration at 9am, workshop starts at 9.15am. There will be a refreshments on arrival and mid-morning.
Eligibility: These small group in-person workshops are open to any trading business, freelancer, or charity based North Norfolk, Great Yarmouth, West Norfolk & King’s Lynn districts in Norfolk, UK. Norwich, Breckland, South Norfolk & Broadland please contact your district council for business support.
This interactive half-day workshop will be delivered by Google AdWords Specialist, Michael Townsend, Managing Director of Wolf Digital Marketing. This AdWords training course will give delegates an in-depth & comprehensive view of what elements combine to create profitable campaigns. If your AdWords campaigns aren’t meeting your objectives and not providing a positive ROI, this is the course for you.
Who Should Attend?
This is a practical workshop aimed at people who are responsible for ensuring that their Google AdWords advertising is reaching the right people within the desired cost-per-acquisition whilst achieving the overall campaign objectives. Delivered in an easy-to-grasp and non-technical format, delegates will be given a briefing before the day, to ensure that they receive maximum benefit from the workshop.
Michael will be on hand to provide guidance on delegates existing accounts on the day.
Required Equipment: Laptop & access to a Google AdWords account (Norfolk Chamber can provide access to a limited amount of laptops upon request).
About Michael
Michael has worked in digital marketing for over 10 years both client and agency side. He helps businesses reach their business goals & improve their profitability through effective digital marketing strategies. Michael has also worked and trained businesses across the UK & Europe on improving their digital marketing performance and digital strategy. The focus is on keeping the workshop as jargon-free as possible and providing practical help, tips and advice that will allow you to get the maximum out of your Google advertising.
Here’s what delegates have to say about our Google Adwords Training…
“I learnt great tips regarding keywords and Click-Through-Rates.”
“I learnt a lot of actions of Google Adwords. This has been very good!”
“Lots of useful stats about campaigns performing well and badly. Negative search term tool and Google Ad extensions. Excellent!”
Now Booking for 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th March & 2nd April. Exam date 23rd April.
Course Content: – Bacteriology – Food-borne illnesses – Pest control – Personal hygiene – Training strategies – Legislation – Physical contamination of food – Cleaning and disinfection – Management control techniques – Food storage, temperature control and preserva-tion – Design and construction of food premises and equipment
Learning Outcomes: On completing this course candidates will be able to: – Guide and advise on the management of food safety in a business. – Contribute to the management of food safety in a catering or manufacturing business. – Identify further technical knowledge necessary in food safety management proce-dure. -Determine further training requirements. – Identify areas for legal compliance. – Determine good practice. – Design an improvement plan. – Promote and encourage good standards of food safety. – Liaise with enforcement officers. – Deliver level 1 and 2 food hygiene training (with appropriate training skills).
Minimum Teaching Time: 36 hours, which is achieved over the 5 days, in a small group. You must have 80% attendance. 6th day is required for exam & assignments
Assessment Format: This qualification is assessed through a 2-part examination. Part one is a 30-question multiple-choice examination (30 marks) Part 2 is a written examination where learners choose 4 from 6 questions. The total mark available in the section is 70marks. The duration of the examination is 2.5hours
Designed for : Owners, Managers, supervisors and senior hygiene personnel. Also for: Trainers and those who monitor and audit food safety systems This is a challenging course; candidates require a moderate level of academic ability. Access to a com-puter, for assignment research, email, etc is an advantage. We are looking to introduce pre-course screening……. Ofqual Accredited:
3 Counties, 3 Days, 1 Challenge! Join us for a cycle ride across the beautiful East Anglian countryside, with one and three day routes available.
This fully supported ride is demanding enough for the keen cyclist and enjoyable for amateurs alike, offering a truly great experience for all. Ride for Life – where friendships are forged, goals are accomplished and great memories are made.
If the 3 day challenge isn’t for you, join us for just 1 of these days.
Includes: dinner, bed & breakfast and luggage transfers
Registration fee – £100
Target sponsorship – £600
You will be in the saddle for approx. 7-8 hours per day.
1 Day Package
1 day challenge covering approx. 70 miles
Registration fee – £30
Target sponsorship – £150
Choose to join us for one of the following days:
Day 1 (8th October) – Snetterton, Norfolk to Ipswich, Suffolk
Day 2 (9th October) – Ipswich, Suffolk to Milton, Cambridgeshire
Day 3 (10th October) – Milton, Cambridgeshire to Snetterton, Norfolk
All cyclists will benefit from:
A fully signed and supported route
First aid assistance
A back-up vehicle for the full journey
Kit list and training information
Daily route information cards
Mechanical support
Refreshments and lunches along the route
Fundraising help and support.
Medal
Please be assured we will make the event safe for everyone involved and in-line with the very latest government advice. We are confident the events will be able to go ahead however, if we are forced to postpone any events due to the impact of coronavirus, you will receive a full refund if you are unable to attend the new date. You can read through our Covid safety plans here, which we will continue to keep up to date.
Ride for Life is kindly sponsored by Johnston Logistics UK
In Memory of Richard Johnston – Richard Johnston who sadly passed away in December 2018 was a dedicated supporter to EACH for over 25 years with Johnston Logistics being the host and sponsor of Ride for Life since it began back in 1993. Without their support this event wouldn’t be possible.
Do you know what motivates your team and how motivated they are currently?
Do you know how emotionally invested your employees are in your business?
Do you know that in the UK:
Only 17% of employees are engaged meaning they are committed, motivated and emotionally connected to your business.
57% of employees are not engaged they are essentially “checked out”, sleepwalking through their workday, putting time – but not energy or passion – in to their work.
Worryingly 26% of employees are actively disengaged meaning they aren’t just unhappy at work; they’re busy acting out their unhappiness.
Learning Objective
In this masterclass, we will look at what employee engagement actually means and why it is so important to your bottom line, we will look at the drivers of employee engagement and share with you practical and proven techniques and tools to help you build high performing teams in your business.
We will look at the difference between engagement, satisfaction and motivation and will explore how understanding the difference in motivators can positively engage your teams.
Prior to the masterclass there will be an opportunity to complete a free engagement health check to understand how engaged your employees are in your business as well as a individual motivational map. On completion you will receive a personalised report and action plan based on your answers as well as up to one hour of Cassandra or Paul’s time totally free of charge to discuss your employee engagement priorities.
Who Should Attend
The masterclass is aimed at business leaders and owners of SME’s with staff teams up to 150. However the principles of the masterclass is suitable for anyone wanting to learn more about the value and impact of Employee Engagement.
About your experts
Cassandra Andrews
Cassandra is an employee engagement consultant and motivational map practitioner who is passionate about making a difference in the field of employee engagement and motivation. Cassandra is on a personal mission to make Norfolk a great place to work!
With 17 years HR experience working across the private and not for profit sectors Cassandra has experience of FMCG, retail, care and she has successfully owned and operated a recruitment business across East Anglia.
Cassandra has recently been confirmed as a judge for the prestigious 2018 Employee Experience Awards which celebrates excellence in employee experience. Cassandra has designed, implemented and led employee engagement programmes winning regional business awards for ‘Employer of the Year’.
Cassandra believes if you understand what motivates individual employees you can connect with them through empowerment, development and respect which results in a workforce who are committed to the long-term vision and profitability of a business.
Paul Ward
Paul Ward is a Personal Development and Business coach who focuses on understanding both an individual and team’s motivational drivers to ensure business success.
As a Master Practitioner of NLP and with over 20 years’ management experience in fast paced retailers developing managers and teams, Paul has seen the impact of engaging with team members which ultimately leads to improved productivity and an engaged workforce.
Paul works with business owners using his operational experience in conjunction with motivational map technology. Paul then works with business owners/managers to unlock the key motivational drivers of individuals and teams to develop strategies to deliver positive outcomes.