Dudley Business First

👏 Thank you to all who joined us at last week's Innovate Dudley roundtable! We examined how further education colleges in the Black Country can help businesses to improve their production processes, design new products and develop their ideas. Attendees enjoyed an insightful presentation from Harold Mututa, who leads the Black Country Innovation Service project for Innovate UK. The project brings together the five FE colleges in our region to assist businesses with technical expertise and practical support. We also heard from Classfeeds, Your Digital Hub Limited, and GRAY TRAINING LTD, three businesses who have made use of the colleges' innovation support to transform their operations. The evening concluded with a discussion on innovation skills and where the gaps are in businesses. Find out more about our Innovate Dudley campaign here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMQpKXNg

Calling all local manufacturers! 🗣️ Discover the free support and facilities available through the Black Country FE Innovation Service! 🤝 Learn how we can help your business thrive with services like additive manufacturing, robotics, and digital engineering. 🛠️ 📆 18 Oct, 08am - 09:30am 📌 Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology To find out more and book your place 👇 https://lnkd.in/eXnbVmmx Donna Watkins Steve Dunn Paul Sampson Catherine Bray MBA Oxford Innovation Advice Business Growth West Midlands West Midlands Combined Authority

Join us for the BGWM in Dudley workshop and discover how to turn LinkedIn into a lead-generating machine. Learn practical strategies to engage with your ideal clients and grow your network. 📅 Date: 14th October 2024 🕒 Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm 📍 Venue: Skate Hut, Amber Way, Halesowen, B62 8AY What you’ll learn: • Build your perfect profile • Develop a targeted strategy • Generate hot leads quickly 🎤 Speaker: ★Ian Preston★, Sales & Marketing expert and Managing Director of IJP Consultancy Ltd Reserve your seat in here: https://lnkd.in/efehMWB7 Oxford Innovation Advice Business Growth West Midlands West Midlands Combined Authority Donna Watkins Steve Dunn Paul Sampson Catherine Bray MBA

🌎 Join us to discover how Dudley businesses are growing globally! Hear success stories, get expert export advice and participate in roundtable discussions on a variety of international trade topics. Whether you're new to exporting or experienced, this free event will help you expand overseas. ✅ Roadshow: Made in Dudley Borough, Sold to the World  📅 Date: Wednesday 13 November, 9am - 12pm 📍 Venue: BCIMO, Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre, Dudley Register here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eZuRDk6g Department for Business and Trade #InternationalTrade #InternationalExport #ExportEvent

Transform your business with GROWTHMapper! 💪 Come to Skate Hut HQ in Halesowen and get a personalized GROWTHMapper report. 📈 Benchmark your business and uncover key opportunities and challenges. 🤔 📅 23 Oct, 10am - 1pm 📍 Skate Hut HQ, Amber Way, Halesowen, B62 8AY Take the first step towards sustainable business resilience! 👇 https://lnkd.in/eJ6-zzUv Email Us ➡️ admin@oxin.co.uk Donna Watkins Steve Dunn Paul Sampson Catherine Bray MBA Oxford Innovation Advice Business Growth West Midlands West Midlands Combined Authority Walsall Council City of Wolverhampton Council Dudley Council Dudley Business First Birmingham City Council Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

🥧 Our Dudley SME Grants Programme is already helping local firms like award-winning pork pie producers T.C. Morris, who have purchased a new industrial oven for their factory in Netherton! “The grant has been absolutely fantastic for our business,” their owner and director Charlotte Tennant said. “The investment in the new industrial oven has enabled us to relocate to bigger premises in Dudley, which has not only secured the future of T.C. Morris, but also secured the future of all the people that continue to work with us.” The second round of the grants programme is now open for applications for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Dudley borough that have been trading for 12 months or longer. Businesses can apply for capital grants from £1,000 to £100,000 for up to 50% of the total eligible costs across six categories, including expansion, innovation, capital investment, and improving systems and processes. Before applying for a grant, businesses will need to complete a diagnostic with Business Growth West Midlands in Dudley. Discover how T.C. Morris benefitted from the grant here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d9rkKhUB Learn more about the grants on our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5VD8bgj

⏳ REMINDER: Our next Innovate Dudley roundtable is coming up on Tuesday afternoon! We're bringing together five of the region's further education colleges to share how they can help your business with product development, new technologies, processes and business models. We'll be joined by Harold Mututa, project manager for Innovate UK's Black Country Innovation Service, who will discuss the technical expertise and practical support on offer from the five colleges that form the service. Local businesses that have made use of the programme to improve their products and processes will also share their insights. Book your place and come along to the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill on Tuesday from 4pm to 6pm. This event is part of our Innovate Dudley campaign, which is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Sign up 👉 https://lnkd.in/ejDSzJ5j Mani (Mandeep) Hayre

Clients Applaud Our Programme! 👏 Hear what Alex Yorke, from Verge Distribution MD, shared about their experience… ⬇️ “It was lovely to meet you the other day, and thank you for taking the time to understand my business and for your million-pound ideas! Wow, thank you for putting this Action Plan together for me! This will be really helpful in figuring out my next steps.” Get in contact to experience the benefits for your business! ➡️ admin@oxin Donna Watkins Steve Dunn Paul Sampson Catherine Bray MBA Oxford Innovation Advice Business Growth West Midlands West Midlands Combined Authority

Maximize your retail business’s local reach with a Google Business Profile! 📍 Join our FREE online webinar to discover how to optimize your profile and attract more customers! 🌐 Learn about the power of Google Business Profiles and why they are essential for local retail success! 📖 📅 3 Oct, 10am - 11am To find out more and book your place 👇 https://lnkd.in/ePWgx7c4 Get in contact to experience the benefits for your business! 👇 admin@oxin.co.uk Talk to our programme managers ⬇️ Donna Watkins Steve Dunn Paul Sampson Catherine Bray MBA Oxford Innovation Advice Business Growth West Midlands West Midlands Combined Authority

Our team is dedicated to helping SMEs achieve their growth potential. Whether you're navigating funding options, exploring innovative technologies, or developing a comprehensive business plan, our advisers are here to assist. Benefit from one-on-one consultations, tailored workshops, and valuable resources designed to address your unique business challenges. Connect with our experts and take the next step towards business success. For more information contact Donna Watkins Steve Dunn Paul Sampson Catherine Bray MBA or email: admin@oxin.co.uk Oxford Innovation Advice Business Growth West Midlands West Midlands Combined Authority