How do you think your business would stack up in the face of “the Dragons”?
If the very idea fills you with dread, then Stockton Riverside College believe they could have the answer.
The Business Doctors are opening their surgery for a free one-off seminar at the College and for owners of small to medium-sized businesses it could be just what the doctor ordered.
Teesside’s own “Business Doctor” Simon Grant said: “At The Antidote to the Dragons’ Den event we will talk business owners through a 10-step process to help them put an effective business strategy in place.”
Having spent more than 20 years in finance director roles and having worked all over the world, Simon recognises many of the common issues faced by SMEs regardless of the sector.
While the individual circumstances might vary, he said: “The issues they face tend to be similar, it may be trouble growing sales, finance or cash flow, or problems finding employees with the right skillset.”
His advice to any business owners is to take “a holistic approach”. He said: “You have to look at the business as a whole and then sit down and put a wider strategy together, that will help solve the individual problems.”
This is the key theme behind the free business seminar, co-hosted by the College and the Business Doctors, a nationwide organisation that offers practical business support, consultancy, coaching and strategies for growth.
Open to all owners of small to medium sized businesses across Teesside, the event will offer visitors the chance to pick up some pointers from the Business Doctors, share expertise through the interactive session, while networking with fellow business owners.
Simon, a chartered accountant from Ingleby Barwick, said: “It can be a lonely place as a business owner, it’s always good to have a “critical friend”, someone you can run things past.
“It is good for businesses to learn from other businesses. Sitting in a room together is a great way of doing that.”
He added: “I probably learn as much as the businesses in the room.”
Looking forward to bringing this opportunity to Teesside business owners, Stockton Riverside College’s Group Director of Business Engagement, Gary Potts, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to meet with other business owners, to get some tips from the Business Doctors and also meet with others in a similar situation.
“As a college we believe that a key part of growing any business is to make sure you have a workforce with the right skills and training. By welcoming local businesses into the College we hope to be able to show exactly what the College has to offer in terms of their upskilling and training needs and also demonstrate the high calibre of our students and apprentices.”
The Antidote to the Dragons’ Den is taking place at Stockton Riverside College on Thursday April 25, from 8am to 10am. For booking details visit the College website.
