The Business Know How North East programme of Knowledge-Exchange workshops is now complete for this cycle and currently under review.  The following were held:

Free Business Know How workshops – half day:

Employment Law with Stronachs LLP - 26th January 2010 2pm-5pm at ACVO, Greyfriars House. By the end of this workshop you will be aware of the principles of the ACAS COde of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures, have gained an insight into the practical aspects of handling disciplinary and grievance procedures and be aware of the steps that your organisation can take to ensure compliance with the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.
What makes a good enterprise idea? with Fruition Marketing on 1st February at ACVO.  By the end of this workshop you will have a good understanding of what makes a good enterprising idea. This workshop would be most appropriate for delegates who are looking to introduce income streasm to their business and don't know where to start. This workshop will give you an idea of how to research a good idea thoroughly.
Objective Setting with Royal Bank of Scotland on 3rd February 2010 at RBS Corporate HQ, 1 Albyn, 2-5pm.  This workshop will give youan appreciation of well used objective setting methods;a SMART tool to simplify objective setting andGoals to help you GROW.
Introduction to Business Planning – 16th February 2010 with Business Gateway at Enterprise Business Centre, Poynernook Road, Aberdeen 2-5pm.  This workshop will show how comprehensive business plans can support development and how to use them.By the end of the workshop you will have a plan of further actions and knowledge of training and available support to take back to your organisation. Liimited parking available.
Lobbying & Stakeholder Engagement (click the link for presentation slides) with The Big Partnership at 11 Thistle Place, Aberdeen  - 11th March 2010, 2-5pm.  By the end of this workshop delegates will have gained an understanding of lobbying and stakeholder engagement. They will be given techniques for succesful ways of engaging political and other stakeholders. Through relevant case studies delegates will be able to engage effectively with target audience.
Introduction to Preparing Accounts using the Charities SORP with Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP - 16th March 2010 at Anderson Anderson & Brown, 9 Queens Road, Aberdeen AB15 4YL, 2pm—5pm. Coffee and tea available from 1.30. Limited parking available. By the end of this workshop you will have an overview of the contents of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities ("SORP"); you will develop and understanding of the information required to prepare the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet and related notes; you will be better informed when discussing accounting issues with your independent examiner of auditor. Delegates may find it beneficial to bring along a copy of their most recent annual accounts to refer to. The workshop will not be appropriate for those charities with income less than £100,000 who prepare accounts using the Receipts and Payments basis.
Team Building with The Royal Bank of Scotland - *27th April 2010 (*Please note change of date, originally 7th April) at RBS Corporate HQ.  By the end of this workshop delegates will understand the importance of creating the right climate and culture to the success of developing winning teams; understand the 8 team characteristics needed to flourish in a winning team; have the opportunity to share knowledge and best practice.
Presentations and Public Speaking with Business-Plus Scotland (THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED) - 8th April 2010 at ACVO, Greyfriars House, 2pm—5pm. By the end of this workshop you will be better able to plan a presentation, deliver a presentation and feel more confidence about presentations generally and speaking in public.
Stress Management with Four Steps Coaching - 15th April 2010 at  ACVO, Greyfriars House, 2-5pm.  THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED.  By the end of this workshop you will have an understanding of stress - what is enough? You will be better able to decide what to do with your time and better able to make the work/life balance work.
Market Research and Marketing with Ideas in Partnership -  21st April 2010 at ACVO, Greyfriars House, 2-5pm.  By the end of this workshop delegates will be able to carry out in-house market research; design relevant research material eg questionnaire; understand how to gain and retain customers; begin to develop marketing strategy.
Property Leasing for the Third Sector with Shepherd + Wedderburn LLP - 20th April 2010, 2-5pm at ACVO,  Greyfriars House.  By the end of this workshop delegates will understand how a lease and lease transation operates, be aware of the main issues to be considered when leasing a property and appreciate problem areas that can arise under the terms of a lease.
Introduction to Tendering Process and Winning contracts with Shepherd + Wedderburn LLP - 29th April at ACVO Greyfriars House, 2-5pm.  THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED.  By the end of this workshop delegates will understand how a tendering process operates, appreciate key factors to be considered when participating in a tender and be aware of common errors when tendering.
Selling skills with RBS & Schlumberger - 6th May at RBS Corporate HQ.   This workshop is suitable for delegates involved in all forms of "selling" including fundraising and grant-seeking as well as selling goods or services. By the end of the workshop delegates will understand the sales process, know how to prepare and have skills in pitching.
Event Management with ACVO/Mid Ocean Communications-  19th May 2010, at ACVO, Greyfriars House, 10am - 1pm.  THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. This workshop will help you understand how to ensure that your event fulfils its purposes; enable you to identify and manage resources and provide you with a tool to enable you to plan events.

The BKHNE programme is intended not only to encourage cross-sectoral exchange but to empower real progress for those taking part. All BKHNE participants are therefore asked to complete an action plan before leaving a BKHNE event. The intention is:

• to encourage you to decide on small short/medium term steps
• to make BKHNE partners aware of your plans so that we can assist
• to enable BKHNE partners to monitor the impact of the programme

Much of your action plan will probably relate to the theme of the particular BKHNE workshop or event you have been attending. However, every participant is asked to include opening up further cross-sectoral exchange opportunities by making contact with a business organisation. It may include following a lead given to you by your trainer or other event participants. Investigating Business Mentoring would be a good way of progressing. There may be other ways that Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce can help. If you bank with RBS, then they may be able to be useful trusted advisers in new ways. Checking out what help could be provided by Scottish Business in the Community or considering recruiting a retired executive through REACH may be valuable. All these services are FREE. Other ideas – and contact details - are available through ACVO.

All enquiries should be directed to funding@acvo.org.uk

PAST EVENTS:

• What Makes a Good Marketing Campaign - delivered by Creative Solutions

• Objective Setting - delivered by Royal Bank of Scotland

• Selling Skills - delivered by Royal Bank of Scotland and Simon Robson of Schlumberger. Click here for the delegate notes from this event

• Presentation Skills - delivered by Elaine Manley of Audit Training. Click here for the delegate notes from this event
  

• Performance Appraisal - 9th February 2009, 2-5pm delivered by Royal Bank of Scotland.

• Leadership - 18th February 2009, 3-6pm delivered by Loftus Signs. Open Questions (from Common Purpose)

• Team Development - 23rd February 2009 delivered by The Royal Bank of Scotland, 2-5pm, at RBS Corporate HQ Aberdeen, at 1 Albyn Place, Aberdeen (please note this is not the Queens Cross RBS Branch but the office close to Holburn Street).

• Market Research - 4th March 2009 delivered by Ideas in Partnership, 2-4pm, at ACVO, Robertson Building, Whitemyres Avenue, Aberdeen

• Leadership - 9th March 2009 delivered by Royal Bank of Scotland, 2-5pm, at RBS Corporate HQ, Aberdeen

• Employment Law - 23rd April 2009 delivered by Stronachs, 2-4pm at ACVO, Whitemyres Avenue, Aberdeen. This workshop was delivered by Anna Strong and Isobel Mackenzie, solicitors in the Employment Law unit of Stronachs. The workshop covered disciplinary and greivance procedures and delegates were made aware of the new ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Greivance Procedures and of how to handle practical problems arising from disciplinary and greivance procedures.

• PR & Press - 2nd April 2009 delivered by The Big Partnership, 2-5pm, at ACVO, Robertson Building, Whitemyres Avenue, Aberdeen