Working for your Business      Supporting businesses across the Harrogate district
                                                                                                                                                    October 2 017
Welcome to the October edition of Working for your Business. 
 
If you're interested in Code Clubs for young people, are looking to upskill your workforce, are considering developing new products and processes in your business or just want to know about some great business opportunities and events that are coming your way, please read on.  
In this issue: 
Could you help run a Code Club?
The next Harrogate Digital event, in partnership with Code Club UK, is set to be a fun, friendly and relaxed gathering for educators, techies, teachers, community leaders, hosts, volunteers and anyone else interested in Code Clubs.
 
Coding is a skill high in demand, but low in supply. This event is about planning a way to help improve our economy in the future.
 
Whether you are new to or are already running or hosting a club for young people, this event is for you - it's a chance to meet like-minded people and plan how to share resources and help each other.
 
Join us on Wednesday 1st November at 5pm, at the Starling Independent Coffee House (near Debenhams on Oxford St, Harrogate).
 

Upskill your staff and reduce absenteeism, improve productivity and increase motivation 
Over £4.7 million is now available for small to medium sized enterprises in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding to access training.
 
Working through a network of locally based, professional training providers, the Skills Support for the Workforce project offers fully funded training to help SMEs fill the skills gap, raise productivity and boost business growth.
 
It can help businesses develop and implement bespoke training programmes to help meet their growth ambitions by satisfying their workforce's immediate and long term skills needs.
 
 
Business Events
1 November - Code Club meetup
6 November - Harrogate Chamber: managing conflict
8 November - Getting ready for business: an introduction to self employment
10 November - Avoid getting into HR hot water this party season 
15 November - The business plan
16 to 19 November - Harrogate Christmas Market
22 November - Is there anybody out there wants to buy?
23 November - Google Analytics
24 November - Avoid getting into HR hot water this party season 
29 November - Understand the money
2 December - Small Business Saturday
6 December - Sell, sell, sell!
Useful information
Business information pack - for the full range of services that the council offers to business.

Propertyfinder - our free to search online commercial sites and premises register.   

Quarterly Economic Overview - the latest figures from the Harrogate district.  

 

Contact us

tel. 01423 500600
Stay connected
Business Matters:
        a brief update
A new, image-based system of clearing cheques is being rolled out by UK banks and building societies. Find out more
 
The Government's 'Thriving at Work' review looks at how investing in mental health support is good for business. 
  
Support to develop new products and processes
Access Innovation is a new package of support available for businesses across the Leeds City Region to develop new products and processes.

It includes funding to support the purchase of expertise or equipment you need, specialist workshops and one to one advice, connecting you to a pool of other businesses and relevant research organisations.

 
 Avoid Getting into HR hot water this party season
party_people.jpg
With the festive season approaching, DSC chartered accountants will be using their next breakfast briefing to offer some practical tips for businesses on smooth planning of the annual office Christmas party.
 
They'll be covering the tax and VAT consequence of the Christmas party and any seasonal gifts you might be considering for the team, plus DSC are also welcoming HR and Employment Lawyer and head of Berwins Solicitors' industry rated Employment Practice, Mike Patterson to explain what employers need to know, what can happen if the party goes wrong and take a look at some interesting legal case studies.
 
Come along for breakfast, networking and knowledge on Friday 10th or Friday 24th November 2017 at 8am at The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate. The event is free but places must be booked in advance.  
 
Planning for Brexit 
Business owners and managers are faced with a great deal of uncertainty over Brexit.
It may have an impact on the competition for talent, ability to recruit senior and skilled employees, employment law, supply chains and contract arrangements.These and other issues could require businesses to put more or different resources into workforce planning.

Calderdale College, with support from York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, has put together a thought-provoking series of free Brexit workshops for businesses across the region - specifically small and medium sized employers.

With each workshop focusing on a particular sector of the economy, attendees will learn about the questions they need to consider and the actions they could take to help their business prepare for Brexit.  
Find out more and book your place
 
Wellbeing in small business
The Federation for Small Business are promoting Wellbeing in Small Business through their new online hub.
 
Here you will find information and practical advice for your business on mental health and general wellbeing, included are ideas and suggestions that you can try if you are looking to improve your own wellbeing or the wellbeing of your staff.