13 minute read
Tech
from SBT issue 460
Events Not To Be Missed
Silicon Brighton is a community-led initiative supporting those working in our local digital sector. We provide a variety of free and accessible events to help people learn new skills, make connections, and progress their careers in tech. This month is buzzing with activity, so read on for a taste of what’s in store!
Scan the QR code or visit hub.siliconbrighton.com/events to find out more.
Tackling Fake Traffic from Artificial Engagement
Fri 18th November | 12:30-1:30pm | Online Recent research shows that potentially up to one-third of a website’s visitors are fraudulent, meaning your sales and marketing funnels could be polluted with bad, or worse, stolen data. Come and learn how to identify bots and prevent them from being on your website.
Amazon’s Culture of Innovation
Weds 23rd November | 6-8pm | Online / In person at Spaces Get a glimpse behind the curtains of Amazon’s peculiar approach to innovation and how they deliver bespoke engagements with customers, presented by Amazon’s Digital Innovation Lead, Robert Hodges.
From Conversation to Software
Thurs 24th November | 6-8pm | Online / In person at Spaces Get best practice advice on how to transform conversations with clients to software that solves their problems, using user stories, story mapping and release planning to create meaningful and insightful choices for your clients.
Detecting Financial Vulnerability with Unsupervised Machine Learning
Weds 30th November | 6-8pm | Online / In person at Barclays Eagle Labs Hear how EDF have used data science and machine learning to analyse Smart meter Pay As You Go (PAYG) customers for signs of financial distress, to develop better support for those customers during the cost of living crisis.
Game Dev Drinks
Fri 25th November | From 7pm | In person at Green Door Store Are you a game developer? Want to meet other developers in the Brighton area? Come along to Game Dev Drinks, a monthly networking, social and live music get-together hosted by Justin French (Founder, CEO and Creative Director of Dream Harvest).
People + Culture Club Christmas Meet Up
Thurs 15th December | 5:30-7:30pm | In person at North Laine Brewhouse If you’re looking for a community of People-people who have a bias against traditional ‘HR’, then People + Culture Club is the place for you! Join them for a natter and a drink of whatever takes your fancy at this relaxed and informal get-together.
Calling all Brighton dads
A grassroots movement pioneering for change…introducing Dad La Soul.
From stand-up comedy to silent discos and dad dance battles, Dad La Soul playdates create a safe space for dads to connect with likeminded people, enjoy quality time with their children and have some fun. Dad La Soul is a multi-award-winning revolutionary grassroots movement that uses art, tech and music to battle social isolation and loneliness in dads across Sussex. They create kick-ass Saturday morning playdates for dads, stepdads, grandads and male-identifying carers who want to hang out with their kids, play, learn, teach and make new friends. Dad La Soul events bring people together, challenge conventions, spark conversations and start friendships with dads that perhaps might otherwise struggle in silence. “Dad La Soul is a lot of fun but there is a serious message behind it. We bring dads and kids together with amazing activities, to break down barriers and start conversations which dads may not otherwise have,” said Dan Flanagan, Founder at Dad La Soul. Founded in 2017 in Worthing, Dad La Soul has just launched a brand-new play date in Brighton, and it is calling all dads to get involved. The Dad La Soul community will be ‘taking Brighton by storm’ one Saturday a month, at Plus X Brighton in Moulsecoomb. Each event will focus on a different theme designed to engage the children and of course the dads! The events are a safe space for dads and kids to let off steam, have some banter and ask for help. The launch took place on Saturday 12th November. The inaugural event welcomed more than 100 dads and children to play, create connections and make some music. The music workshop was led by the fantastic Audio Active, a grassroots social enterprise organisation that help young people engage with music across Sussex. Reece Pickett, Youth Project Manager at Audio Active, said. “One of the best Audio Active sessions I have seen…all the kids were super engaged and really enjoyed it.” After launching at their new HQ, Dad La Soul Brighton has created some great collaborations with people, places and businesses to bring the events to life. Collaborators include The Bevy, Brighton’s number one community run pub/hub, County Business Clubs, a growth engine for Sussex Businesses, Brighton and Hove Council and Plus X innovation hubs. “This event was incredibly impressive. I think around Brighton there just isn’t support around for dads...having this is a great way for dads to meet people,” said Chris Llewellyn, a member of the Management Committee at The Bevy. Plus X Brighton is a seven-storey innovation hub for all types of businesses from freelancers to corporates. Located on Lewes Road in Moulsecoomb, the innovation hub encompasses business growth innovation programmes, coworking and office space, support for sustainable product makers, design workshops, podcast studios, media suites, meeting rooms and event spaces. Plus X is committed to creating
purposeful partnerships to deliver positive Networking & Events social impact to local communities, especially those residents located in their home of Moulsecoomb. Mat Hunter, Co-CEO at Plus X innovation hubs, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Dad La Soul. Not only are they focused on the health and well-being of dads and children, but who knows, perhaps spending Saturday mornings in our innovation hubs will ignite an interest in starting a new business!” Dad La Soul is passionate about creating a supportive and accessible community. They have a range of ticket options available to ensure all families are welcomed. Tickets cost just £6 for a family of four, with free entry available for families with low or no wage. Isabella Hoffmann, Community Lead at Plus X, said: “When Dan first approached us to be the new HQ for Dad La Soul, it was an immediate nobrainer. We endeavour to support and champion impact-focused events that encourage collaboration and connection in the community, which is exactly what these events do.” The next event will be on Saturday 10th December, 10am-12pm at Plus X Brighton. Join Dad La Soul for the Christmas celebration of the year, as well as the world-famous Beach Punch and Judy show.
Book your ticket tby scanning the QR code or visiting https://bit.ly/3Aj5GNz.
By Alicia Sullivan
The importance of networking
during economic downturns
Archie Hampshire, Marketing Assistant at Network My Club, explains why you should still be building connections during a period of run-away inflation, ever-increasing interest rates and an energy crisis.
Networking & Events
It’s no secret we’re going through hard times. And there’s real potential for it to get even harder.
I’m sure it won’t be too long before we’re paying £1 for a Freddo.
But chocolate inflation aside, in this current economic climate it’s essential you keep networking to grow your business.
Why should you keep investing in attending networking events when all the signs are pointing towards making cutbacks?
Because people might not be ready to buy from you now but, by becoming the person people think of in your industry means when they are ready, you’ll be at the forefront of their minds.
There are plenty of ways to use your networking wisely - even when it might not necessarily be driving the new business you’re perhaps used to.
Get closer to prospects
Learn their current challenges and pain points. Use that information to think about how to evolve your offering and help them overcome them.
Listen to clients
Your clients will likely be out networking too. Either there or away from events, take the time to listen to how you could better serve them. What challenges are they experiencing? Are they are having to evolve? How can you support them by connecting them with your network?
Use your network to help others
You might not be receiving so much, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving and finding ways to connect others with your own network. How can people you know help them?
Adjust your offering
Maybe there is an opportunity to try something new, either short-term or long-term. During the pandemic, we had to adjust our event offering to online (never did I think we’d do online when starting the business), but still embrace it today as behaviours shifted.
Learn from other businesses
Businesses of different sizes, ages and sectors could all be going through different challenges. Improving your knowledge here will arm you better to help others, provide insight and ultimately add value to your network.
Speak to your membership organisations
Update them on current challenges, changes in the business, or where the growth opportunities are. They are there to help you!
In a nutshell
To summarise, avoid burying your head in the sand because you don’t think you can get anything from networking.
Keep yourself out there. Don’t be forgotten.
Because when people are ready to buy, or they know someone that is, is it you or your competitor they think of?
https://www.networkmyclub.co.uk/
Twitter @NetworkMyClub LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/
company/network-my-club
The Director’s Hub: founders’ ‘support’ club
A peer-to-peer hub for small business directors expands to help more entrepreneurs.
A peer-to-peer networking group for small business directors is expanding across Sussex to create more opportunities for likeminded entrepreneurs. Aimed firmly at business owners who don’t have a big management team to support them, The Directors’ Hub connects individuals who want to share knowledge and achieve growth. The Hub already has peer-to-peer support groups in Brighton and Mid Sussex and has now launched in Eastbourne and Worthing. There are plans to create more in Crawley, Chichester, and Hastings in 2023. Founder and entrepreneur Sonny Cutting said: “The Directors’ Hub has grown from a tiny seed of an idea into something which is much-needed and much-supported by small business directors throughout Sussex. “I’m delighted to announce the new Hubs and intend to open more in 2023. I want to support entrepreneurs who want guidance from those facing similar issues. They can meet in a welcoming environment where they can discuss ideas and let off a bit of business steam.” Each hub is an intimate, informal support group with 12 like-minded members who meet once a month to share successes, discuss business issues and learn strategies to help with business growth. At each meeting members have the chance to chat and get to know each other followed by a motivational speaker and then a topic for discussion. There is also a closed WhatsApp group where members can chat and ask for advice at any time. “We wanted to create something that would provide real value for small businesses, that was unlike other largescale peer-to-peer groups. At The Directors’ Hub you get to know other business owners well, build lasting and meaningful relationships and receive the support larger companies get from their management teams,” added Mr Cutting. “I couldn’t be prouder of the way it has grown, indicating a clear need for this kind of peer-to-peer support group, and I look forward to adding more Hubs in Sussex and beyond in the future.” Mr Cutting plans to grow The Hub, which is part of the Sussex Business Show and has been running for three years, to 20 groups. He is also in the process of creating a new website to support both. The hubs meet once a month in different locations around Sussex. Hurstpierpoint Hub meets on a Wednesday afternoon for Lunch Hub, Brighton Hub meets
Networking & Events
on a Tuesday evening for the Supper Club, Eastbourne Hub meets Tuesday evening and Worthing Hub meets Wednesday afternoon. As well as offering a standard membership at £600+VAT, there’s a tiered membership for those who want to be involved with more than one group in their designated area. For more information about joining visit directorshub.uk or call Sonny Cutting on 07889 533641 or visit
sussexbizshow.com
(Photo from left to right. Sabreen from Active Physio Clinics, Pippa from Global OHS, the host, Sonny Cutting, Paul from Gordian Solutions, Ben from Second Voice, Robert from Management Inspirations and Wes from Adapt Fitness.) This was the Hurstpierpoint Lunch Hub meeting earlier this year.
And it’s a sell out!
The November Big Business Breakfast was sold out almost a week in advance, with 80 tickets purchased by business people from across Brighton and the South.
Networking & Events
A big thank you is due to this month’s breakfast networking sponsor, PrimeBlue R&D services.
Primeblue is a specialist in R&D claims. With hundreds of successful claims under their belt, they make sure you get the amount you are entitled to, maximising your claim within the boundaries set out by HMRC.
The team at PrimeBlue are highly trained experts. Sector specialists and business entrepreneurs work in partnership with you and your business to make sure the claim process is simple and straightforward.
PrimeBlue have chosen The Martlets as the beneficiary for this BBBC.
Martlets is a local charity that provides terminally ill people in Brighton and Hove, and surrounding areas, with the very best care and support.
Their expert team helps patients live life to the full during the precious time they have left.
Martlets opened in 1997. The staff and services were formed from the merger of three separate charities: Copper Cliff Hospice, Tarner and MacMillan Day Hospice.
Across the hospice services, more than 34,000 local people have been supported and cared for since 1997.
Most people receive care from them in their own homes. Outpatients also visit the hospice for pain relief, physiotherapy, counselling, welfare advice and social activities. Others choose to spend their final days there, or to join them as inpatients for respite care or symptom management. Great to hear from our guest speaker, Alice Reeves. from The Joyful, a purpose-first based consultancy for future-focused businesses.
Always great to hear from Alex Ryan, of Marketing 101, with his regular spot delivering marketing hints and tips to make your business pop. Make sure to get there nice and early so you have plenty of time to meet other like-minded businesspeople in the room.
We look forward to seeing you next month on Friday 16th December at Hove County Cricket Ground, sponsored by World First supporting the Chailey Heritage Foundation.
Look out for more details soon on social media
