Laptop Monday | Lunch 'n' Learn Sessions

Every Laptop Monday includes a short “Lunch 'n' Learn” session over the lunch break, with a presenter sharing 10 to 15 minutes of practical knowledge of relevance to your business. If you don't want to listen, that's fine – there are plenty of places on the premises you can be instead.

Here are some of the topics we have covered so far. To book your place at a future Laptop Monday, or to suggest a topic you would like to hear about, please get in touch.

4th July | You and your credit score

Why is your personal credit score important when you are looking to raise finance for your business? When people raise finance for their business they often neglect to consider their own personal credit score and simply concentrate on the business score. This is a fatal mistake to make. This short presentation from a business finance specialist showed what information is in your credit score, how it can affect your chances of a low interest rate when borrowing, and how to take steps to keep your financial score healthy.

20th June | Internet security and keeping yourself safe online

A practical session on internet security and keeping yourself and your business safe online.

Alongside the Lunch'n'Learn session there was a free device clinic all day – if you had trouble with your laptop, wanted anti-virus advice or had IT matters to consider, help was on hand (limited time per person!) right through the day. A great offer!

6th June | Know yourself better – get better results

Personality profiling is not just for large and medium sized companies – it works for one-man businesses too. Having your profile assessed and then explained to you can help you better understand yourself, and help you maximise your strengths and minimise your weaknesses. It will also help you work more effectively with suppliers, clients, and even prospects. Everyone attending this session had the option of going through the profiling process, with their results explained on a confidential one-to-one basis before or after the session – at no additional charge.

23rd May | How to get your inbox to zero

Yes, it is possible to get your inbox to zero and to keep it that way. Don't get me wrong – a full inbox can mean new orders or new customers which could generate sales and income. However, not dealing with all the emails could in fact create the opposite. This session showed how to manage your emails more efficiently and effectively, to free up valuable time and energy to focus on other aspects of your business.

9th May | Six outstanding ideas to promote your business

You run a business that produces great products and services, but do you tell people about it, to gain exposure and build a brand image? During a short interactive session, a Berkshire-based media communications specialist shared six practical ideas to help you communicate & promote what you do best – with a thought-provoking game to discover how you can promote your business.

18th April | Food to boost energy and improve sleep

A 15 minute session from a leading nutrition expert who works with businesses, athletes and schools, touching briefly on how diet impacts energy, sleep and your ability to perform well at work. The ‘tips and tricks’ explained gave everyone a few action-points to improve their own energy, sleep and performance.

4th April | Using the moving image

No website is complete these days without a short video, but most of us aren't trained in the arts of film-making. Here's a secret: you don't have to be a Hollywood director. This session gave some tips on how to make the video camera in your phone work for you, if you work with it.

21st March | What can HR do for the self-employed?

A 15 minute Lunch'n'Learn on HR. If you're self-employed, is there any point in listening? Yes! From agreements with freelancers to the day you take on your first employee, a little HR knowledge could be very much to your benefit.

8th February | Top 10 marketing tips for small businesses

There are obviously many ways in which you can improve your marketing, but this 15 minute Lunch'n'Learn covered off ten top tips, with some real take-aways you can implement immediately.

25th January | For how long can you afford to be out of action?

A 15 minute Lunch'n'Learn on the importance of healthcare within the self-employed and small business arena. The NHS is under so much pressure in today's world that people are now looking to private medical insurance for the solution, to minimise any impact on their business. The session explained why.

11th January | The 5 key P’s in presentation

What’s it about?

Whatever you do, the major difference between your competitors’ offering and yours is ... YOU!

Although business isn’t a popularity contest, people buy from people they like, and it’s the way you present yourself to others that makes the difference.

This interactive session will help you:

Make an impactful first impression
Look like you mean what you say
Approach every presentation positively

Why should you care?

Most business owners set up their business because they are good at what they do, not because they are necessarily good at presenting it; however, all business owners and many staff are expected to be able to present as part of their role.

The session was run by a presentation coach who uses the skills of professional actors to help people look, sound and feel more confident. The techniques of these actors can make the difference between a poor presentation and a good one, or a good presentation and a great one!

Find out more about Laptop Monday