UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS
Pollinators calendar of events for 2025 *Note: some workshops require an ABN to register
Community Lunch & Learn Volunteer Opportunity 🚀
Calling passionate professionals and community members - we want YOU!
If you have a skill or topic you'd like to volunteer to share, we invite you to host a Lunch & Learn session.
They are held on Tuesdays from 12pm - 1pm.
Complete our Expression of Interest form and help inspire and teach our community.
Volunteer Your Knowledge. Make an Impact. 💡
February
Tuesday 25th February, 9:30am – 11:30pm, (*ABN needed).
This workshop will cover:
Understanding LinkedIn’s purpose and functionalities as a professional platform;
Understanding the benefits of using LinkedIn as a marketing tool;
How to create and edit your LinkedIn profile;
Be inspired to tell share worthy stories and join the LinkedIn conversation; and
Navigating the intricacies of LinkedIn, including:
The anatomy of a LinkedIn post;
Searching and making connections; and
Commenting and networking.
March
Tuesday 11th March, 9:30am – 11:30pm, (*ABN needed).
Whether you are developing your first website or looking to improve your existing website Taking the time to plan is crucial as it helps you to establishes clear goals and ensures you are considering the needs of your customers. The planning process leads to a more structured and user-friendly design, maintains brand consistency, and optimises site for search engines, ultimately enhancing its effectiveness in achieving your business objectives.
Through a series of interactive exercises, this workshop will cover:
The correlation between website planning and business goals;
Crafting an intuitive website structure that enhances user experience and navigation;
Developing engaging and relevant content strategies tailored to your target audience;
Implementing effective calls-to-action to drive desired user interactions and conversions; and
How to align these crucial elements with business objectives to ensure a cohesive and impactful online platform.
By the end of this workshop, you will emerge with a comprehensive roadmap tailored to your specific business needs, providing a clear direction for the development or revamp and execution of your website strategy.
April
Tuesday 8th April, 9:30am – 11:30pm, (*ABN needed).
In an era of rapid technological evolution, our professional and personal landscapes have undergone a remarkable transformation. However, with these advancements comes an ever-growing threat of cybercrime. As Australia emerges as a prime target for cyber criminals, the stakes for small businesses have never been higher. In 2023, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) reported a 14% increase in the average cost of a cyber-attack on small businesses, reaching a staggering $46,000.
As a small business owner, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve and fortify your business against these cyber threats. Join us for a workshop on Cyber Security Basics for Small Business – an essential guide for EVERY business owner to protect their enterprise from potential cyber-security threats.
What to Expect:
Insights into Current Threats: Understand the specific cyber threats targeting businesses in Australia.
Real-Life Case Studies: Learn from local businesses’ experiences and discover actionable strategies.
Spotting Phishing Emails: Arm yourself with the knowledge to identify and combat phishing attempts.
Social Engineering Unveiled: Explore how hackers exploit human vulnerabilities and gain practical defenses.
Top Five Protective Measures: Discover the essential measures to shield your business from cyber threats.
Response Strategies: Learn the immediate actions to take if your business falls victim to a cyber-attack.
Don’t miss this opportunity to empower yourself with the tools and knowledge needed to secure your small business in today’s digital landscape. Act now to safeguard your business against cyber threats!
May
Tuesday 6th May, 9:30am – 11:30pm, (*ABN needed).
Have you found it challenging to make and publish video content for your business marketing?
Maybe you squirm when you think about talking in front of the camera?
Does it make you cringe to see yourself on the screen “blabbing away”?
Perhaps you wonder if it does any good for your business anyway?
You might also be confused about what gear, lighting, place would be best to record your videos?
Or…are you just simply overwhelmed, unsure where to start and so popping it (wrapped in a nice bow) into the “too hard basket”?
As small business owners, we know we need to be online but can find ourselves pushing this item waaaay down to the to-do list.
Customers and clients are people…and what do people long for the most?
They long to connect.
When you can show up as yourself - authentically - on video, you create a super easy opportunity for the right clients to connect with you - without you even having to be there!
I know it’s hard - “argh my face, argh my voice why did I say it that way?” - these voices pop up mighty loud when we start approaching that camera.
And…there are ways to befriend and quiet them down so you can get online and start connecting - authentically - with more people who are longing to find you!
During this two hour workshop with content creator Mira Rao you’ll be given:
Inspiration and tools to create more confidence for getting on camera.
Support to develop the right mindset that helps you tap into the natural charisma and confidence you have when you connect to your passion and purpose.
An efficient strategy to get you out of overwhelm and get you started.
Tips and tools for how to generate ideas for content that feels good to you.
Easy to follow guidance on simple tools you can use to create authentic videos that connect with your audience and future clients and customers.
If this touches a nerve in you or inspires you to think that just maybe you could start creating authentic video content this is a workshop not to miss.
June
July
Canva for Social Media and Print
Tuesday 1st July, 9:30am – 11:30pm, (*ABN needed).
If you are already using Canva but want to learn how to take your designs to the next level, this hands-on and interactive workshop will show you how.
The workshop starts with an overview of Canva's features and functionalities, including tips and short cuts. You will then create your own designs, with step-by-step instruction from our expert presenter Andy Kahle. This includes exploring the extensive library of templates, fonts, images, and icons, that can be used to produce eye-catching designs.
Andy will also cover important design principles including layout techniques, that will help you to create effective, and consistently branded designs across all assets.
This workshop will cover:
Overview & Setup
Quick look around the menus and advanced features
What can you create with Canva
Knowing your Brand: Colours, Fonts and Imagery
Creating a design for printing
Rulers, Guides, Bleed, Margins
Quick look around the design area
Templates, Guidelines, Layers, Images & Effects, Backgrounds, Text
Download the finished artwork for the printer
Repurposing an existing design for social media
Copy & Paste, Resizing Images
Download the finished artwork for digital
You will leave this workshop with the ability to confidently use Canva for various design projects, saving you time and money by creating professional-looking designs in-house.
Bring your laptop!
AI Unlocked: Transfornming Small Businesses with Generative AI
Tuesday 15th July, 9:30am – 11:30pm, (*ABN needed).
(Generative AI has exploded on the tech scene in recent years and can offer countless benefits for businesses looking to transform and optimise their operations. With the right tools and know-how AI can help level the playing field between small businesses and their larger counterparts.
The first half of the workshop will cover what Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative AI is and how it can help you as a business owner. The focus will be on practical tools and strategies that you can use to enhance your operational efficiency, marketing, customer engagement, and overall profitability.
The second hour will be more interactive as the presenter takes you through real world examples provide by the workshop participants.
When you registered for the workshop, you will be given the opportunity to share a particular challenge you are facing. The presenter will then use the examples provided to run a live demonstration of how AI can help.
We will cover:
What AI is and its capabilities;
Real world use cases for generative AI tools in small businesses;
Using AI for marketing and content creation;
How AI can support your customer service activities;
Personalising customer experiences in services, products and marketing through AI; and,
Applying AI in scheduling, inventory management, and administrative tasks to improve operational efficiency.
This workshop is ideal for any business owners still uncertain about the power of Artificial Intelligence and how it can be harnessed to optimise activities and support business growth.
August
September
Tuesday 23rd September, 9:30am – 11:30pm, (*ABN needed).
(Are you a small business owner who wants to make the most of digital tools to grow and run your business more smoothly? Join us for a comprehensive workshop where we’ll guide you step-by-step through the basics of getting your business online and making digital tools work for you.
Key topics we'll explore:
What digitising your business means and how to prepare for it
Building a website that works for you and helps you get found online
Using social media to grow your business and connect with customers
Tips for paid advertising on Meta and Google
Engaging your customers with email newsletters
Getting valuable insights through surveys and reviews
Accounting and bookkeeping tools, plus the benefits of e-invoicing
Using customer relationship management (CRM) systems to manage your business efficiently
Making the most of Microsoft and Google business tools
Productivity and project management tools to help you stay organised
Why cybersecurity is essential for every busines
Whether you're new to digital tools or looking to expand your knowledge, this workshop offers practical advice and actionable steps to digitise your business effectively. Don’t miss this opportunity to future-proof your business and stay competitive in the digital age!
October
Tuesday 7th October 9:30am – 11:30pm, (*ABN needed).
(Elevate your business’s financial game with our workshop, and learn how to maximise Xero in a workshop tailor-made for those already familiar with the platform. Dive into simplified strategies to unlock the full potential of Xero and streamline your financial processes seamlessly.
Throughout the workshop, we’ll explore time-saving navigation shortcuts and the power of cash coding and bank rules to simplify your daily tasks. Learn the best practices for invoicing and bill management, including automation tricks and recommended apps for smoother operations. Discover expert tips for efficient payroll management and the importance of lock dates and audit trails for maintaining data integrity.
We’ll guide you through customising reports to extract meaningful insights and explore common app combinations suited for various industries. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the tools and know-how to optimise Xero for enhanced efficiency and productivity in your business operations.
This workshop will cover:
Navigation shortcuts
Cash coding and bank rules
Best practices with invoicing and bills (automation and apps to use)
Best practices with payroll
Lock dates, and audit trails
Customising reporting
Common app stacks for different industries
