Small Business Programs and Support

Master your Instagram in 2023 with this hands-on workshop designed for small businesses.
This is a 6-part hands-on workshop that will give you all the tools you need to master your small businesses' Instagram in 2023.

When: Every Wednesday, 1 March – April 5
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
At: PHIVE, 5 Parramatta Square
 

Undertaking a Business Health Check with a customer can provide them with useful insights to help them prioritise the next steps in growing their business. The Business Health Check is designed to identify opportunities and potential pitfalls customers need to be aware of to help their business thrive.

When: Thursday 2 March 
Time: 1 hour reserved time slots from 9:30am – 4:00pm
At: Parramatta Library at PHIVE, 5 Parramatta Square
 

In this session you will be given a sheet containing 100 plus marketing ideas, and we will talk through some of these – the one’s that generically apply to most small businesses, and some examples specific to the businesses in the room. Walk away with practical ideas to implement for your business

When: Wednesday, April 19
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At: Online Webinar 

The Australian School of Entrepreneurship with support from the City of Parramatta Council invites you to ‘Igniting Your Spark’. 

Igniting Your Spark is an interactive workshop where students will have the opportunity to use entrepreneurship and innovation to solve global problems. Students will also have the opportunity to learn a variety of public speaking techniques. 

Igniting Your Spark is designed for students aged 12 to 24 years.

ABOUT THE DAY

During Igniting Your Spark, students will learn about the world of entrepreneurship and start their very own business or social change movement. Key Activities:

• Business 101. What is a business? What makes an entrepreneur? Why do entrepreneurs do what they do?
• Ideation. What are some local and global problems? What are some innovative business product or service ideas to solve them?
• Rotations. Writing a Business Pitch, Learning Financial Literacy and Creating a Pitch Deck
• Soft Skills. How do you speak so people actually want to listen?
• Presentation. Students will be invited to present their business ideas to a panel of judges in the form of a 2 minute investment pitch.

When: Wednesday, April 26
Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm (3:45pm arrival)
At: Western Sydney Startup Hub, 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta

This webinar will get you well on your way to starting your business. You will learn everything you need to know:

• Business registration
• Legal requirements
• Council requirements
• Insurance
• Market research
• Business planning and more!

If you have just started your business, it is a great opportunity to check you have covered off the first stages of starting a business

When: Thursday, April 27
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At: Online Webinar 

This workshop is designed to provide small business owners with a comprehensive understanding of the legal obligations they must meet to operate their business legally and ethically.

Hosted by The Epiphany Group and in partnership with the City of Parramatta, this workshop is aimed at small business owners operating in Parramatta to provide a clear understanding of the legal essentials for small business and how to set up and run your business correctly to mitigate long term risk.

This workshop will cover the following topics:

1. Business structures and legal requirements

2. Contracts and agreements

3. Employment law and regulations

4. Consumer protection and fair trading laws

5. Intellectual property law

6. Taxation and accounting obligations

7. Legal compliance risks and liabilities

8. Q&A session

When: Thursday, May 25
Time: 2:00pm - 7:00pm
At: Phive, 5 Parramatta Square 

In this Business Planning Essentials webinar you’ll learn how to plan your next 12 months by building a short actionable business plan to drive your business forward in 2023.

As the saying goes if you fail to plan you plan to fail. However many small business owners are put off by an over the top planning process leaving you with a document gathering dust on a shelf. Who’s got time for that!

Put your business on the path to long-term success in this essential workshop taking you, step by step, through the vital process of building a short actionable business plan.

Map out a plan focusing on where you’d like your business to be in the next 12 months and developing a clear vision of the next steps and strategies to take you there.

You wouldn’t set out on a road trip without a map. The road to business success is no different. Without a map to guide you, you’re flying blind and just as likely to end up lost or off on a time wasting shiny object syndrome tangent.

Take the guesswork out of your next steps and fast track your business towards success during this practical hands on workshop where you will clarify your long-term goals into a solid 12-month business plan to keep you on track.

When: Tuesday, May 30
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At: Webinar

Many service providers struggle with how to calculate their pricing. Small business owners only include a tiny part of their real costs and then wonder why their business isn’t making money.

In this session we’ll look briefly at why they struggle, what goes into an hourly rate and why we package instead of disclosing that rate to clients. We look at providing three package tiers to provide easy upsell opportunities, allow for trade-offs if the price is queried, and add value into the packages that will save time and make money!

When: Tuesday, June 27
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At: Webinar

This workshop is the ideal for any Business interested in finding out more about Government Grants Funding. This workshop will educate you how you can prepare for future grants funding - what funding exists and how you can use it to support your organisation.

Current developments in relation to available Government Grants through will be discussed as well as how to get Grant Ready!

What Will be Covered

• Why and how to adapt your Business Plan for a Grants Application
• Grants Project Plan
• Grants Budget
• Grant Writing Do’s & Don’ts
• Practical Writing Tips
• How to undertake a Statement of Need exercise
• Grants Acquittal & Evaluation
• Creating Grants Templates for Standard Application Questions
• Identification & explanation Government Business Grants and Federal & State Government Business Support Funding

When: Thursday, July 6
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At: Phive, 5 Parramatta Square 

Every business exists to make money and for most business owners, creating a business money plan that delivers enough personal income, covers business expenses, satisfies tax obligations and doing so in these challenging times is a daunting task.

This workshop will set up small business owners in Parramatta with the framework to create the financial outcomes you need to survive and thrive in the new financial year.

This workshop will be interactive and you are encouraged to bring a smart device or laptop so we can work on your business financial plan in real time.

This workshop will be a review of the 2023 Financial Year and will cover your Tax and Compliance Obligations.

We will provide practical advice and guidance on complying with tax laws and regulations, so that you can avoid penalties and ensure your business is financially sound.

The following topics will be covered:

1. Introduction to small business tax obligations

2. Types of taxes applicable to small businesses

3. Tax rates and thresholds

4. Deductible expenses for small businesses

5. GST reporting and obligations

6. Record keeping requirements

7. Common mistakes to avoid

The outcome and learnings from this review will be the foundation we’ll use to build your Business Financial Plan for the new Financial Year.

You will complete comprehensive business and personal financial health checklists that will set the foundations for your business money plan.

You will then set personal and business money goals for the next 12, 36 and 60 months.

Finally, you will create action items and build an accountability structure that will keep you focused on achieving your financial targets.

Whether you are a new small business owner or an experienced one, this workshop will deliver the following outcomes:

- Ensuring you meet your tax obligations and reporting requirements

- The creation of your business spending and income plan that aligns with your personal life and money goals.

When: Thursday, July 20
Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm
At: Phive, 5 Parramatta Square 

In business… and in life… you’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s perfectly ok.

The magic happens once you can identify the group of potential consumers who are ideally suited to your product and then specifically tailor each aspect of your business to meet their needs.

Stop wasting time and money trying to please everybody, come and get started pinpointing exactly who you love doing business with so you can target them and build your business.

Learn how to build the "know - like - trust" factor and become the go-to business in your field.

Besides considering the aspects of strategy, business planning and key result metrics for your business you will learn and develop practical skills to help you achieve your desired outcomes

When: Tuesday, July 25
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At: Webinar

This workshop is an ideal, practical guide to looking at revenue streams for any Business. This workshop provides direction as to what is apt for your organization and plans a road map of how to achieve said funding.

The workshop will undertake an analysis of present income streams and look at where potential may lie in developing such funding or looking at a more lucrative funding opportunity elsewhere as an outcome of Government Funding and Procurement.

This is an outcome’s orientated workshop which will provide both strategy and implementation planning for a company to implement a funding strategy.

This workshop takes a Lean Learning approach to your organization’s funding methodology and aims to provide a new way to think about how to organise your business activities to deliver more benefits whilst eliminating unnecessary wastage with no return on investment.

This workshop will provide valuable knowledge on a range of funding sources presently been used by your organization such as:

• Being Grant Ready
• Tackling Tenders – Writing a Winning Tender Bid
• Government Relations
• Public Profiling
• Competitor Analysis
• Developing a Business Plan & Strategy
• Business Storytelling
• Collaboration and Partnerships
• Sub-Contracting

When: Tuesday, August 22
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
At: Phive, 5 Parramatta Square 

Join us for an interactive workshop on attracting and retaining top talent for your small business in Parramatta.

Hosted by The Epiphany Group and in partnership with the City of Parramatta, this workshop will guide you through strategies to attract and retain key talent to help drive business growth and create sustainable business operations.

In this workshop we will cover:

1. Creating a positive work environment

2. Employee brand and value proposition

3. Remuneration and benefits

4. Growth and development opportunities

5. Recognizing and rewarding employees

6. How to recruit effectively

7. Alternative employment strategies

8. Q&A session

You'll also have the opportunity to network with other small business owners in the area and share best practices. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insights and take your small business to the next level!

When: Thursday, August 24
Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm
At: Phive, 5 Parramatta Square 

Are you looking to take your startup business to the next level? Join us for an informative and practical workshop on growing your startup business in Parramatta, NSW.

All small businesses are trying to grow, and generally end up growing in directions that they did not anticipate. This can create unexpected and uncontrolled outcomes that increase the stress on the owner and the business that doesn't always result in a profit. In this workshop, you'll learn about the key elements of successful growth strategies, including market research, customer acquisition and strategic growth plans.

The aim of this workshop is to increase the business owner's ability to take control of new growth opportunities and make logical, profitable decisions during growth.

We will cover:

1. Growth-minded Business Planning and Strategies

2. Market analysis indicators for growth

3. Creating growth plans

4. Culture and systems that support growth

You'll also have the opportunity to network with other startup business owners in the area and share your experiences and challenges. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale up your business, this workshop will provide you with the insights and tools you need to succeed. Don't miss this chance to take your startup business to new heights!

When: Thursday, September 14
Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm
At: Phive, 5 Parramatta Square 

Unlock the secrets to effective cash flow management! This practical and insightful workshop is designed exclusively for small business owners, entrepreneurs and company managers seeking to optimize cash flow, ensure financial stability, and drive business growth.

Through engaging sessions featuring interactive discussions, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises, you'll gain valuable insights into forecasting cash inflows and outflows, identifying and managing cash flow gaps.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have the knowledge and skills to develop sound cash flow management practices, make informed financial decisions, and foster a healthy financial future for your small business.

When: Wednesday, October 4
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At:  Phive, 5 Parramatta Square 

This workshop will give small businesses the tools and techniques to strengthen their business brand online using AI capabilities to connect with customers, and ultimately grow their business.

The workshop will show small businesses how they can be innovative and leverage their agility to drive growth and build stronger customer relationships. They will be introduced to a selection of cutting-edge AI-powered tools that can revolutionize the way they handle photo editing, video creation, copywriting, presentations, and crafting compelling email subject lines amplifying their marketing efforts to grow their customer base.

The businesses will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to stay ahead of the competition by using AI tools. They will learn how to create marketing content, generate leads, and discover fresh perspectives and ideas.

This session will be delivered by speaker and bestselling author, Therese Tarlinton, who will share her expertise on leveraging user-friendly AI tools that can save them time, boost creativity, and enhance their brand's digital representation.

This workshop will be filled with curious conversations, innovative ideas, and actionable takeaways for the participants.

When: Wednesday, October 18
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At:  Phive, 5 Parramatta Square 

In this webinar we aim to get you started on your cybersecurity journey with pragmatic advice explained in plain language – we promise there is no need to bring your IT expert along.

We will talk about five simple yet remarkably effective actions that you can take to immediately improve your cyber security and -even better- that won’t break the bank.

You will leave this webinar feeling more in control of how to manage the uncertainty that comes when doing business online, and while there is no ‘one- solution- fits- all’, there are some valuable standards and tools that help you safeguard your data – protecting your revenue and your reputation, as Lost data means lost trust from your clients.

Participants will learn about:
• Cyber Threats: The Key Areas – Malicious Software – Scam Email (Phishing) – Malware.
• Software Considerations: Automatic Updates- Automatic backups – Multifactor Authentication.
• People and Procedure: Human Error the weakest link – Access Control- Passphrases -Employee Training.
At the completion of the session the participants will leave with:
• An understanding of the ACSC Small Business Cyber Security Guide.
• A checklist that empowers them to implement and track a set of cyber safety measurements.
• A roadmap and guidance to Australian Alert Services and how to report a cyber scam.

When: Tuesday, October 31
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At: Webinar 

Women in particular are using the time at home with young children to begin or develop a side-hustle into a successful small business. Get best-practice tips and practical hacks for the four most common low-entry cost, home-based side-hustles and start-ups: Online/Market Food Businesses and Creative Businesses, Bookable Experiences and Tours, Project Work or Consulting in your field of expertise. You will get critical small business start-up advice and an overview of the approval requirements, marketing fundamentals, plus insider and industry knowledge you will need to turn your side-hustle into a sustainable small business.

Opportunities are emerging in many sectors as they re-invent themselves. Tourism, artisan food and creative pursuit re-invigoration leads us to consider what bookable experiences you may have the skills and time to develop. We will unpack some case studies of those who are already on-their-way in these different spaces.

When: Tuesday, November 28
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
At: Webinar 

Hardman Communications, with the support of City of Parramatta, is holding a How to do PR well workshop for local female business owners.

This friendly, interactive workshop will give you the confidence to get started, with some simple tips and tricks to build your business’s media profile.

In the session, we’ll cover:

What PR is and why it matters

Finding your unique business story

Understanding your audience

How to get media interested

The workshop will be held at the newly opened PHIVE building in central Parramatta. Come along and network with other local female business owners over some light refreshments and leave with the knowledge you need to take your business to the next level.

When: Wednesday, September 20
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
At: Phive, 5 Parramatta Square

Do you dread walking into a room full of people and not know how to approach talking with strangers?

You are not alone.

Hardman Communications, with the support of City of Parramatta, is holding a Networking Workshop for local women in business.

This friendly, interactive workshop will give you the confidence to start a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and includes simple tips and tricks to build your confidence and networking skills.

In the session, we’ll cover:

• Tips and tricks to network well
• Conversation do's and don'ts
• Understanding your audience
• Network with a professional purpose

PLUS

You will have the opportunity to practice your newly learnt skills in a speed networking session.

The workshop will be held at the iconic PHIVE building in Parramatta Square. Come along and network with other local women in business over some light refreshments and leave with the knowledge you need to take your personal and professional skills to the next level.

When: Wednesday, October 25
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
At: Phive, 5 Parramatta Square