Across the month of March, our community partners have several courses to help with your small business. From improving your digital skills to networking with other local businesses, there is something to support every small business.
City of Banyule
In March, the City of Banyule is offering:
Small Business Mentoring Service
Tuesday 1 March 2022 | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Free)
Small Business Clinics provide general business advice and can assist you in the steps you need to take to overcome an issue or information gap.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
Small Business Bus: Heidelberg West (Business advice)
Wednesday 23 March 2022 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Free)
The Small Business Bus provides business advisers to help you start or build your small business. Traveling through all regions of Victoria book your free 45-minute session now to get your business moving.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
Nillumbik Shire
During March, Nillumbik Shire is offering:
Boost your business with Facebook advertising – Online Workshop
Tuesday 1 March 2022 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Learn how to advertise your business through Nillumbik’s free workshop. Here's a quick taste of some of the topics they’ll be covering:
- How Facebook advertising works
- Setting up an effective Facebook ad
- Tracking your ad’s success
- The do’s and don’ts of Facebook advertising
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
Creative Industries Business Networking Event – Diamond Valley Library
Tuesday 1 March 2022 | 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (free)
Are you a local creative interested in meeting with like-minded people for networking? Come along to Nillumbik Creative Industries night to meet locals working in the sector near you.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
2022 Northern Business Achievement Awards - The Centre Ivanhoe
Thursday 3 March 2022 | 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
The Northern Business Achievement Awards are a partnership of industry, education, local and state government and decision-makers across Melbourne’s north.
The March breakfast is co-hosted by Nillumbik Shire Council and the City of Whittlesea, who will both have two businesses recognised for their achievements.
The guest speaker is Besa Deda, Chief Economist at Westpac Business Bank and Bank of Melbourne, discussing 'The State of the Economy 2022'.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
SEO Foundations for Small Business – Online Workshop
Thursday 3 March 2022 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (free)
Learn how SEO can help in attracting new customers to your business online in this free workshop.
Visit the event listing for further details.
Business in Nillumbik Networking Event – Diamond Creek
Thursday 3 March 2022 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Local networking events are back for 2022! We are excited to announce the business in Nillumbik networking event will be held face to face at the Diamond Creek Hotel.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
Digital Marketing Essentials – Online Workshop
Tuesday 8 March 2022 | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (free)
Discover digital marketing essential from learning difference between various online marketing channels, including social media, Google AdWords, website banners and emails to how to build an effective strategy.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
How to create and plan content for Your Business – Online Workshop
Thursday 10 March 2022 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (free)
Learn how to create and plan online social media content for your small business. Discover how planning your content will save you time and connect to new audiences.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
Design like a pro with Canva – Online Workshop
Tuesday 15 March 2022 | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (free)
Canva is a free, easy-to-master content creator for visual marketing. In this free workshop, learn the basics of how you can master Canva.
Find out more at the event listing.
Engage real followers with Instagram – Online Workshop
Thursday 17 March 2022 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (free)
Interested in learning more about Instagram? This free workshop will show you how to create a strong online brand and build your following.
Find out more at the event listing.
Women in Business Networking Event - Eltham Community and Reception Centre
Thursday 17 March 2022 | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
We are bringing women across Nillumbik together to meet, connect, network and discuss the highs and lows of their business journey at our upcoming Women in Business Networking Event.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
Enhance your digital presence – Online Workshop
Tuesday 22 March 2022 | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (free)
Develop your online presence through understanding the basics of online businesses. Learn how to register with Google My Business and how social media can help promote your business.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
Maximising Your Marketing - Nillumbik Shire Council
Wednesday 23 March 2022 | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (free)
Interested in learning more about marketing? This workshop is designed to provide you with a broad understanding of what marketing is, as well as provide insight into key actions required to be successful in marketing your business.
For further details and to book, please visit the event listing.
City of Whittlesea
Across March, the City of Whittlesea is offering:
Business Concierge
If you're thinking about starting your own business or already run a business, but have questions about how to expand, what permits you need and which regulations apply to your operation, the City of Whittlesea Business Concierge service is the ideal place to start.
For more information: Call 03 9217 2180 or email business.concierge@ whittlesea.vic.gov.au.
Community Partners
Business Victoria
Virtual Mentor Sessions
Business Victoria offers free online business advice sessions to help you start or grow your small business. Available Monday to Friday, these one-on-one sessions are with a business expert and will provide information on your business idea or how to grow your existing business.
For further details and to book, visit the Business Victoria website.
Tools and Templates
Discover the range of templates and tools from Business Victoria to help you and your business. From final demand and financial statement templates to marketing plan documents, they have something to help in every aspect of your business. Find out more on the Business Victoria website.
Strategies to Advance Your Online Business – Workshop
Friday 4 March 2022 | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Prepare to get your bright idea off the ground, step by step, at this essential planning workshop packed with vital start-up tips, tools and expert guidance that will prepare you to give your business the best chance of success.
Taking Your Business Online - Workshop
Monday 7 March 2022 | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Learn how to make informed choices about websites and social media, get across search engines and online advertising, size up the benefits each offers your business and know where to access the right tools to begin.
Generating Cashflow – Workshop
Tuesday 8 March 2022 | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
If you’re spending more time juggling cash than running your business, making a profit but still struggling to pay the bills, then this essential small business workshop will ensure you’re never caught short again.
Maximising Your Marketing – Workshop
Tuesday 8 March 2022 | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Find out why just a website and a Facebook page are not going to cut it at this back-to-basics webinar that will show you how to develop a marketing action plan to keep your effort and resources focused in the right areas.
Australian Tax Office
Join online for the Australian Tax Office’s (ATO) range of short webinars to help you with your small business. From understanding cash flow and GST to connecting with the ATO as a sole trader or small business. For more details and to register, visit the ATO website.
Be Connected
Do you need to learn more about technology? Be Connected host a number of short online workshops to help with updating your tech skills. Learn more on the Be Connected website.
PRACE
Join PRACE at our newest pop-up hub site, Donnybrook Olivine By Mirvac – Shared Space Community Centre in Donnybrook.
Introduction to basic bookkeeping and MYOB skills
16-week course | Runs from 25 February until 24 June 2022 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
For details and to enrol, visit the PRACE website.
Civil Construction Labourer (Donnybrook and Mernda)
9 sessions (Monday to Wednesday) | Runs from 21 March until 7 April 2022 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
For details and to enrol, visit the PRACE website.
Computer courses
PRACE runs multiple computer and technology courses across the City of Whittlesea. For details and enrolment information, visit the PRACE website.
Neighbourhood Houses
Our neighbourhood houses across Banyule, Whittlesea and Nillumbik are dedicated to supporting life-long learning. Here are a selection of some of the workshops being hosted during March to support small businesses.
Banyule: Diamond Valley Learning Centre
Learn how to build a website from start to finish in a friendly face to face environment with a group of other like-minded adults. This course is designed for people already in their own business and would like to build their own website OR would like to start a business in Web Design. You will be given all the tools necessary to learn how to start a new career and promote your business by creating a new website.
For more details and enrolment information, visit their website.
City of Whittlesea: Whittlesea Community House, Wills and Wishes Clinic
Have you settled your will and assets? Whittlesea Community House and La Trobe University have partnered to offer a free Will & Wishes Clinic to help you get your assets in order.
Visit the Whittlesea Community House website for bookings and further information.
Nillumbik Shire: Living and Learning Nillumbik
Various courses are available through the Living the Learning Nillumbik website.