Saturday

HALL 1

11:00 – 11:30 Capitalising on the Opportunity Shaf Rasul Learn how to identi fy opportuniti es, evaluate the risk and capitalise on that opportunity before somebody else does. Drive criti cal mass through growing market share and build successful teams around yourself. Shaf Rasul will teach you how to moti vate, organise and delegate.

11:45 – 12:15 Ambiti ons for Scotland John Swinney Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth will speak about the importance of new, small and growing businesses to the Scotti sh economy and the Scotti sh Government’s long- term ambiti ons for Scotland.

12:45 – 13:15 Ways to make your life easier Satnam Basra - Head of Business Consultancy, Experian This seminar looks at ways to help you secure the fi nance your business needs, identi fy and reduce risk and fi nd those customers who really need your products or services. Everything you need in a competi ti ve market to drive your business forward.

13:30 – 14:00 Retail King reveals his secrets! Duncan Sutherland, founding retail director of out-of-town retailer Matalan Duncan Sutherland, has developed a highly successful career in retailing. As well as leading the strategic roll-out of the Matalan model across the UK, Duncan has also been a key driver in the resurgence of Litt lewoods and Moss Bros. This seminar looks at how retailers need to respond to the demands of cash-starved consumers.

14:15-14:45 How to guarantee Angel Funding for your business Bill Morrow, founder and CEO of Angels Den As founder of one of the UK and Asia’s largest Angel Networks, Bill Morrow will be providing you with invaluable informati on on how you can guarantee that your pitch for private investor funding (Angel Funding) is successful.

15:00 – 15:30 You’re never too old to start a business Amanda Boyle, portfolio entrepreneur, founder and CEO Bloom VC Business is not like sport or fashion, you don’t have to be young and fi t to be successful. Ask Simon Cowell. Typically, successful businesses are started by people with some life experience, not school leavers or graduates. Why? They have a more positi ve outlook, more pati ence and more problem- solving skills. They also have greater moti vati on, more business contacts and bett er networking skills. But it’s not the same as working for someone else, so here’s what to prepare for.

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