Helping companies future proof their operations is at the top of the agenda as Perth and Kinross Business and Enterprise Month gets under way.
The events programme for the month has been split into four – with processes, planning and promotion the key themes of the first week.
The first session was hosted by Business Gateway at Saltire House on Tuesday and looked at business start-up awareness.
It was followed by a Women’s Enterprise Network event at Cargills Bistro in Blairgowrie.
Other major themes of the month-long spotlight – which culminates with Perthshire Chamber of Commerce’s Business Star Awards at Crieff Hydro on November 25 – include Innovation and Digital.
Andrew Burnett, operations director with Elevator and Business Gateway, said Enterprise Month had something for everyone.
“This year, with the theme of ‘Futureproofing Your Business’, we will be focusing on a range of aspects such as marketing, payment and business processes and offering businesses a look at what the future holds for these,” he said.
FSB Perth and Kinross Chair Gillian McEwan said the region’s economic health rested on the future success and growth of its business base.
“There are many challenges to running a business; they range from the obvious, such as rising overheads and keeping up with regulation, to external issues such as an increasingly competitive global market, technological developments and the threat of cyber and business crime.
“The events taking place during Business Month will touch on many of these issues and provide businesses with the skills to deal with them.”
While Perth has a month long calendar of events to look forward to, Fife is also gearing up for its Business Week.
The 2016 programme runs from November 7 to 11 and will see a variety of sessions run to give entrepreneurs and employers fresh insights into topics such as workforce development, finance, strategy and the importance of digital connectivity.
The highlight of the week will be Kirkcaldy’s hosting of Scotland’s Towns Conference on November 9, an event that is expected to attract around 200 delegates and policy makers from across the UK and wider world.
However, there will also be sessions on food safety and waste regulations, improving business performance through better application of IT, book-keeping, pensions, talent retention and developments in ISO standards.