Doug Richard encourages businesses to make the most of 2012

Torbay’s first major business startup event of 2012 was a huge success with around 600 delegates in attendance over two days at the Riviera International Conference Centre.

Former BBC’s Dragons Den panelist and School for Startups founder Doug Richard hosted two informative and entertaining full-day seminars on how South West businesses can improve their chances of success.

On February 7, the ‘Web fuelled Business’ event, conducted in partnership with the Governments Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), explained how a business can drive marketing through social media, how to utilise search engine optimisation to enhance website exposure, and the steps to procuring better supply chains through a business-to-business website.

The second day ‘How to Grow a 21st Century Business,’ made clear the key areas for successful growth; how to create great products, 10 questions a business plan must address, how to market products/services cost effectively and when to seek outside investment to fund business growth.

Both events were well received with a large number of Torbay’s business owners taking to the events twitter feed with positive feedback.

Torquay was the only place in the country to stage two days of Doug’s seminars, secured by Torbay Development Agency as part of the ongoing objective to support local enterprise.

Mayor of Torbay Gordon Oliver said: “I am delighted that Torbay hosted these prestigious events and was selected as the only destination in the south west peninsula for both days.

“Torbay is an excellent place for new businesses to invest and grow, and I hope that the delegates who attended the seminars this week will benefit from the detailed and specialist advice that Doug was able to offer them over an intensive two days.

“I look forward to these businesses sharing their feedback and results from the lessons they have learnt, and I am working closely with our economic development company, the TDA, to develop future opportunities for business growth in Torbay.”

Doug Richard said: “In Torquay we set out with an ambitious aim to host not one but two consecutive training days, to help local businesses make the most of opportunities online. The days were a great success, thanks to the inspiring local businesses and the support of the Torbay Development Agency.

“The area has some brilliant businesses and there was fantastic attendance at both events. With the South West set to benefit from a grant for broadband that could make it one of the best connected rural areas in the world, companies like the ones I have met in Torquay really are the key to economic revival.”