• 20 October DBN Zoom Networking Meeting and free taster session for Guests
• 26 October DBN Marketing Masterminds with Melanie Cant and guests - Social Media Content
• 28 October DBN After Dark... our "Halloween Zoom" some spooky archaeology stories from Tony Liddell and our pumpkin competition!
• 4 November Learn with DBN - Masterclass TBA
• 17 November DBN Zoom Networking Meeting
• 30 November DBN Marketing Masterminds
• 2 December Learn with DBN - Masterclass TBA
• 15 December DBN "Goodbye to 2020" online celebration

Tony is going to tell us about recent and upcoming local digs and he is also going to share some of his more gruesome discoveries over the years and tell us about supernatural events in local places that defy explanation... Did you know that not all skeletons lose their skin and hair? And then there’s the story of the “marmite man”...

Originally intended as a morning event, our members asked for this one to take place after dark… So we’re breaking with all conventions and having this meeting from 10pm – 11pm. And to create a suitable atmosphere we’re asking everyone to join us on Zoom by torchlight, candlelight or even a pumpkin lantern (we may just have a prize or two for the best ones).

As it’s an evening event and you’ll be at home, your family members are most welcome to join us too. Don’t believe in spooky stuff? Just wait till you see the photos…

Book below (if you dare!)

You can still get to know our members even if we can't meet in person at the moment.

Our podcasts are a great way to get to know DBN Members. We currently have podcasts on our website with Gary, Joanne Rowland, Ruth Jacobs, Mags Bradshaw, Rachel Locke, Moira Barnes and Matthew Glover.

Ruth said: "Having just celebrated Jacwicks Designs 2nd Business Birthday. I was delighted to be asked to speak to Melanie Cant of Elm Marketing Solutions about the Jacwicks journey so far, as part of the DoBusinessNetwork (DBN) members podcast series. Hear about where the name Jacwicks came from, how I work with a local charity and how I helped protect a national treasure's bottom. So roll out a Perch, grab a cuppa and have a listen".

Melanie is currently recording more podcasts with our members and we'll start uploading these later this month.

Bill's 'explosive' interview on BBC Radio Newcastle

It's a little-known fact that on October 6th 1854 the people of Tyneside believed that the end of the world was upon them. In the early hours an explosion occurred which shook the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and its neighbour Gateshead to their very foundations.

During our Beamish Test Day we discovered by chance that an ancestor of Melanie Cant had been killed in the great Newcastle / Gateshead explosion back in 1854 and that the whole thing started in a warehouse owned by an ancestor of Bill Croney of Sanguines Catering…

BBC Radio Newcastle picked up on this story and interviewed Bill earlier this week. Bill said, "local history should be taught in schools. This is more relevant to the region than the Great Fire of London." We totally agree. Well done Bill!

You can read all about the Great Gateshead Fire by clicking on the image and you can hear Bill's interview on BBC iPlayer.

First we have Mags on TV and now we have Bill on the radio, plus the one and only John Atkinson... We have a wealth of media stars in DBN these days!

Our handmade triple layered masks are not just pretty, (we also have colours and designs that are suitable for other tastes) they have adjustable elastic straps for you to fit at home for a closer comfortable wear. They are sustainable, you can wash and reuse, have pleats at the nose and chin for a closer fit and can be matched with outfits or the Perch range for a coordinated look.  

‘Excellent fit and very comfortable!’ (sundryreflections)

’Perfect!!! I had to mend all my previous masks to fit my face, cause they were all huge, but this one was just right, and the adjustable elastics reeeally help!’ (Marina)

I'm excited to reveal the first of five VisualDoodles I’ve created which captures the inspirational ideas and groundbreaking research by Dr Brené Brown. This was commissioned by Dare to Lead™ Licensed Facilitators Julie McVeigh and Amber Farrier of Connected Coaching NE

The VisualDoodle™ visually communicates a summary of the introduction, it acts as a quick reminder of the evidence based research, actionable advice and world class wisdom shared in the course.

I'm proud to be Dare to Lead™ Trained having successfully completed the phenomenal programme just before lockdown. I chose courage over comfort to become a daring leader and embrace vulnerability... which has proved to be invaluable during these challenging times!

***NEWS*** I’ve been working with a specialist North East business to develop ‘VisualDoodle Art’ - I’m now able to offer A2 poster prints and signed original Canvas art of any of my VisualDoodles. These can be shipped directly to you, anywhere in the world. I’ve received enquiries about purchasing my VisualDoodles from as far away as the US and Australia.

Although I’ve been in lockdown, my business is growing and going Global!

Ann English

The company’s strategic marketing workshop is the first in the region to be approved by the institute, which means that it meets their world-class, evidence-based standards known as the Five Dimensions of Leadership – authenticity, vision, achievement, ownership and collaboration.

This latest achievement adds to Red Button Marketing & Training’s success earlier this year when the same course was awarded CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accreditation and underpins the course as an effective management training and support tool.

This publication is an important resource to help reassure businesses that there is a raft of support available to them while illustrating that through Business Durham, Durham County Council is doing all we can, working with partners, to support them through this challenging time.

The brochure guides businesses through the support they can access delivered by over 40 organisations including DBN. The brochure covers:

• Grants, Loans & Equity
• Business Support
• Digital Support
• Innovation
• Sector Support
• Skills, Recruitment and Training
• Business Start-Up Employee Welfare

With time and knowledge being two of the biggest pressures facing small & medium-sized businesses, we’ve created a series of short and snappy sessions exclusively for County Durham businesses to help improve their know-how on a range of business basics.

13th October - What to do with risk (Expect the unexpected)
You’ll learn how to identify and plan for the unexpected. Develop a robust plan and we’ll show you how to build risk resilience.

20th October - Change for the better (Change management)
Understand what change means – to you, your business and your customers. Get to grips with techniques and tools available.

3rd November - Your Sales Toolbox
Understand the sales journey, build your confidence and convert your sales with a toolbox of techniques.

10th November - Pitch Perfect (How to create a winning sales pitch)
Sales pitches can make or break the deal, whether pitching formally or informally it's great to have it nailed down before you speak to potential customers. This session provides an opportunity to develop & practice the perfect pitch using tried and tested techniques.

Digital Drive Durham has announced its next series of masterclasses and workshops to drive your business forward digitally.

13 Oct Facebook and Instagram Stories - getting your strategy right for 2021
22 Oct Mailchimp - turning contacts into sales!
29 Oct Understanding Video Marketing and How to Use it in Your Business
03 Nov Social Media Essentials
09 Nov Google Analytics Beginners
10 Nov Digital Marketing Bootcamp
16 Nov Google Analytics Intermediate
17 Nov Digital Marketing Bootcamp Pt 2
24 Nov Etsy, Amazon and Ebay Selling Online
10 Dec Video Marketing