Managing a Successful Business
Central Hall, Wimborne, BH21 3LE
Thursday 19th November 2026
About the Workshop
Managing a Successful Business
Running a business can sometimes feel like the business is running you.
This two-hour, in-person workshop is a practical toolbox of strategies to help you take back control, manage your time and resources more effectively, and keep your day-to-day activity focused on where you want your business to go.
Whether you are preparing to start a business or have been running one for years, the workshop will help you identify the things that can get in the way of effective management and consider practical ways to address them.
Suitable for:
A successful business isn't simply about being busy.
During the workshop we will consider how to use your business plan as a strategic reference point for everyday decisions.
For example:
Learning to ask these questions can help you distinguish between activity that is important to the business and activity that simply fills the day.
What will you gain?
By the end of the workshop, you will have:
Who is leading the workshop?
The workshop is led by Steve Utley, a qualified business consultant with many years' experience supporting businesses across Dorset.
Steve has worked with Business Link, Dorset Growth Hub, the Digital Skills Hub and the Local Enterprise Partnership, and has delivered business workshops, drop-in advice and one-to-one support for both BCP Council and Dorset Council.
Steve also runs his own consultancy. You can find out more about his professional background and experience at steveutley.co.uk.
How much does it cost?
This workshop is fully funded by Grace Church as part of its community ministry. There is no charge to attend, although places must be booked in advance.
What if I am unable to attend?
Places are limited, so please let us know as soon as possible if you can no longer attend. This will allow us to offer your place to someone else.
Repeated non-attendance without prior notification may result in future workshop bookings being declined.
Instructions and materials
We will email joining instructions after bookings close, normally at around 4.00 pm on the day before the workshop.
Any workshop materials will be sent electronically in PDF format. Following the workshop, attendees will receive a copy of the presentation.
You will not need to print your ticket.
Access and refreshments
Doors will open at 10.00 am and refreshments will be available throughout the workshop.
Parking
There is limited parking at Central Hall. The venue is adjacent to a public car park accessed from Towers Way, behind the Co-op. A footpath leads from the end of the car park to Central Hall.
Additional on-road parking may be available in Central Avenue.
Assistance dogs and support animals
We welcome assistance dogs required by disabled people under the Equality Act 2010.
We regret that we are unable to accommodate emotional support animals at this time, but we would be happy to discuss individual requirements with you before the workshop.
Smoking and vaping
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside Central Hall or within the immediate grounds.
Managing a Successful Business
Running a business can sometimes feel like the business is running you.
This two-hour, in-person workshop is a practical toolbox of strategies to help you take back control, manage your time and resources more effectively, and keep your day-to-day activity focused on where you want your business to go.
Whether you are preparing to start a business or have been running one for years, the workshop will help you identify the things that can get in the way of effective management and consider practical ways to address them.
Suitable for:
- Those considering starting a business.
- Those in the early stages of running a business.
- Established business owners who feel their business is taking over.
- Anyone who wants to improve how they manage their time, workload and business activity.
- Business owners who want to create better systems and free up time for growth.
- Managing your time – understanding where your time is actually going and whether it is being spent where it matters most.
- Overcoming procrastination – identifying the things that prevent us from getting important work done.
- Planning and prioritisation – deciding what needs to be done, when it needs to be done and what can wait.
- Developing effective systems – creating repeatable ways of working that make running your business easier.
- Wearing all the hats – recognising the different roles involved in running a business and assessing how effectively you are managing each one.
- Identifying your strengths and gaps – recognising where you have the skills and capacity to manage an area yourself and where additional support may be needed.
- Outsourcing effectively – considering what to outsource, when to outsource it and how to decide whether the cost is justified.
- Keeping your business plan in view – using your business plan to help make better decisions about how you spend your time and resources.
- Making your activity count – asking whether the things you spend time on are actually helping you achieve your business objectives.
A successful business isn't simply about being busy.
During the workshop we will consider how to use your business plan as a strategic reference point for everyday decisions.
For example:
How does the ten minutes I have just spent with this person contribute to my business?
How does this business lunch fit with my objectives?
Is this activity moving my business forward, or am I simply keeping busy?
How does this business lunch fit with my objectives?
Is this activity moving my business forward, or am I simply keeping busy?
Learning to ask these questions can help you distinguish between activity that is important to the business and activity that simply fills the day.
What will you gain?
By the end of the workshop, you will have:
- A better understanding of where your time and attention are being spent.
- Practical strategies for planning and prioritising your workload.
- Greater awareness of the different roles involved in running your business.
- A clearer understanding of your own management strengths and development areas.
- Ideas for developing systems that make your business easier to manage.
- A framework for deciding what you should do yourself and what could be outsourced.
- A better understanding of how to connect everyday business activity with your longer-term business goals.
Who is leading the workshop?
The workshop is led by Steve Utley, a qualified business consultant with many years' experience supporting businesses across Dorset.
Steve has worked with Business Link, Dorset Growth Hub, the Digital Skills Hub and the Local Enterprise Partnership, and has delivered business workshops, drop-in advice and one-to-one support for both BCP Council and Dorset Council.
Steve also runs his own consultancy. You can find out more about his professional background and experience at steveutley.co.uk.
How much does it cost?
This workshop is fully funded by Grace Church as part of its community ministry. There is no charge to attend, although places must be booked in advance.
What if I am unable to attend?
Places are limited, so please let us know as soon as possible if you can no longer attend. This will allow us to offer your place to someone else.
Repeated non-attendance without prior notification may result in future workshop bookings being declined.
Instructions and materials
We will email joining instructions after bookings close, normally at around 4.00 pm on the day before the workshop.
Any workshop materials will be sent electronically in PDF format. Following the workshop, attendees will receive a copy of the presentation.
You will not need to print your ticket.
Access and refreshments
Doors will open at 10.00 am and refreshments will be available throughout the workshop.
Parking
There is limited parking at Central Hall. The venue is adjacent to a public car park accessed from Towers Way, behind the Co-op. A footpath leads from the end of the car park to Central Hall.
Additional on-road parking may be available in Central Avenue.
Assistance dogs and support animals
We welcome assistance dogs required by disabled people under the Equality Act 2010.
We regret that we are unable to accommodate emotional support animals at this time, but we would be happy to discuss individual requirements with you before the workshop.
Smoking and vaping
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside Central Hall or within the immediate grounds.
Price
Pass price
£0.00
