Leading the BID industry
Leading the BID industry
The British BIDs Academy is the platform for the training and development of BID staff in the UK. We host a multitude of training courses on a wide variety of subjects, covering all aspects of a BIDs life-span and suitable for all levels of expertise. Our content is consistently reviewed and improved, meaning there will always be something new to learn on a course and all of our courses are brought to you by expert professionals in their field.
All training sessions will be held virtually via Zoom or Microsoft Teams throughout 2023.
Zoom can be downloaded from the App Store or used via desktop. Zoom requires an audio connection and an optional video connection. Please ensure you have these available before signing up to our courses.
Please note that our online courses are priced at £125 + VAT for non-members. Bb members receive a minimum of 25% discount on all courses. If you'd like more details on this please contact us on contact@britishbids.info
Current courses available to book are:
Whether you are developing a BID, working in a BID, a Board member, new to the world of BIDs, or just thinking of becoming involved, it is crucial that you know as much as possible. This course covers all of the essential information you need to know about the BID industry.
This 2.5 hour online course, led by Chief Executive, Chris Turner, will include examples of best practice in terms of the ballot process, project delivery and governance. You will gain a strong understanding in how the BID industry has evolved over time and key elements surrounding how BIDs are developed, managed, renewed, monitored and more besides.
Helen Tripconey from St Ives BID said;
"I recently attended the introduction to BIDs course run by Chris Turner which was incredibly useful in so many ways. Meeting other BID employees from different parts of the country and with different roles and sharing stories and ideas was invaluable. Chris was not only a mind of information but also his experience as a BID professional provided not only fact but also evoked ideas and encouraged enthusiasm. As I came from a non BID background I certainly felt the day helped both my role as a BID manager and my confidence grow a great deal.
Kyle Wilkie from Collectively Camberley BID said;
"The course was a great insight into the finer details of how a BID should run. I have been part of the Camberley BID for a while but it made me realise how much there is to learn and how all BIDs come across the same challenges daily. The course gave a great insight into other BIDs too as we were able to network and talk with various other BID members from across the country. I would highly recommend this course for new team members and those looking to learn more about BIDs in the UK."
The relationship between a BID and its Local Authority is an important one. It is crucial that both parties have a mutual understanding of one another’s obligations.
This course covers these respective regulatory requirements of both parties.
This course is equally relevant whether the BID in question is already in operation or in the development stages.
The course specifically covers all of the responsibilities of the Local Authority including baseline agreements, BID boundaries, BID proposals, levy rules and much more.
Are you running a BID and not sure where to start with your marketing strategy?
Look no further than our ‘Creating a Marketing Strategy for your BID’ workshop.
Broken into three simple phases:
Taking a market-oriented approach will help you understand who you are talking to, what motivates them and then how to communicate with them effectively.
Online is more important than ever before but how do you use your channels efficiently to make best use of available content and time?
Connecting with your levy payers with the right message, in the right place and at the right time is vital.
In this 2.5 hour course, we will cover top tips and ideas for utilising digital channels to listen to, engage with and promote your levy payers.
This course is aimed at Marketing Executives, Marketing Managers and Communication Executives in the BID industry.
An efficient BID Manager is one who can use their resources to get the job done in a professional manner with good results. Efficiency avoids mistakes and likes to take repeated steps to achieve a goal. Both efficiency and effectiveness are essential characteristics in BIDs where it is essential to be able to demonstrate a return on investment to stakeholders.
Course Content
Below is an overview of the topics that can be covered.
→ Ensuring good governance
→ Key regulatory aspects of holding a BID ballot
→ Effective operations and management
→ Reporting on performance
→ Step-by-step process of winning a ballot
→ Communications and reporting
→ Key financial procedures
→ Q&A
Objectives
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to;
Even before COVID-19 struck, places and consumers were changing faster than ever before. Home-working, internet trading and heightened competition were all contributing factors in challenging the meaning, relevance and importance of place. Yet, as the UK emerges from this crisis, the commercial landscape will appear very different. Some businesses may not survive whilst others will adapt their offer; consumers will take time to go back to their former habits or they may never do so. It is important for BID teams to help their businesses reacclimatise by imparting their place-shaping knowledge.
Places were becoming very different prior to the emergency, now we will discover “a different kind of different”. The meaning and future of place will be more important than ever, and BIDs and property owners will need to take a leadership role in planning for the future.
Course Content
Below is an overview of the topics that can be covered.
→ What makes a ‘place’
→ Consumer profiles and behaviours
→ The changes caused by the pandemic
→ Reporting on performance
→ Examples of place-shaping strategies and success stories
→ Case studies
→ Tasks
→ Q&A
Objectives
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to;
If you are a part of a BID Development at any stage, then this course is essential. Documenting in a clear step-by-step chronology what must be done, when it needs to be done and how to maximise your chances of a successful ballot outcome is vital.This 2.5 hour online course will cover everything that you need to know as a developing BID. It will also provide the opportunity to virtually network with industry peers who are also approaching their ballots.
Local Authorities, steering groups, Directors, consultants, BID Managers and practitioners will all benefit from this course.
Course Content
Below is an overview of the topics that can be covered.
→ BID Basics and facts
→ BID Regulations
→ The stages of a BID Development
→ A guide to ‘The National BID Criteria’
→ The ballot roadmap
→ Modelling the ballot outcome
→ Q&A
Objectives
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to;
That time has come again where you need to begin writing your business plan. Writing a compelling business plan is no easy task, particularly following the events of Covid-19 and the effects this has had on businesses.
Nonetheless, you still want your business plan to be exciting, engaging and relevant to empower both your BID team and your business community.
British BIDs' Business Plan Criteria captures vital national levy payer perspectives and identifies the information they expect to see in a business plan if they are to support it at ballot.
National businesses play a major role in supporting and sustaining BIDs, and their levy payments are an important part of the national investment in town centres. A BID’s business plan must highlight the value it brings to the place and businesses.
Course Content
Below is an overview of the topics that can be covered.
→ The updated BID Business Plan Criteria
→ BID Regulations
→ Relating the ‘ABC’ method to your business plan
→ Top Levy-Payer queries and what do they want to see
→ Key messaging
→ Case studies
→ Tasks
→ Q&A
Objectives
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to;
Running a BID ballot at any time can be confusing and highly technical. When do I serve the required notices? What do the council need and by when? How do I decide upon my levy rules? These are just some of the questions we receive from BIDs we speak to on a day-to-day basis.
In this course, we cover what needs to happen and when, to ensure that your ballot operates in line with the BID regulations, timings and tactics required to gain the support that you will need to increase your chances of a successful turnout.
Target group
This course is aimed at managers, business engagement and operations staff and directors, who will be involved in the ballot process – before, during and after.
Course Content
Below is an overview of the topics that can be covered.
→ Understanding BIDs
→ Key regulatory aspects
→ Essential legal dates
→ Consultation methods and practices
→ Step-by-step process of winning a ballot
→ Roles and responsibilities
→ Q&A
Objectives
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to;
The most successful Business Improvement Districts are led by innovative, passionate Directors whose attitudes and values clearly represent those of the BIDs levy payers and stakeholders. It is pivotal, however, that Directors develop expertise in BID specific areas such as the regulations and good governance. The unique nature of BIDs require all decision makers to possess specific knowledge, ensuring that all of the requirements are being met and applied correctly.
This course, delivered by Chris Turner, provides serving and potential BID Directors with a clear understanding of their key duties, and how these can be best performed
Course Content
Below is an overview of the topics that can be covered.
→ Ballot Principles
→ Financial and Performance matters
→ The Challenges to BIDs
→ Companies Act 2006
→ The Nolan Principles
→ Good Governance
→ Board operation
Objectives
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to;
