Braintree District Council, in collaboration with the Federation of Small Businesses, held the first in a new series of free business briefings this week.
The first session on Mastering Sales took place at the I-Construct Innovation Hub in Springwood, Braintree, today (Tuesday, 30 September).
Led by Lisa Ansell, an experienced Sales Geek and business growth expert, the high impact masterclass helped businesses sharpen their sales skills. Participants learned how to build authentic connections with prospects, handle objections smoothly and close deals confidently without resorting to pressure tactics.
The event also provided valuable opportunities for local businesses to network, share experiences and build new connections.
The series is designed to help businesses stay competitive, build connections and gain valuable insights into key topics.
The next briefing, AI for Small Businesses, will be held at Cressing Temple Barns, Cressing on Thursday, 23 October.
Monthly briefings on various topics - from leadership through to cybersecurity, legal essentials and social media trends - will continue through to February next year; each tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
For more information and to book a place at upcoming briefings, visit www.braintree.gov.uk/businessbriefings
Cllr Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Infrastructure at Braintree District Council, said: “We know how important businesses are to the strength of our local economy and our communities. These free briefings are a fantastic way for businesses to gain fresh insights, develop new skills and build valuable networks. We’re delighted to see such a positive response to the first of our business briefings and hope this enthusiasm continues through to the rest of the series.”
Ann Scott, Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “The Mastering Sales Business Briefing was dynamic, practical, and packed with real-world insights. The strategies shared on building trust, handling objections, and closing sales with confidence will make a real impact on how our members approach growth. We’re looking forward to the next session, exploring how small businesses can harness AI to save both time and money - two of the most valuable resources for any entrepreneur”.