AI Training for Small Businesses – a value-add workshop exclusively for BID businesses
A one-off, hands-on workshop exclusively for Godalming BID levy-paying businesses.
Date: Wednesday 8th October
Time: 9:30 – 12:30
Location: The Oglethorpe Hall, The Wilfred Noyce Centre
“AI won’t take your job. But someone who knows how to use AI probably will.”
Artificial intelligence isn’t science fiction anymore. It’s here, it’s powerful, and it’s already reshaping every sector. Ignore it and your business risks falling behind. Lean in, and you gain an edge.
This free half-day workshop will cut through the hype and show you, step by step, how small businesses can use AI today to save time, work smarter, and unlock new opportunities.
Why this workshop?
Unlike a generic online course or webinar, this is:
Practical – You’ll try the tools yourself, not just watch slides.
Relevant – Focused on small business needs, not big tech theory.
Hands-On – Live demonstrations, breakout activities, and guided exercises.
Exclusive – Limited to just 15 people, so you get individual attention.
Invaluable – Packed with well over £500 of training value — at no additional cost to BID levy-paying businesses.
What you’ll learn
Over four hours, you’ll get a mix of high-level context and practical skills, designed for complete beginners and those who’ve only just started experimenting with AI.
Big Picture:
The history of AI — how we got here.
The pace of change — what’s happening now and what’s coming next.
Sustainability and ethics — what AI means for society, jobs, and the future.
Practical Applications:
Admin & Organisation – Automate routine tasks, summarise meetings, manage your inbox.
Finances – Extract insights from financial data and build forecasts faster.
Marketing & Copywriting – Create content strategies, calendars, and campaigns in minutes.
Proposals & Reports – Turn call transcripts into polished proposals.
Research & Strategy – Run deep competitor analysis and gather market insights at speed.
Tools You’ll Explore:
ChatGPT 5 – The world’s most advanced conversational AI.
Sora – Video creation powered by AI.
DALL·E – Generate professional visuals in seconds.
NotebookLM – AI research and knowledge management.
Granola – Smarter note-taking and meeting capture.
…plus a handful of other carefully selected tools.
What you’ll walk away with
By the end of the morning you’ll have:
A clear understanding of what AI is, where it’s headed, and why it matters.
A confidence boost that you can use these tools effectively.
Better prompting skills to get great results from ChatGPT.
Free optimised prompt templates you can plug in immediately.
Slides, notes, and resources to revisit later — including books, videos, and channels to keep learning.
Who it’s for
This workshop is designed for any Godalming BID levy-paying business owner or team member who:
Has never used AI before, or…
Has only dabbled with basic prompts in ChatGPT and wants to go further.
No jargon. No assumed expertise. Just real-world, small-business applications.
Meet your trainer
Russ Avery is Founder of the award-winning sustainable marketing agency Avery & Brown. He completed the Oxford Artificial Intelligence Programme in 2024 and has since invested over £3,000 and countless hours testing what actually works for SMEs.
He’ll share his findings so you don’t waste time or money figuring it out alone.
FAQs
Do I need to bring a laptop?
Yes — this is a hands-on session. Please bring a laptop or tablet so you can follow along with the exercises. Please create a free OpenAI / ChatGPT account before coming. If you want to upgrade to a paid version then even better, but this sin’t necessary.
Do I need prior AI knowledge?
No — this is designed for complete beginners and early explorers.
Will I get the slides and materials afterwards?
Yes — you’ll receive slides, prompt templates, and a curated list of resources for continued learning.
How to reserve your place
Spaces are extremely limited and will go quickly. Don’t miss your chance to future-proof your business with AI. This workshop will not be delivered for free again!
To reserve your place please contact us today.