Experts are coming together to help Sussex businesses recover from the coronavirus lockdown.

The University of Brighton’s Centre for Change, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (Centrim), Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and Business East Sussex have teamed up for a four-part online seminar – or webinar – series to offer businesses insight and support.

The seminars have been tailor-made to address companies’ concerns, following discussions with businesses since the outset of the pandemic.

Professor Debra Humphris, the University of Brighton’s vice-

chancellor, said: “University staff and students have volunteered to help the NHS wherever they can and we now stand with our partners to do the same for businesses which have suffered greatly through this dreadful crisis.”

Jonathan Sharrock, chief executive at Coast to Capital said: “We are pleased to support the Centrim webinar series in collaboration with the University of Brighton and Business East Sussex.

“We are continuing a strong dialogue with partners on an economic recovery plan and I look forward to hearing updates from the upcoming events.”

The webinars will tackle a range of problems companies face at the moment, from cumbersome business models to the pitfalls of communicating online.

Among other topics, experts will explain how to be alert to potential disruption and cope with the shift to doing business digitally.

The sessions will run between noon and 1pm on the dates below and there will be questions and answers at the end.

The series and Centrim speakers:

l May 27: The Digital Device Landscape: When to phone, when to message, when to email, when to video call. “A practical, gritty, and hands-on session targeted at businesses which have increased their dependence on digital communications.” Speaker: Paul Levy

This session is aimed at businesses who have increased their dependence on digital communications. It will discuss how to use digital services effectively during lockdown, and avoid running into trouble.

l May 29 : Crisis Innovation. “Offering specific actions that can help managers bring innovations borne out of crisis to fruition.” Speaker: Dr George Tsekouras

This webinar will explore the steps business executives and managers can take to deal with the unexpected consequences of crisis and trigger innovation.

l June 1: Digital Transformation. “An overview of key considerations for small and medium enterprises who are transitioning into the digitisation of business processes.” Speaker: Asher Rospigliosi

This is designed for companies who are digitalising their businesses. It will looking at range of important factors for small and medium-sized enterprises including web presence, working digitally and system options.

l June 4: Exploiting Agility for Advantage. “Exploration of the eight types of agility, looking at when each is most likely to be efficient and effective.” Speaker: Dr David Francis

This webinar will introduce participants to a seven-step work programme that enables organisations to become more flexible and agile.

Events will be hosted via Microsoft Teams Live. For more information and booking details, go to https://centrim-recovery.eventbrite.co.uk

• At The Argus, we are championing the work of traders during the coronavirus pandemic as part of our #BackingSussexBusiness campaign. We are always interested to hear how the community is coming together in this crisis. If you know of a local business battling to do all it can in these tough times and/or offering support to the local community, please get in touch at laurie.churchman@theargus.co.uk and rose.lock@theargus.co.uk.