Welcome to our CALM Business Academy
Learn from our expert suppliers - completely free
Access our library of podcast episodes and blog articles to get advice from our expert suppliers.
The CALM Business Academy is your entry point to The Independent Buying Groups’ expert supplier network. We've carefully selected expert suppliers across our eight categories of services to share their knowledge, helping you make informed decisions about your business overhead spend.
Every week, we focus on one of our eight key categories - Sales & Marketing, HR Services, Professional Services, Finance, IT Support, Property & FM, Business Support, or Net Zero & Utilities.
Our expert suppliers share their knowledge through:
Monday & Wednesday at 2pm: LinkedIn Live podcast interviews with one of our expert suppliers.
Watch live via LinkedIn or catch up on the recording published to our podcast & YouTube channel
Real conversations with suppliers who've solved the problems you're facing
Practical advice you can implement immediately
Tuesday & Thursdays: we publish in-depth blog articles from one of our expert suppliers.
Detailed explorations of key business challenges
Written by suppliers who specialise in solving these problems
Includes self-assessment quiz to identify your specific needs
Friday: We bring it all together in our weekly newsletter
Consolidates all the week's content in one place
Never miss an insight that could help your business
This week’s LinkedIn Lives
Monday 5th January : CALM Business planning for 2026
In this episode you’ll hear from Stephen O’Donnell as he takes us through some key points to consider when planning your 2026 business strategy.
In 20 minutes you’ll get:
→ Clarity on your business plan for 2026
→ Align your operations with strategy
→ Learn how to leverage what's working
→ Understand what metrics to measure
Real conversation. Real insights.
Wednesday 7th January : CALM sales momentum for 2026
In this episode we’re joined by Anna Payne as she shares four steps to building sales momentum in your business in 2026.
In 20 minutes you’ll get:
→ Clarity on creating compelling offers
→ Confidence in articulating your value
→ Strategies to launch consistent sales activity
→ Understanding how to maintain sales momentum
Real conversation. Real insights.
Our content follows an eight-week rotation, ensuring you get comprehensive coverage across all of our overhead categories. Each podcast episode or blog post comes from one of our expert suppliers covering an issue that their customers need support with.
Our overhead categories and services:
Sales & Marketing
Drive business growth with comprehensive sales and marketing solutions. From strategic planning, creative branding, digital marketing, content creation, PR, sales services and customer retention, we've gathered proven experts to help you attract, convert and keep valuable customers.
Fractional CMO
Marketing Strategy
Go-to-market Plans
Brand Identity
Graphic Design
Web Design
E-Commerce Design
Search Engine Optimisation
Copywriting
Photography services
Social Media Management
Podcasting & Webinars
Networking
PR Services
Print Materials
Large Scale Print
Stand Design & Construction
Print & Mail
Exhibitions
Fractional Sales Director
Video Marketing
Drone services
Sales Strategy
Sales Campaigns
Sales Training
CRM Systems
CRM Setup
Call Centre Outsourcing
Book Writing Support
Referral Programmes
Human Resources
Build and support an engaged, productive workforce with support from our wide range of HR experts. Access outsourced HR leadership, effective recruitment services, competitive employee benefits, streamlined workforce management, and targeted training programs from our specialised providers.
Fractional HR Director
HR audit
Job Listing Services
Managed Recruitment
Maternity Support
Rotas
Time & Attendance
Training Platforms
Staff Training
First Aid Training
Health & Safety Training
Employee Negotiation
Wellness Services
Healthcare
Professional Services
Access expert knowledge and specialist advisors to strengthen your business operations and strategic decision-making. Our vetted professionals provide legal counsel, business consultancy, project management, health and safety guidance, data analytics, and specialist advisory services. They can help you navigate complex challenges and drive sustainable growth.
Business Consultancy
Company Secretarial
Project Management
H&S Advisors
Translation Services
Process Writing
Process Management
Data Analytics
Intellectual Property
Commercial Contracts
Employment Law
Commercial Property
Cyber & GDPR Advice
Dispute Resolution
Non Exec Support
Business Sale Advice
Finance
Strengthen your financial foundation with expert resources tailored to your business needs. Our vetted providers offer outsourced finance leadership, financial management, low cost payment systems along with strategic banking relationships to maximise your financial operations.
Fractional FD
Book Keeping
Accountants
Payroll
EIS & SEIS Advice
R&D Tax Credits
Factoring
Debt Collection
Expense Cards
Financial Forecasting
Credit Checks
Cards payments
Banking Services
Cashflow Finance
Capital Finance
Savings & Investments
Currency Exchange
IT Services
Power your business with reliable technology that drive efficiency and innovation. Below you will find outsourced IT leadership, comprehensive managed services, quality hardware, robust cyber security protection and business-enhancing software applications from our vetted providers.
Fractional IT Director
IT Managed Service
Phone Systems
Networks
Printers/MFDs
IT Security Services
System Automation
AI Advice & Support
PCs & Laptops
Tablets
Mobile Phones
Broadband
Cyber Essentials
Security Training
Data Back Ups
App Development
SaaS Subscriptions
Digital data capture
Property & FM
Maintain a safe & functional business premises with a wide range of facility management solutions. Our vetted providers deliver cleaning, fire safety, security, building maintenance, HVAC, electrical, property, and plumbing services to support your workplace environment.
Commercial Cleaning
Washroom Services
Deep Cleaning
Legionella Risk Assessment
Passive Fire Services
Active Fire Services
Fire Risk Assessments
Fire Alarm Checks
CCTV
Key Holding
Alarm Monitoring
Security Monitoring
Access Control
Building Repairs
Safety Inspections
Repair & Reinstatement
Heating
Ventilation
Air Conditioning
PAT Testing
Plumbing Services
Office Space
Commercial Property
Office Furniture
Business Support
Keep your day-to-day operations running smoothly with essential business services and practical support solutions. Access efficient logistics, managed fleet resources, administrative assistance, event management, corporate supplies, and operational services from our carefully selected providers who understand the needs of growing businesses.
Personal Assistant
Call Answering
Postal Services
Parcel Shipments
Pallet Logistics
Exporting Services
Fulfilment Services
Travel Portal
Corporate Gifts
Stationary
Workwear & PPE
Event Venues
Car Parking
Event Management
Branded Merchandise
Net Zero & Utilities
Transform your business for a sustainable future while optimising essential costs. Our specialist providers offer comprehensive carbon auditing, renewable energy solutions, energy reduction technologies, and sustainability strategies to accelerate your Net Zero journey. Plus, access competitive utility rates & waste management services that support your environmental goals.
Carbon Audit
Carbon Reduction
LED Lighting
EV Charging
Commercial Solar
Battery Storage
Heat Pumps
Repair & Maintenance
Electricity
Gas
Bill Validation
Water Supply
Waste Collections
Waste Recycling
Do you have a question for our experts?
Submit your question here and if it fits with our current and planned content, we’ll find a supplier to answer your question via either our podcast or our blog.
Interested in being featured in our podcast or blogs?
We ask some of our expert suppliers, who we have carefully vetted, to provide expert advice via our LinkedIn Loves/podcast and also via our blog. If you would like to find out more about this we are inviting potential contributors to register your interest for now as we have our next few months of content planned with current vetted suppliers. There will be a fee to be featured as we create a high value, ever-green lead magnet for each episode/blog post plus a professionally edited video for the podcast. Our lead system ensures that you get significant return on your investment.
