Your business bucket list for 2026

As we step into a new year, why not set yourself a challenge? Here’s your month-by-month business bucket list to keep things fresh, connected, and inspiring. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a larger team, these ideas will help you make the most of every month.

January – Kickstart with knowledge and news

Start the year informed! Sign up for our Business Bulletin and get local news, events, and funding opportunities straight to your inbox. It’s the easiest way to stay ahead. Sign up here.

Pop our email address in your press contact list and we can help you share your business news across our socials and in our newsletter. Or tag us in your social media posts!

Facebook - @BasingstokeBiz 
LinkedIn @Basingstoke and Deane Business Team

February - Inspire future generations

Make February all about shaping tomorrow’s workforce. National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to explore how your business can offer apprenticeships and invest in training the next generation. Apprenticeships not only help develop future talent but also bring fresh ideas into your organisation. Take a read of our blog from National Apprenticeship Week 2025 when we spoke to some local businesses that offer apprenticeships.

Not ready to take on an apprentice? You can still make a big impact. Why not allow your staff to support local schools through EBP South, which connects education and business? From attending a careers fair to offering work experience or even spending a morning inspiring students, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Want to see how other businesses are making a difference? Check out Frontpage Advantage’s experience in this blog and start planning how you can inspire future generations this February.

March – Show appreciation for your employees

March brings Employee Appreciation Day (the first Friday of the month), a perfect opportunity to recognise the hard work, loyalty and contributions of your employees. This day is all about saying a heartfelt “thank you” to the people who keep your organisation thriving.

Why not go beyond a simple thank-you email? Organise something fun and memorable, get some events in your diary for the year - perhaps a company bake-off, a fundraiser for a local charity, or activities that tie in with awareness days. These activities not only show appreciation but also strengthen team bonds.

Looking for something bigger? Plan a team away day to recharge and reconnect. Check out our team away days blog for inspiration and make March a month your employees will remember.

April - Refresh your lunch break

Whether you are in the office or work from home, it’s always good to take a break from the screen and take some time for yourself at lunch. Spring is the perfect time to refresh your lunchbreak and whilst it’s important to grab a bite to eat, there are other ways to spend your lunch hour. Take a look at our blog for some inspiration.

May - Invest in yourself and your staff

Learning at Work Week 2026 will take place from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 May. This offers businesses a great opportunity to think about investing in their staff. Training and development doesn’t need to cost a lot of money with some local businesses and organisations offering free training. Take a read of our Employability and Skills page for those we know about. It is also worth keeping an eye on the business bulletin for upcoming opportunities. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council offers local businesses and employees access to a free online learning platform with SEEDL. You'll find courses in areas such as sales, customer service, Office 365 and wellbeing.

Perhaps you want to meet and connect with others within the business community and improve your networking skills. You'll find a useful list of regular local networking events here.

June - Think about your green credentials

The month of June features Green Week which offers everyone the perfect opportunity to have a think about how they can do their bit for the environment. Keep an eye on the Love Basingstoke and Business socials for news of the Green Week event. You’ll also find plenty of businesses that can help you on your way.

• The FSB has a small business sustainability hub which features resources, tools and information to help you to go green and become more sustainable.
• Hampshire Chamber of Commerce has a number of tips on their website. It runs a Sustainability Action Network and the Hampshire’s Green Potential event.
• Visit the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council website for a business climate change toolkit.
• Small businesses can get free advice from Basingstoke and Deane’s Green Team.
• You can offer free green skills training to your staff with the Innovation South campus.
• The North Hampshire Sustainable Business Network offers free half-day workshops and expert resources specifically designed for small to medium-sized enterprises.

July - Make the most of local promotional opportunities

Have you heard of The Borough Basket? It’s a directory for small and independent businesses that sits within the Love Basingstoke website. If you offer a product or service directly to the public, you can join and get your business listed for free. Find out more about The Borough Basket here. The Love Basingstoke team also run campaigns around Plastic-Free July, Small Business Saturday and other awareness days. Get in touch with the team in July to see how you can get featured.

August – Try a new workspace

International Co-working Day on 9 August celebrates the benefits of co-working spaces worldwide and it’s a great reminder to shake up your work routine. Whether you’re craving a change of scenery, more collaboration, or just a break from working at home, there are plenty of co-working options right here in the borough.

Co-working spaces can boost creativity, expand your network, and give you access to facilities that make work easier and more enjoyable. Curious about what’s available locally? Check out our Homeworking Alternatives blog for ideas and start planning your next productive day out.

September - Consider accessibility and inclusivity

National Inclusion Week falls at the end of September and is a week dedicated to promoting and celebrating inclusion in the workplace and across communities. Established by Inclusive Employers, this week shines a spotlight on the importance of diversity and encourages organisations to take meaningful steps toward creating environments where everyone feels valued and respected.

It’s the perfect time to reflect on your own practices. How inclusive and accessible is your business? There are plenty of resources to help you on this journey:

• CIPD has a number of guides on its website on inclusion and diversity.
• Purple Tuesday also has some free resources.
• VisitEngland has an Accessible and Inclusive Toolkit for Tourism Businesses.
• AbilityNet has resources including how to create accessible documents.
• The RNIB has a guide to making your social media accessible.
• Scope for Business has a number of tookits including one for accessible events and recruiting staff.

October – Focus on work-life balance and happiness

October is the perfect time to prioritise wellbeing in the workplace. National Work Life Week (5–11 October) and the International Week of Happiness at Work remind us that a healthy balance between professional and personal life is essential, not just for productivity, but for overall happiness.

Work-life balance looks different for everyone. Whether it’s managing family commitments, handling a demanding workload, or carving out time for yourself, the key is to set boundaries and make wellbeing a priority. Remember, it’s okay to say “no” sometimes.

This month is a great opportunity to:

• Review your flexible working and family-friendly policies.
• Invest in or refresh your employee wellbeing programme to ensure it meets the needs of your current workforce.
• Encourage positivity and joy at work through small changes that make a big difference.

Need inspiration? Check out our Work-Life Balance blog for practical ideas to help your team thrive.

November - Spend some time putting back into the community

If your company offers volunteering days, are you making the most of them? For ideas on how to spend the time, get in touch with Basingstoke Voluntary Action. For a group volunteering day, spend some time with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s ranger team. You can enjoy the great outdoors at the same time!

December – Celebrate your successes

December is a great opportunity to celebrate your business successes. There are plenty of opportunities to enter awards and get the recognition your business deserves including the Inspire Business Awards, Muddy Stiletto’s Awards, Hampshire Business Awards and the Place to be Proud of Awards to name a few. Keep an eye out for the ones that are best for your business.

If you need any business help or advice the Economic Development team are on hand. Find out how they can help here.

January 2026