Business Support from the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)

 
Following lobbying by the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) WAG have prepared some material for print and pdf which gives information for SMEs on what they have on offer with regard to business support.  They are available in both English & Welsh by clicking on the following websites:

business.wales.gov.uk/economicrenewal

busnes.cymru.gov.uk/adnewyddureconomi

Crossrail Welcomes Welsh Suppliers

The Crossrail programme offers unprecedented procurement opportunities, with a major addition to the London transport network, and an estimated £16 billion of procurement opportunities being made available.

What’s Being Procured?
With such a long and diverse supply chain there’ll be thousands of contracts and in the field of construction and engineering these will cover tunnels, portals, shaft works, piling, diaphragm walling, ticket halls, mechanical / electrical, fit out, plant hire etc.

When?
Enabling works and demolition started during 2009 while main construction started this year.  The first tunnelling works are due to commence in late 2011.

How?
Crossrail will be directly buying and managing a relatively small number of contracts with Tier 1 suppliers or contractors. They, in turn, will be buying a wide variety of services and works from a large number of smaller suppliers and contractors.  Many Tier 1 contractors have already been appointed, including the likes of Arup, Atkins, Capita Symonds, Mott MacDonald and Scott Wilson.

The Welsh Assembly Government is equally committed to making sure that Wales based companies are successful at winning Crossrail contracts and events are being planned to promote Welsh suppliers to Crossrail and Tier 1 contractors.  To confirm your interest in attending one of these events, and for a list of all the up and coming contracts please e-mail ledwards@venturewales.com

In the meantime further information on the Crossrail programme can be found at http://www.crossrail.co.uk/

Construction Opportunities on Heads of The Valleys Road - Brynmawr to Tredegar

Carillion Civil Engineering are undertaking the above contract. The project will not be going onto site until later in 2012, however Carillion are extremely committed to sourcing and developing a strong Welsh Supply Chain and have asked Construct Wales to facilitate a meet the buyer event at this early stage, taking place in the Heads of the Valleys Area on Tuesday 15th of February 2011.

Please note that applications will be given priority by location - priority being given initially to local companies that is those based in Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly & Powys, Next will be companies in other areas of South East Wales with opportunities for more specialist activities being sourced throughout Wales.

The types of sub contractors we are hopeful of being able to source at this event include:-
Formwork & Reinforcement Precast Drainage Elements (Headwall)
Block Paving Kerbs & Edgings
Fencing - (Non Safety) Environmental Barriers
Landscaping Street Lighting
Masonry Facing Mastic Jointing
Waste Disposal Security
Road Marking Office Cleaning
Signage Drains - Surveys & Cleaning
Property Surveys Vehicle Recovery
Drainage Progress Photographs
Site Clearance

Please note that these events will be restricted to invitation only so if you are interested in attending or want to discuss this free of charge event please contact Stuart Brisbane or Gwenda Lewis on 02920 444 730 or e-mail cwevents@enterprise.uk.com by 5pm on Friday 28th of January 2011.

Swansea Bay Business Awards

Just a quick look back the Swansea Bay Business Awards on Friday 26th November.  The evening itself went very well, and the local Swansea Bay Branch of the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) was able to sponsor an award in the category of Most Promising New Business.  The worthy winner was Cross Flow Energy Company, developers of a cheaper, longer lasting and eco friendly new turbine - well deserved.

BBC Drama Village - Roath Basin Cardiff

Potential new Business Opportunity

Vinci Construction PLC are undertaking the contract to construct a new BBC Drama production Village at Roath Basin Cardiff, where shows including Dr.Who, Torchwood and Casualty will be filmed.
The works comprise approximately 197,425 sf gross area with a net internal area of 167,590 st, to be constructed to a BREEAM excellent standard.
In addition to the building component, the contract also comprises associated infrastructure works including a new spine roadway, service routes drainage and an outer lock bridge to connect Roath Basin with Cardiff bay and deliver the main services to site.

Vinci remain enthusiastic in delivering on their goals of social and corporate responsibility and following on from similar successful events have again requested that Construct Wales facilitate a meet the buyer Event with a view to offering a chance for a range of smaller local contractors to become involved in this project.
Please note that applications will be given priority by location - priority being given initially to companies based in North & South Butetown, Grangetown & Splott. Next will be companies within Cardiff with opportunities for more specialist activities being sourced throughout Wales.
The types of sub contractors we are hopeful of being able to source at this event include :-

Large Feature Timber Hoarding with Associated Artworks
Signage - External Finger post Signs
External Bespoke - Steel and Timber Benches
Carpentry - Skirting and Cills
Laminated Vanity Units
Decoration
Sand Cement screeds
Ceramic Tiling
Mirrors
Bespoke Reception Desk
Air Test to Building
Soft Flooring
White Lining
Blinds

This is your opportunity to present your company with a view to winning new business, and making a connection with a major Contractor.
The event will be taking place in the Roath Basin Area on Thursday 13th January 2011
Please note that these events will be restricted to invitation only and that in order to gain an appointment you must initially have completed and returned the expression of interest document by 5pm on Wednesday 22nd December 2010.
If you are interested in attending or want to discuss this free of charge event please contact Stuart Brisbane or Gwenda Lewis on 02920 444 730. Or e-mail cwevents@enterprise.uk.com to receive the qualification documentation.

Sell 2 Wales Workshop

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) AGM - South Wales Region

Next Sunday 28th November it’s the South Wales Region AGM, starting at 11.45, and as usual it will be followed by a traditional three course Sunday Lunch, at just £10 a head for adults and only £5 for children under 12. 

This year it is being held Lampeter, in the Old Hall within the St. Davids Building, University of Wales Trinity St. Davids.  


For those of you who would prefer not to drive there will be a coach going from Swansea, which is free to both members and their families.

Please pre-book your places by clicking on this link, then scrolling down:

http://www.fsb.org.uk/southwales/events/regionalagm

or phone Mike Jones on 01792 548536.

Anna Bastek – Swansea Bay Business Women of the Year 2009 – will be giving the after dinner speech.  Anna is the co-founder of Wolfestone Translation Ltd, a rapidly growing and multi award winning international translation company. Anna has wide ranging management and strategic experience and impressive track record building start-up companies and accelerating revenue. Anna's career so far has included being a Marketing Director for an Electronics Design Company, has also set up several companies whilst Wolfestone has turned out to be hugely successful. Anna's ambition is to write a book for women and share her experience in business and encourage women to follow their dreams, as well as become a venture capitalist and help people commercialise their ideas.

A talented young musician, FSB member Chris Hastings, will be playing during the meal, and for our amusement we have booked for the second year running Deryk ‘The Milkman’ Rees. 

Hope to see you there!

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) AGM - Swansea Bay Branch

Just a quick blog to remind all that the AGM for the local FSB branch is on tomorrow night Tuesday 16th November, in the Grand Hotel, Ivey Place, Swansea.

Welcome from 7pm for the meeting itself at 7.30pm, followed by a buffet and chance to do some networking.

Hope to see you there!

Business Finance & Venture Capital Workshops

The aim of the Accessing Business Finance 
Workshops is to introduce entrepreneurs 
and business owners to the basic principles 
of accessing business finance and inform 
them of the financing options available 
to companies in Wales.

2 November 2010  9:00 - 14:00  The Towers Hotel, Swansea
7 December 2010  9:00 - 14:00  Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff

For entrepreneurs and business professionals with a good basic understanding of the forms and sources of risk capital, the Raising Venture Capital workshops will afford an insight into the principles of raising venture capital and strategies for exiting from businesses.

9 November 2010 9:00 - 14:00  Cartrefi Cymru, Brecon
23 November 2010 9:00 - 14:00  Cleddau Bridge Hotel, Pembroke Dock
7 December 2010 14:00 - 18:30  Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff

There are 20 FREE places per workshop which are offered on a first come, first served basis.  
To book or find out more call on 03000 6 03000

Winning Business Event

This free event on Wednesday 20th October 2010 held in Bridgend, is for businesses who would like to improve their knowledge and skills in public sector tendering and increase their chances of winning future contracts.  Whilst in the past there has possibly been the perception that this only be relevant to large businesses, there are definitely opportunities for small to medium size companies too.

Those attending will:

• have the opportunity to meet local buyers from Bridgend County Borough Council
• have access to experts with up to date knowledge of public sector procurement
• have the opportunity to promote your business and meet other local businesses looking for opportunities to collaborate on joint tenders
• gain an understanding of the types of requirements placed on businesses when responding to public sector tenders, for example equality and diversity, health and safety, the ability to deliver, references and sustainability, may all form part of the decision making process, rarely is a decision made on price alone
• have the opportunity to meet your local Supplier Champion and understand the ongoing Welsh Assembly Government backed public sector procurement support which is available at no cost to your business.

The Winning Business Event will take place at the Waterton Centre, Waterton Industrial Estate, Bridgend, CF31 3WT from 9.30am until 2.45pm on Wednesday 20th October 2010.  Whilst free to attend there are limited places available, and so restricted to one registration from any one organisation, & offered on a “first come first served” basis. To register details & reserve a place go to:
http://www.bridgend-event.aurorabusiness.co.uk

Free Breakfast Networking & Exhibition

What is being claimed as potentially the country's biggest networking event of the year will be preceding the New Start Exhibition this coming Friday 8th & Saturday 9th October, in the CIA, Cardiff.  Better still it's free!

The organisers will be finding out beforehand the types of business that a member would like to connect with so they can be allotted a place in the most relevant ‘powergroup’.  Starting at 9am, the format for the first 30 minutes is natural networking over a free breakfast and a coffee.  Then the second 30 minutes is where you are placed into a powergroup of 8 to 10 people, which the organisers believe will make the networking session far more effective.

The FSB have managed to secure free vouchers available to all FSB members for both the networking & New Start Exhibition.  For a free voucher or more information e-mail info@newstartexhibitions.com or call 0845 3716950.

Women in Business Awards Finalists – Luncheon Awards Ceremony

Lesley Walton

The winners of these awards were announced at a qlitzy luncheon held on Thursday 30th September in the Mermaid Restaurant, Mumbles.  This was the first such event to be held by South Wales Evening Post.

Anna Bastek

Finalists Lesley Walton & Anna Bastek, local FSB members, were both pipped at the post but were pleased to walk away with a Highly Recommended plaque in acknowledgement of reaching the awards stage. Well done, both!

Selling on eBay

Paul Gadd

After a summer break the local FSB committee organised what turned out to be yet another excellent new members evening with a talk on how to sell on eBay given by Paul Gadd.
 
He began by giving some interesting facts about eBay such as being the number one e-commerce site in the UK, and only 3rd in size after US and Germany.  He also pointed out that it is low cost to get started.
 
He then went on to outline a simple set of steps :
do your research
- look at similar products by going in eBay ‘advanced search’
- look on pulse.ebay.co.uk for popular & current buys
- check out your competitors
- take a look at the US site : ebay.com

eBay Audience

open a sellers account in eBay
- click on the Sell link, then Create a Seller’s Account link
TOP TIP set up About Me page
prepare the items to sell
- choose category
- give item description in full :
   BE HONEST!
- use pictures if possible
- state payment & postage details
- decide on ‘buy now’ or ‘auction’
- work out starting price & final sales price, bearing in mind that total fees will amount to about 15% of the total sale
TOP TIP some products sell better by auction, others through Buy It Now so try some out using different ways of selling, and other variables such as categories, durations, days etc
work out your pricing & payment method
- be realistic eg if by auction try a low price & no reserve
- decide whether to accept cheque, credit card, Paypal etc
- include postage & packing
- include a Returns Policy
manage & complete your sales
- track activity
- contact buyer to collect payment then send item
- leave feedback and ask buyer for theirs
 
Paul also suggested that some members may wish to consider opening an e-bay shop.  Whilst this incurs a monthly fee there can be certain advantages – search engine spiders regularly trawl them, can be more cost effective, and listings area displayed.  He finished off this very useful talk by assuring all present that the site is a safe & secure place to do business.

Liberty Stadium Business Show

A Business Show will be held in Swansea tomorrow, Thursday 16th September, in the Liberty Stadium, from 10am to 3pm.

This show is sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government and has been designed to assist all business-minded people across the region in boosting their sales.  It will feature over 60 Exhibitors with services designed to increase sales, plus advice and ideas that can be used to positively influence one's business.
 
It will look at five zones centred around the basic principles
of selling :

• Success in technology
• Success in marketing
• Success in training
• Success in government
• Success in Business Services

Also, as main sponsors of this years Liberty Stadium Business Show, The Welsh Assembly Government are inviting all attendees to a free seminar, to find out more about how their business could capitalise on a number of opportunities created by the London 2012 Olympics.
 
Entry into the shows exhibition hall will once again be
completely free to all who pre-register which
can be done online.

Cork Meet 2010

This is a business 2 business event in Cork, costing only £250 (subsidised by Swansea Bay Partnership), which includes accommodation, travel & attending the event.  It runs from 6th - 8th October.
 
Spaces are limited and the organisers aim to have attending those businesses that are likely to benefit the most.  Apparently time is of the essence if you are interested in going - unfortunately we have only just received notification.  In theory the organisers have already shortlisted but may still accept applicants on Monday 13th September.   

For more information and to register please see their website for the show www.corkmeet.com

Women in Business Award Finalists

Anna Bastek at the 2009 Awards

This year two local FSB members have been shortlisted as finalists – Lesley Walton, Lorien Business Services, who is on the local Swansea Bay Committee, and Anna Bastek of Wolfestone Translation who was the overall winner last year.

Lesley Walton

 
Lesley has been chosen in the Go Green Environment category, and Anna in both this one and for On-line Innovation.

The event is being put on by the South Wales Evening Post with Swansea Bay Business Life and in association with Bluestone National Resort Park.  All the winners will be announced at a luncheon awards ceremony on Thursday 30th September.

Planning for the Future - Making Your Will and Putting Your Business Life in Order

Mon 5/7/10

Denise Jones

At the recent FSB Meet the New Members Evening, Tuesday 20th June, Denise Jones of Lovingly Managed, gave a very helpful talk on the sensitive issue of drawing up a will all other legal requirements to safeguard your business when you die.

She began by outlining what needed to be done depending on what kind of business you run:

- Company Directors need Wills, Shareholder Agreements, Lasting Powers of Attorney for Financial Affairs and Welfare
- Partners need Wills, Partnership Agreement, Lasting Powers of Attorney for Financial Affairs and Welfare
- Sole Traders need Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney for Financial Affairs and WelfarePLUS any one of us can also, if we wish, have an Advance Directive AND an End of Life plan

She then went on to give an idea of what each of these entailed and the process of registration, how long it can take and the costs involved, finishing off with a handy summary:

• Make a Will – include your business!
• Ensure you have the correct Shareholder or Partnership Agreement in place
• Use the Power of Attorney documents to full effect, keep a separate one for your business issues, both Lasting and Welfare
• Registration - decide when
• Advance Directives? eg “let me go if I’m going to have no quality of life ..." - your call
• End of Life plans? Why leave things to chance – YOU CHOOSE
• Don’t forget real insurance – key man, critical illness etc
• Payment options FOR EVERYTHING – can be staggered

Internet Marketing Seminar

Nigel T Packer

Wed 19/5/10

Hot on the heels of last months short talk comes another excellent FSB Meet the New Members Evening last evening, with Nigel T Packer – International Internet Marketing Specialist – giving a very useful seminar full of hints & tips about how to really make the best of your website.  This was followed by a question & answer session, with good questions raised and very helpful answers given in return.

He suggested that you should put yourself in the shoes of the customer and anticipate what they want - a site once arrived at will do the following :

• gives clear details of the product or service
• uses straightforward non-jargon language
• has accessible contact details
• has no graphics or animation which are distracting
• explains what to do
• says what it will cost
• gives an idea of how long it will take
• is easy to navigate

He further explained that all the above needs to be got across very quickly as most internet users are very impatient and tend to scan & forage rather than read in full, many not even scrolling beyond the page on their screen.  And when you think of this together with the current & ever growing statistics of how many shop on the internet, it brings home just how important all this is.

Official Launch of Swansea to Cork Ferry

Thu 13/5/10

Swansea Bay Branch FSB Committee

The local FSB Committee were pleased to be invited to attend a lunchtime launch to celebrate the successful comeback of the Swansea-Cork Ferry. We had a brief tour of the ship and enjoyed a good spread after speeches given by Conor B Buckley on behalf of Cork, and Phil Jones on behalf of Swansea, with Lord Mayor of Swansea, Alan Lloyd, in attendance.

MV Julia - The 'People's Ferry'

It's wonderful to see this service make a return - it always was a magnificent sight watching the ferry leave on a summer's evening - and thousands of people have put money into the project.  So whilst its official name is 'MV Julia' hopefully its more appropriate nickname will stick - 'The People's Ferry'.

Rebuilding Your Relationship with Your Bank

Wed 21/4/10

Rob Warlow

A very successful FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) Members Evening was held last night, with an excellent talk given by Rob Warlow on how to rebuild relationships with your bank, especially if you want to get a loan off them!

In brief some of the points he raised were:
* take various projections with you to illustrate you know the variables that may affect your business in the coming months & years
* go in plenty of time - the decision on your loan request could take months!
* understand the bank's stance first before putting in your pitch
* keep explanations about your business as straightforward as possible - you know it inside out but they don't!
* know the remit of the person you are speaking in particular are they the decision maker - very unlikely these days
* and most of all LISTEN! to make sure you know what the bank is able to offer, and what strings are attached - no point taking out the loan if you are not going to be able to comply with the repayment criteria