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
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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| 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
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| 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.
