Wales Economic Growth Fund & Other SME Funding

The Economic Growth Fund is a non-repayable grant aimed at providing short-term assistance to businesses in Wales. The £15 million Economic Growth Fund is a short term, fast track fund for business, providing immediate access to capital funding for investments that will create and retain jobs. Grants are not repayable or restricted to any specific sectors. Any offers will be time limited to ensure that all grants are taken up and spent before the end of December 2012.

The Wales Economic Growth Fund will :

• stimulate economic growth by providing capital support to projects delivering job creation, retention and additional investment;
• create up to 1000 jobs and retain many others;
• assist more than 100 businesses across Wales;
• be delivered as quickly as possible to maximise the benefits to the Welsh economy in 2012.

The fund is available to applications from businesses in Wales.

The fund is a time-limited offer with applications invited between 12 December 2011 and 31 January 2012.

Application forms and guidance can be requested in the following ways:
Phone: 03000 6 03000  Website: www.business.wales.gov.uk/growthfund

Also the new Wales £40 million SME Investment Fund will complement the existing European-funded JEREMIE Fund, and will ensure that more SMEs, including those who sell their goods and services to consumers rather than businesses, are eligible for repayable capital investment from Finance Wales.  This Fund should be fully operational by March 2012. Again, more information and advice will be available closer to the time on 03000 603000, at www.business.wales.gov.uk.

The New Swansea Bay Branch Committee

As those of you who are in the FSB will probably know, November is AGM month, and we now have a new branch committee.  Full details are on the website at http://www.fsb.org.uk/southwales/branches/swanseabay

Effective B2B eMarketing for Managers Using Social Media

CENTRE FOR BUSINESS in Swansea is running this subsidised workshop on Thursday November 24th from 9:30am to 4:30pm. This one day workshop will focus upon how managers can utilize e-marketing via social media effectively in order to further develop their business and fully embrace their potential.

For FSB members it costs just £42 plus VAT, being part funded from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

To book or find out more contact James Cresswell
1st Floor, Suite 2
Vivian Court, (off New Mill Court) Enterprise Park
Swansea
SA7 9FG
Tel : 01792 793686
E-mail : James.Cresswell@centreforbusiness.co.uk

Health at Work Advice Line - here to help you!

Just a quick reminder about this very useful service, which offers small businesses, organisations and their employers, in all sectors, with health at work advice over the telephone.

The Advice Line offers free confidential and professional advice on any occupational, physical or mental health issue. GPs can also access the service for advice and support on issues affecting individual patients including the Statement of Fitness for Work (Fit Note).

The Line number is 0800 107 0900 and is open 24 hours a day with qualified professionals available between 9.00am and 5.00pm on weekdays. Outside of these hours, a call back service operates.

How to get your hands on free legal templates – easy peasy!

The branch held a very successful member’s evening this week which included two very useful presentations on all the help provided to members by the FSB. 

Sean Harris

Alan Cole

Nigel T Packer

Nigel T Packer kicked off the evening with a simple step by step guide on where to find legal help on the FSB website, in particular to access all the legal documents that are available.  Alan Cole, recently appointed recruiter for South East Wales, went on to mention the many other benefits available, a simple one being that members can put the FSB logo on all everything.

PS  We are pleased to have the newly appointed President of Neath Chamber of Trade as one of our current committee members, here adorned in his official chain of office.
PPS.  If you are an FSB member we will be happy to e-mail you the presentation.

Not One but Two FSB related events well worth attending …

Swansea Connections at the Grosvenor Casino (SA1 1LF)
Tuesday 18th Oct 2011 at 5.30pm

The local FSB branch will be saying Hi! at this Business-Scene event which aims to bring together many of the local Business Networking groups under one roof, and offers the opportunity for local businesses to expand their own business connections.

Also the guest speaker Warren Cass will be talking about Social media – on how to have a presence, and to understand how to achieve return on investment by creating the right strategy.

For more information go to http://www.business-scene.com/event_detail.php?e=17871 and FSB members can book for FREE by contacting secretary Mike Jones on 07974 695821 or by e-mail mike.jones@fsb.org.uk


Meet the New Member’s Evening, in the Aberavon Beach Hotel (SA12 6QP)
Wednesday 19th October 2011, 7pm for 7.30pm start

At this Swansea Bay FSB Branch event there will be a presentation on how to access FREE legal documents such as HR forms, standard letters and legal help & advice off the FSB website.  This will also look at some of the other membership benefits & services, with an update on the Policy work undertaken on behalf of members.

Non members welcome, and the event is free to attend, with light refreshments provided.

Please book by contacting Julie Williamson on 07980 917 513 or 01792 551 556 or by e mail on julie.williamson@fsb.org.uk 

Neath Food & Drink Festival – Reminder

Don’t forget this event, taking place on Friday & Saturday of this week, 7^th & 8^th October.  There will be a wide variety of stands with plenty to tempt the taste buds, as this successful not-to-be-missed event continues into its third year.

For more details go to www.neathfoodfestival.co.uk

Women in Business Awards 2011

The local Swansea Bay branch FSB committee were really pleased to be able to sponsor the New Business of the Year category at the high profile Women in Business Awards (WIBA).  This event held last Friday celebrated all business women in the area and produced a wide range of excellent entrants.  With finalists in five categories, those who managed to top their list were :

Connie Parry, Tomos-Watkin at Hurns Brewery, for Innovation, an FSB member, and also overall winner

Connie Parry, Winner

Gemma Paull, SA Flyers, for FSB sponsored New Business of the Year

Gemma Paull, New Business of the Year

with other finalists from the same category Jo Watkins and Emma Purvis

and the other three being
* Rachael Flanagan, Mrs Bucket Cleaning, for Rising Star
* Debbie Robinson, Derwen Group, for Go Green
* Alex Shufflebottom, Shufflebottom Ltd, for International Achievement

Carrier Bag Charges

The single use carrier bag charge is due to come into force on 1 October 2011, and from then on businesses will be required to charge a minimum of 5p for all single use carrier bags. The Regulations place certain duties on retailers in respect of record keeping. Working with the FSB, the Welsh Government has made exemptions for very small businesses, which will still be required to charge for bags but, if employ less than 10 full time equivalent members of staff, will not need to keep records.

Visit www.carrierbagchargewales.gov.uk to find more detailed guidance about the legislation. The website also includes details about what bags are included and exempt, has a frequently asked questions section for retailers along with the option to download the guidance and posters.  Or phone the Local Environment Quality team on 02920 826230, or e-mail :
carrierbagcharge@wales.gsi.gov.uk

The ‘Real Conversation’ between Businesses & Young People

The Real Conversation is a national call to businesses to improve work experience for young people. It is an opportunity for businesses to talk to individuals, their teachers and trainers, to improve the quality and nature of work experience on offer.  The next ‘Real Conversation’ will be taking place locally in the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, on Thursday 29 September 2011.

For more information please go to
http://careerswaleswest.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/real-conversation-in-the-liberty-stadium-swansea/

and please book your place by close of play Monday by going to :

https://secure.wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/skillsandtraining/realconversation/event/?lang=en

Neath Food & Drink Festival

Now in its third year, funding has been secured to expand Neath Food and Drink Festival 2011 to a two day event over Friday 7th and Saturday 8th October.

Over 60 food producers from across South Wales will be all come together to celebrate all that is good about Welsh Food and Drink, including award winning suppliers from Neath’s famous Indoor Victorian Market which has recently appeared on BBC's 'The One Show'.

On Saturday at St. David's Church, Neath Port Talbot College and other local chefs will be demonstrating the latest recipes and techniques. There will be lots of recipe ideas with tasters and question and answer sessions.
 
Neath Town Centre Communities First will be holding a range of activities across various locations in the heart of the town.  Bay Radio will be broadcasting live from the event over the two days and will keep everyone entertained with a mixture of music, information and competions. Restaurants throughout the town will also be hosting special themed events on Friday evening.
 
For more information go to the website at http://www.neathfoodfestival.co.uk/

Invitation to Free Taster Workshop and Business Seminar

The Cardiff School of Management's unique 20Twenty Leadership Programme sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses is a programme designed to help companies to grow their business in the current challenging environment. Each easy to access workshop focuses on leading change, managing innovation, raising finance and improving marketing and sales performance of a business.  The programme has attracted amazing feedback from participants, and as a result the Cardiff School of Management and the Federation of Small Businesses are inviting businesses to attend a free "Taster Workshop", to provide an insight into the programme and show that this is not another 'off-the-shelf' management course  This will be held on Wednesday 7th September 2011, at the Cardiff School of Management, UWIC, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB, from 8:00am – 10:15am.

The Full 20 Twenty Programme consists of:

• A unique tailored learning experience, designed around individual’s company/business.
• One-to-one sessions with an Executive Coach to develop with individual leadership style.
• Access to a selection of experienced and successful Business Leaders who will act as personal Mentors.
• Post Graduate Qualification in Leadership (Optional) which provides exemption to one third of an executive MBA
• Membership of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
• Development of a detailed, Strategic Growth Plan for your business/unit.

The programme is based on a 10-month journey (average 1.5 days per month) including: Workshops, Action Learning, Master-Classes and Coaching, at a cost of £1,850, VAT exempt (original cost without European assistance is over £9K).  Large discounts are available for multiple delegates from the same company, and costs can be paid in 2 installments.

To register for the Free Taster Workshop please Contact Catherine Wilson, by tel: 029 20 417160, or e-mail : cwilson@uwic.ac.uk, and more information is available on the website : http://www.20twentyleadership.org/

Social Media in Business – a FSB sponsored event

Learn about social media strategies for business from experts Denis Campbell and Nigel T Packer, at this event to be held on Wednesday 21st September, in the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, from 2pm to 5pm.

All business people interested in implementing a successful and effective social media strategy should attend. This is a chance to network with local FSB members, social media experts and to walk around the beautiful National Botanic Garden of Wales. 

Entrance to the gardens is free and afternoon tea will be provided. The event itself is also free for members of the FSB but non-members are asked to pay a small charge of £10 which will be refunded if they join the FSB on the day.

Contact Chris Jones (01792) 346243 or e-mail : admin@clickbridge.co.uk

Health at Work Advice Line

An Evening with Allan Lamb

Opening Doors to Business

An event put on by Dragon Innovation Partnership is being held for those businesses who could benefit from free advice, support, funding, graduate placements.  This is taking place in Parc-Y-Scarlets, Pemberton Retail Park, Llanelli, SA14 9UZ, this coming Thursday 23rd June 2011, between 10am-3pm.

There will be over 30 projects and initiatives from universities in the region, and this will also be an opportunity to build contacts and commercial links with the projects and their networks.

To register your interest in attending this event please contact nicola.powell@smu.ac.uk or call 01792 481163.  And for up to date information on the event and projects available visit:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragon-Innovation-Partnership/174467699277407

FSB Members’ Evening in The Village Hotel SA1

The one held this month on 7th June in the Village Hotel, was another well attended evening. Guest speaker Iestyn Davies, Wales’ newly appointed Head of External Affairs, gave an excellent and inspirational talk, encouraging both on recruitment, and retention, by stressing the value of membership. 

Head of Welsh Policy Janet Jones gave a useful insight into her role, and the final speaker was Branch Secretary Mike Jones who informed all members how they can get money off their membership simply by sending in details of prospective new members via the FSB website, under the Ask Me Why scheme.  And Recruiter Steve Teasdale was also on hand with additional membership information.

The around 50 attendees made it yet another successful night for Swansea Bay branch FSB.

HMRC Workshops

The following HMRC Workshops are being held at the Sandfields Young Business Centre, through Neath Port Talbot Borough Council’s Economic Development department.  The dates for them are :

Thu 2/6/11   Newly Self-Employed
Fri 10/6/11 Business Expenses & Capital Allowances for the Self-Employed
Wed 13/7/11 Self Assessment Online
Wed 10/8/11 Newly Self-Employed
Wed 7/9/11   Business Expenses & Capital Allowances
Tues 4/10/11 Newly Self-Employed
 
If you would like to attend, or find out more information about the courses and their content, please either call 0845 603 2691, or visit www.hmrc.gov/bst/ where further details can be obtained.

Launch of Swansea Regional Business Awards

Local FSB committee members recently attended the launch of these prestigious business awards in Morgan’s Hotel.  The local branch is sponsoring one of them – Most Promising New Business – and as part of the sponsorship package will be able to take part in shortlisting the finalists taking place later this year.

FSB Committee Members Mike Jones & Julie Williamson

Finalists will be invited to a black tie awards ceremony at The Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on 25th November  where the category winners and overall winner of ‘Swansea Bay Business of the Year 2011’ will be announced in front of an audience of over 360 guests 
from the local business community. Definitely an event not to be missed!

25th Business Startup Show

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) members are entitled to free tickets for the 25th Business Startup Show at Excel, London on the 19th and 20th May.

This year, for the first time, the FSB is partnering the Show with its very own FSB Village and Seminar area, FSB dedicated conference room, and a large exhibition / networking stand.

It's going to be their biggest and best show yet, with a host of new workshops and show features, together with a speaker line-up that is extremely impressive :

• The Small Business Minister, Mark Prisk
• The Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Green
• The Beermat Entrepreneur himself, Mark Southon

and a whole host of small business experts.

In the main show there will be over 200 companies all offering their services to anyone who is growing a business, together with a 150 free seminars, 5 business training workshops, 15 One-to-One meeting areas, Speed Networking Zone, Midas Touch and a couple of surprises thrown in for extra measure!

If you order your tickets before the show you will be also posted the free glossy pre-show guide, which is 124 pages detailing every aspect of the event – so that you can plan your visit in advance.  The organisers are doing all of this for free, so register now at: http://www.bstartup.com or call the organisers for free on 08000 68 69 70.

FSB Members’ Evening in The Mansion House

Little did we know the innocent 'new members meeting' at the invitation of the Lord Mayor, and organised by Federation of Small Businesses, would achieve so much front page publicity with not one but two days headline coverage in the South Wales Evening Post!

Lord Mayor Richard Lewis addressed local businesses at the event at the Mansion House.  He took the opportunity to congratulate the Business community in these challenging times but also called for action on so-called 'druggies' and vagrants who were making life very difficult indeed for retail businesses in the High Street and other City centre locations. The problem of vagrants seems to have worsened during recent times with the police and local authority struggling to cope. The Business Improvement district has done very little to address this particular problem and it is time for businesses to come together and take action.

The meeting was well attended, with some 40 or so local businesses from the Swansea Bay Branch of the FSB.

Business Breakfast in Neath Port Talbot

The first ever Health Challenge Business Breakfast is being held where attendees can learn more about improving both their own health & wellbeing, and that of their staff. The FREE event takes place on Thursday 2nd June 2011 7.45am until 11.00am at Margam Orangery.

Guest speaker Welsh rugby legend Robert Jones will talk about how he stays fit and how that helps him in his business life.

To register telephone 01639 763713 or email hcnpt@npt.gov.uk

FSB AGM & National Conference 2011

Last week the FSB AGM & National Conference was held in the BT Convention Centre, Albert Dock, Liverpool, with the conference exhibition having a wide varierty of stands including the full range of service providers, Policy Unit, and for NFSE Sales products. Full details can be obtained here on the FSB website conference pages, but a flavour of the event is given below.

Motions
Some healthy debate occurred with all six motions detailed below
1. This Conference calls upon Her Majesty's Government to incorporate the New Zealand Companies Act 218 notice into UK law.  This allows creditors of a limited liability company to recover an overdue debt by serving a statutory demand on the registered office of the debtor company giving them 15 working days to pay the debt after which liquidation proceedings against the debtor company can be started and giving the claimant priority over the receivers.
Carried
2. The Federation of Small Businesses calls on the UK Government to 'unchain the private sector' and to let it deliver its undoubted potential to generate recovery in the economy (ie lessen red tape)
Carried
3. That this house calls upon her Majesty's Government to extend the National Insurance Holiday (NICS) to existing businesses instead of providing the holiday to new businesses only.
Carried
4. This Conference calls upon Her Majesty's Government to press ahead with a new generation of nuclear power stations, despite fresh concerns about the safety of nuclear technology, in order to deal with anticipated energy shortages and the uncertainty of oil and gas supplies from the Middle East.
Carried
5. This Conference calls upon Her Majesty's Government to adopt Single Double Summertime (SDST)
Not Carried
6. This Conference calls upon Her Majesty's Government to explore ways of suitably compensating small businesses, through the mechanism of a business rate rebate, in circumstances where development works or maintenance work leads to disruption and loss of trade.
Carried 

Question Time 

Chaired by Peter Sissons with panel :
Luciana Berger MP (Lab) – Labour MP for Liverpool Wavetree
Jake Berry MP (Con) – Conservative MP for Rossendale and Darwen
Brian Binley MP (Con) – Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Small Business Group
Gordon Birtwistle MP (LibDem) – former mayor, and currently Leader of Burnley Council
Mike Cherry FSB UK Policy Chair 

South Wales' Region National Councillor, Julie Williamson, asked the first question "given the cost of fuel what would be your advice to small businesses that are reliant on the road network?"  Since then the Chancellor appears to have succombed to pressure applied by FSB members writing to their MPs, as he has introduced a fuel stabiliser in this week's budget.

Honorary Positions
Only one post was contested, that of the two Vice Chairs, and Tony Cherry & Sandra Dexter were successfully elected.

Speakers 
Included a video from David Cameron MP (Con) Prime Minister with Mark Prisk MP (Con) minister for Small Businesses attending in person.  Though due to speak Friday morning unfortunately Vince Cable MP (LibDem) Sec of State for Business, Innovation & Skills did not make it.  However Ed Miliband MP (Lab) Leader of the Opposition, made it at last by late afternoon,after the lengthy Libya debate in the House of Commons, and was made to feel most welcome.  He scored another set of browny points by promising should he become PM to attend a conference – would be the first PM ever to do so!

Workshops 
Evolution - attended by many members, wanting to make their voice4s heard on the future of the FSB, and how to make the organistaion ‘fit for purpose' not only in these challenging times but for the years ahead. Education & Employers’ Task Force - Dr Anthony Mann gave a short presentation on the work of the Education and Employers Taskforce.  It is a coalition of willing organisations which was set up 18 months ago.  The primary role is to get employers working with schools and colleges.  It covers 5-19 year olds and includes activities like business mentoring, School Governorships and work experience opportunities.  
Your FSB, Get Involved - encourged members to realise that there was more to the organsiation than just member benefits, but also something could be gained by getting involved. This workshop concentrated on involvement in recruitment and campaigning.

Other Business Activities 
Networking sessions both for beginners & old hands who just needed to brush up their skills
Seminars on
* How to make money by using CSR and using social media: The session  covered what is CSR for small businesses, who should you be telling about what good you do, and practical tips to get the most from scare resources using tools such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blogging etc
* IT for the Future: A presentation from Dell on where IT is heading for the future and a glimpse at the latest advances and technologies that are already making their mark on the way we work and communicate. There were practical demonstrations and advice on how to harness these advances for your business
* Apprenticeships – Good for Business: Representatives from the National Apprenticeships Scheme covered the key facts about Apprenticeships, myth busting and demonstrating how apprentices can add value to your business
  
Other Events

As usual a reception for partners where local historian Ken Pye gave an excellent talk on Liverpool giving all guests plenty of ideas for siteseeing.
And for all attendees there was the inter-regional competition including laser shooting, a wheelchair slalem conducted by FSB sponsored women’s wheelchair basketball team, and a variety of quizzes.  And of course the whole event wouldn't be complete without two excellent dinners - A Day at the Races where particpants could win prizes, and on the last evening a black & white them with the vening finshed off by dancing to the band.

FSB News & Events 2

More from the FSB ...

One day to go before Conference!

The annual FSB Conference opens tomorrow 17th March in Liverpool. The Friday programme will see political big-hitters, Ed Miliband MP and Vince Cable MP address delegates and Small Business Minister, Mark Prisk MP holds his surgery. Find out more at www.fsb.org.uk/conference2011
 

Female entrepreneurship must be encouraged

The FSB launched its female entrepreneurship report ‘Women in business. Female entrepreneurship: creating growth and dispelling the myths’, ahead of the 100th International Women’s Day. In its report the FSB is urging Government to promote funding and break down the barriers to self-employment to create more female-owned firms.

FSB and CAMRA back Pub Reform Bill

CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale, and the FSB gave their full backing to Martin Horwood MP in advance of a Parliamentary debate on the Tied Public Houses (Code of Practice) Bill. The Bill focuses on the continued necessity for reform of the beer tie and improving lease conditions for tied publicans among others. Read coverage in the Publican.

Have your say on the Budget

With the Budget less than two weeks away, we are looking for businesses that will be happy to talk to the media about the Chancellor’s statement. Get in touch with the press team if you are happy to take part and tell us what you would like to see included.

Olympics tickets

The ballot for the purchase of Olympic Tickets begins on 15 March. The Metropolitan Police Operation Podium has issued simple advice to help the public and businesses avoid ticketing scams through fake websites or attempts to steal personal details.

All Scotland’s political big-hitters to attend hustings

All five political leaders will make their case on enterprise and the economy at the FSB Scottish Parliament election hustings in April. In a curtain-raiser for the televised party leaders’ debates Alex Salmond, Iain Gray, Annabel Goldie, Tavish Scott and Patrick Harvie will clash over how they would get Scotland’s economy back to growth before an audience of key opinion formers and business owners. The event will be chaired by independent radio’s voice of politics, Colin Mackay. More from www.fsb.org.uk/scotland

Gas Safety Register survey

The Gas Safe Register is undertaking a review into the principles and processes surrounding competence as it relates to gas safety and, following information gained from workshops already carried out, it has compiled a survey to gain further insight.

Entrepreneurs needed

The European Commission is looking for entrepreneurs who have successfully grasped a second chance to start an enterprise after a bankruptcy, or a firm that has transferred their business to another owner resulting in a successful development of the business, for a report it will produce ahead of European SME Week. Email with your experiences.

Royal wedding case studies

As we approach the Royal Wedding, the media is becoming increasingly interested in how the additional bank holiday and the wedding in general will affect your business – good or bad! Email with your thoughts. 

Free training workshops

The University of Greenwich is holding a number of workshops free of charge for eligible London businesses. Find out more.

Linked In for business and Other Social Media

Nigel T Packer

Proving to be an excellent start to 2011, the local FSB committee held a new members evening which brought along a record breaking number of attendees with over 70 people. 

The extremely useful Linked In talk was given by committee member Nigel T Packer who started by pointing out that to make the most of this and other social media some thought must be given to an entry.

He then went on to give the following very beneficial tips:

Get some training
You would not jump into the pilot’s seat of a Jumbo jet and try to take off without any training would you?  So if you don’t want to crash and burn in social media it is worth getting a day’s social media training on the subject.

Know your customers
You can say that all your customers are on all social media platforms but do they want to see you in the media that they choose to discuss their current romance hobbies holidays or social engagement with friends?

Make a plan!
What do you want to achieve from your activities?  Make sure there is an objective and you have time to do it.

Set up a profile
Make sure you have the right type of profile for the platform you are using.

Use all the functionality
There is more to a social media platform than just posting a profile.  Use the various functions on offer.

Keep posting
If you choose to use social media for business be in it for the long haul.  You must keep doing something on the platform on a regular basis or people will forget you.

Reputation management
Remember that everything you publish online will remain there for many years.  Write with care publish thoughtfully.

Thanks to Nigel people went away at the end of the evening with a better understanding of what they should be doing and no doubt felt it was time well worth spent.

FSB News & Events

If you are an FSB member some of the following may be of interest to you.  They don't necessarily affect us here in Swansea but of course it can be quite useful to know what's going on elsewhere:

Book now for FSB Conference
With only three weeks to go, time is running out to book your tickets for FSB Annual Conference in Liverpool on 17-19 March. There, delegates will hear from high-profile political speakers including Ed Miliband MP and Vince Cable MP, and news reader, Peter Sissons will chair the Question Time panel. Find out more and book your place at www.fsb.org.uk/conference 2011.

Graduate internships should not be axed
In a new report, the FSB is urging Government to extend the highly successful Graduate Internship Scheme, due to come to an end in March. With graduate unemployment at a record high, the FSB believes scrapping this scheme will be a mistake.

Youth unemployment podcast
Listen to the FSB’s Chief Spokesperson, Andrew Cave talk to the Guardian about how the Government can help to stem youth unemployment, in its latest podcast.

Women on Boards
Read National Chairman, John Walker’s comments in the Independent, on a Government report which aims to get at least one in four women on the boards of top companies. 

Importance of continuity planning
Read an article in the Guardian which looks at how continuity planning can help a small business survive.

Inflation continuing to rise
Read the FSB’s comments in the Daily Telegraph on how small businesses are being affected by rising commodity prices – in particular fuel.

Insurance providers removing pubs as clients
The FSB would be interested to hear from members that have had problems getting insurance as insurance providers look to remove public houses from their client base.

Get your views heard before the Budget
As always, the FSB will be submitting evidence to the Treasury ahead of the Budget (23 March) on behalf of all members. However, for members that wish to contribute to the consultation in their own right, submissions will close on Wednesday 2 March.  Email the FSB press office if you would like to be a case study.

Banking on Essex to be axed
A joint venture between Essex County Council and Santander – Banking on Essex – is to be closed, due to budgetary constraints and a lack of demand from small businesses, according to the Council. Read FSB’s comments in the Daily Telegraph.

Exporting workshops
The Overseas Security Information for Business is holding a workshop on ‘managing the risk of doing business in China’ on 30 March. Find out more on the UKTI website.

New CT vulnerability assessment tool for businesses
The current terrorism threat assessment for the UK is classed as ‘severe’.  Businesses in ‘crowded places’ such as high streets, shopping centres, near stadiums or theatres, are being encouraged to go through a straightforward risk assessment to assess and address, potential vulnerabilities to their business. 

New defence contracts
The Ministry of Defence has announced that it will develop six regional capital works frameworks for construction projects valued below £12 million and one national framework for higher value projects, more complex projects and cross-region programmes up to a value of £50 million, under its Next Generation Estate Contracts programme. Find out more.

Dates for Swansea Bay Branch FSB Events 2011

Full details will be circulated nearer the time for each event, but here is the proposed line-up of FSB event dates for 2011 that may be of interest, for you to note in your diary :

FSB National Conference will be held this year on Thursday, Friday & Saturday 17th to 19th March in BT Conference Centre, Liverpool
If you are interested you just have time to book, but do hurry as these need to be in by Tuesday 1st March!

Members Evenings
Following on from our very successful evening in February when we had over 70 attendees, we have these lined up:
Tuesday 19th April in the Mansion House, Ffynone Road
Tuesday 14th June in the Village Hotel, SA1
Tuesday 20th September – venue to be confirmed

Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells
Monday 18th to Thursday 21st July
Where you can go & visit the FSB stand

Swansea Bay Business Show – Swansea Bay Branch is a sponsors
Thursday 24th March in the LC, Oystermouth Road
Starting off with a networking session, there will be a wide range of businesses on show

Swansea Bay Branch AGM
Tuesday 15th November

Contracts for London 2012 Olympics

Welsh companies have already won contracts in excess of £38m, and there is still up to £700m worth of contracts to be won.  These range from catering equipment to sporting equipment, from mobility vehicles to office furniture, from portable water to outdoor furniture and include licensing opportunities for London 2012-branded merchandise.

To help companies across Wales the Welsh Assembly Government and its partners are staging events in North and South Wales aimed at giving Welsh businesses the best chance of competing for these opportunities:

    8 March 2011                      and                   22 March 2011
    09.30 - 12.30                                              09.30 - 12.30

Millennium Stadium                                            Venue Cymru

        Cardiff                                                      Llandudno

Find out more and register for your FREE place here

And you can also view regularly-updated Olympics-related contract opportunities on the competefor website

Successful Tendering

Just a quick reminder of this event which is being held next Tuesday 1st March 2011 at 9.00am at the QED Centre, Main Ave, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, CF37 5YR. 

The aim of the event is to help attendees to increase your chances of winning some of those future public sector contracts worth around £5billion in Wales every year.

It is free to attend, with refreshments provided, but places are limited.  If interested please use the following link to register your details and reserve your place:
http://www.venturewales.aurorabusiness.co.uk/successfultendering

A Double Dose of Networking!

Both events are being held at prestigious City of Cardiff Stadium.

Supplier Development Service

Coming up first, this is a free Speed Networking Event on Thursday 24th February. 

This event is specifically aimed at companies wishing to take part in an intensive networking session.  Attendees will be able to meet up with representatives from 40 others, for 3 minutes each, with the event lasting from 5.30pm to 8.00pm with refreshments provided.

All places need to be booked, allocated on a 1st come 1st served basis to one representative from each company, by contacting Leanne Edwards on ledwards@venturewales.com.

FSB sponsored Network Central 2011

Hot on its heels comes another networking event on Thursday 3rd March. 

Attendees to this event have the choice of taking part as sponsor, or exhibitor.  For more details contact Rod@networkcentral.me and quote Ref Number FSB1, and go to http://networkcentral.me for testimonials and pics from previous events.

Women in Business

Following on the success of last year’s event the Supplier Development Service would like to invite those interested to the 2011 Women in Business Event at the Village Hotel, Cardiff on the Friday 11th February.

This free event will include

• secrets for success in a challenging business environment from experienced business women working in both the public & private sectors and dedicated procurement advisers
• advice on dressing to make an impact a Winning more Business Workshop
• a Networking Lunch and refreshments

Registration is from 9.15am, with the event starting at 9.45, and closing at approximately 2.30pm.  To book a place please e-mail Leanne Edwards on ledwards@venturewales.com

Glass Ceiling - a Myth or a Reality for Women

The CMI is putting on this free event, open to members and non-members, on Tuesday 1st February 18:00 arrival; 18:30 – 20:00 in the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff.

There will be a panel to lead the debate and are delighted to announce that Marie Fagan (General Manager of Hilton Cardiff), Katy Chamberlain (Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg and Chair of South Wales Women in Management network) together with Ian Price (Assistant Director CBI Wales) and Professor Annette Davies (Cardiff Business School) will be the panel members.

The discussion will look at a number of questions such as  

• does the Glass Ceiling really exist?
• do women make choices not pursue more senior posts? 
• is the work place and organisational environment helpful to women in terms of career development? 
• what about men - do they have a Glass Ceiling in terms of promotion?

The CMI Cymru North Wales Network will be hosting a similar event in North Wales at the same time and it is hoped that the events will be linked up via Twitter.

If you would like to attend this event please email barbarachidgey@learningpathways.info by no later than Thursday 27th January 2011 to confirm your place.

This event is also highlighting the 2011 Leading Wales Awards which are now entering their 7th year and have pan Wales coverage and participation. They seek to identify, recognise and celebrate good leadership in every sector and the impact of real leadership at all levels in business, the Public Services, not for profit organisations and the community.  The 2011 Awards are in association with Real Radio Wales.  CMI Cymru is one of the founding partners of the Awards and each year work to promote and assist the Awards. For more information please log onto www.leadingwalesawards.co.uk