FSB Members Evening on Available Support for Neath Port Talbot Businesses

Although fairly dry, as one might expect, the FSB Swansea Bay Branch meeting on Tuesday evening 13th March at the Castle Hotel, Neath was actually very interesting.

The first  presenters were Kevin Lugg and Sarah Fowler of Neath Port Talbot council who explained about the range of services performed by the business support team.  This included help with new start ups and financing, property, health check for existing businesses and a level of practical help etc.  In particular there is a local regeneration project which aims to improve the retail experience in Neath and Port Talbot, where businesses can get a 50% grant towards modernising their shop front.  There were other schemes aimed at getting the young into work, going right across the board, also opportunities to develop the town of Port Talbot with the new £107m Harbour Way link road and associated developments - more on this at : http://www.harbourwayproject.com.  Much of the information is on their website, to which they referred continually throughout the presentation.

In addition the 2nd presentation was by Bethan Blackmore of the 'Essential Skills Project'. The Neath Port Talbot Adult Learning Network (with NPT College as the GRB and NPT Lifelong Learning Service managing the project) has been successful in securing over £847,000 in ESF funding and the contract for delivery of the Basic Skills/Essential Skills up to Level 2 in the Neath Port Talbot local authority area. Bethan explained about the Free Training Opportunities for Businesses. The provision is tailored to participants' individual needs, and course content is appropriate to the context of participants' work role and daily tasks undertaken. Flexible learning provision takes place in appropriate community venues away from the workplace. There were concerns from some members present about whether this would be a worthwhile project as with the grant presentation, given the primarily ICT focus of the training.  However, in both cases the advice is to engage with the local authority provider who will meet with you and let you know if and where they can offer any help.

The website for Neath Port Talbot is http://www.npt-business.co.uk
The website for the Essential Skills project is http://www.wtuclearn.org

Google Events – getting the most out of being on-line

Following the very successful Launch in Cardiff, Google are holding the following events in the Dragon Hotel, The Kingsway, Swansea  SA1 5LS :

Google Juice Bar, Friday 30th March
40 minutes of free one-to-one help on growing a business on-line
Friday 30 March

Google Workshop 3.30pm - 5.30pm, Wednesday 25th April
free workshop and find out how businesses can get the most from being online.

To sign up go to http://www.gbbo.co.uk/workshops

And another one!

CBSA is also running another free event locally in March :

How to Tender Workshop

Hints and tips will be forthcoming on how the Public Sector Buying Process works, inclduing how to access local opportunities for local businesses.

Tuesday 13th March in The Mercure Hotel, Pheonix Way, Swansea SA7 9EG
from 12.30pm – 4.30pm

To book a place please e-mail levans@cbsa.org.uk

Local CBSA March Events

Two events, both free to attend as they funded by the Welsh Government through the Supplier Development Service :

Maximising 'Sell 2 Wales' Workshop

The workshop will discuss the host of information that is available, together with looking at how your business can get the best out of it. The workshop will be run in an open and friendly way, with attendees encouraged to take part in discussion and sharing of experiences.

Tuesday 6th March in The Mercure Hotel, Pheonix Way, Swansea SA7 9EG
from 12.30pm – 4.30pm

Business Networking Breakfast

Wednesday 21st March 2012 in The Aberavon Beach Hotel, Aberavon SA12 6QP
from 8.00am – 10.30am

Some feedback from networking events in February:
‘Able to gain publicity and talk to potential customers – Good event, please keep doing them’
‘Met many people that could benefit from our services’
‘Great opportunity to network’

To book on either of these contact Liz at levans@cbsa.org.uk and for more information on any CBSA events, visit: www.cbsa.org.uk

Essential Reading for Small Businesses

The following articles are all from Walesonline :

Small businesses in Wales have become smaller, a report by the Federation of Small Business has found - click here to read
This article includes quotes from Janet Jones, Chair of both FSB South Wales Region and the Welsh Policy Unit.

Nearly half of FSB members have targeted growth - click here to read

Only 1% of businesses don’t use the internet, the FSB survey found - click here to read

Late payment has become an increasing problem for FSB members in Wales - click here to read

A fifth of owners work in two businesses - click here to read

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business-in-wales/

Google FSB Partner Project - getting Wales on-line

In March 2012, Google will kick off a year-long campaign in collaboration with the FSB and other business partners to help small business owners in Wales make the most of the internet.  In a bid to boost the country's online economy, Getting Welsh Business Online will provide over 1000 free consultations and e-skills workshops - using online education modules - to help businesses in Wales set up a website or improve their online presence.

The campaign is the first time Google has committed to an on-the-ground programme of this length anywhere in the UK - and is the company's first major visit to Wales.  The internet presents endless opportunities for starting and growing one’s own business, and Google hopes its campaign will help to boost the Welsh economy which currently suffers unemployment rates that are four times above the UK average.  The events are designed to help local businesses regardless of technical expertise as Google experts tour the country in the Google Juice Bar offering free one-to-one lessons on how to boost traffic to websites and increase business online.

Starting in Cardiff on 6 March the Juice Bar will travel to various locations across Wales and will be in Swansea on Wednesday 9th May.  Business owners can sign up for the free events by clicking here and are encouraged to sign up and register their interest as soon as possible, as spaces are limited.

Not one but Two Events in the Liberty Stadium well worth going to …

First comes to chance to mix business with pleasure by attending the next Connections event on Friday 17th February, in the Liberty Stadium, Swansea from 6pm to 9pm :

• 6pm Arrival & Networking (Private Room)
• 7pm Kick Off
• Half time Peters Pie & Chips
• 8.30pm Access to Business Club Lounge with an opportunity to meet with players from both teams and networking with Business Club Members

Tickets just to watch the match normally cost £28/£24, but on this occasion will just be £20 for Business Scene Members, and £25 for Non Members, which includes Rugby ticket, Half time food, Hospitality and Networking.  Pop up banner space is also available for £20 for pre match networking.

To reserve seats email anneg.jones@hotmail.co.uk


Then businesses are welcome to attend ‘Spotlight Your Business Networking Lunch with Buyers’ on Thursday 23rd February at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea 12.30pm -2.00pm.
Buyers will be present from Carmarthenshire County Council, Mid & West Wales Fire Service, Swansea University and Milford Haven Port Authority amongst others, with the opportunity for all attendees to stand for 30 seconds to introduce themselves and then network informally.

The event is delivered by the Supplier Development Service (ERDF funded via Welsh Government) and therefore free to businesses in Wales.

To book ring 01554 779914 or e-mail levans@cbsa.org.uk

EMS, other Training Opportunities, and Apprenticeships

Those who tender for public and private sector contracts may be interested in finding out about gaining the necessary accredited Environmental Management System which businesses need to have in place in order to do so.

A workshop, funded by Welsh Government so free to Welsh businesses, is being held at Broomfields, Redstone Road, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, on Tuesday February 2012, from 9.15am – 3.30pm.

To book a place or find out more go contact Please email levans@cbsa.org.uk to reserve your place.

Also for other work related traning, TrainingWales are providers specialising in custom-made training programmes to public and private organisations throughout Wales, from Health and Safety to ILM certificated Management Courses. These are held at Twyn yr Hydd House, in Margam Country Park.

For certain courses funding of 50% or 70% is potentially available, through the European Social Fund, via the Welsh Government.

For more information go to the website at www.trainingwales.com, or contact direct on 0800 013 2544 or enquiries@trainingwales.com


And finally, to find out more about Apprenticeships, call FREE on 0845 60 661 60 or visit the website www.cymru.gov.org

FSB Evening on Intellectual Property

Dave Hopkins gave a great introductory rundown of the four main areas
explaining

• Patents
• Trade marks
• Brands
• Copyright

and giving some very useful anecdotes which helped to make more sense of it all.

Lots more information can be got off their website at ipo.gov.org, and once received the evening’s presentation will be circulated.

A really worthwhile evening, although possibly raised more questions than answers – Swansea Bay Branch will definitely consider putting on a follow-up event.

Intellectual Property - are you breaking the law?

If you want to know tha naswr to this, and similar questions, do Come along to our next Meet the New Members meeting hosted by the Swansea Bay FSB Branch, in Gorseinon ‘Lewis Jones’ Rugby Club on 31st January 2012 starting 7pm for 7.30pm.

Our guest speaker will help you find out whether you may be breaking the law, or what you need to do to protect your designs, website content, invention or other Intellectual property.

Light refreshments will be provided but please book by telephone to Mike Jones 07974 695821 or e-mail mike.jones@fsb.org.uk

Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Reminder about funding available …

Money is available for you, your organisation ...

If you're looking to set up business in Wales or build on what you already have, you could get from £100,000 upwards to help*.

The fund is non-repayable, but please note that you have have this month to put in your claim as the closing date is 31st January 2012.

* Terms and conditions apply

Call: 03000 6 03000

Click: business.wales.gov.uk/growthfund