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.