FSB Podcast

From apprenticeships and T Level industry placements to Skills Bootcamps, Higher Technical qualifications and Multiply numeracy courses – there are a range of training and employment schemes to keep businesses moving. With some funding available to support small and medium sized employers, this episode explores how three employers have benefitted from the range of schemes available.

Guests:
Hollie Whittles, InfoSec and HR Director at PurpleFrog
Oliver Thompson, IT Technical Support Lead for Skechers UKDC   
Don Doughty, Senior Project Manager from TRU East

Looking towards the UK Spring Budget, an important milestone in the small business calendar – we talk to FSB's Alan Soady about what small businesses want and what the FSB expects from the government in light of crucial issues, such as the cost of doing business crisis.

Guest: 
Alan Soady, Head of Media and Communications at FSB.

As we mark National Apprenticeship Week 2023 (6 – 12 February), this monthly round-up takes a deep dive into how apprenticeships are working for small businesses, exploring FSB’s calls to improve the system. We speak with policy expert Chris Russell and hear from Tom Filer on his experience of employing numerous apprentices in his small business. We go on to focus on the important issue of childcare, speaking with policy expert Rebecca Hyrslova about some of the shifts that FSB would like to see around childcare costs to support parents and to support SMEs in the early years sector.

Guests:
Tom Filer, director of Family Adventures Group
Chris Russell, FSB senior policy manager
Rebecca Hyrslova, FSB policy advisor 

What are the latest cyber threats and how can you protect your small business against them? A look at the emerging and common digital threats facing small business at the moment – and throughout 2023 – as well as providing some guidance on how you can keep your company safe from scammers and attackers.
Guest:
Helen Barge, managing director, Riskevolves

A deep dive into three issues impacting small businesses at the moment. 
Paul Wilson, FSB’s director of policy, talks us through the very recent announcement of changes to the government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
Lucy Monks, head of international affairs at FSB, explains how small businesses can benefit from free trade agreements. And Ben Butler, senior policy advisor at FSB – looks at the situation around increases in business rates in England and what FSB would like to see happen to support firms in the face of those.
Guests:
Paul Wilson, director of policy, FSB
Lucy Monks, head of international affairs, FSB
Ben Butler, senior policy advisor, FSB

How to start and boost your small business marketing featuring TV personality Max McMurdo who shares his experience building his sustainable furniture business, and Jo Sutherland, expert in marketing who gives some great tips on where and how to market your small business bearing in mind your individual requirements, and how to make social media work for you.

Guests:

Max McMurdo, designer, author and TV presenter, founder of Reestore Ltd 

Jo Sutherland, founder of Wise Bird Marketing

This episode looks at the latest developments around energy costs for small businesses and the steps FSB is taking to reduce the pain of that, and also unpicks the recent Autumn Statement, to understand the impact of the big announcements on small businesses as well as what more the government should be doing to support SMEs in 2023.
Guests: 
Alan Soady, Head of Media and Communications, FSB
Paul Wilson, Policy Director, FSB

Are you worried about your energy costs as a small business? This episode looks at the pressing issue of rising energy costs and explores whether smart meters can help you reduce your bills, as well as offering practical tips and guidance for you to reduce those costs in other ways.
Guest: Fflur Lawton, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Smart Energy GB

In this episode we look at the latest findings from FSB's Small Business Index, the quarterly temperature-taking survey that surveys small business owners and sole traders on confidence in the market and their current challenges. With the forthcoming Autumn Statement, we look at what small businesses would like to see from Government and also at the issue of late payments and why this is proving particularly challenging.

Guests:
Alan Soady, Head of Media and Communication at FSB
Emelia Quist, Head of Policy Research at FSB

As your small business looks to scale and grow, tech can play a pivotal role in helping you identify opportunities and analyse the right areas in which to advance. You can also network to market your company to a broader customer base, to better fulfil orders and ensure you remain in touch with clients. In this episode, we share some real-life examples of tech in action. 
This episode is the third in our three-part series brought to you in partnership with Dell Technologies. 
Guests: Andy Bone and Jason Crawford, Solutions Specialists at Dell Technologies