FSB Podcast

After the UK party conferences this month, we report on the government’s mini-budget and subsequent U-turn on the 45p tax rate, the latest business support announcements and the new political landscape. We also discuss the important topic of social value: Why it is good for your company and how you can report the social value you are already creating in your community as a small business. 

Guests:
Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs, FSB
Arnab Dutt, Chair of Social Value Policy, FSB

Do you want your small business to operate more efficiently? Technology can take the strain of the everyday activities that bog down small business owners and prevent them from getting on with their core activities, such as selling, building clients and growing. In this session our experts share practical examples of how tech can be used to improve businesses operationally, from automating processes such as finance and resourcing, to processing tools to streamline every day activities.

Guests: Andy Bone and Jason Crawford, Solutions Specialists at Dell Technologies

This episode is the second of a three-part series brought to you in partnership with Dell Technologies. 

In this month’s Small Business Round-up, we discuss the rising cost of doing business and the affect of rising inflation and energy prices on small business owners. We also look at the key findings of a new FSB report into skills and education and how small businesses can tackle skills shortages and gaps.

Guests:
Tina McKenzie, FSB Chair, Policy and Advocacy 
Hollie Whittles, FSB Policy Champion for Education and Skills

Looking for new ways to grow your business? As a small business owner, you’ll know how important it is to innovate and stay one step ahead of the competition to meet customer expectations. In this episode, we’ll explore how tech can fuel and facilitate innovation, from customer insights and company performance, to identifying growth and innovation opportunities. You’ll also hear how you can use the power of 5G, virtual reality (VR), and automation to enhance the customer experience.

Guests: Andy Bone and Jason Crawford, Solutions Specialists at Dell Technologies

This episode is the first of a three-part series brought to you in partnership with Dell Technologies. 

In this episode, we look at the current state of play with the Northern Ireland protocol, an issue that many small businesses will be keeping an eye on. We also examine the issue of rising insurance costs for small businesses and provide some tips for how you manage the lack of affordable premiums. Finally, we talk to FSB about what small businesses will need from a new Prime Minister, whether Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak, once the final round of ballots take place.

Featuring:
Roger Pollen, Head of FSB in Northern Ireland
David Perry, Managing Director, FSB Insurance Service
David Hale, Head of Public Affairs, FSB

In this episode, we look at exactly what ISO 9001 is, and why it is important to open doors for your business. Plus, some practical tips for how small businesses can achieve ISO 9001 certification - or transfer their ISO 9001 certification to an online platform, including some advice on documenting existing procedures.
Featuring: 
Cheryl Stevens, product manager for CertSmartTM, LRQA
Ali Kheradnejad, IATF auditor, LRQA

The rising cost of doing business and small business regulation: We look at what can be done to ease the pressure of rapidly rising costs and examine recent research on the impact of Covid regulations on small businesses. We also find out what the FSB is calling for in terms of future responses to a crisis.
Featuring:
Matt Dickinson, FSB Deputy Head of Media & Communications
Dr Paul Richter, Senior Lecturer, Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University

FSB figures show 400,000 firms are at risk as a result of late payments and delayed invoices. This episode explores the steps you can take to get paid promptly and details a new campaign aimed at changing the culture of late payments.

This episode covers all you need to know on the latest issues impacting small businesses, including new resources available to help LGBT+ small business owners and employees; and why small business bank lending is reducing.
Featuring: Craig Beaumont, Chief of external affairs, FSB; Ruth McElroy, Communications and Public Affairs Advisor at FSB; and Adrian Innes, chief revenue officer, Finpoint

This episode explores why an increasing number of small businesses are looking to measure and offset their carbon emissions and how you can begin to do so for your small business. Produced in partnership with JustCarbon, a blockchain-based carbon marketplace, that simplifies offsetting carbon emissions through the purchase of carbon tokens.