FSB
‘Advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed’
Here you will find events, workshops and information posts from Federation of Small Businesses Kent & Medway
South East England Women in Enterprise Virtual NetworkingWednesday 6th April, 11.45am – 1pmJoin us for this Women in Enterprise Brunch and have the opportunity to promote your business and link up with fellow entrepreneurs in our interactive and engaging breakout rooms. Book here
What is ESG and how to tackle your ESG strategy Thursday 7th April, 11am – 12pm Are you looking for more information on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance)? Join FSB and our host of experts who will help you to demystify this well-known acronym. This informative session will explore why it is important for businesses to have an ESG strategy. Businesses will find out how to overcome the challenges of tacking an ESG strategy and which support is available. Panellists include experts from the Co-operative Bank, B Other Wise Ltd, CircledUp and FSB. Book here
Networking – Let’s Talk TechnicalWednesday 20 April, 10am – 11.15am This is a national network designed to grow your contacts within this sector and to give you the opportunity to discuss topics important to you. During this session Steve Evans from Celtic Innovation Solutions will be speaking about the support you can get from government to help innovate within your business. Book here
The Big Networking Event: Spring Back to Business Friday, 22 April 2022, 10am – 11.30amBe part of FSB’s BIG networking event this spring and connect with hundreds of small business owners from across the UK! Book here
Financial Planning For Your Business Tuesday 26 April, 12pm – 1pmThis event is aimed at business owners looking to avoid nasty shocks this financial year and those who are keen to get the new tax year off to a good start. Book here
Maximise your membershipWednesday 27 April, 12.30pm – 1.30pm Now more than ever is the time to make sure you’re making the most of your FSB benefits, whether it’s exploring the FSB Legal Hub and updating your processes; understanding what FSB Care could be doing for your well-being; or learning about how FSB Debt Recovery or FSB Funding Platform could be helping with your cash flow. We are pleased to invite you to this webinar which will give you the tools to maximise your FSB membership. This will be an hour worth spending to ensure you’re getting all the help you can, when you need it most. Book here
Kent Business Summit 2022 After the success of the Kent Business School Business Briefing on 14 January, tickets are available for the in-person Kent Business Summit to be held on 27 April. To book tickets, please click here.
Ethnic Minority led business networkingThursday 28 April, 11am – 12pmOn the last Thursday of each month, we invite you to our free-to-attend, national networking event for Ethnic Minority FSB members and non-members. Join us to network, share, learn and discuss the successes and experiences of being an ethnic minority business owner. Hosted by Jason Roberts, Founder and CEO of Kaleida International. Book here
Selling online – From start-up to successFriday 29 April, 12pm – 1pmSettle in for an information-packed hour hearing from real businesses that have grown online – you’ll come out with plenty of ideas to help you drive your own e-commerce business forward. This will be a practical session with Q&A to enable businesses to get specific, tailored advice and practical support about selling on websites and on marketplaces such as Amazon. Book here
Tackling Skills Shortages with Canterbury Christ Church UniversityWednesday 4 May, 11am – 1pmAn Interactive in-person event to hear more about CCCU’s ‘Gradforce’ scheme matching final year students with SMEs. Book here
Make your business ‘appyWednesday 4 May, 11.30am – 12.30pm The world of apps for small businesses is a confusing one. With a myriad of apps out there, how do you know which ones are best for your business and the pitfalls to avoid? In this webinar our expert speaker, Joyce Ong, will help to clarify this for you and will discuss the best apps for you and your business, using apps as a marketing tool, mobile apps, what’s involved in a successful app, and the pitfalls to avoid. There will be plenty of time for questions. Book here
Kent Virtual NetworkingWednesday 25 May, 4pm – 5pmJoin us for this Kent based relaxed networking event with like-minded business owners – everyone is welcome. Book here
Join FSB at SME XPOIn the most challenging economic period for SMEs in living memory, the Evening Standard is launching SME XPO – a FREE networking event and conference designed to support the powerhouse that is the UK SME community. Join legendary speakers for two days of networking, learning and live mentoring with 4,000+ fellow entrepreneurs. Covering strategy, investment, scaling-up, marketing, sustainability and so much more. Taking place at Olympia London on 25-26 May 2022, FSB are one of the partners of the event and we’ll be exhibiting (stand S176), so join us by registering for a free two-day ticket.
FSB on DemandMissed an FSB event? Pop over to our new hub where you will find our most popular webinars, recorded and ready when you are.
Local News and Information
Hospitality and Leisure Omicron GrantsHospitality and Leisure ‘Omicron’ grants are available from Folkestone and Hythe Council. Details of how to apply and eligibility can be found here. Maidstone Council has also issued its Hospitality and Leisure ‘Omicron’ grants. Eligibility and details of how to apply are here. Sevenoaks Council has also released similar grants. Find out more here.
Free Two-Day Ticket to SME XPO25th-26th May, Olympia LondonSMEs are the backbone of the UK economy. Ensuring our SMEs can survive and more can be set up is more important than ever. That’s why the Evening Standard has launched SME XPO, a new exhibition and conference for SMEs which takes place at Olympia London, 23-24 February 2022. Some 100+ speakers will offer 120 hours of free learning on strategy, investment, scaling-up, sustainability and more. The event, which will also feature 100+ best-in-class suppliers, is supported by the Department for International Trade, Cisco, and FSB. Register for a free two-day ticket today and hear from founders and CEO’s who took their small businesses from good to great – and learn from shared mistakes. Including: Ali Parsa, the founder of $4 billion tech start-up Babylon Health, Tej Lalvani, Chief Executive Officer of Vitabiotics, and Former Dragon, Kike Oniwinde, founder of the BYP Network and Holly Tucker, co-founder of online retailer, Notonthehighstreet.
SELEP COVID Recovery Fund- Starting and Succeeding in Business and Adapting with Digital Programmes
If your business is based in Kent you can engage with these new support programmes. Starting and Succeeding in Business is a free online series of business courses, 1-2-1’s and specialist events, supplemented by a 24/7 Start-up App and a range of wider learning resources. Designed for those who are looking to or recently started a new business, as well as those made redundant or unemployed as a result of COVID-19. Adapting with Digital is a programme of business support, 100% delivered online, consisting of business events and peer networking, masterclasses/workshops, 1-2-1’s, specialist events and online support resources. If your business has been impacted by COVID then get on board with harnessing digital technology to help your business run more efficiently and profitably. These programmes include the opportunity to apply for a grant in the Autumn.
Technology Resilience VouchersKent-based businesses are able to apply for a voucher to implement a digital or technology solution or project to help them with business resilience and economic recovery. Each voucher will cover costs up to a maximum of £1,000. The scheme will run for 9 months or until the voucher budget has been fully allocated Businesses will be able to redeem a voucher for services from a range of suppliers that KCC has procured in the following areas:
- Web-based activites
- Remote Working Technologies
- Software Solutions & Apps
- Digital Marketing & Promotional Activities
- Skills & Capacity Building
- Equipment & Small Investments to facilitate digital Activity
Click Here for more information on this initiative.
Lower Thames Crossing
What are your thoughts on this major infrastructure project? How might it affect your business, and access to customers and supplies? Please do take this quick survey, we are keen to understand your views.
South East Export Development Project (SEED) launches
SEED will offer businesses a range of free support services to help them access new international markets through an innovative support programme culminating in a series of virtual trade missions aimed at SELEP-based companies which are keen to increase their international activity. To find out more visit here.
Business Support
Grant funding
The Growing Kent and Medway grant funding for sustainable R&D is open for applications from today. To find our more visit the website.
Free rapid testing
Everyone in England will be able to access two free Covid-19 rapid testing kits a week from their pharmacist from April 19.
Cycle to Work Scheme
A report published by the Cycle to Work Alliance urges the government to widen access to the scheme to ensure it’s accessible for as many people as possible. FSB’s Craig Beaumont said: “These solid policy recommendations will expand the scheme’s success to millions of small businesses and the self-employed, removing barriers.”
Sponsors
