First Voice Podcast

This month we explore a major change to comms and IT that is set to impact all small businesses – but which could actually benefit you in many ways – the ISDN switch off, which is being billed as the biggest communication change in 30 years.Guest: Nick Clarke, Founder & Business Development Director, Evolution Business Consultancy

This month we will be examining what FSB would like to see the government do to encourage greater adoption of tech and innovation among small businesses – and FSB's wishlist when it comes to government support for the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors in the lead up to Christmas. We also discuss the expansion of ULEZ – or the Ultra Low Emission Zone – and why that will have an impact on businesses everywhere, not just in London.Guests:  Yupina Ng, Media and Communications Lead on Innovation, FSB Anna Slater, UK Deputy Head of Media and Communications, FSBMatthew Jaffa, Senior Development Manager for London, FSB

Successful business entrepreneur Sarah Haran talks about how she has grown her luxury accessories brand. She reveals how you can use brand advocacy for your small firms to sell more products and grow your business.Guest:Sarah Haran, Founder/CEO Sarah Haran Accessories

Looking at the future of the High Street and what traders need most in the way of support from the government. And doing a stock-take on international trade for small businesses after some new research, we ask how small businesses are managing the complexity at the moment.

We share some of the success stories from Celebrating Small Business Awards 2023, talking to the winners of the Startup Business of the Year, Exporter of the Year and Self Employed /Freelancer of the Year Awards to find out how they achieved success and what they would like to see in the future to help Small Businesses in the UK.Guests:David Griffiths, Director & Founder of ABERDAMChris Garland, Founder of Chris Garland TrainingJulianne Ponan, Founder of Creative Nature

Tips for the tourist season and the FSB's 'Sunshine List'; the issue of small businesses struggling to pay back their 'bounce back' and other Covid loans and the options available. Plus, the latest tax changes affecting SMEs and why things could get tougher.Guests:Alan Soady: Media Director, FSBAnna Slater: Deputy Head of Media and Communications, FSB

This episode is the last in our mini series on marketing – and looks at digital marketing – in particular how you can reach new audiences and promote your business using paid media and the costs involved with this.Guest:Steve Cox, Founder, Planit

This month we look at the latest interesting results from FSB's Small Business Index - the confidence barometer for small businesses, and also get expert advice on how to manage debt recovery.Guests:Alan Soady, Head of Media and Communications at FSBMark Rankin, Head of Commercial Services at Markel Law

In this episode, we hone in on practical tips to help small businesses start using social media to market their products and services and hear about what works for one small business owner benefiting greatly from an organised approach to using these platforms.Guests: Sascha Way, Founding Partner, Wise Bird MarketingTabbin Almond, Wine to Water Coaching

Find out how small firms are being held back from international trade by excessive customs paperwork, soaring costs and supply chain issues, and what FSB would like to see from government to remove those barriers. Then we explore what support rural small businesses need to help them play their crucial role in energising the economy.Guests: Tina McKenzie: FSB Policy Chair Michael Weedon, Chair, FSB Retail and High Streets Policy Unit with strategic oversight for for Growth and Localism

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 PurpleFrogOliver 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 GroupChris Russell, FSB senior policy managerRebecca 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, FSBLucy Monks, head of international affairs, FSBBen 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, FSBPaul 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 FSBEmelia 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

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, FSBArnab 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 TechnologiesThis 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 TechnologiesThis 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 IrelandDavid Perry, Managing Director, FSB Insurance ServiceDavid 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, LRQAAli 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 & CommunicationsDr 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.

This episode covers all you need to know on the latest issues impacting small businesses, including the rising cost of doing business, international trade disruption and new rules for disputes over commercial rents.This episode is in partnership with Dell Technologies, visit https://www.dell.com/en-uk for more.

Running a small business is tough and can at times feel isolating. What's more, finding money to invest in growing or evolving your business – from web design to legal advice, consulting services and content creation – can be an unwelcome additional expense. However, there are a growing number of small business networking hubs and forums that enable small business owners to obtain support, share ideas and swap strategies - or exchange skills and resources. This episode explores the value of these sites and how they can help small businesses grow.Featuring: Rupert Lane, Founder, Probo.co and Kelly Baynes, C-founder, Nurture Network.

All you need to know on the latest issues impacting small businesses, including the key announcements from the Spring Statement and Making Tax Digital.

From apprenticeships to T Level industry placements and traineeships – there is a whole host of government-supported training and employment schemes that can help you gain access to skilled workers. What's more, there is also support available from the government to help you do that. This episode looks at some of those schemes, exactly how they work and how your business can grow through investment in training.This episode is in partnership with the Join The Skills Revolution campaign.

The regular Small Business Round-Up takes a look at all the important issues and announcements impacting small businesses during the past month – to make sure you are up to speed on all the need-to-know topics – and looks forward to what's on the horizon for the month ahead. This month: finding business insurance in a tough insurance market; getting to grips with changing Covid restrictions; navigating the ongoing challenges of Brexit.  In partnership with Dell Technologies: www.dell.com/en-uk

Late payments continue to put pressure on thousands of small businesses. Getting your invoices or ‘payments in' settled on time can be the key to survival and growth. There are plenty of steps you can take to chase down payments – or to ensure you are in the best place to get paid promptly. This episode lists some handy steps you can take. Sponsored by www.shell.co.uk/fleetapp

The regular Small Business Round-Up takes a look back at all the important issues and announcements impacting small businesses over the past month – to make sure you are up to speed on all the need-to-know topics – and looks forward to what's on the horizon for the month ahead.

In this episode, we round up the big issues and expected trends that all small businesses need to be aware of for the coming 12 months. We speak to Damien Tree, expert business coach and owner of www.businessmechanix.co.uk .

This episode is our January ‘Small Business Round-up', in which we will take a look back at all the important issues you need to be aware of from December – as well as taking a quick look at anything important on the radar in the coming weeks.Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs at FSB, helps us unravel the new business support unveiled by the Chancellor on December 21, and exactly what it means for small business owners throughout the UK.

As government support eases, many still face a financial challenge – while others are looking to secure funding to pivot or grow in 2022. This episode explores the latest funding options available to small businesses

The regular Small Business Round-Up takes a look back at all the important issues and announcements impacting small businesses over the past month – to make sure you are up to speed on all the need-to-know topics – and looks forward to what's on the horizon for the month ahead.

As lockdown measures increasingly ease and as small businesses get more staff back into work, we explore the steps you can take to ensure your staff are able to return safely – and that you have complied with all the necessary guidance.

FSB's David Hale runs through all the important announcements affecting small businesses from the Chancellor's 2021 Budget – including business rates relief; funding for R&D and premises development; money for specific sectors; and the cost implications for running your business.

As energy firms continue to fold and rumours of huge price rises gather pace, the episode explores what's causing the current energy crisis, what it might mean for your energy costs, the different impacts on small businesses, and what you should do now to minimise the impact.Connect with First Voice and Claer on Twitter:@fsb_voice@ClaerB

Find out what the government's National Insurance hike of 1.25% means to you and your business in cash terms. Whether you are a small business owner, a sole trader or a company director, the tax hike will have ramifications for staff costs, salaries and drawing down dividends – meaning there will likely be an impact on all small businesses' future plans. This episode sets out exactly what it means for you – and the steps you should take next.

As lockdown measures have begun to ease and as we move towards further restrictions being lifted in July, many small businesses – particularly those in the hospitality and leisure sectors – have been busy adapting their model and offering, to ensure they can continue to operate and meet customers' changing needs.From providing more outdoor space, to accommodating customers who want to work on site rather than just eat and drink, many have adapted to stay relevant during and post lockdown.In this episode, we will explore how customers' expectations are changing – and share some tips for adapting your small business to meet the needs of customers in the new world.

 If you're a small business that hasn't yet addressed the issue of IR35 and whether your contractors' terms need to change, the good news is that it's not too late to act.This episode of First Voice podcast provides some simple steps you should take now to ensure you don't fall foul of HMRC.

Small business owners are increasingly running their firms from home. This 'new' normal provides a range of challenges, from problems with technology to productivity issues.The First Voice podcast hears from Aruba CTO Simon Wilson and Karen Eyre-White of Go Do on how to ensure you have the perfect working environment and tech required to operate effectively, whether at home or in the office.

Join First Voice magazine along with Nick Marsden, Managing Director of Sort-IT.biz and Helen Barge, Managing Director of Risk Evolves to find out some top tips for protecting your small business against cyber attacks - plus a rundown of the different types of risk that you may face.

Join FSB's Craig Beaumont for this exclusive First Voice podcast where he picks through chancellor Rishi Sunak's 2021 Budget, pulling out the announcements that are important to you as small business owners – and outlining exactly what they mean.From the announcement of furlough continuing, to support for the self-employed, more financial support, apprenticeship funding and much more – Craig lists out all you need to know.

Now that the Brexit transition period has ended and a trade deal has finally been struck with the EU, what does it all mean for the UK's small businesses?Join FSB Head of International Affairs James Sibley for this exclusive First Voice podcast, in which he will set out exactly what the new deal means for small businesses, for your supply chains, for doing business with other countries and for exporting to Europe – as well as much more.Find out all you need to know about what the Brexit deal means for you, as well as the steps you need to take to continue trading, by listening to the exclusive podcast now.