In summary
We love to see members at our local events. We have in person networking and talks every month on the first Wednesday, at The Foundry in Poole. We also hold our vibrant virtual network for Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight twice a month on a Friday morning. Please do reach out to your local Development Manager Nicky Kildunne, at [email protected] for help with local issues.
Read on to find out more.
Featured news and events
UK Shared Prosperity Business Grants and Funding Support
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
The government has allocated money for investment in businesses in Dorset, which is allocated to small businesses by both BCP Council and Dorset Council.
The schemes across Dorset include business support diagnostics and mentoring; as well as the opportunity to apply for grants for capital projects that improve productivity or implement new technologies; start up grants; investment in Net Zero projects.
Both councils have schemes that address what they perceive to be local needs. Please sign up to your own council’s business newsletter to keep up to date with what schemes are available and application windows.
FSB Networking at The Foundry, Poole
Join us at Foundry, home of Barclays Eagle Lab Poole for an info packed event featuring different speakers plus the opportunity to network with other delegates.
Book your free delegate place now >
In other news
Free Social Value Webinar
'Social Value' - would you like to know more? The term is becoming more readily used but not everyone understands the main ways it can be embedded in their company to benefit staff, the wider community, and the increase the bottom line.
Does your company tender for Local Authority / government contracts? Are you looking to expand into this arena or form part of a supply chain? If so, this Act will particularly affect your company. The new 'Public Procurement 2023 Act' will transform the government's procurement process, levelling-up the business playing field by giving all Social Value Ready SMEs access to tender for £100 billion of government contracts. The degree to which a business embraces this new law will directly impact their capacity to thrive and grow. Think of it as the new ISO 9001.
Attendees will be entitled to free membership of the SVRE SME Business Hub for social value guidance, support and governmental framework updates, along with possible collaborations with other SVRE SMEs to bid for contracts. Attendees will also be entitled to take the free SVRE Ready self-assessment giving you a complimentary one hour 1-to-1 consultation to explore your results
Free Business Masterclass Series from 12 June 2024 - Digital Skills Hub, Boscombe
This brand new series of fully funded Masterclasses is launching to help local businesses in Dorset's digital, creative and tech sectors build the clarity, control and confidence to navigate the challenges of growth and achieve their goals.
These interactive workshops, delivered by Silicon South in partnership with the Boscombe Digital Skills Hub and Dorset LEP, are designed for senior leaders and decision-makers, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to:
- Define Your Vision, Purpose, and Values
- Develop a Winning Strategy
- Craft a Compelling Value Proposition
- Identify Your Ideal Customer
- Develop a Targeted Marketing Plan
Still in the news
More protection for small business energy customers
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have jointly announced a package of reforms to help protect small business energy customers, which will be rolled throughout the year.
Small businesses with 10-49 employees will now be able to take energy disputes to the Energy Ombudsman. Until now, only businesses with under 10 employees could do so. New rules will give more protection from rogue energy brokers who are not acting in customers’ best interests.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) campaigned for this protection for small firms.
Further information can be found here>
Help to Grow Management Essentials
The Government has launched a free online 'Help to Grow: Management Essentials' course for leaders of small and medium sized businesses who want to think more strategically about growth. It consists of three modules each with videos and resources that you can watch at your own pace. The first module is about your current business position and setting goals, Module two considers marketing, operations and HR. The final module covers strategic direction and creation of an action plan.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Dorset is Nicky Kildunne. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email us: [email protected]
- follow us on X: @FSBHantsIoWDor
- follow us on Facebook: FSB Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight
- connect with me on LinkedIn: Nicky Kildunne