Have you registered your place for the Pembrokeshire Business Zone 2010?

Tuesday 2nd February 2010

25th March, 10.00am – 6.00pm, County Showground, Haverfordwest.

This must attend event aims to provide business owners and budding entrepreneurs with a one stop information facility. You can meet face to face with representatives from a comprehensive range of organisations which offer vital support and information on developing existing businesses and setting up new ventures. Open between 10am-6pm, this event is a fantastic opportunity not only to source useful information from the exhibiting organisations, but also for exhibitors and visitors to engage in some serious networking and meet potential new customers, suppliers and partners!

Why visit the Business Zone?

MEET PEOPLE THAT CAN HELP YOU START, IMPROVE AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS.

If you are already running a Pembrokeshire business or thinking about starting a new one, visiting the Business Zone will give you direct access to a wealth of advice and information on issues such as business and financial planning, marketing, legislation, tax & VAT, grants & loan funding packages, ICT and tendering for new business and contracts.

Exhibitors include:

• A4e Connect to Work...A4e is a private company contracted by DWP to deliver the New Deal for Disabled People contract in South West Wales. We assist people with health problems or disabilities overcome barriers to finding sustainable employment, sourcing funding, training and specialist help and support. We also offer a variety of services to employers.
• Barclays...In the Pembrokeshire local business team we recognise that businesses in the local area need to feel that their bank is a source of partnership and support. Our team has over 40 years experience in banking that we would like to offer you and your clients, as well as providing innovative ways of financing business.
• Careers Wales West...In addition to helping individuals with their career ambitions, we also work with employers by offering support which includes free recruitment services, advice on training, government support initiatives and employment legislation.
• eBusiness Programme (Welsh Assembly Govt.)...The Welsh Assembly Government supports businesses in implementing all aspects of e-business through its e-Business Team. Information and practical advice are available to help businesses assess their needs, plan ICT projects and get the best use out of their ICT systems.
• eCrime Wales...Whilst Police Forces in Wales have traditionally managed e-Crime incidents and enquiries there has never been a dedicated team in place with specialist knowledge to assist businesses with the reporting and investigation of all aspects of e-Crime. With the support of the Welsh Assembly Government, e-Crime Wales is committed to equipping SME businesses with the knowledge and tools to be vigilant, informed and ultimately safe from the destructive effects of e-Crime in all its forms.
• Federation of Small Business...The UK’s largest business representative organisation undertakes lobbies the Welsh Assembly Government, Westminster and Brussels on issue that affect small businesses and the self-employed. They also offer an extensive range of member services and benefits.
• Finance Wales...provides commercial funding to small and medium-sized businesses throughout Wales, enabling them to realize their potential for innovation and growth.
• Flexible Support For Business...FS4B aims to help all businesses in Wales access the advice and support they need to start, and to grow in a strong and enterprising Welsh economy. Representatives from the regional centre will be on hand to offer information and advice on a range of support services, including research, specialist support & consultancy and the Single Investment Fund.
• GO Wales...Go Wales offers a variety of services to help businesses recruit and retain graduate staff. Businesses can benefit from taking advantage of the cash support for staff training, recruit a student or graduate through a work placement or advertise a vacancy free of charge.
• HM Revenue & Customs...We provide small businesses with support and guidance to meet their obligations to HM Revenue & Customs including, Self Assessment, VAT, Online filing, Tax return deadlines and payment dates.
• Local Investment Fund...The Local Investment Fund (LIF) is a package of flexible financial support to assist eligible new and existing businesses by offering capital grants of 40% of eligible projects, subject to a minimum of £1000 and a maximum of £5000 grant.
• Pembrokeshire Business Network...Pembrokeshire Business Network aims to help local businesses collaborate together so that greater opportunities and benefits are created for everyone. Events such as showcases let others know about your products or services whilst joint projects can access funding for events or to bring specialist expertise – get thinking, get collaborating.
• Pembrokeshire College...Pembrokeshire College understands the difference a highly skilled workforce can make to the success of your business. We can help your staff individually or as part of a group to develop their skills either by attending a course at college, in the work-place or a blend of both.
• Pembrokeshire County Council...Information will be on hand from various departments including procurement, planning, public protection (health and safety and food), Tourism, Inward investment and Learning Pembrokeshire.
• Pembrokeshire Lottery...Pembrokeshire Lottery provides interest free loans to Pembrokeshire businesses. Loans available from £2,000 to £35,000 over 2 to 5 years. All business sectors are eligible, the only criteria is that a business must be based and providing employment in Pembrokeshire.
• Shaw Trust...Shaw Trust is a national charity which supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work, find jobs and live more independently. We also offer practical, tailored solutions for employers to help them recruit and manage a diverse workforce.
• South Wales Chamber of Commerce...The South Wales Chamber of Commerce is a modern, innovative, membership-based business support organisation run by local businesses, for local businesses. We are a local, independent, not-for-profit company, funded by member subscriptions and a long-standing part of a network of national Chambers, quality-accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
• Visit Wales...Visit Wales is the Welsh Assembly Government’s tourism team, within the Department for Heritage and is responsible for the promotion and development of tourism in Wales. The role of the Visit Wales team is to providing the appropriate strategic framework within which public and private enterprise can achieve sustainable growth and success, so improving the social and economic well being of Wales.

The event will be open all day, but we would appreciate an indication when you book as to when you think you will attend.

FREE BUSINESS ADVICE CLINICS

If you are thinking about starting a new business, or are looking to move your existing business forward and improve current operations, PBI has a range of business development advisory services available to assist you with your future ambitions. Many of our services are fully or heavily subsidised depending upon eligibility. At the business zone, our experienced team of business development, ICT and marketing professionals will be holding business advice clinics where you can discuss issues you may be facing and find out about the programmes which can help.

Areas of support which we can offer advice & assistance will include:

• Business and financial planning
• Financial management – managing & understanding accounts, cash flows, financial forecasting
• Advice & assistance with accessing grants, loans and funding packages
• Understanding regulations and legislation
• Market research & developing marketing plans
• Financial accounting systems (QuickBooks & Sage)
• Capturing, storing and using customer details
• Website design tips and techniques
• General effective use of ICT in business.

If you would like to make an appointment with an adviser, just let us know when you book.

SEMINAR SESSIONS

At the Business Zone, we will also be running a number of mini seminars during the day. These seminars will be highlighting issues that impact on all businesses in Pembrokeshire today and are an ideal opportunity to get tips and ideas on how to improve your business performance.

• WHY BUY ME? (Sessions run at: 11.15am and 15.30pm.)

Overview of the basic principles of marketing, ideas on how to design your marketing strategy to meet customers’ needs and encourage them to buy your products and services.

• VAT RETURNS AND ONLINE FILING. (Sessions run at: 11.45am and 15.00pm.)

An overview of tax return requirements/procedures and demonstration on the benefits of using the online filing system (HMRC Business Support Team)

• GOING SELF-EMPLOYED AND PLANNING FOR FUTURE SUCCESS. (Sessions run at: 10.15am and 14.00pm.)

This session will provide future entrepreneurs with an overview of the important issues they need to consider if they are thinking about starting up a new business and highlight the support and advice available to them.

• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. (Sessions run at: 10.45am and 14.30pm.)

A session giving an overview on the importance of cash flow and general financial management for your business.

• WEBSITE MARKETING. (Sessions run at: 12.15pm and 16.00pm.)

This session will give a brief overview of the things you need to do to your website to get a good search engine ranking.

If you would like to attend one of these sessions, just let us know when you book.

NEW TO BUSINESS? NEED NEW CONTACTS? NERVOUS ABOUT NETWORKING? Try Speed Dating for businesses at the Business Zone!

With so little time available to most small businesses what could prove more valuable than using this event to get down to some serious networking? To help encourage you on the day, we will be running speed networking sessions throughout the day.

Speed networking works on a similar principle to speed dating - only you make lots of new business contacts, not romantic ones!

Structured speed networking helps you to focus and get the most out of your time by facilitating a series of “mini meetings” which means that you will get to meet a number of individuals in the same session. During the exchange meetings each partner has a few moments to talk about their business and what it does and work out whether the person they are talking to is a potential customer, supplier or partner – a cost effective and efficient way to meet contacts useful to your business.

Places will be limited, so if you are interested in attending a speed networking session, please tell us when you register for the event so that we can provide you with information about times and availability.

To register please call 01646 695300, or click here to book online.

The event is hosted by PBI and supported by their Community Based Business Development for Micro Rural Enterprises’ project. The project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

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• Starting up a business?
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• ICT & website consultancy & advice
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• Business events, workshops & seminars