FSB Wales (Federation of Small Businesses)

Tips and advice from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water on how to make sure your business is prepared for the cold winter months: 💧Wrap up pipes and taps in a cold place 💧Address any dripping taps or leaks  💧Know your plumbers 💧Know where your stop taps are and check that they work 💧Know how much water you use to spot any leaks quickly 💧Leave the heating on low during freezing spells Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eKd8PvPf Sicrhewch fod eich busnes yn barod am fisoedd oer y gaeaf trwy ddilyn y cyngor isod gan Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water: 💧Lapiwch bibellau a thapiau sydd mewn man oer 💧Deliwch gyda tapiau sy’n diferu neu yn gollwng 💧Dewch i nabod eich plymwyr 💧Gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod chi’n gwybod ble mae’r stoptapiau, a’u bod nhw’n gweithio 💧Ymgyfarwyddwch â’ch defnydd o ddŵr er mwyn canfod gollyngiadau’n gynnar 💧Cadwch y gwres yn rhedeg yn isel mewn tywydd oer iawn Mwy o wybodaeth yma: https://lnkd.in/eU-GQYrs

🗓️ 𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 / 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐰𝐲𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐮 🗓️ What better way to start the new year than by joining us for valuable networking opportunities across Wales👋Take a look at our upcoming events calendar and come and join us 👇 Pa ffordd well o ddechrau’r flwyddyn newydd nag ymuno â ni ar gyfer rhwydweithio gwerthfawr ledled Cymru👋Cymerwch olwg ar ein calendr digwyddiadau a dewch i ymuno â ni👇 📍𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 🗓️Thursday 9 January, 1pm - 2pm 🎟️https://lnkd.in/enuX7Caa 📍𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 🗓️Wednesday 15 January, 9.30am - 11.00am 🎟️https://lnkd.in/eBRngj_w 📍𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 🗓️Thursday 23 January, 9.00am-11:30am 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/eHxTEUyX https://lnkd.in/eQX8aQSz #WalesNetworking #BusinessCommunity #InPersonEvents #InPersonNetworking #VirtualNetworking #BusinessNetworking #Cardiff #Mold

Did you know that one blood donation could save up to three lives? 👪 How can you make blood your business by teaming up with the Welsh Blood Service? You could: 🩹 Encourage your employees and stakeholder networks to register to become blood, bone marrow and platelet donors. 🩹 Allow employees to donate blood during work hours, if you can accommodate this. 🩹 Hold blood donation sessions or promotional events on your premises to help recruit more donors. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eykvTTpe Oeddech chi'n gwybod y gallai un rhodd gwaed arbed hyd at dri bywyd? 👪 Gwnewch Waed yn Fusnes i Chi drwy gefnogi Gwasanaeth Gwaed Cymru. Dyma rhai syniadau ar gyfer sut gall eich busnes chi helpu: 🩹 Anogwch eich gweithwyr a'ch rhanddeiliaid i gofrestru i ddod yn rhoddwyr gwaed, mêr esgyrn a phlatennau. 🩹 Caniatáu i'ch gweithwyr roi gwaed yn ystod oriau gwaith, os gallwch chi ddarparu ar gyfer hyn. 🩹 Cynnal sesiynau rhoi gwaed neu ddigwyddiadau hyrwyddo ar eich safle i helpu i recriwtio mwy o roddwyr. Mwy o wybodaeth yma: https://lnkd.in/eH7k9MWt #MakeBloodYourBusiness

🎄The team have been out supporting our local small businesses as part of our #10PoundPledge🎄 Coaltown Coffee Roasters❄️Storyville Books Pontypridd❄️Dylan's Restaurant ❄️Wally’s Delicatessen (Sonia Akter)❄️Over Seas Apparel (Liam Jones)❄️Griffin Books (Mel Tuke Griffin)❄️Blŵm Cardiff ❄️ By spending at least £10 with a local small business this festive period and sharing on social media what makes this business special, we can make a real difference 🎅 Thank you to Natasha Asghar MS, Peredur Owen Griffiths MS and Dawn Bowden MS for your support 🎁 Let us know how you are getting involved by using the hashtag #10PoundPledge Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eJqYuP9C 🎄Mae'r tîm wedi bod allan yn cefnogi ein busnesu bach lleol ni fel rhan o'n hymgyrch #10PuntLeol🎄 Trwy wario o leiaf £10 gyda busnes bach lleol dros gyfnod yr ŵyl a rhannu ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol yr hyn sy’n gwneud y busnes hwn yn arbennig, gallwn wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol🎁 Rhowch wybod i ni sut rydych chi'n cymryd rhan trwy ddefnyddio'r hashnod #10PuntLeol Mwy o wybodaeth yma: https://lnkd.in/eJqYuP9C

🎄𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 #10PoundPledge #10PuntLeol 🎄 This December, we're asking everyone to get involved with our #10PoundPledge By spending at least £10 with a local small business this festive period and sharing on social media what makes this business special, we can make a real difference 🎁 This is about supporting the town centre spaces we want to see and preserving the heart and soul of our communities. Let us know how you are getting involved by using the hashtag #10PoundPledge #10PuntLeol You can use these image cards below in your social media posts about the small businesses you’re supporting Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eJqYuP9C 🎄𝐘𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐜𝐡 â 𝐧𝐢 𝐢 𝐠𝐞𝐟𝐧𝐨𝐠𝐢 𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐲𝐫 ŵ𝐲𝐥 #10PuntLeol #10PoundPledge 🎄 Trwy mis Rhagfyr, rydym yn gofyn i bawb gymryd rhan yn ein hymgyrch #10PuntLeol Trwy wario o leiaf £10 gyda busnes bach lleol dros gyfnod yr ŵyl a rhannu ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol yr hyn sy’n gwneud y busnes hwn yn arbennig, gallwn wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol🎁 Mae hyn yn ymwneud â chefnogi’r mannau canol tref yr ydym am eu gweld a chadw calon ac enaid ein cymunedau. Rhowch wybod i ni sut rydych chi'n cymryd rhan trwy ddefnyddio'r hashnod #10PuntLeol #10PoundPledge Gallwch ddefnyddio'r delweddau isod ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol wrth bostio am y busnesau bach rydych chi'n eu cefnogi Mwy o wybodaeth yma: https://lnkd.in/eJqYuP9C

The team have been busy responding to the Welsh Government's Draft Budget, published yesterday, which delivered a key extension to the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief Scheme. Read our full reaction here: https://lnkd.in/g5QbVS43 What will the Draft Budget mean for you? Mae’r tîm wedi bod yn brysur yn ymateb i Gyllideb Ddrafft Llywodraeth Cymru, a gyhoeddwyd ddoe, ac a gadarnhaodd estyniad allweddol i'r Cynllun Rhyddhad Ardrethi Busnes Manwerthu, Lletygarwch a Hamdden. Darllenwch ein hymateb yma: https://lnkd.in/g5QbVS43 Beth fydd y Gyllideb Ddrafft yn ei olygu i chi?

Today, the Welsh Government published the Draft Budget, which included several important measures for Welsh SMEs: 👉 The Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief will be maintained at 40% for 2025-26 👉 The multiplier used to calculate business rates for the financial year 2025-26 will be capped at 1% 👉 An additional £3.7 million will be invested in planning, aiming to accelerate decisions and digitise planning services 👉 A £25m road improvement fund will be created to improve the Strategic Road Network, which the Welsh Government say will enable improvements to 100km of the network and reduce and prevent potholes Read the reaction from our Policy Chair, Ben Francis: https://lnkd.in/g5QbVS43 Mae Cyllideb Ddrafft Llywodraeth Cymru, a gyhoeddwyd heddiw, yn cynnwys sawl mesur pwysig ar gyfer BBaChau Cymru: 👉 Bydd y Rhyddhad Ardrethi Manwerthu, Hamdden a Lletygarwch yn cael ei gadw ar 40% ar gyfer 2025-26 👉 Bydd y lluosydd a ddefnyddir i gyfrifo ardrethi busnes ar gyfer blwyddyn ariannol 2025-26 yn cael ei gapio ar 1% 👉 Bydd £3.7 miliwn ychwanegol yn cael ei fuddsoddi yn y system gynllunio, gyda'r nod o gyflymu penderfyniadau a digideiddio gwasanaethau cynllunio 👉 Bydd cronfa gwella ffyrdd gwerth £25m yn cael ei chreu i wella’r Rhwydwaith Ffyrdd Strategol, y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn dweud ei fod yn galluogi gwelliannau i 100km o’r rhwydwaith a lleihau ac atal tyllau yn y ffyrdd Darllenwch mwy gan ein Cadeirydd Polisi, Ben Francis 👇

𝐅𝐒𝐁 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 Ahead of the Draft Budget tomorrow, we have urged the Welsh Government to: 👉 Extend the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief, at least at the existing 40% level 👉 Freeze the multiplier used to calculate rates for 2025/26 We heard from businesses about why this is so important to them. Trudy Davies, owner of the independent newsagents Woosnam & Davies News, told us that as a community-focused business in Llanidloes, she works hard to try and help the local community. However, the current economic climate is placing immense strain on her business. She says that at least maintaining, if not increasing, business rates relief is crucial for businesses like hers to survive and for our rural communities to thrive. Justin Horton, owner of the ethical kids-wear, gift and toy retail store Funky Monkey emphasised the key role retail plays in our town centres. It not only provides sustainable, quality employment for local people, but also helps local producers to break into the market. The pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis have severely impacted High Street retailers, and Justin makes the case that if we are to create a level playing field for all retailers, a fundamental reform of the business rates system is urgently needed. John Stanley Evans, owner and manager of the Black Boy Inn, highlighted the key contribution small businesses make to our economy, our communities and to preserving the Welsh language. He told us that the 40% business rates relief has helped hospitality businesses like his keep their doors open, retain staff, and continue to serve their community. "This relief isn't just about businesses; it's about preserving the heart and soul of our towns and villages," he added. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/em-PafW7

This week our Deputy Head of Policy, Felix M., gave evidence to the Senedd's Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee on AI and the Welsh economy. 📺Watch a clip below, or catch up with the session here: https://lnkd.in/eC2augYM AI powered technologies have the potential to improve business investment and foster growth. Small firms are agile and with the right framework will be able to embrace AI at pace. But with AI’s rapid growth, the need for a balanced regulatory framework is urgent. There is a key role for governments to play both in managing threats, and in boosting digital trade, raising productivity, and breaking down barriers to tech adoption. What impact do you think AI could have on your business? Yr wythnos hon rhoddodd ein Dirprwy Bennaeth Polisi, Felix Milbank, dystiolaeth i Bwyllgor Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig y Senedd ar AI ac economi Cymru. Mae gan dechnolegau wedi'u pweru gan AI'r potensial i wella buddsoddiad busnes a meithrin twf. Mae cwmnïau bach yn ystwyth, felly gyda'r fframwaith cywir, byddant yn gallu croesawu AI yn gyflym. Ond gyda thwf cyflym AI, mae'r angen am fframwaith rheoleiddio cytbwys yn fater brys. Mae rôl allweddol i lywodraethau ei chwarae wrth reoli bygythiadau, ac wrth hybu masnach ddigidol, cynyddu cynhyrchiant, a chwalu rhwystrau i fabwysiadu technoleg. Pa effaith ydych chi'n meddwl y gallai AI ei chael ar eich busnes?

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 – 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬! How effective is the current system and how could it be changed in the future? The Welsh Government have commissioned Alma Economics to undertake a review of business rates reliefs. They want to hear the opinions and perspectives of ratepayers via a series of online focus groups in December. 🗣️ If you have views on the current set of business rates reliefs, this is a great opportunity to be heard! Complete this expression of interest form: https://lnkd.in/ecRwRKnn 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐠𝐡𝐲𝐦𝐫𝐮 – 𝐦𝐚𝐞’𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐲𝐧 𝐛𝐰𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐠! Pa mor effeithiol yw’r system bresennol a sut y gellid ei newid yn y dyfodol? Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi comisiynu Alma Economics i gynnal adolygiad o ryddhad ardrethi busnes. Maent am glywed barn a safbwyntiau trethdalwyr trwy gyfres o grwpiau ffocws ar-lein ym mis Rhagfyr. 🗣️ Os oes gennych farn ar y set bresennol o ryddhad ardrethi busnes, mae hwn yn gyfle gwych i gael eich clywed! Cwblhewch y ffurflen mynegi diddordeb hon: https://lnkd.in/ecRwRKnn