Your Development Manager: or call FSB MEMBERS SUPPORTING YOUNG ENTERPRISE ACROSS THE REGION

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1 THE Northern Ireland Your Development Manager: or call May/June 2017 FSB LENDS SUPPORT TO YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ACROSS REGION As sponsors of this year s Company Programme with Young Enterprise, the FSB Northern Ireland team recently crisscrossed the Region attending six Trade Fairs, with over 80 companies from 60 schools exhibiting their products. With a vast array of fascinating, innovative and imaginative products on offer, from recycled hi-vis dog jackets, to wooden speakers and innumerable Valentine s gifts, the standard of entrants to each of the Trade Fair competitions was truly inspiring. Representatives from each of our local Branches and Regional Committee participated in the judging at their local Trade Fair, and without exception remarked on the significant difficulties they faced in determining which of the incredibly impressive entrants was the most convincing salesperson, most effective team or best overall company. Held in busy shopping areas in Belfast, FSB Northern Ireland is excited to once again be bringing the FSB Village to Balmoral Show! Located within the Eikon Exhibition Centre, we will be providing opportunities for members to exhibit their products and services to the thousands of visitors to the Show, which this year will run over 4 days, FSB MEMBERS SUPPORTING YOUNG ENTERPRISE ACROSS THE REGION Bangor, Craigavon, Omagh, Derry and Newtownabbey, this series of events provided a great opportunity to publicly demonstrate FSB s commitment to working with local partners to encourage the development of enterprise and entrepreneurship as key elements of the school curriculum. The students and their teachers appreciated the opportunity to discuss commencing on Wednesday 10 until Saturday 13 May. Within the 2016 FSB Village, you could have sampled marshmallows and chocolate, whilst booking health and safety training, ordering some branded clothing, arranging underfloor heating, testing an electronic bike, designing bespoke jewellery, sampling locally made sauces, drying your laundry, organising care for a relative and of course purchasing some cuddly toys, so make sure you come along this year to find out what is on offer from our impressive array of members! There will also be an opportunity to their business ideas with real life entrepreneurs from local businesses, increasing their confidence in trading in the real world. Regional Chair, John Friel, congratulated all of the entrants and winners, adding that we, in FSB, continue to encourage those providing education at every stage to ensure that enterprise and entrepreneurship are valued, and that young people are encouraged to consider selfemployment or setting up their own business as a viable alternative to simply getting a job. Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise, thanked FSB for their support, noting that small businesses are the lifeblood of business across local communities in Northern Ireland, and it is important for students to meet real life local entrepreneurs and learn from them. VISIT FSB NORTHERN IRELAND AT THE BALMORAL SHOW 2017 speak to one of our team of Membership Advisers who will be on hand throughout the Show to discuss any aspect of your membership, and ensure you are receiving all of the benefits to which you are entitled. Don t miss out call down to the Eikon Centre and say hi, and follow us on REGIONAL NEWS 2, 11, 14 BUSINESS UPDATE 3-10 REGIONAL CONTACTS 14 TO ADVERTISE CALL

2 Northern Ireland PAGE 2 VIEW FROM THE CHAIR Having recently celebrated 50 years in business with one of my firms, I have seen my fair share of changes to the economic landscape in which we all operate. We have survived through all manner of threats to our business, from the economic uncertainty of recessions to the political uncertainties of elections, negotiations, crises and referenda, only to find ourselves facing the new threat posed by cybercriminals. Like all small businesses, our resilience has been tried and tested, and we have adapted to ensure our survival through the hard times. As Regional Chair of FSB, I FSB NI REGIONAL CHAIR, JOHN FRIEL have the opportunity to meet with entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey, from start up, through growth, to steady state survival, and even towards legacy planning for the future. In this edition of The Voice you will find stories of young people in schools across Northern Ireland taking their first tentative steps into business with the support of Young Enterprise; of new crowdfunding opportunities for start-ups; of opportunities to network with other members at local events; and of the range of new benefits and services available through FSB. From trading online through FSB Marketplace, to registering your support as an FSB Affiliate, I m sure you will find something of interest to you, no matter what stage you have reached in your business journey. I wish you every success in your endeavours, and encourage you to avail of all of the support FSB can provide to help you to achieve your ambitions. EDITORIAL: This publication is produced by and published for the Federation of Small Businesses, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2FE. Copyright 1996 Federation of Small Businesses all rights reserved. Editor: James Connor. Tel: james.connor@fsb.org.uk. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the Federation of Small Businesses and opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily the policy of the Federation. CONVERT TO CONNECT Whilst full membership of FSB is reserved for those starting up or running their own business, we know there are many others who support our work in a variety of ways. Whether you work in an economic development role within your local Council, business function in your Further Education College or commercial FSB CHANGES CATEGORIES OF ITS MEMBERSHIP On 20 March, FSB introduced the next phase of a sweeping transformation programme, including the introduction of a range of innovative new joining categories, as well as new and additional benefits. This is the next phase in FSB s rebranding exercise, which began in 2015, to ensure our stronghold as the most relevant, significant and accessible business organisation. Dave Stallon, FSB s commercial director, said: When FSB was founded in 1974, we adopted the Ford maxim of you can have any colour you like as long as it s black. We had one membership category, delivering the same benefits to all. That model worked for over 40 years, but we recognise that today s landscape is fast-changing and we want to offer different options to different business owners, as well as to those who are thinking about starting a business, to help them achieve their ambitions. FSB recognises that the small business Following on from the success of the Belfast South Branch event held at Belfast Audi s Titanic Quarter showroom, FSB South East Branch are planning to hold a similar THE banking, we now have a new category of membership which is open to all to join for free. If you know a student, apprentice, existing business owner or anyone else with an interest in helping smaller businesses to achieve their ambitions, Connect membership can provide them with an introduction to FSB. evening for members and non-members alike, hosted by Portadown Audi. So get it into your diary today: join FSB South East Branch in Portadown on 13 June for an evening There are three benefits: access to UK wide networking events; First Voice digital communications; and the opportunity to participate in the influential Big Voice survey panel. For details of how to convert your support into Connect membership, Mairaid McMahon at mairaid. mcmahon@fsb.org.uk. landscape is changing and diversifying. Today s business owners have different motivations, needs and ambitions, and are running their businesses as part of increasingly varied lifestyles. FSB Business Creation and FSB Business Connect are two new joining categories launching on 20 March which will sit alongside the original, but newly re-branded and enriched, FSB Business Essentials. A further joining category, FSB Business Plus, is due to launch later in the year, and a revolutionary new small business e-commerce platform, FSB Marketplace, is planned to be rolled out in the spring. Dave Stallon commented: There are huge opportunities for new and existing smaller businesses at this time, and we re committed to assisting people to harness these. Advances in technology, manufacturing techniques, infrastructure changes and demand for personalisation, all bring thrilling new prospects. For details visit or mairaid.mcmahon@fsb.org.uk. SAVE THE DATE FOR SOUTH EAST EVENT of networking, advice and of course delicious refreshments! For information or to book tickets, check FSB NI s Events Calendar or register through Eventbrite.

3 Northern Ireland BUSINESS ADVISORY GROUP MEETING BRINGING INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY TO LIFE In February, FSB member, Peter Cunningham, played host to the Secretary of State s Business Advisory Group, as they met to consider aspects of the UK s nascent Industrial Strategy. The UK Government introduced a Green Paper on the Strategy, and the Secretary of State and his Ministerial colleagues were keen to engage with business to promote the opportunities within the proposals, as well as to ensure that Northern Ireland was fully engaged in shaping the Strategy in order to maximise its benefits. FSB was keen to ensure that the meetings didn t just take place within the confines of Stormont House but, instead, embraced the industries for which the Strategy set out to create a flourishing environment. As part of this, we approached Peter Cunningham of the Camlin Group and were delighted when he responded very positively, offering to host the Advisory Group meeting at the Camlin factory near Lisburn. Peter is Managing Director, Of all the reasons to start your own business, a bout of severe food poisoning has to be up there as one of the most unusual! But for FSB member Kelly Neill, that is exactly what led to the start of a journey which has seen her set up Panacea Drinks, making a range of healthy, flavoured water kefir drinks. Providing an alternative to the dairy based probiotic type drinks that are so popular on the market, Kelly was keen to offer a replacement for those who are lactose intolerant, but seeking the same natural, good bacteria to enhance their digestive system. Her products are already stocked in a range of independent cafes and shops, and she is keen to expand her business by identifying distributors across the UK and Ireland. Power & Rail, for Camlin, which is involved in different sectors including power distribution, mass transit, security and medical sensor research. As well as hosting the Advisory Group, Peter s father, Chairman of Camlin, arranged for the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Kris Hopkins MP, to have a tour of the research facility at the factory, giving a realism to the purpose of the Industrial Strategy. This practical visit was one of a great many initiatives that FSB pursues to ensure wider understanding and appreciation amongst our politicians of the challenges facing our members, as well as offering practical solutions to problems. Amongst the gathering on the day were the Vice Chancellors of both Ulster and Queen s Universities; a range of business leaders including FSB s NI Regional Chair, John Friel, and Camlin Group Chairman, John Cunningham, who brought a range of experience of industry to the discussion. KELLY ACCELERATES HER BUSINESS KELLY NEILL, FOUNDER OF PANACEA DRINKS To help with this, Kelly has been selected as the only Northern Ireland based participant on the UK-wide Grocery Accelerator programme in London. We wish Kelly all the best in the growth of her company, and look forward to hearing more about her journey in the near future! SMEs AND CROWDFUNDING REPORT With banks retreating from high streets across the UK, and a prevailing perception that traditional lenders continue to be risk-averse, Ulster University s Business School commissioned a study to examine attitudes towards the alternative support on offer to start ups through crowdfunding. Led by Professor Mark Durkin, the research considered both the views of lending bankers and small business owners, and the barriers and enablers that existed in engaging with crowdfunding platforms for those seeking to fund a start-up enterprise. Amongst its key findings, the study identified three opportunities to enhance the value of crowdfunding in support small businesses: improving the education of the small business community and lending bankers around alternative finance platforms and their operation; creating a more specific understanding around the appropriateness of various platforms at different stages of small business growth; and improving the communication as to the relative advantages of both new and existing funding platforms in order that small businesses interested in finance options for their business can avail of a more coherent suite of choices appropriate for their needs at a particular time and stage of growth. Furthermore, the report recommended that retail and business bankers ought to be educated in the area of alternative finance, and specifically crowdfunding opportunities, to enable them to incorporate it more effectively in their offerings to small business. It suggested banks might consider acting as a channel for entrepreneurs to access crowdfunders, to increase both their confidence and potential reach to a supportive crowd. THE PAGE 11

4 EVER THOUGHT ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS? SUPPORTED BY FSB, ONE OF THE LARGEST MEMBERSHIP ORGANISATIONS IN THE UK The skill and drive to maximise your nominated territory A proven track record in sales Self-motivated and hungry for success YOU WILL NEED: An understanding and experience of using Social Media platforms to develop membership sales opportunities Your own transportation and mobile phone OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE UK FOR SELF-EMPLOYED MEMBERSHIP SALES ADVISORS As experts in business we offer our members a wide range of vital business services including Legal and HR advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government as well as many other benefits. Imagine what you could achieve with uncapped earnings potential and full service and product training. WHAT DO WE OFFER? Uncapped earnings potential with our top performers earning in excess of 100k Additional earnings for high rate of sales Earn more by cross selling products and services Full service and product training If you are looking for a new challenge and have experience of working in B2B marketplace we re very keen to hear from you, don t delay in contacting us. Territories available across the whole of the UK For additional information Call or ma.opportunities@fsb.org.uk or visit Candidates.fsb.org.uk

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6 Northern Ireland LEGACY PLANNING FSB Western Branch invites you to a talk by AD Pottie, Chartered Accountants and Legal Intermediaries, and Barrister James O Brien at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, on Tuesday 18 May 2017 at 7.00pm. The talk will cover the legal safeguards that should be put in place by business owners to ensure that their wishes are carried out in the future, focusing on the law as it applies in Northern Ireland. Topics will include: Legacy planning - making sure that your loved ones get the benefit of all your hard work; Shareholder and partnership agreements and business wills making sure that your investment in the company is protected, and a fair relationship is created between the owners to govern how the company is run, to help you protect your business from the damage that can be caused by common eventualities; and Inheritance Tax identifying a number of common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Tickets are 5, and the event is open to both FSB members and non-members alike - so why not bring along a business friend! FSB LAUNCH MARKETPLACE FSB Marketplace is a new place where members can meet online to buy and sell their products and services in a secure environment. Designed to make it easier for members to do business with each other, members are encouraged to register on Marketplace now, to promote their products and services and support other smaller businesses by sourcing on site too. Not only does registering with FSB Marketplace offer you increased visibility and extend your reach to a wider audience, it could also generate an additional revenue stream for your business. Suppliers can manage their catalogue of products and/or services through their own control centre. This is the back office area in which members can manage their own individual marketplace listings. It includes options ranging from basic requirements of ecommerce to more advanced options that users can utilise if they wish, which include: CONTACT US With a market leading package of benefits and services, and the largest membership of any UK business organisation, we want to ensure that you know how to contact us to access the wide range of information and support that we can offer to help you to achieve your ambitions in business. You will find the contact details of our Development Promotional offers and discounts offered to other members such as discount codes, buy one get one free or a percentage off the total price of products; Stock control, allowing the Marketplace to track how many you have and stop selling an item when it has reached its limit; Quote system which allows buyers to request a price for jobs, and send images or examples of a job request to ask for a price; and Reporting suite to run analysis on your sales. Whilst advertising your products and services on the site is free, FSB Marketplace will charge suppliers a low fee of 4% for all transactions that are completed across the site. Suppliers can set up the following methods to receive payment from buyers: Card (online); Cheque; Cash To register as a supplier, you must be an FSB Essentials member, so to find out more about this, visit or contact mairaid.mcmahon@fsb.org.uk. Manager, Mairaid McMahon, and Operational Support Co-ordinator, Fiona Quinn, below. Please note that our Cookstown office has now closed. REGIONAL CONTACTS Development Manager: Mairaid McMahon Tel: mairaid.mcmahon@fsb.org.uk Web: Operational Support Co-ordinator: Fiona Quinn fiona.quinn@fsb.org.uk REGIONAL OFFICERS Regional Chairman John Friel E: john.friel@fsb.org.uk Vice Chairs Brendan Kearney E. Brendan.kearney@fsb.org.uk Marlene Marcus E: enquiries@bodyzonz.co.uk Tel: Secretary Donal McCrossan E: donal.mccrossan@fsb.org.uk Tel: Treasurer Mary Greenan E: mary.greenan@fsb.org.uk National Councillor John Friel E: john.friel@fsb.org.uk BRANCH CHAIRS 01 South East Aubrene Willis E: aubrenewillis@gmail.com 02 Western Karen Rennie E: therennies.22@btopenworld.com 03 Belfast City Harvey Moffatt E. info@co-designonline.com 04 Belfast South David Cunningham E. info@truska.com 05 North East Marlene Marcus E: enquiries@bodyzonz.co.uk POLICY OFFICERS Policy Chairman Wilfred Mitchell OBE wilfred.mitchell@fsb.org.uk Vice-Chair John Friel E: john.friel@fsb.org.uk Treasurer Mary Greenan E: mary.greenan@fsb.org.uk THE FSB NI PRESS AND PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE Cathedral Chambers, 143 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1FH E: info.nireland@fsb.org.uk Web: Tel: Head of External Affairs Roger Pollen E: roger.pollen@fsb.org.uk Policy Manager Carolyn Brown E: carolyn.brown@fsb.org.uk Policy Advisor Seamus Millen E: seamus.millen@fsb.org.uk Press and Parliamentary officer Grace Peacock E: grace.peacock@fsb.org.uk Office Administrator Rachel Munro E. rachel.munro@fsb.org.uk FSB LEGAL ADVICE LINE Your membership number is required PAGE 14